Is your teen interested in Architecture? This workshop is a great way for teens to learn the basic tools of architecture, such as site visits, sketching, design, and model-building.  DAC offers the workshop in the spring and fall.

Who: Teens in middle and high school 

When:  November 15th, 10 am - 3 pm

*Please bring a lunch and water bottle, and wear weather appropriate clothes. We will have lunch from 12 pm - 12:30 pm and go on a local site visit. 

WAF provides scholarships for all its classes.  If you are facing a financial hardship please contact Mary Fitch for a code that will provide a 50% discount. We ask that you only use this option if you are facing financial challenges. If further discounts are required, please contact Mary to discuss. 

Find this event and all other Youth Events on our Youth Programs page. 

Do you have an innovative and sustainable product you would like to showcase? We are looking for your best environmentally-friendly products to showcase at our annual conference!

This design competition celebrates the most recently developed building materials that are not only innovative and creative, but also sustainable and scalable. We invite designers, engineers, researchers, and material scientists to showcase groundbreaking materials that push the boundaries of what’s possible in architecture and construction.

Whether it’s a bio-based composite, a carbon-negative concrete, or a smart material that adapts to its environment, we’re looking for solutions that inspire, perform, and pave the way for a more resilient future.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all, including students and professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture and engineering. 

Categories

Entries may be submitted in two categories:

• Built
• Unbuilt

Schedule

Registration Open: July 1, 2025

Submission Deadline:  August 22, 2025

Jury Deliberations:  September 5, 2025, Winners will not be notified prior to the Awards announcement below

Awards announced:  If selected, your product will be displayed throughout the duration of our 2025 DesignDC event.

Submission Requirements

Please upload a PDF (6 mg max) that describes the innovative sustainability features of your product, including but not limited to:

• Technical Datasheet
• Sustainability Impact Report
• Design Application Example (rendering, model, or case study)
• Links to video descriptions
• Other information as needed to describe the product 

Jury composition

The jury will be made up of AIA|DC board members and industry professionals focusing on sustainable product development.

Come join Avalon Theatre for a screening of ADA - My Mother the Architect, a deeply moving portrait of an architect tested by the impossible choices between career, country and motherhood.

In this course, Tim Arvin and Mitchell Maxwell will discuss the latest flood maps and its implications on site design and building code design requirements. The team will explore the use of interactive flood maps and the three ways to view maps (Interactive Map, Map Image – FIRM, Dynamic Map – FIRMette). The team will also explain the different federal and local flood regulations, how civil and geotechnical engineers can help evaluate design options, and other factors to consider such as flood insurance, local flood events, etc.

This program will also address the current proposed changes to the DC’s floodplain regulations and how it might affect future development, permitting, and substantial improvement projects within DC.

Presented by:

Tim Arvin, PE
Tim Arvin is a site/civil engineer with over 10 years of experience in the Washington, DC region and overseas. Tim received his Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and Master's in Water Resource Engineering from George Mason University and is a licensed professional engineer in the state of Virginia. Currently, Tim is a project manager at Langan. He leads complex site/civil engineering projects involving site feasibility studies, site layout, grading and drainage design, stormwater management analysis and design, utility design, and design of erosion and sediment control plans. He has extensive project experience in the land development industry, education sector, medical facilities, and international work.

Mitchell Maxwell
Mitchell graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Engineering and a Master's of Civil Engineering at the University of Delaware. Mitchell moved to the DC metro area with a passion for international work and water infrastructure. He is involved in site/civil engineering designs for both local and international projects. His primary job responsibilities include the development of site plans, utility designs, stormwater management plans, and water resources focused assessments and reports.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insight into how FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are created, including data sources, hydrologic and hydraulic modeling techniques, and the map revision process. Learn how to access, interpret, and download the latest official floodplain maps.
• Learn to recognize and differentiate between flood zone designations (e.g., Zones AE, X, VE) shown on flood maps, and understand the general characteristics and risk profiles associated with each zone.
• Understand how floodplain designations influence site layout decisions, grading, foundation types, and stormwater strategies. Learn the relevant building code requirements triggered by floodplain location.
• Discover how civil and geotechnical engineers support design teams by assessing floodplain constraints, providing technical documentation for permits, and proposing site-specific solutions.
   

Sponsored by: 

Langan

Please join the COTEdc committee for our June committee meeting. This month’s committee meeting will be hosted by Perkins Eastman and include Heather Jauregui, PE Sustainability Director and Juan Guarin, PE sustainability Specialist as our June “Friends of the Committee.” They will discuss the COTE Top Ten Award submission process in celebration of DC’s newest COTE award winner John Lewis Elementary School!! We will also share event updates for upcoming building tours and discuss potential fall events.  

