AIA24 is a premier annual conference that celebrates multidisciplinary solutions from across the built environment and the power of designing a better world, together.

The most impactful, forward-thinking solutions result from a convergence of thought. Solving today’s environmental, social, and ethical challenges requires bringing together diverse perspectives across the multiple disciplines of the built environment.

Enter the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA24), happening June 5–8 in Washington, D.C., home to AIA’s new global campus, several AIA chapters, and some of the most influential architecture, design firms, and manufacturers in the world.

Every year, the AIA and AEC communities convene to network, share knowledge, and find solutions to design a better world. The conference fuses together industries, identities, skills, styles, and values, to establish a new multidisciplinary understanding of today’s most pressing issues. And it unites tradition and innovation, art and technology, form and function, old and new, and global and local to examine, educate, and find solutions.

Through networking, education, events, tours, and the industry’s largest expo, AIA24 fosters cross-industry collaborations and solutions between licensed architects, design professionals, associates, engineers, contractors, interior designers, landscape architects, firm owners, owners/clients, emerging professionals, and beyond to showcase the strength of the AEC industry.

Uniting toward better outcomes highlights the value in each other’s unique skill sets and positions architects, designers, engineers, and builders as leaders designing a better world, together.

Attending the conference? Check out our local restaurant guide:

For those interested in getting involved with AIA|DC’s Committee on the Environment (COTE), we will be hosting our next committee meeting in-person on Thursday March 21st from 5:30-6:30pm at ZGF’s Washington DC’s office:

600 14th St NW Suite 800

Washington, DC 20005

The first 20 minutes of the committee meeting, we will have a special guest from Atelier Ten’s San Francisco office, Amy Leedham.  Amy will present to us remotely about the current regulatory climate and latest development on standards for embodied carbon.  This presentation does not provide CEUs.  

Join us for a joint event between the SFx and ACEL Committees, our 360 Mentorship Mixer! 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.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Small Firm Exchange

AIA|DC ACEL Committee
 

The built environment generates almost 50% of global CO2 emissions. Architects, engineers, and building owners must work together and commit to net zero emissions by 2030 to reduce the impact on climate change as specified by various climate and decarbonization initiatives. Further, in order to address climate change and decarbonization, policymakers are enacting building performance laws that require buildings to meet certain performance standards. Design professionals are uniquely suited to mitigate help resolve the climate crisis through design, educating clients, and working with navigating policy requirements to advance decarbonization and build greener cities.

Join us at the District Architecture Center for the second DesignDC symposium of 2024.

8:30 - 9:00am: Coffee + Check-in

9:00am: Keynote: Strategies for Transformative Carbon Reduction
This session will address both the affordable housing crisis and climate resilience by focusing on two strategies: Office to Residential and Modular Construction.

• Selin Ozertugrul Ogutcu, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, FITWEL – Design Director, Gensler
• Duncan Lyons, RIBA, LEED® AP BD+C – Principal, Global Office Building Development Leader, Design Director, Gensler
• Paul Reibel, LEED AP – National Director, Surepods | Digital Building Components

10:15am: Slashing Carbon with an Analytical Sword – Three Case Studies from DC
Energy Shrink will share three case studies from DC — one iconic commercial building, and two multifamily buildings — for which the team of architects-turned-building scientists conducted simulations and identified possible measures that are technically feasible and achieve greater than 50% savings.

• Smita Chandra Thomas – Principal, Energy Shrink

11:30am: Beyond Scorecards – Connecting ESG Strategies to Sustainable Design 
Through case studies, best practices, and innovative approaches, this session aims to explain the symbiotic relationship between design and ESG objectives, and showcase how design choices influence carbon footprints, energy consumption, and overall sustainability performance beyond “checking the boxes” of a green building certification or code requirement.

• Lacey Lott, LEED AP, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, BREEAM In-Use Assessor - Sr. Sustainability and ESG Project Manager, Baumann Consulting
• Jochen Schaefer, LEED AP - Sr. Sustainability Consultant and Director of Business Development, Baumann Consulting

12:30pm: Lunch, provided by the District Architecture Center

1:30pm: Multifamily Decarbonization and Higher Efficiency – Grabbing Past the Low Hanging Fruit
With advancing codes and programs, multifamily buildings are being challenged to both electrify and to become more energy efficient than ever before. While project design teams are typically familiar with the low hanging fruit for energy efficiency, more difficult energy efficiency decisions need to be made in order to meet updated efficiency goals. This session will focus on key components that affect operating energy and emissions of a multifamily building, and the next-step design decisions project teams can make to achieve higher levels of efficiency.

