Rex Cabaniss is Principal & Planning / Design Director with WHLC Architecture in Baton Rouge and Fairhope. With a Bachelors of Environmental Design from Texas A&M University and Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon, I’ve worked in firms from Portland, Austin, San Antonio, Houston and New Orleans, to London; sized from 2 to 200. 

This experience in a rich variety of urban centers guides my focus on civic design issues. For the past 25 years, I’ve practiced in Baton Rouge with a focus on community-based developments throughout the southeast. Recent projects include healthcare, commercial, residential, recreation, education, and research facilities.

I’ve greatly valued my involvement with AIA on local and state levels as follows - Baton Rouge Chapter: Board of Directors 2012-present, Public Policy Committee Chairman 2012-2016, Board Vice President 2017, and Board President 2018; Louisiana Chapter: State Delegate 2016-present.

Current civic engagements include: Board Member & Design Director of The Walls Project – enhancing the community through public art installations and youth education; Past Board President of Mid-City Redevelopment Alliance – serving the community through home ownership promotion, neighborhood enhancement, and creative placemaking.

Involvement with the LSU School of Architecture includes visiting design critic, guest lecturer, and the Professional Advisory Board. 

Current service in the public sector includes: Complete Streets Citizens Advisory Committee, Quality of Place Committee, Smart City Committee, Sustainable Transportation Action Committee; and Capital Region Planning Commission’s Recovery Implementation Committee. These roles allow direct engagement with governmental leaders and public outreach on the value of careful planning, thoughtful design, and collaborative community advocacy to enhance our built environment.

Candidate Statement
I’m honored to be nominated as a candidate for the office of First Vice President / President Elect. My interest in this leadership position closely follows the deep value I place on AIA membership – that of providing a respected professional voice to the public plus offering a diversity of services to its members.  

AIA promotes quality planning & design within our communities by raising public awareness and supporting responsible advocacy on key issues. Through broad civic participation and focused governmental engagement, our profession can advance a productive agenda to enhance the quality of place at our state, city, and neighborhood scales.

AIA also serves as a vital resource to its members through a focus on professional development and continuing education. To strengthen our voice by retaining existing members and attracting new members, AIA Louisiana must continue to prioritize and communicate the many values of membership.

Through the AIA, I enjoy working with fellow colleagues to strengthen our impact within the community, to collectively raise up our professional profile and to collaboratively build up our physical environment. I look forward to AIA’s advancement of those ideals, and to expanding our outreach and influence.  

I welcome the opportunity to serve in this capacity of promoting Louisiana’s rich architectural heritage, our current advocacy opportunities and future aspirations; and appreciate your consideration for this role within AIA Louisiana.