During the international Conscious Cities Festival -- where designers, researchers, technologists, decision makers, and local communities converge to explore the intricate relationship between the built environment and human flourishing -- the Conscious Baltimore chapter and the International Arts + Mind Lab are working together to facilitate an enriching and compelling conversation that will aim to answer the question: 

How can we shape the built environment with greater intention and how might that look in Baltimore, Maryland?

On March 21 from 2-3:30pm, we will bring a diverse group of researchers and practitioners together to join this conversation. Experts working nationally will speak alongside local leaders about efforts to consciously shape places that enrich lives and help people flourish. Through this event, we will aim to understand the importance of intentional, meaningful, and conscious design; illustrate how community builders are applying these approaches to their practice; and celebrate the opportunities for cultivating just and welcoming communities with intentional design. Free registration is available here.

Presented by: 

Colin Ellard: Professor of Psychology and Director of the Urban Realities Laboratory, University of Waterloo
Ava Richardson: Director of Sustainability, Baltimore Office of Sustainability
Heidi Thomas: Principal, Creative Director + Worker Owner of EnviroCollab

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This will be a hybrid in-person and virtual event. It is being held in the Creative Arts Center on the 2nd floor of the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Central Branch (400 Cathedral Street Baltimore, MD 21201)

Maximizing Envelope Performance with IMP-Integrated Components explores an advanced insulated metal composite panel building envelope system, components that have been engineered to integrate with the system – including windows, daylighting panels, sunshades, accent fins and louvers – and how the IMP system and integrated components combine to create a high-performance building envelope.

A high-performance building envelope should result in better than average:
Thermal efficiency | Moisture control | Occupant health and safety | Durability | Operating cost | Life cycle cost

And achieving a high-performance building envelope should never compromise:
Views to the exterior | Quality daylighting | Appropriate ventilation | Aesthetics | Construction schedule | Budget

Presented by: 

Stacey Crown

Stacey lives in Annapolis, MD and is the Business Development Manager at NIPG for the states of MD, VA, DE and Washington, DC; representing both their Centria and Metl-Span lines,

Stacey has a diverse background in sales. She spent 20 years in the marine, architectural and RV industries as a coatings and chemicals manufacturer and the last 10 years in the technology sector.

Learning Objectives:

• Establish the definition of a high-performance building envelope and explore the most common barriers to its achievement.
• Distinguish advanced insulated composite panel systems through 10 defining characteristics.
• Understand how key envelope components including windows, daylighting panels, sunshades, louvers, and through-tube bypass framing are engineered to integrate with advanced IMP systems to overcome barriers to achieving a high-performance envelope.
• Explore several examples of high-performance building envelope design using integrated components.

Sponsored by: 

Is your teen interested in Architecture? This series of 3 workshops is a great way for teens to learn the basic tools of architecture, such as planning, sketching, design, and model-building.  The classes are meant to be taken together, as they build on each other. The dates of the workshops are May 3, May 17, and May 31. 

Who: Teens in middle and high school 

When:  May 3, May 17, May 31; 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

NOTE: Once you register your child will be registered for all three classes. 

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. 

DAC is inviting middle and high school students to participate in a collaborative design challenge:  build a model of a greenhouse for a local DC community.  Architects will guide students to collaborate in small groups, where they will be judged in the following categories:  sustainability,  buildability,  affordability, innovation, and best overall solution. This is a great opportunity for participants to work in teams and learn about sustainability, climate change, and farming. All students will receive a mini-greenhouse and certificate to take home. 

In partnership with Lederer Gardens, DC Department of Parks and Recreations

Who: For students in grades 6-12

Sponsored by: 

The food market at International Square in Washington DC, radically reinvents a 1980s atrium lobby into an open-air extension of the street. The market was conceived as a place for all the senses, and by incorporating a natural ventilation strategy it becomes a space for visceral engagement with one’s environment. While adding large doors to connect to the outside was a straightforward detailing challenge, the question was how to do so while creating a comfortable space for as much of the year as possible and within an existing building with a mix of aging systems.

