This Friday, Timothy Buckley, AIA, principal and sole employee of Greenstone Architecture, in Vancouver, Washington, will drive two hours north to Olympia, the state capital. There, he and about 50 other architects from around the state will meet face to face with lawmakers to discuss issues related to the architecture profession. “We’re closing the office for the day,” Buckley quips.

The annual lobbying event, called Capitol Connections, is sponsored by AIA Washington Council. “Architecture,” says executive director Stan Bowman, “is a profession that is heavily regulated and impacted by the decisions of lawmakers. It’s invaluable for architects to speak directly to elected officials.”