The state of California was a particularly fruitful place for women to practice architecture in the 20th century. Female architects disproportionately found professional success there over other states, and they developed careers that unfolded in a variety of trajectories - as founders and principals, as academics and activists, and most commonly as the leaders of small firms specializing in sectors from residential to institutional. 

Curated by Virginia Tech architectural historian Elizabeth Keslacy, PhD, Ahead of the Curve asks, why did California become such an important center of women’s architectural practice? Beyond its size, its sunshine, and its booming economy, the exhibition speculates that as an early adopter of legislation to expand women’s rights and freedoms, California uniquely enabled female architects to achieve professional success. Beginning with statehood in 1850 and continuing to the present day, California bolstered women’s autonomy by enabling suffrage, ensuring reproductive freedom, and empowering women’s financial self-determination--and by criminalizing discrimination in employment and housing.

The exhibition pairs a timeline of women’s freedom with ten profiles of women who exemplify the diversity of architectural practice in the 20th century and whose work is collected in The International Archive of Women in Architecture [IAWA].  On the occasion of the International Archive of Women in Architecture’s 40th anniversary, this exhibition displays a the work of ten Californian architects’ work held the IAWA, highlighting the diversity of careers and expertise women achieved in practice throughout the twentieth century. Pairing the professional and the political, we ask visitors to consider what conditions have enabled their own professional success? What further forms of freedom or justice might we need for true equality in the future?
 

Exhibition Credits
_{Curator: Elizabeth Keslacy, PhD
Curatorial Assistant: Neda Tabatabaei Nezhad
Graphic Design: Joss Kiely, PhD}

The above exhibition dates are not concrete and are subject to change.

Fred Moten and Stefano Harney invite us to imagine abolition as a project of building anew. In this exhibition, Objects of Abolition, models and drawings will answer their question: What is an object of abolition? Together, these object types will position abolition as a spatial problem, deeply entangled with our industries and requiring buy-in and imagination to materialize. This exhibition will situate Architecture, Construction, and Engineering industries in the Prison Industrial Complex, imagine an abolitionist alternative to Cop City, and model the social and climatic conditions of formerly and currently incarcerated individuals in Colorado prisons. Objects of Abolition is one of the first exhibitions in the country to explore abolition and its connection to design professionals to imagine just and liberatory futures.

This work was produced as a collaboration between the Community Engagement, Design and Research Center in Environmental Design, Climate and Incarceration Research Collaborative at CU Boulder, and Design As Protest Collective.

Exhibition Credits

_{Curator: Sophie Weston Chien
Curatorial Assistant: Serena Langdon-Dimidjian
Graphic Designer: Catherine Park}

Fairy Tale Architecture presents designs for unbuilt structures that explore the relationship between fairy tales and speculative architecture, melding art, architecture, and literary critique. Initially begun as a series for the online public architecture, landscape, and urbanism journal Places, the exhibition presents work melding architecture, design, and literary critique. Architects and designers from all over the world were invited to select a favorite tale, contemplate the promise of a magical home, and design new realms and spaces that explore this inquiry within the world of the fairy tale.

Originally presented at the Center for Architecture in New York City from November 11, 2022, to February 25, 2023, this exhibition has now been reimagined for the District Architecture Center space.

Acknowledgements 

_{EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mary Fitch, AICP, Hon. AIA, District Architecture Center 
EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS MANAGER: Molly Watkins, District Architecture Center
CURATORS: Kate Bernheimer, author, and Andrew Bernheimer, FAIA, Principal, Bernheimer Architecture
GRAPHIC DESIGN: Once–Future Office}

Boliglaboratorium: A Danish Housing Lab showcases six groundbreaking projects by Danish architecture firms that explore ways in which housing can respond to some of the greatest challenges of our time. Housing across the world today is affected by climate change, resource scarcity, new family patterns, rise of loneliness, and shrinking rural communities. Big cities are struggling to keep up with the influx of newcomers. 

The models presented in this exhibition are real-life housing projects across urban and rural Denmark that experiment with new blueprints to build for modern life. The Housing Lab was first exhibited in Copenhagen in 2023 as part of the UIA World Congress of Architects. A Pacific Northwest tour in the United States was presented by Scan Design Foundation, in partnership with the Danish Embassy in Washington DC, from November 2024 to May 2025. Scan Design Foundation’s mission is to support the cross-cultural exchange between Denmark and the U.S.

Scan Design Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing Danish American relations through the exchange of people, ideas, and cultural experiences. More at scandesignfoundation.org 

IG, FB: ScanDesignFoundation

LI: scan-design-by-inge-&-jens-bruun-foundation

https://www.scandesignfoundation.org/partners-projects/thehousinglab 

Plastic is intertwined with nearly every aspect of modern life, from the packaging of everyday goods to the construction of items like electronics, clothing, and furniture. Its versatility, affordability, and durability combined have made it an indispensable material in countless industries today. Architecture is no different from the rest of modern-day production, as plastic is used in many key components of building design. 