The open-air market concept was conceived prior to the pandemic, and the technical integration was a major client concern. Those concerns diminished upon realizing the practical advantages of increased air changes possible with natural ventilation. It was critical to understand how the open-air would impact the existing atrium smoke exhaust system, and whether the system could be leveraged to facilitate removal of hot air and supplement the vertical stack effect. During the cooler shoulder seasons, the team also sought to modulate openings to extend the operational duration of the natural ventilation modes and allow for additional energy savings.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand energy savings, air quality and experiential improvements that natural ventilation can allow in existing buildings.
• Identify barriers and technical strategies for incorporating natural ventilation into existing buildings, including integration of architectural and ventilation systems and related equipment.
• Determine the times of year and environmental factors where natural ventilation systems can be utilized.
• Understand tools and resources available to allow for a comfortable naturally ventilated environment.

Presented by:

Juan Villafañe, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Partner
Krueck Sexton Partners

What: Join COTE chapters from AIA Northern Virginia, AIA DC, and AIA Potomac Valley for this Tri-COTE event as Melanie De Cola and Eana Bacchiocchi of the American Institute of Architects present the AIA Materials Pledge initiative. De Cola and Bacchiocchi will share the benefits and importance of participating in this pledge and will provide a deeper dive into each of the five pledge statements pertaining to human health, social health, ecosystem health, climate health, and a circular economy. Becoming an AIA Materials Pledge signatory grants access to numerous resources, a starter guide, and a peer-to-peer network. By the end of this presentation, leave with the knowledge and readiness to participate in this pledge and join the almost 300 architecture and design firms that have made this commitment.  
 
The AIA Materials Pledge is a commitment by architects to promote the use of sustainable materials in construction projects, and to holistically consider all aspects of the creation and use of materials. It focuses on encouraging responsible sourcing, reducing environmental impact, and improving the health and well-being of both people and the planet. By signing the pledge, architects are signaling their dedication to responsible material choices that align with broader sustainability goals in the built environment. The initiative is part of a larger movement within architecture to create buildings and spaces that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but also socially and environmentally responsible.

When: March 25, 2025 Doors will open at 5:30 pm following the presentation at 6:00 pm. There will be a meet and greet after from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Where: Stantec, 3001 Washington Boulevard Suite 500, Arlington VA 22201-2247

Tour the historic 5 Logan Circle, N.W., a 5-story circa 1883 brick residence designed by noted architect Emil Frederich for US Trade Diplomat and noted violin collector Dwight Partello. The historic row house is situated in the northwest quadrant of Logan Circle (originally Iowa Circle) and on Kingman Place, NW. Led by Bill Bonstra, FAIA, LEED AP, and Penny Karas, explore the distinctive architectural details of this modernized 2-year renovation full of history and contemporary charm.

The unique floor plan with octagonal rooms features a skylit atrium with a connecting glass and steel bridge that allows daylight into the center of the house and showcases the residence’s original preserved cherry millwork, heart pine floors, and a restored three-story hand-carved cherry stair. Meander through the two-story main residence and three accessory dwelling units that provide market-rate housing and short-term lodging to the historic neighborhood. The historic townhome features original violin images and period drawings from notable architects in its stylings, original German leaded glass windows and skylights, 9-foot-tall pocket doors, and 9 original fireplaces. This project is a contributing resource to the Logan Circle Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.

Learning Objectives:

• Discuss the history of L’Enfant’s Plan for Washington, DC, Logan Circle, and notable architect Emil Frederich.
• Discover opportunities for implementing accessory dwelling units into single-family and historic residences in the Nation’s Capital.
• Understand the process of applying for and receiving historic tax credits, as well as the challenges of preserving historic buildings.
• Discover unique ways to strengthen historic contexts through modern design with the challenges faced by the design team.

Presented by:

Bill Bonstra, FAIA, LEED AP, Partner, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS
 

The new Department of Housing and Community Development (DCHD) headquarters stands as a gateway to Anacostia, exemplifying how thoughtful urban design can drive neighborhood revitalization. This public-private partnership balances historic preservation with modern functionality, integrating office space with ground-floor retail to stimulate local economic growth. The building’s dual-frontage design—an articulated brick façade along Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue and a river-facing side with expansive views—enhances both the neighborhood’s character and the broader cityscape.

