Join AIA/PV and Capital Area CRAN to learn about the collaborative journey between a determined homeowner with a long-cultivated collection of dreams and ideas, and the team of designers and builders who have worked with him to realize this highly customized home, now in its finishing stages. Come early for a light lunch provided by David Solley, Representative for Andersen Co., and to stroll the grounds. Tour the house and hear about the evolution of the project, presented by the architect, the landscape architect, and the home builder.

At the end of the tour, Andersen Representative and PV CRAN sponsor David Solley, who provided the window and door package for this project, will present an Andersen program, “Glass: Select the Option for Your Project” (1 LU/HSW).

Schedule:

11:45am – 12:30pm: Lunch/meet & greet/walk the grounds
12:30pm – 1:30pm: House Tour (1 LU)
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Andersen Program (1 LU/HSW)

Presented by: 

AIA Potomac Valley and Capital Area CRAN

Presenters: 

Jonathan Rivera, AIA, Architect;

 Paul Mueller, Contractor, Mueller Homes; 

Colleen Vacelet, Landscape Architect

Are you on the hunt for a new job or simply looking to polish your resume and portfolio? Don't miss out on an exciting opportunity to join AIA DC, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Potomac Valley for an engaging crash course on mastering the architectural job market. This dynamic panel discussion will cover essential topics like resume-building techniques, portfolio reviews, and interview tips tailored for young architects. Following the panel, you'll have the chance to participate in small group critiques of your resume and portfolio by experienced local architecture practitioners. Bring your resume and/or portfolio, no matter the stage of completion, and get ready for an insightful review and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the elements of a successful resume and portfolio.
• Review and discuss how to create a resume that is more likely to catch employers' attention.
• Gain insights into effective portfolio presentations during an interview.
• Explore how resumes and portfolios are reviewed to identify essential skills for success in the field.

Presented by: 

Emerging Architects Committee, AIA|NOVA School Connections Committee, YAF NOVA, AIA|PV

Sponsored by: 

HDR, Torti Gallas + Partners, and Grimm + Parker
 

Join us for our second 360 Mentorship Mixer of the year! Professionals of all experience levels will engage in short, speed mentoring sessions with small groups of seasoned professionals and industry peers. Don't miss this unique opportunity to accelerate your career, gain fresh perspectives, and build lasting connections within the architecture and design community. Reserve your spot today!

Learning Objectives:

• Gain insights, advice, and industry knowledge in rapid, engaging sessions designed to maximize learning in a short amount of time.
• Embrace fresh ideas, innovative approaches, and the latest trends shaping the future of architecture and design.
• Expand your professional network by connecting with mentors and mentees from diverse backgrounds.
• Summarize the best ways to engage with a mentor and develop a symbiotic relationship.

Presented by: 

ACEL Committee 

Maestros de Arquitectura is a unique lecture series created to recognize renowned Latin American architects for their professional accomplishments and personal journeys in the US and around the world.

Join us for an enriching evening with Jean Pierre Crousse, one of the leading Latin American Architects.

Crousse will share insights and experiences from his professional trajectory, highlighting key projects that define his architectural philosophy. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs that have shaped his path, offering a unique perspective on the practice of architecture in today's world.

Additionally, Crousse will delve into his approach to teaching architecture, exploring the methods and principles he employs to inspire and guide the next generation of architects. This segment will provide invaluable knowledge for both practicing architects and students, emphasizing the importance of education in shaping the future of the field.

Don't miss this chance to gain insights from one of contemporary architecture's leading figures. Reserve your spot today!

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the differences in architectural design between developed and developing societies, showing the challenges regarding construction means, technologies, and regulations.
• Identify design strategies used to adapt to particular contexts, considering the specificities of labor skills, available technologies, current regulations, and construction methods.
• Compare the conditions and challenges of architectural practice in the Americas and the different approaches to sustainability.
• Discuss the appropriateness of one's organization of the design processes and challenge preconceptions of the dynamics between design phases and construction methods.

Presented by: 

Jean Pierre Crousse

Jean Pierre Crousse formed as an architect in Lima and Milan, Master in Landscape Architecture at the UDP, Chile, Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Tacna , and a foreign member of the French Académie d’Architecture. He is currently the Director of the Master Program in Architecture at the PUCP, Lima, and his academic experience includes teaching at the Paris-Belleville School of Architecture (1999-2006), a 17-year tenure as Associate Professor at the PUCP (2006-present), and visiting professor as Design Critic at Harvard GSD (2015 and 2022), at Yale School of Architecture (2019 and 2021) and at University of Virginia UVA (2020). He is currently a Charles Gwathmey Visiting Professor in Practice (2023-28) at Yale University. Has been appointed as a member of the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize International Advisory Council, jury chair for the Excellence prize organized by the French Canadian Institute of Architects, Quebec, 2020, and jury member for the Holcim Awards, 2023.