However, the accessible and enduring nature of plastics comes at a cost. Plastics are a leading factor in climate change, as more than 99% of plastics are made from fossil fuels. By 2050, the combined greenhouse gas emissions from plastic could reach over 56 gigatons, devastating and irreversibly damaging the planet. 

Plastics are toxic, and are taking a toll on not only the health of our planet, but on our bodies as well. Many toxic additives are mixed in with plastic polymers, to give plastics their color, flexibility and other properties. The petrochemical components of plastic have been linked to cancer; as well as neurological, reproductive, and toxicity impairment of the immune system. 

Considering the harmful impact of plastics on our health, some companies have begun to identify ways in which buildings can be constructed without plastic. In fact, in 2022, UK company GreenSquareAccord completed construction on Europe’s first plastic-free affordable housing development. Other companies have taken the initiative to create new plastic-free materials to build with, such as tiles made from mussel beards, and other bio-based materials. The ability and desire to eliminate plastics from architecture is not just limited to larger companies. Whether a house needs a renovation or remodel, or you would like to construct your next home completely from scratch, there are many tips and tricks as to how you can avoid plastic in future home materials. 

This exhibition explores not only how companies worldwide are making impressive strides in the movement away from plastic-use in architecture, but also how we as everyday consumers can aid in this cause. Join us in exploring how the architecture of the future can advance beyond plastics and learn why the move away from plastics is so crucial- for ourselves and our planet.

Acknowledgments

The District Architecture Center would like to thank Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP and Prometheus Materials for sponsoring this exhibition. Additional support provided by AIA|DC Sustaining Firm Affiliate Members. 

_{EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mary Fitch, AICP, Hon. AIA, District Architecture Center 
EXHIBITION CURATOR, SCRIPT WRITER, AND GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Molly Watkins, District Architecture Center
CONSULTING SCRIPT WRITER: Rachel Radvany, Center for International Environmental Law}

This exhibition explores the transformative power of placemaking art, inviting viewers to engage with the spaces that shape our communities. With a deep-rooted passion for urbanism and sustainable environments, My Ly approaches each project as an opportunity to create unique and meaningful connections through design. This exhibition showcases her ability to craft spaces that not only serve a function but also foster a sense of vitality, belonging and identity.

Drawing from her extensive background in architecture, urban design, and art, My's work blends creative vision a strong focus on community engagement. Her projects, both large and small, emphasize the importance of collaboration and inclusive design in shaping vibrant public and private spaces. As an award-winning designer, My's work in placemaking has been recognized for its ability to transform environments into active, living art.

Through this exhibition, My Ly Design invites viewers to reflect on public space and how creative design can impact social dynamics and cultural identity in the built environment.

Acknowledgments

This exhibition is organized by the District Architecture Center for the Suman Sorg Gallery. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Additional support provided by AIA|DC Sustaining Firm Affiliate Members. 

_{EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mary Fitch, AICP, Hon. AIA, District Architecture Center 
EXHIBITION MANAGER: Molly Watkins, District Architecture Center
ARTIST: My Ly Design @mylydesign} 

This March, join the American Institute of Architects and the DC Preservation League for a panel discussion focused on women’s experiences in preservation. This session's participants will be discussing career trajectories, common challenges, and favorite projects. This educational session will provide attendees with valuable insight into the field and connect various sectors of modern preservation.

Meet the panelists…

Marnique Heath, FAIA, is a Principal and Chair of the Board of Directors of STUDIOS Architecture, an international design firm specializing in workplace, civic and institutional, and mixed‐use projects. At STUDIOS, she oversees an innovative design practice with a diverse client base, including the District and Federal government, educational and cultural institutions, non‐profit organizations, and many private corporations. She is highly valued for her efforts to lead the firm into a new generation of industry practice where diverse interests and backgrounds must be valued and represented to create inclusive places and communities. She also reinforces climate justice as essential for creating equitable communities.
 

Sarah Vonesh is the Director of Preservation Planning and a Senior Project Manager at EHT Traceries, a woman-owned historic preservation firm in Washington, DC. She holds a MS in Historic Preservation from Columbia University and a BA in Historic Preservation and Community Planning from the College of Charleston. Sarah specializes in the sensitive rehabilitation of historic properties, working with building owners, architects, and developers. She contributes to strategic planning, Historic Structure Reports, and National Register nominations, ensuring historic sites remain vibrant and accessible while balancing preservation with modern needs.
 

Betsy Merritt is deputy general counsel at the National Trust for Historic Preservation, where she has been responsible for the National Trust’s legal advocacy program for the past 25 years. Although Merritt is known for her litigation work, having represented the National Trust in nearly 200 cases in state and federal courts, including two dozen transportation cases, she has a stronger interest in using negotiation and administrative advocacy to persuade government agencies to make more preservation-sensitive decisions, especially through consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Betsy is a native of Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1980, and from Mills College in Oakland, California in 1976.
 