• Joseph Andracchio, PE, LEED AP - Green Verifier, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Steven Winter Associates
• Bruce Campbell, PE, CxA - Mechanical Department Head, Allen + Shariff Corporation
• Mohamed Seif Abaza, PE, CEM, CBCP, LEED AP - Commissioning, Allen + Shariff Corporation

2:30pm: Concrete + Getting to Zero Carbon
Prized for its durability, strength, and economy, concrete plays an outsized role in the building sector’s carbon footprint, contributing over 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions. This panel discussion will analyze successful strategies for implementing low-carbon concrete on projects, including how to manage for cost and schedule. 

• Arathi Gowda, AIA – Principal, ZGF Architects (Moderator)
• Brian Earle, AIA – Principal, ZGF Architects
• Michael Cropper, PE, LEED AP – Associate Principal, Thornton Tomasetti Structural 
• Melanie Gourke, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP – Senior Associate, HITT Contracting
• Rachel Williams, AIA, LFA, LEED BD+ – Architect, ZGF Architects

3:45pm: Closing Remarks + Adjourn

Thank you to our sponsors:

The Washington Architectural Foundation is pleased to announce the Fall Design Fête will take place at the National Museum of Women in the Arts on November 15, 2024. 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

2024 Centennial Medal Winner – Yolanda Cole, FAIA

2024 Glenn Brown Award Winner – Uwe Brandes

2024 Architect Educator Award Winner – Amy Gardner, FAIA

2024 Emerging Architect Winner – Kumi Wickramanayaka, AIA

2024 Wieb Award Winner – Ian Walker

2024 Partnership for the Planet Award Winner – Heather Jauregui, AIA

2024 Donald B. Myer Award for Public Service – Brian J. Hanlon, AIA

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

Cornerstone
Brailsford & Dunlavey

Bar Sponsor
Interface Engineering 

Corbel

AECOM
The American Institute of Architects
Barnes Vanze Architects
Bonstra |Haresign Architects
Clark Construction Group 
District of Columbia Department of Buildings
Georgetown University
Hickok Cole
Lee and Associates
Page
Quinn Evans Architects
Simpson, Gumpertz & Heger, Inc.
Skidmore Owings & Merrill
SmithGroup
University of Maryland

Cocktail
Michael J. Armstrong

Music 
ARUP

Dessert
DLR Group
 

Keystone
Beyer Blinder Belle Architects
David M. Schwarz Architects
EEReed
Fentress Architects
Hartman-Cox Architects
MV+A Architects
Perkins Eastman
Walter P. Moore
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Quoin 
Ames & Gough Insurance/Risk Management
EskewDumezRipple
Fox Architects
Gardner Architects
Gensler
Grunley Construction Company
HGA
HKS
HOK
Jensen Hughes
Lam Partners
Lee/Shoemaker
LeoADaly
David Metzger, FAIA
Neumann Lewis Buchanan Architects
Perkins&Will
Joseph Sacco, AIA
Shalom Baranes Associates Architects
SK&A Structural Engineers
Thornton Tomasetti

In this hour-long remote learning seminar, learn how to create unique, visually open public spaces with responsible materials and unmatched acoustics. This course will cover the use of architecturally-aesthetic design solutions for open structure projects ranging from simple canopies to huge airport concourses. Many types of projects—schools, gymnasiums, natatoria, canopies, transportation facilities, conference centers, wellness facilities, multi-tenant buildings, perforated architectural screening, and more are addressed.
In addition, the course describes how these systems have been engineered to achieve practical design features that contribute to USGBC LEED certification. These features include: building product disclosure and optimization; environmental product declarations; sourcing of raw materials; material ingredients; construction and demolition waste management; acoustic performance; and innovation. The course will also focus on multiple unique shapes and features of deck profiles, span and structural performance, basic acoustic theory and performance (NRC Value, STC Value, ICC Value), access/utility concealment options, NFPA approved hanging devices, building code requirements ( U.L. Rating, FM Rating, ICC Rating), paint finishes, indoor/outdoor air control, curved/arched structural systems, factory integration of daylighting solutions, and numerous visual representations of existing projects.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the many types of projects which can function as ceilings and roof decks with acoustic and non-acoustic structural components.
• Describe how these can be used to achieve LEED certification.
• Summarize basic acoustic theory and performance in these features.
• Identify how these features comply with multiple building code requirements.