He founded the studio Barclay and Crousse with Sandra Barclay in 1994 in Paris, and the studio has been based in Lima since 2006. They continue to work in France with the Parisian studio Nord-Sud Architecture.

Their transatlantic experience has been recognized by the 2018 Mies Crown Hall of the Americas Award and the first Oscar Niemeyer Prize, among other international awards. The International Committee of Architectural Critics (CICA) has acknowledged their work with the 2013 Latin America Prize. In Peru, they have obtained the Peruvian Architecture National Prize in 2014 and 2018.

Sponsored by:

GROF USA

Morgan Chawaga will present actionable strategies on how to combat stress and burnout in the architecture industry. A licensed architect, and career coach with experience as an owner’s representative in the corporate arena, Morgan will give an interactive presentation detailing common sources of stress and burnout in practice, then coach attendees on effective responses to encourage and ensure success in both their personal and professional lives. This event is free, and open to all AIA|DC and DAC members.
 

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the key symptoms of stress and burnout in architectural practice.
• Discuss common sources of stress and burnout among event attendees.
• Identify key strategies to manage stress in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
• Apply these strategies to maximize productivity and achieve career success.
   

Presented by: 

Morgan Chawaga
Meet Morgan. A licensed architect, ivy league graduate, certified meditation teacher, and mother of two fierce little girls; Lily and Violet.

Morgan is a former people pleaser with a type-A personality who climbed the corporate ladder as quickly as possible. As an owners representative at one of the top medical campuses in America, Morgan had the unique opportunity of hiring and working first hand with several female architects. What she noticed would change the trajectory of her career path: The females who knew how to manage their stress were thriving.

When Morgan started managing her stress, learning how to set boundaries and create balance, both her professional and personal career began to flourish. She was able to negotiate a higher salary, longer maternity leave, and step into a director role, all while raising a family and have hobbies.

Fast forward to today, Morgan has helping women in the architecture industry design and build successful lives and careers without burnout out. And this is how The Healthy Architect, LLC was born.

Benefiting the Capital Area Food Bank, Canstruction DC returns November 27 – December 2, 2024 to the National Building Museum.

Organized by the Washington Architectural Foundation, this nationwide, creative design-build competition will bring together local architecture and design firms in Washington, DC to raise awareness around food insecurity.

Crafted entirely of unopened, canned food, teams are challenged to create unique sculptures centering this year’s theme, “Construction Tools & Equipment”. 

A panel of judges will select standout entries in several categories. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to vote on their favorite design.

At the end of the competition, structures will be dismantled, and all canned food will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank.

Stay tuned for details on how to vote for your favorite!

Click here to donate to the Washington Architectural Foundation

Click here to check out last year's winners

In 2025, the 2030 Challenge goal for fossil fuel reductions will increase from 80% to 90%. What does this mean for you and your firm? And what happens after 2030? Please join COTE chapters from AIA|DC, AIA Northern Virginia, and AIA Potomac Valley for this Tri-COTE event focusing on improvement and opportunities related to the 2030 Challenge and the AIA 2030 Commitment. We will begin with an introduction from AIA National Climate Action staff sharing efforts related to the ongoing goal increase, followed by a panel discussion aimed at addressing opportunities and challenges, both for large and small firm practices. Thank you to our sponsor, Pella, for supporting our group and offering snacks and beverages for this event!

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the increases to the 2030 Challenge goals coming in 2025, and what firms can do to support their projects in achieve the increased goals.
• Learn from industry experts on best practice methods for the AIA 2030 Commitment, including implementation and reporting within your own office. A key requirement of the AIA 2030 Commitment is to produce a Firmwide Sustainability Plan which has both strategies for sustainability for a firm’s projects, as well as direct sustainability improvements for how the firm functions. This impact from the firms has direct correlation with the HSW of the public by reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption.
• Understand firm and cultural opportunities and challenges as it relates to large firm vs small firms when it comes to pursuing the 2030 Challenge. This content is all content within the intended to improve and educate how both large and small firms function in order to achieve the 2030 Challenge.  And thus by improving how a firm achieves the 2030 Challenge, the firms are impacting the HSW of the public by reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption. 
• Discuss design and technical strategies as they relate to achieving the 2030 Challenge.

Introduction:

Melanie De Cola 

2030 Program Director – AIA National

Panelists:

Julia Siple, AIA, LEED AP BD+C               

Principal, Director of Sustainability – Quinn Evans

Juan Guarin, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, CPHC

Sustainability Specialist – Perkins Eastman

Meghan McAvoy, LEED AP, Well AP, Fitwel Amb.

