Scott Bowers is the new president of the American Institute of Architects, Huron Valley chapter, for 2010, but his connection to the AIA goes back several decades.

Bowers grew up the son of an architect and said architecture was “part of our daily living.” He was first attracted to the artistic side of architecture, but also was interested in the engineering side of the field from an early age, he said.

In his younger years, Bowers did a student exchange program in South Africa through AIA, staying with several architects and their families. He said he found how architecture was done there “fascinating.” Bowers noticed that architects in South Africa at that time did a lot more design work, “from the building all the way through to the furniture.”

He also was impressed by the open design of a host family’s home.

“Hans Holland in South Africa inspired me,” Bowers said. “I stayed in his home, and the whole back wall during the day would open up to their back yard, and the roof would fold back. It was in a typical subdivision like in the states, but there would be lizards inside and birds flying through the house.”

To this day, Bowers said he admires houses and buildings with large, open spaces. He shares his admiration for open spaces and design with his wife, who is also an architect.

“We typically like the same things… open spaces, and a design that integrates nature with the inside,” he said. “Walking through spaces, we’ll comment to each other on why we like that architecture. One of our favorite things to do is go into a space and think about what defines it, what makes it comfortable.”

Despite being a member of AIA for many years, Bowers said he said he didn't always take full advantage of that membership.

“I’ve always been a member of AIA, but I focused on my own company for the longest time,” Bowers said. Over time, he said, he realized that he could be taking more advantage of the continuing education offered through the organization.

“In this world, things are changing so rapidly — the types of materials, codes, green building, the software,” Bowers said. “AIA has a great handle on this and keeps architects abreast of it.”

Bowers said the AIA has been especially good at helping architects navigate the new green building trend and evaluate products claiming to be green. “Are they actually green or just saying they’re green? It’s great to be able to talk with other members about how this is working, this is good, or no, these particular products are not as green or innovative as you’d think.”

As the new president of the local chapter of the AIA, he hopes to promote and create awareness of the role architecture plays in daily life.

“I consider it a service to the public, using my artistic and technical abilities to create wonderful buildings people like to be in,” he said.

Background

Education: Master’s of Architecture - University of Michigan.

Family: Wife: Susan. Children: Erin, Scotty, Kara, Maddie and Nick.

Residence: Ann Arbor.

Business Insights

Best business decision: Opening my own business.

Worst business decision: Not spending enough time with the American Institute of Architects when I was starting out.

Best way to keep a competitive edge: Keep evolving.

Personal hero: My father.

How do you motivate people? Believe in what you are doing - and follow through.

What advice would you give to yourself in college? Stay on top of your work.

Word that best describes you: Passionate.

First Web site you check in the morning: Wall Street Journal.

Confessions

What keeps you up at night? The economy and work.

Pet peeve: Selfish personalities.

Guilty pleasure: Visiting my cabin up north.

First job: Construction laborer in Downtown Grand Rapids.

First choice for a new career: I’d do this one over again.

Treasures

Favorite cause: Under-privileged children.

Favorite book: “Outliers” by Malcolm Gladwell.

Favorite movie: "300."

Favorite hobby: Sketching.

Favorite restaurant: Mediterrano.

LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter? I have accounts on all three but am not an active user.

Typical Saturday: Going to the gym; going to my kid’s activities.

What team do you root for? University of Michigan.

Wheels: 2008 black Jeep Wrangler Limited.

Who would play you in a movie? Gene Hackman (I like the guy!).