This session focuses on the Building Enclosure Commissioning requirements of the 2017 Washington, DC, Energy Conservation Code, providing architects with a structured framework for integrating BECx requirements within the Design Phase and Construction Administration project delivery.

The session begins with a review of current code requirements and testing protocols essential to compliance, highlighting their overlap with LEED v4.1 and v5 credits. Presenters will then demonstrate how a coordinated Test Summary Matrix document can be used to align enclosure performance tests with project schedules and responsibilities, thereby coordinating pre-construction mobilization.The course also introduces digital tools that streamline management of test data, checklists, and submittals, enhancing transparency between design teams, contractors, and commissioning providers.Through lessons learned from local case studies, attendees will see how embedding BECx into the design team’s routine Construction Administration improves risk management, documentation quality, and client satisfaction.

Time: 6pm-8pm (6-7 presentation, 7-8 networking hour)

We will provide food/drinks for the event.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify how Building Enclosure Commissioning (BECx) supports project teams to fulfill compliance requirements under the 2017 Washington, DC Energy Conservation Code.
• Identify how the BECx process fulfills LEED v4.1 and v5 commissioning prerequisites and credits.
• Outline how the commissioning process documentation standards such as Test Summary Matrix aid in pre-construction coordination and construction-phase monitoring and verification of enclosure testing fulfillment.
• Explain how digital tools and commissioning key performance indicators integration into construction administration workflows supports improved quality assurance and team accountability.

Presented By:

John David Wagner, AIA, BECxP, CxA+BE

John Wagner is a licensed architect with more than a decade of experience advancing sustainable design in higher education, civic and cultural, and technology sectors. At Baumann Consulting, he leads the integration of resilient, high-performance design strategies into building enclosure consulting, helping project teams move beyond AIA 2030 Commitment targets toward enduring climate solutions in the built environment.
Before joining Baumann, John practiced with Bruner/Cott Architects, where he led adaptive reuse projects, and with Ellenzweig Architects, focusing on complex laboratory and life science facilities. Earlier in his career, he earned licensure while at Ann Beha (now Annum) Architects, where he contributed to the renovation and modernization of historic structures throughout New England. His past clients include MIT, Harvard University, Yale University, and Moderna, and he is currently leading Baumann’s enclosure commissioning of the James R. Thompson Center renovation in downtown Chicago, the future home of Google’s new Midwest headquarters.

Join us for the opening of our latest exhibition, Ahead of the Curve.

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 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?

We welcome your presence at this opening and invite you to attend. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

In recent years, Pickleball has emerged as a significant force in the recreational sports category, captivating a wide range of enthusiasts and growing rapidly in popularity. However, the surge in interest has far outpaced the availability of dedicated facilities, prompting players to seek out unconventional venues and unusual times to play. This trend has led to games being held in spaces not originally intended for sports, and the distinctive sound produced during play has become a notable source of irritation for nearby residents and occupants, often sparking complaints and tensions in communities where matches take place.

Designing pickleball courts requires balancing accessibility with effective noise control. Planners must identify suitable locations while implementing strategies such as distance, barriers, and other mitigation measures to keep sound levels manageable.

This presentation will explore what makes pickleball noise distinctive, why it often irritates nearby residents, and practical approaches for reducing its impact through thoughtful design.

Presented By:

Scott Benson Harvey

President, Chief Engineer, Owner of Phoenix Noise & Vibration, LLC since October 2004 overseeing and managing 5 engineers, CADD manager, and manager of business operations. Vice President of Environmental Division of Polysonics Corporation from 1990 until 2004. For the five years prior to 1990, worked with Bruel & Kjaer to provide engineering support in the marketing of instrumentation for sound and vibration analysis.

Scott Harvey, founder and president of Phoenix Noise & Vibration, has been working in the field of acoustics for 40 years. Holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering he first worked with Bruel & Kjaer instruments, manufacturer of precision instrumentation for measuring sound and vibration. Since 1990, he has been devoted to the field of acoustical engineering as it applies to the building industry. He is Board Certified by the Institute of Noise Control Engineers, a licensed professional engineer in both Maryland and Virginia, and holds memberships with the Acoustical Society of America, the National Council of Acoustical Consultants, and the National and Maryland Societies of Professional Engineers

Learning Objectives:

• Understand noise measurement basics
• Realize the uniqueness of pickleball noise
• Mitigate pickleball noise
• Designate proper location for pickball courts

HSW Justification:

Quiet environments lend to better health, communication, sleep, and concentration. Designing spaces that ensure a low background noise level creates spaces that maintain the health, safety, and welfare of the occupants.