If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Patrick and Miranda at the following emails so we can plan the head count: patrick.keeney@wsp.com and m.ford@perkinseastman-dc.com

When: Thursday, June 19^th 5:30-6:30pm.  Please be sure to arrive promptly by 5:30pm to allow the meeting to progress on time. 

Where: Perkins Eastman – One Thomas Circle NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005

Join us for two lunchtime presentations hosted by TW Perry at their Silver Spring showroom. Space is limited to 20 attendees. Lunch will be provided between the two presentations. This is a free event.

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes early so the first program may begin promptly at 11:00 AM.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Program presentation #1
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Program presentation #2

Program 1: Industrial Design Doors/Windows
 

Description: This course provides an introduction to steel doors and windows for residential and commercial applications.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the market demand for steel doors and windows
• Understand the application of these materials.
• Understand the design, fabrication and installation processes.
• Understand the implication of installation-retrofits and new construction applications.

Credit: 1 LU

Presenter: Thomas Scardino, Jr., COO/Product Manager – The French Steel Company | thomas@frenchsteel.com; 202.809.9339
Provider: Scardino Doors (404108668); Course #101

Program 2: The Future of Folding Doors: New Innovations Driven by Design 

Description: Evolving design trends have driven the emergence of a new range of folding door products that complement modern architecture and improve user experience through performance and ease of operation. This course will review key attributes of these next-generation folding doors, including product styling and sightlines, size capabilities, hardware design and placement, and performance criteria. You will learn how these design improvements open up sightlines, ease operation, and boost the performance of folding doors.  

Learning Objectives:

• Examine how the lines between residential and commercial design are blurring, and how architects can use folding door systems in each market to enhance their designs.
• Explore how narrower stiles and larger panel sizes work together to improve sightlines and views to the exterior by minimizing obstructions and maximizing glazing.
• Discover how innovative hardware solutions improve aesthetics and make folding doors easier to operate.
• Review performance measures for folding doors, including water penetration, structural strength, and air infiltration, and understand how next-generation folding doors improve on each of these metrics.

Credit: 1 LU/HSW

Presenter: Terryl Cronin, Architectural Consultant – JELD-WEN/LACANTINA | tcronin@jeldwen.com; 202.655.1874
Provider: Jeld-wen, Inc. (J327); Course #JWLCFuture824

TW Perry is an Annual Partner of AIA Potomac Valley.

Organized by AIA PV and the Capital Area CRAN (Custom Residential Architects Network, an AIA Knowledge Community), a tri-chapter committee founded jointly by AIA DC, AIA Northern Virginia and AIA Potomac Valley.

THANKS TO OUR PV CRAN SPONSORS!

Celebrate Pride Month in DC with the AIA|DC Board and fellow members at a vibrant networking event designed to foster new connections and inspire future collaborations. Enjoy food, drinks, and great company in an inclusive and festive atmosphere.

• Connect with AIA members and grow your professional network!
• Meet leaders from our committees, including the Asian American Designers Union, Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program, Design Excellence, and the Latin American Interior Designers, Engineers, and Architects Committee!
• Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Perkins&Will!

Event in collaboration with AIA|DC Advocacy Committee, BuildOut Alliance, and AIA NOVA LGBTQIA+ Alliance.

Sponsored by

Clark Construction 

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Come join us to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition, Two Words: No Plastics — Making Buildings Plastic-Free.

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.

Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

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}

Join LA IDEA Committee at Glenstone Museum for a special gathering of architects, designers, and creatives. Surrounded by Glenstone’s stunning landscape, this event offers a chance to explore art and architecture while connecting with like-minded professionals. Enjoy thought-provoking spaces, inspiring discussions, and meaningful conversations in one of the most beautifully curated museum settings. Whether you’re passionate about innovation, heritage, or community, this is a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and share perspectives. This tour will be led by Latino Glenstone staff, offering unique insights into the museum’s design and philosophy. LA IDEA is dedicated to elevating Latino voices, fostering dialogue, and celebrating contributions to the fields of architecture and design.

Presented by:

Valentina Nahon, Senior Director of Public Engagement
Jose Castro, Capital Projects Manager
Sophia Figueroa, Design Lead
Sergio Candia Valdez, Construction Supervisor

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the role of design in shaping artistic and community engagement.
• Analyze the relationship between art and architecture in museum design.
• Explore innovative approaches to integrating nature and built environments.
• Evaluate the role of materiality and construction techniques in museum design.

Join AIA|DC + Build Out Alliance at World Pride DC 2025!

AIA members are invited to march with Build Out Alliance (BOA) in the 2025 World Pride Parade in Washington, DC—including the pre-March rally that afternoon. Sign up now via the BOA website: https://buildoutalliance.org/upcoming-events/2025-06-dc-world-pride-parade-in-washington-dc

Let’s show up in full force and celebrate inclusivity in the built environment!