Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Architect's Home Tour?
What is the American Institute of Architects?
How do I take the tour? / How do I get tickets?
Tour Guidelines
What is the Architect's Home Tour?
You may ask what separates the Architect's Home tour from other residential events in town. The answer is simple...Architecture.
The Omaha Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has prepared the Architect's Home Tour to highlight designs that demonstrate what an Architect can bring to your project and to your life. The tour is a showcase of residential design in the Omaha Metropolitan area that is either new construction or additions/remodels all designed by AIA members.
Innovation, style, and craftsmanship can be found in all of the homes you will walk through on the Architect's Home tour. Whether contemplating your own home or exploring your interest in design, we hope to provide you with images, ideas and resources.
back to top ^What is the American Institute of Architects?
The American Institute of Architects is a non-profit professional organization established in 1857 and is the only professional organization of Architects in the United States. The AIA represents over 70,000 architects across the nation and over 500 Architects in the Omaha Metropolitan Area. The AIA is committed to increasing the quality of service provided by its members as well as increasing awareness of the value of Architecture.
AIA Omaha seeks to increase awareness of the value of Architecture and to bring a collaborative and holistic approach to building and development issues in the metropolitan area through public events, lectures, panel discussions and one on one contact with the people who shape our environment.
Architects are much more than designers. Through education and professional experience Architects are problem-solvers, perceptive listeners and creative thinkers who can devise innovative solutions to complex problems.
As professionals who are intimately involved with many of today's most relevant news issues, architects can provide insight, analysis, and opinions on a wide range of topics important to you. On the following list are a number of issues that AIA architects can address.
- Livable Communities/Urban Revitalization
- Crime Prevention Through Design
- Quality Based Selection (QBS) of Architects
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Development of Architectural and Urban Design Standards
- Schools/Educational Facilities
- Health Care Facilities
- Housing Issues
- Justice/Correctional Facilities
- Religious Facilities
- Retail Design
- Americans with Disabilities Act/Accessibility Guidelines
For more information or to get in touch with an AIA Architect contact:
Sara Kay - AIA Nebraska Executive Director
402.472.1456
AIA Nebraska - www.aiane.org
AIA National - www.aia.org
How do I take the tour? / How do I get tickets?
To get on the Architect's Home tour all you need to do is go to any one of the homes the day of the tour from 12-5 and purchase your program. The program will serve as your "ticket" for the tour and will admit you to all of the homes on the tour. Admission prices are $15 for the general public and $10 for students.
To get to a home on the tour review the tour map to locate all six homes. Your program will also include a tour map and additional information about each home. Please review the tour guidelines before taking the tour. In the event of rain the tour will still take place.
back to top ^Tour Guidelines
- Due to the high traffic of the tour, some homeowners may request that visitors remove their shoes before entering the homes.
- Photography inside the homes is strictly prohibited.
- Smoking inside the homes is strictly prohibited.
- No food or drinks are to be taken into the tour homes.
- Pets are not allowed to be taken into the homes.
- Respect the privacy of each homeowner - please do not enter closets or rooms where doors are closed. Please do not open cabinets, drawers or refrigerators.
- Please be courteous to the neighbors of the tour homes - do not block their driveways, walk on their lawns or litter.
- Please be mindful that the homes on the tour are all occupied residences that may have fragile furnishings. We suggest not bringing children less than 10 years of age on the tour.