Director of Sustainable Programs – GHT Limited

Gregory Plavcan, Assoc AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Fitwel Amb

Sustainability Director – Gensler

Panel Moderator:

Miranda Ford, AIA, LEED AP BD+C        

Senior Associate – Perkins Eastman

Sponsored by: 

Pella

Concrete is a rather ubiquitous, tested, proven, and versatile building material. It has been used for literally thousands of years to create long-lasting man-made structures of all types, including buildings. Architects in the past few centuries have found it to be an appealing choice to express dynamic and vibrant designs in ways that other materials could not. The ability to structurally reinforce concrete and form it into custom, free-flowing shapes can give it an organize quality that is different from most other materials. This can produce more design freedom and the ability to incorporate unique and custom features into a building as part of the basic construction process.

It is not surprising then that new technologies, techniques, and design approaches have been developed that allow architects to think and design with concrete in ways that are even more creative, structurally efficient, sustainable, and cost efficient. It is also common to couple the technical knowledge of concrete with the ability to design in three dimensions using building information modeling or similar design software to create award-winning and stunning facilities. Some architects even attest that their careers have not only been made possible but flourished through this combination.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore the historical and contemporary evolution of concrete and its use as a key building material.
• Investigate the design issues related to using concrete as a durable, long-lasting primary building material.
• Assess design strategies related to creating buildings that can be innovative in shape and form and meet structural and fire codes.
• Identify the role that design software and building information modeling can play in achieving exceptional concrete building designs.

Presented by: 

Sarah Barrett Walker
Sarah Barrett Walker brings more than a decade of experience as an architect and graphic designer, as well as professional expertise in the field of parametric modeling, to her role as a Senior Architect Product Specialist at Vectorworks, Inc. In addition to serving as an architectural expert and BIM specialist for the company, Sarah helps create best practices for Marionette, the integrated algorithmic modeling tool in Vectorworks software. She also leads webinars and workshops on a variety of industry topics and develops materials to help customers improve their workflows and design processes. Sarah has an M.Arch. from the University of Michigan and a B.A. in architectural studies from Brown University.

Sponsored by: 

Vectorworks
 

Join us for coffee and discussion with DC Council Chair, Phil Mendelson.

Chairman Mendelson was an at-large councilmember from 1999 to 2012. He has been Council Chair since 2012.

Learning Objectives:

• Examine Recent and Proposed Legislation Affecting Architecture in DC.
• Identify & Discuss Key Issues for Architects and How DC Council can Support the Profession.
• Understand the Legislative Impact on Architecture and Development.
• Explore Architects’ Role in Local Policy and Advocacy.

Presented by:

Phil Mendelson, DC Council Chair

Phil Mendelson was first elected to the Council in 1998 as an At-Large Councilmember. He served in that role until 2012 when, following the resignation of the previous Council Chairman, Phil was selected by his colleagues to take over that role. In 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2022 District voters elected and re-elected Phil as Chairman of the Council. During his tenure on the Council, Phil has authored hundreds of laws including: establishing an elected attorney general and an independent Department of Forensic Science (the city’s crime lab); authoring Budget Autonomy, the District’s gun control laws (post-Heller), marriage equality, Universal Paid Leave, and the District’s tree canopy protection law; recrafting Mayor Gray’s plan to build the DC United Soccer Stadium; coordinating an increase in the minimum wage with Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties; Co-introducing the Neighborhood Engagement Achieves Results (NEAR) Act to emphasize mental health approaches to public safety; Breaking up the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs into two agencies to better focus on illegal construction and housing and code enforcement; and Approving the Racial Equity Achieve Change (REACH) Act to require racial equity impact
assessments for most legislation. Phil believes that government should be an honest, efficient deliverer of services, that helps those least able to help themselves to develop the skills to become self-sufficient and end poverty. He also believes that government can accomplish this without increasing the tax burdens shouldered by our residents. Throughout his years of public service, Phil has maintained that the nation’s capital, should be a model of service delivery in public education, public safety, and public health. Phil came to the District from Cleveland, Ohio in 1970 and he graduated from American University with a Political Science degree. Phil has a daughter, Adelaide, who graduated from DC Public Schools. He lives in Southeast DC.

Sponsored by: 

Beyer Blinder Belle 

For those interested in applying to the 2025 class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP), there will be an "Applications 101" information session hosted via Zoom. This interactive Q&A event will be hosted by members of the CKLDP Advisory Committee and provides potential program scholars with an opportunity to ask questions and receive helpful hints about what to include – or not – in their program applications. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend this event, but attendance is NOT mandatory in order to apply to CKLDP. We look forward to having you join us!

Please see the 2025 Application here.

Organized by CKLDP Advisory Committee