The Smithsonian Institution’s Bird House at the National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) is a historic public zoological facility in Washington, D.C. that reopened in spring 2023 following a comprehensive $69M building renewal. During this program, project team members will discuss how the renovation of the circa-1928 Bird House addressed contemporary health, safety, and welfare requirements while preserving the building’s historic character and supporting public education and conservation research. The session will explore how life safety codes, building systems, and accessibility considerations were integrated within a historic structure in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Presenters will describe sustainable design strategies used to achieve LEED Gold certification, including material reuse, masonry wall retention, and energy-efficient systems that reduced environmental impact and improved building performance. The program will also address the design of immersive walk-through aviaries and bird-friendly environments that prioritize animal welfare, occupant safety, indoor environmental quality, and operational resilience, as well as how the facility supports nearly two million annual visitors while advancing environmental stewardship and public well-being.

Instructions for Attendees: 

Metro, biking, or car-share are encouraged. Limited free parking is available in the surrounding neighborhoods or for pay on-site at the zoo (pre-order online purchase $30, same-day onsite $40). Meet outside the front door of the Birdhouse prior to 11am.

Presented by:

Nathan Picotte, AIA

Nathan is a licensed architect who gained his Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan and his Master of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati. He currently serves as a Senior Architect at Quinn Evans Architects – a firm recognized for its commitment to using creativity and expertise to achieve award-winning and extraordinary designs that sustain and renew the built environment. Nathan was a key member of the design team responsible for the design, construction administration, and achievement of LEED Gold certification of the Bird House.

K. Aurora Smith, AIA, LEED AP BD+C

Aurora is a licensed architect who gained her Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia and her Master of Architecture from Tulane University. She currently serves as an Associate at Quinn Evans Architects. Aurora was a key member of the design team responsible for the design, construction administration, and achievement of LEED Gold certification of the Bird House. 

Derek Roberts, AIA, NCARB, AICP, LEED AP

Derek is a licensed architect and certified planner who gained his Bachelor of Arts in Art/Philosophy from Calvin University, and Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. He currently serves as Smithsonian’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction (OPDC) Zoo-Branch Chief of Design, leading a team of Design Managers who oversee projects like the Bird House to ensure compliance with Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Smithsonian, local agencies, and sustainability standards.  

Sara Hallager

Sara serves as the National Zoo’s curator of birds with responsibility for the conception, goal-setting, planning, leadership and implementation of avian care on a daily basis, including bird well-being, reproductive programs, conservation programs, exhibition, and interpretive public programs for the Zoo’s bird collection. She has 35 years of experience with avian management and husbandry in a zoological setting. Sara serves as chair of several Association of Zoo and Aquariums programs, co-chairs the North American songbird SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program, is an active member of IUCN’s Bustard Specialist Group (serving as Secretary), and is a strong advocate for ratite, bustard and native songbird conservation. Sara was instrumental in the design and construction of the Bird House facility as well as recent improvement completed across the entire Bird Plateau. 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe how life safety, accessibility, and building code requirements were integrated into the rehabilitation of a historic zoological facility in accordance with the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.
• Identify sustainable design and construction strategies, including material reuse, envelope retention, and energy-efficient building systems, that reduced environmental impact and improved long-term building performance in a public facility.
• Explain how architectural design, mechanical systems, and spatial planning were coordinated to support animal welfare, occupant health, indoor environmental quality, and visitor safety within immersive exhibit environments.
• Analyze how adaptive reuse and exhibit design can promote public welfare by supporting conservation research, environmental education, and safe circulation for high-volume public use.

HSW Justification: 

This program addresses health, safety, and welfare by examining how life safety codes, accessibility requirements, and building systems were integrated into the rehabilitation of a historic public facility serving nearly two million annual visitors. 

TOPIC - GOAL SETTING 

WHEN - Wednesday, Jan 14th, 2026 

               6:00pm - 7:30pm 

WHERE - Collective Architecture 

Join us for the opening of our latest exhibition, Objects of Abolition.

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 prisons located in western US. 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.

We welcome your presence at this opening and invite you to attend. Drinks and light hors d’oeuvres will be served.

The Fairy Tale Council has a problem and needs your help! Can you redesign a fairy tale's environment? Like Rapunzel's tower, Snow White's shared house, or Aladdin's sky lounge in the clouds, just to name a few? Choose a fairy tale and we will help you come up with a solution for it!

Ages 8 and up. 

