As the DEC looks ahead to an exciting new year, we want to highlight the growth and evolution of our committee. Over the past few years, the DEC has broadened its focus beyond chapter awards and jury management. Notable initiatives, such as the "4x4=16" film series and tours during the 2024 AIA National Conference, have enriched our programing. These efforts have fostered increased membership and engagement, resulting in a more diverse and inclusive committee that reflects the full spectrum of our chapter's members. We are excited by these positive changes and the meaningful conversations that have emerged around design, architecture, equity, and chapter programs. As we move forward, we remain committed to advancing the value of architecture in DC, promoting equity within the profession, celebrating sustainability, and supporting the chapter's vision of community empowerment. We welcome your feedback and look forward to another year of productive collaboration with AIA|DC and the DAC.
Annual DEC Committee Goals
This past year the DEC supported our Chapter members contributions to design excellence through the AIADC Design Award programs; Chapter Awards, Unbuilt Awards, and Washingtonian Residential Awards. In addition, our committee has continued to promote and educate the value of design to our members through our education programs, tours, seminars, and panel discussions.
Communications 2025 Goals
- Continue to grow online social media presence and recognition
- Increase partnerships with other AIA DC Committees and organizations for joint event promotions and projects
- Expand video interview series about Design Excellence to include a broader group of architects, planners, and designers, and introduce educational content about the Chapter Awards
- Develop video interview series to include short interviews with Chapter Awards jury
Recruitment 2025 Goals
- Increase DEC membership by 50% with diverse members matching professions diversity
- Organize 5 Open Houses at local Architectural practices and make formal presentations about the work of the DEC at recruitment presentations
- Work with Communications sub-committee posting invitations to joining the DEC at least once a month
- Work with events sub-committee to include strong outreach to joining the committee during each event
- Partner with DAC's EAC Committee to facilitate young members
- Continue personal targeted outreach for recruitment of DEC members
The Design Excellence Committee meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Meetings start at 6pm beginning in January 2025.
Lectures and events are organized around the awards programs as well as other architectural events going on in the community.
Please see the AIADC calendar for the Design Excellence Committee's meetings and other events.