Join the Urban Design Forum learn from Tokyo’s unique approach to housing and urban planning.

Tokyo is one of the world’s largest cities, and one of its most livable. Urban Design Forum invites you to join our study trip on September 8-12 to learn from Tokyo’s unique approach to housing and urban planning. While many other cities are grappling with local opposition and political and legal constraints on new development, Tokyo continues to grow to meet its housing demand through a permissive national development framework, transit-oriented development, and frequent rebuilding. 

Tokyo shows what’s possible when cities make room: through infrastructure-led planning, clever taxation, inventive use of underutilized space, and a different set of cultural norms.

What’s possible when cities make room? 

Schedule & Tuition

The trip will take place from September 8-12, 2025. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis beginning in June.

The tuition is $3,750. To reserve your spot, there is a 50% deposit due by July 15. The additional costs of travel and accommodation for the study trip are assumed by the participants. This trip has been approved for 12 AIA LU and 12 AIA LU | HSW.

The Washington Architectural Foundation is pleased to announce the Fall Design Fête will take place at the Union Market Dock5 on November 20, 2025. This event will celebrate our community and honor several worthy individuals and programs that have made Washington a better place through their contributions as designers, advocates and clients.

This year’s Fete will include a cocktail reception and seated dinner with a program.  Along with celebrating the contributions of these worthy individuals, the Fall Design Fête supports the Washington Architectural Foundation’s education and community outreach programs. Thanks to wonderful sponsors like you, the Foundation can better meet its mission to share the power of architecture to transform community.

Reception Sponsorships:

Bar Sponsorship: $10,000

• Recognition as bar sponsor on branded napkins and signage
• Preferred seating for 8 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials
• Hyperlink on website

Signature Cocktail, Dessert, or Music Sponsor: $5,000

(Cocktail SOLD OUT, Dessert or Music Sponsor Left)

• Recognition with each specialty cocktail, dessert or program note (depending on which sponsorship you choose)
• Preferred seating for 4 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials
• Hyperlink on WAF website

Table and Ticket Sponsorships:

Cornerstone Sponsor: $10,000

• Prime seating for 10 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials
• Half-page ad in dinner journal
• Recognition from the podium
• Hyperlink on WAF website

Corbel Sponsor: $7,500

• Preferred seating for 8 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials
• Hyperlink on WAF website

Keystone Sponsor: $4,000

• Reserved seating for 4 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials, signage and at the podium

Quoin Sponsor: $2,000

• Reserved seating for 2 guests
• Company or Individual Name on event materials, signage and at the podium

The Washington Architectural Foundation is pleased to announce the Fall Design Fête will take place at the Union Market Dock5 on November 20, 2025. This event will celebrate our community and honor several worthy individuals and programs that have made Washington a better place through their contributions as designers, advocates and clients.

This year’s Fete will include a cocktail reception and seated dinner with a program.  Along with celebrating the contributions of these worthy individuals, the Fall Design Fête supports the Washington Architectural Foundation’s education and community outreach programs. Thanks to wonderful sponsors like you, the Foundation can better meet its mission to share the power of architecture to transform community.

Honorees

2025 Centennial Medal Winner – Jonathan Penndorf, FAIA

2025 Glenn Brown Award Winner – Mayor Muriel Bowser

2025 Architect Educator Award Winner – Nea Maloo, FAIA

2025 Emerging Architect Winner – Gozde Yildirim, Assoc. AIA

2025 Partnership for the Planet Award Winner – Greg Plavcan, Assoc. AIA

2025 Donald B. Myer Award for Public Service – Lance Davis, FAIA

Sponsor Fall Design Fête 2025 here

Washington Architectural Foundation is grateful to the following sponsors for the generosity and early commitment in support of the 12th annual Fall Design Fete:

Join GHT for an Lunchtime Learning session led by Senior Principal Don Norwood and Senior Associate Shannon Strong. 

This session introduces the latest best practices and regulatory requirements for designing Secure Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) in commercial office spaces. Attendees will gain a working knowledge of the current technical standards under ICD/ICS 705 Version 1.5.1, with a special focus on architectural and mechanical system coordination for SCIF compliance.

Drawing from recent project experience and federal guidelines, the session is ideal for professionals engaged in secure facility design, construction, or ownership.

Presented by: 

Don Norwood + Shannon Strong
Don Norwood: Senior Principal Don Norwood specializes in multi-floor tenant projects, mission-critical facilities, and historic renovations. Not only is Don an expert in his field, but he is also passionate about educating his GHT peers and colleagues, as well as clients, to improve project outcomes. Don leads the firm’s internal education program, GHT University, and spearheads additional technical training initiatives.

Shannon Strong: Senior Associate Shannon Strong specializes in commercial office, institutional, and secure projects —including SCIF spaces. With more than 25 years of experience in mechanical engineering design, Shannon is a trusted resource to both colleagues and clients. She is frequently consulted on the latest regulations across DMV jurisdictions and secure environments, helping teams navigate complex requirements with confidence. 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the most current governing standard for SCIF design and explain its key chapters.
• Describe the spatial and functional components of a typical SCIF in an office environment.
• Recognize critical architectural and mechanical system modifications required for SCIF compliance.
• Coordinate with engineering teams and federal officials to ensure successful permitting and accreditation.

Modern design trends are favoring larger openings, and while this blank canvas offers the architect a wide range of options, it can also pose a challenge. Because of the almost unlimited variations of different types, styles, and available options for large doors, it is often more important that the architect understands how to make the selection process, rather than which specific door to choose. The process for specifying should include client aesthetic expectations, environmental conditions, building performance, and durability concerns.

• Describe what to consider when balancing the client needs with environmental conditions, building performance, and durability concerns
• Discuss the best process for specifying large doors in commercial and residential projects
• Understand the unique design elements of an indoor/outdoor living space and modern trends in large doors
• List the different door types and styles available for transition points between indoor and outdoor areas

Presented by:

Ken Clark

Ken’s career of specialty building products, focused in fenestration; scans over 30 years, making him uniquely qualified as an architectural consultant and business development advisor. Ken’s experience in all segments of the building supply industry, from manufacturing to dealer distribution has afforded him broad base insight ability to servicing discerning clientele. Ken has provided consulting services and appeared on segments of “This Old House” with Tom Silva, and “Home Again” with Bob Vila. Ken’s current role with TW Perry / BFS allows him the opportunity to share his knowledge, experience and expertise as a consultant to our valued clientele. Ken is also a certified AIA continuing education provider, and leads TW Perry’s / BFS architectural support services.  Ken’s efforts in evaluating the ever-changing business landscape, and adjusting TW Perry’s / BFS window products and services to meet the needs of our customer base and exceeding their expectations, adds an additional dimension to the TW Perry /BFS value proposition.   

Learning Objectives:

• Describe what to consider when balancing the client needs with environmental conditions, building performance, and durability concerns.
• Discuss the best process for specifying large doors in commercial and residential projects.
• Understand the unique design elements of an indoor/outdoor living space and modern trends in large doors.
• List the different door types and styles available for transition points between indoor and outdoor areas.

DEC and EAC Combined Committee Meeting on Wednesday July 9th to host a Summer Sketching Workshop, with special guest, Michael Abrams.  

The committees will be meeting at Cunningham|Quill Architects office and then head out to sketch in Georgetown. 

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