Dates: July 20 - July 24, 2026

Time:  10 am - 3pm (Session ends at noon on Friday)

Age group: 11 - 14 years old

Capacity of 25 Students 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE -  JUNE 15, 2026

District Architecture Center offers a unique 5-day camp experience for DC metropolitan youth. Professional architects, engineers and designers guide children to the wonders of the built environment, develop creative and analytical skills, and grow an appreciation for their fields. Over the 5-day period, children will be introduced to fundamentals of architecture, the design process, aspects of engineering, urban planning and go on walking tours and field trips. By the end of the week, final projects will be exhibited for families. 
 

Monday - Introduction to Architecture

Tuesday - Urban Planning

Wednesday - Fundamentals of Engineering

Thursday - Interior Design 

Friday - Exhibition Day 

DACKids Summer Camp Home Page here. 

This program is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Made possible through the support of the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

Note: District Architecture Center Members enjoy discounted rates on summer camp and other DAC events. Click here to join, and you will save $50 on DACKids Summer Camp.

Dates: July 13 - July 17, 2026

Time:  10 am - 3pm (Session ends at noon on Friday)

Age group: 8 - 10 years old

Capacity of 25 Students 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE - JUNE 15, 2026

District Architecture Center offers a unique 5-day camp experience for DC metropolitan youth. Professional architects, engineers and designers guide children to the wonders of the built environment, develop creative and analytical skills, and grow an appreciation for their fields. Over the 5-day period, children will be introduced to fundamentals of architecture, the design process, aspects of engineering, urban planning and go on walking tours and field trips. By the end of the week, final projects will be exhibited for families. 
 

Monday - Introduction to Architecture

Tuesday - Urban Planning

Wednesday - Fundamentals of Engineering

Thursday - Interior Design 

Friday - Exhibition Day 

DACKids Summer Camp Home Page here. 

This program is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Made possible through the support of the Hattie M. Strong Foundation.

Note: District Architecture Center Members enjoy discounted rates on summer camp and other DAC events. Click here to join, and you will save $50 on DACKids Summer Camp.

The AIA National Photography Competition, produced by AIA St. Louis, was founded to capture and honor architects, design professionals and architectural students whose amazing talents are showcased in their photographic interpretation of the designed environment.

The competition is open to all architects actively registered in the United States, AIA Associates, and architecture students at an accredited architecture school. Licensed architects do not have to be an AIA member to enter.

All Architects are welcome and encouraged to submit photos!

• Award-winning images will be posted on the AIA St. Louis website and social media.
• The top award-winning images will be highlighted in the digital edition of the Architectural Record Magazine and website.
• The top Award-winning images will be exhibited at the AIA National AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego near the Architectural Record Magazine booth.
• Cash awards for top award-winning images. 

Rules & Regulations:
2026 AIA National Photography Competition, Produced by AIA St. Louis Prospectus - CLICK HERE

Competition Schedule:

• January 1, 2026 - Competition Opens
• April 15, 2026 - Submission deadline
• May 16, 2026 - Jury Date

 Entry Fees: Each entry allows you to enter up to five (5) images

• AIA Members - $40
• Associate AIA Members - $30
• Architecture Students - $20
• AIA Emeritus - $20
• Non-member registered architects - $50

Judges:

• Kimberly Dowdell, AIA - HOK (2024 AIA National President)
• Jason Keen - Jason Keen Photography
• Marcus Carter - OBJECT TERRITORIES
   

Awards: 

Cash Prizes

•  First Place - $500
• Second Place - $400
• Third Place - $300
• Fuller Award - $200 - The subject of the Al Fuller Award must be located in the United States.
• Student Award -  $200 - Awarded to an AIAS member and/or a student at an NAAB accredited school. 

Judge's Commendation Awards - 10 images will be selected as Merit Awards.

Honorable Mentions - The judges may select up to 30 images as honorable mentions.

Image Requirements:

• File Size - Each image must not exceed 20 MB in size.
• Resolution - Each image should be at least 2816 pixels in its longest dimension.
• File Format - Each image must be entered in JPG or TIFF format.
• File Naming - Each image title and photo number must be included in the file in the following format: ImageTitle_Photo#.filetype (Ex: Country House_Photo3.jpg).  File names should not include punctuation and must include the extension of .JPG or .TIFF 

Purchase Entries: CALL FOR ENTRIES OPENS JANUARY 1ST 

With the purchase of an entries, you are able to submit up to five (5) photographs.  To enter more photos into the competition you will have to purchase additional entries.