Lauren McHale was appointed President of The L’Enfant Trust in 2017, after serving as Executive Director and Director of Preservation. In 2012, she initiated the Trust’s Historic Properties Redevelopment Program. Lauren has a B.A. in Art History and Historic Preservation & Community Planning from the College of Charleston and an M.S. in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is the past Chair of the Preservation Action Foundation and Past President of the Latrobe Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians. Lauren currently serves as an ACE DC Mentor Program board member and a citizen member of the Planning, Zoning and Economic Development Committee of Washington, DC’s Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6C.

In partnership with the DC Preservation League.

Explore the transformation of downtown living with Balsa, an innovative office-to-residential (O2R) conversion developed by Willowbridge and designed by Hickok Cole. Completed in August 2024, Balsa is one of the first newly built O2R projects in the heart of Washington DC, offering 222 modern residences and an extensive rooftop amenity package. The redevelopment preserved the existing below-grade parking structure while reimagining the six-story building by replacing the top 4 levels of steel construction with an 11-story light-gauge metal structure above—blending sustainability with forward-thinking design.

Join us for an exclusive walking tour to explore Balsa and its role in reshaping the downtown landscape. As one of five office-to-residential conversion projects currently being designed by Hickok Cole within a three-block radius, Balsa exemplifies the future of adaptive reuse, breathing new life into former office spaces. Discover the architectural innovations behind the transformation, experience the thoughtfully designed residences, and take in the rooftop amenities that maximize views, light and the existing structure.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key design and construction strategies for Office-to-Residential (O2R) conversion, including structural modifications, material selection, and adaptive reuse principles.
• Evaluate sustainable and adaptive reuse practices by assessing how existing building components, such as below-grade parking structures, are repurposed to reduce environmental impact and improve efficiency.
• Assess the impact of O2R conversions on urban development by analyzing their role in addressing housing demand, enhancing walkability, and fostering mixed-use communities.
• Analyze architectural and engineering innovations, including the use of light-gauge metal construction and other advanced techniques, to create modern and efficient residential buildings.

Presented by:

Guilherme Almeida, Associate Principal, Director of Sustainability + High Performance Design
AIA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate

Art by Architects 2025 is an exciting exhibition that highlights art created by local architects, architecture students, chapter members, and others in the community who have a passion for architecture. 

On view through April 2025, this exhibition displays a variety of art mediums, included but not limited to paintings, digital works, photographs, furniture, sketches, and 3-dimensional pieces. This multi-medium exhibition showcases how architects are not confined to just building design but have the capacity to create exquisite works of art that demonstrate their individual creativity and innovation. Art by Architects encourages the viewer to celebrate the creative synergy between these two disciplines and discover how architecture can inspire profound artistic exploration.

Participating Artists

Charles Bergen
Mohd Bilbeisi
Gordon Binder
Caitlin Brady
Sally Cansoneri
David Cox
Kendall Dorman
Claire Egelhoff
Luke Giaccio
Bradford Grant
Kaitlyn Hay
Jonathan Herz
Zherti Jasa
P D Klein
Kimoy Lallement
Eric Leland
Joey Manlapaz
Charles Matta
Frank Mobilio
Ken Reed
Joseph Sacco
Ronald Schneck
Milton Shinberg
Renata Southard
Lyuba Tartova
Ira Tattelman
Peter VanderPoel
Michael Vann
Richard Vitullo

Acknowledgments

This exhibition is organized by the District Architecture Center for the Sorg Gallery. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Additional support provided by AIA|DC Sustaining Firm Affiliate Members. 

_{EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mary Fitch, AICP, Hon. AIA, District Architecture Center 
EXHIBITION DESIGNER & SCRIPT WRITER: Molly Watkins, District Architecture Center}

Discover the fusion of architecture and adornment in our exhibition, Built to Adorn: Jewelry and the Architecture of DC.

This exhibition illuminates unique jewelry pieces whose designs draw inspiration from the city’s iconic buildings and monuments. Several of these jewelry pieces were created by world-renowned architects, while others were inspired by the style of significant architects, such as Mies Van Der Rohe. A handful of the pieces in the exhibition were crafted by talented jewelry designers who simply found inspiration in particular architectural elements of DC buildings. Each piece reflects the rich history, intricate details, and cultural significance of DC's architectural landscape, transforming familiar structures into wearable art. Join us to explore how these stunning creations celebrate the beauty of the city through the lens of wearable design and craftsmanship.

Selected Projects

<sub>Treppe Necklace and Earrings,                                 Alessi Clock pin, designed by
designed by Off on a Tangent                                   Michael Graves

Mies Necklace Wave Long, designed by
Iskin Sisters</sub>

Acknowledgments

This exhibition is organized by the District Architecture Center for the Sigal Gallery. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Additional support provided by AIA|DC Sustaining Firm Affiliate Members. 

_{EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Mary Fitch, AICP, Hon. AIA, District Architecture Center 
EXHIBITION DESIGNER, CURATOR, & SCRIPT WRITER: Molly Watkins, District Architecture Center}