Attendees will explore how the project overcame site challenges, including fragmented parcels and lot-line restrictions, through a creative barbell-shaped layout that fosters collaboration and interaction. Sustainability is a key highlight, with the building achieving a 70% reduction in Energy Use Intensity (EUI) through innovative features like a windowless south façade that doubles as a canvas for public art. This tour will provide insights into how urban development can integrate historic context, sustainability, and economic activation to create a lasting community impact.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze how site constraints influence architectural design and urban development strategies.
• Evaluate the role of public-private partnerships in fostering economic revitalization and community engagement.
• Assess how architectural interventions can preserve and enhance historic urban fabric while integrating modern programmatic needs.
• Identify sustainable design strategies that reduce energy consumption and enhance building performance.

Presented by:

Ashton Allan, AIA, LEED AP

In Washington, DC, a city with a broad range of historically significant educational facilities, school modernization projects are required to resolve the challenge of renovating and adding to existing outdated structures in a public approvals process that includes the State Historic Preservation Office and the Congressionally appointed US Commission of Fine Arts.  

The Adams Education Campus, located within the Washington Heights historic district, exemplifies the ways in which historic buildings require precise intervention and treatment of prominent features that must be coordinated with local officials and review boards. Properly considered, Adams models the opportunity to take a sustainable approach toward preserving important cultural landmarks and maintaining their relevance going forward by adapting them to new flexible styles of learning. This design process focuses heavily on striking the proper balance between renovated and newly built learning spaces while fostering interconnectivity of design and the community for the adaptive reuse of outdated spaces. These modernization efforts may also facilitate new connections not only to the outdoors, where more learning is increasingly taking place, but also to the neighborhood through shared community spaces and reimagined site amenities. Public art interventions coordinated as part of the community engagement process may also be used to enhance the understanding of the cultural context and bring new life to outdated portions of existing structures. 

Through a guided tour of the Adams Education Campus, visitors will learn the vital role collaboration with DGS and DCPS plays in creating a successful school that adapts to evolving learning styles and ensures the campus meets the diverse needs of its student body.  The tour will also explore how the unique design build, fast-track delivery method at Adams Education Campus promotes design excellence. By exploring an efficient modernization that respects the city’s historical and urban context, visitors will witness how this approach fosters seamless collaboration, accelerates project timelines, and ensures high-quality, context-sensitive designs that balance innovation with preservation.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how architects provide equitable opportunities for a range of students by navigating DC approvals to sensitively combine rehabilitated historic structures with contemporary additions.
• Understand ways to arrange educational program elements between historic and new structures to ensure equal access to educational resources and shared community program.
• Analyze methods to implement sustainable strategies supporting LEED and Net Zero standards in an historic structure to improve comfort, reduce environmental impacts, and showcase innovation.
• Identify constructability hurdles of adding to an historic structure on a tight, vertical urban site with limited access and staging area.

Presented by:

Marquisha Powell, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, Senior Associate, StudioMB
Chandler Householder, Staff Designer
Frances Prado, Staff Designer
David Bagnoli, Principal in Charge, AIA, LEED BD+C

Once a neglected urban lot, this vibrant development has transformed into a dynamic hub for the community. Designed to inspire, it offers a welcoming space where residents, artists, and entrepreneurs can shop for fresh food and locally made products, enjoy a meal, stay active, listen to live music, or simply connect with others.

The Retail Village at Sycamore & Oak is home to local businesses, diverse eateries, a fitness gym, and a performance space. Guided by extensive community input, the project team created a sustainable and adaptable gathering place that fosters health, wellness, and a strong sense of belonging.

The Sycamore & Oak Retail Village demonstrates the versatility of mass timber, showcasing its role in promoting both environmental and economic sustainability. This innovative project also highlights how wood can be a catalyst for inclusive development, creating a welcoming space that nurtures a true "community within a community."

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about mass timber designed using a Type V Construction featuring glulam beams and columns, dowel laminated timber (DLT), nail-laminated timber (NLT) and CLT walls.
• Learn about design details and components used for a temporary building that can be de-assembled and re-assembled at a future site.
• Learn about the sustainability considerations for design such as mass timber, solar panels, rainwater, and re-use for irrigation.
• Learn about the unique building codes associated with the design of large canopied space.

Presented by:

Leejung Hong, LEED AP, Principal, Winstanley Architects & Planners. 

Michael Winstanley, AIA, AICP, Design Director, Winstanley Architects & Planers