Presented by:

David Weber LEED GA, Regional Sales Manager – Mid-Atlantic, EPIC Metals

David Weber has over 25 years of experience working in the construction Industry, initially in project management for large commercial contractors and the last twelve as a sales and marketing professional in the AEC industry.

Organized by:

It’s back! Come to mix, mingle, drink, and network with others in real estate, design, development, and architecture.

Highlights include:
• Network with DC's architecture, design, development, and construction community;
• Food and drinks;
• Bring colleagues to discount your ticket; and
• All for a good cause as we give out this year's Barbara G. Laurie Scholarships and support the GREAT WORK of the Washington Architectural Foundation.

Bring a friend and your ticket price drops! Sign up today! 

Thank you to our sponsors:

Clark Construction Group, LLC

Michael J. Armstrong

Delon Hampton & Associates, Chartered

Ayers Saint Gross

HGA

Joseph Sacco, AIA

Perkins Eastman

Jeffrey Kerr

Smithgroup

Site Resources, Inc. 

Hear the stories behind our best loved and little-known museums on the Mall!
Washington’s famous plethora of museums are all laid out along the east side of the National Mall between the Capitol Building and the Washington Monument. Called “America’s Attic,” the Smithsonian Institution is one of the largest museum organizations in the world, with 30 million annual visitors, 19 museums and over 140 million items in the collection. On this tour, explore how the Smithsonian Institution has helped shape the fabric of the National Mall since 1847, with grand buildings, secret gardens, and both beloved and reviled designs.

Please note we’ll be discussing the museums from the exterior, with the exception of the National Gallery of Art, which we will briefly go inside.

What to Bring
Sturdy walking shoes, bottled water and comfortable clothes are recommended!

Where to Meet
Meet your guide outside the Smithsonian Castle
GPS Address: 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20560

Your tour will end at the Ulysses S. Grant Memorial

Sights and stops include:
Smithsonian Castle & Garden
James V. Forrestal Building (Dept of Energy)
Arts and Industries Building
Hirshhorn Museum
National Air and Space Museum
National Gallery of Art (inside and out!)
National Museum of the American Indian
United States Botanic Garden
United States Capitol Building

In partnership with DC Design Tours

The Annual Fellows Celebration Dinner honors local Chapter Fellows, new and old, from the DMV including AIA|DC, AIA NOVA and AIA Potomac Valley. Along with the celebration of their achievements, this event is also a major fundraiser for the Fellows’ Endowment of the Washington Architectural Foundation’s Barbara G. Laurie Scholarship Program.  Awarded initially in the freshman year, the scholarship follows the student through a four-or-five-year degree as long as they remain in an architecture program in the United States and maintain a good grade point average.

Our scholarship was renamed in 2013 in memory of Barbara G. Laurie. Laurie, an architect who was devoted to the Washington Architectural Foundation and the community, was a partner of Devrouax + Purnell, a prominent architecture firm in DC. She was a founding member of the Organization of Black Designers and professor of architecture at Howard University.

In 2023, WAF supported four scholars:

Raina Lee, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

Miriam Shron, University of Virgina

Jasmine Gallion, Ithaca College

Theza Argueta Quintanilla, The Catholic University of America

Thank you to our sponsors:

Dinner Sponsors:

Bar Sponsors:

David and Patricia Haresign

Quinn Evans

Sponsorship Opportunities

Dinner Sponsorship - $2,000

• Preferred seating for 4 Guests
• Company or Individual Name of Event Materials
• Hyperlink on Scholarship Webpage

Bar Sponsorship - $1,000

• Preferred seating for 2 Guests
• Company or Individual Name of Event Materials
• Hyperlink on Scholarship Webpage

Individual Tickets $295.00

All current members and interested newcomers are encouraged to attend LA.IDEA committee meetings, these meetings are free and open to all.