AIA Grand Rapids Announces 2026 Board of Directors
AIA Grand Rapids recently announced their Board of Directors for the 2026 term, including two of MMA’s very own, returning to their positions.
MMA Principal Ben Franceschi will continue his role as Secretary, and MMA Senior Architect Matt Christie will serve as the AIA Michigan Director.
Since its founding in 1923, AIA Grand Rapids has been dedicated to advocating for the value of architecture and supporting architects in their professional growth. As a local component of the American Institute of Architects, the chapter provides educational opportunities, government advocacy, community redevelopment initiatives, and public outreach programs that strengthen both the profession and the communities it serves.
Ben is an architect and principal at MMA. He has nearly two decades of experience in the architectural profession. His experience at MMA has extended into all areas of architectural practice, including design leadership, project management, and firm business management. Ben remains regularly involved with Ferris State University’s Architectural Technology program, having served as an adjunct professor in history and theory, the urban studio, as an advisor to the capstone program, and serving as a regular guest critic.
Ben is a member of the Creston Neighborhood Association and is thrilled to be part of the evolution of West Michigan, and he sees the practice of architecture as a uniquely positioned agent for its growth. In 2023, Ben joined the AIA Grand Rapids Board as Secretary.
Matt is a senior project architect at MMA. With 15+ years of experience, Matt is a design leader who approaches each project with a passion to understand and connect with clients through early discovery workshops and planning. His diverse experience includes an array of domestic and international projects across aviation, commercial, education, institutional, industrial, and single and multi-family residential project types. Since moving to the Grand Rapids area from Chicago in 2015, he quickly engaged in the local architecture community, which has included several roles in the local chapter of the AIA. In 2020, Matt served as President for the AIA Grand Rapids (AIAGR) chapter. During his time as president, he helped guide the chapter through the impacts of COVID-19 and has been part of a leadership committee that is establishing an AIAGR endowment for student scholarships. He served as the chapter’s Vice President in 2019 and as Past President in 2021. In 2022, Matt was honored as AIAGR’s Young Architect of the Year.
