Please join us for a behind-the-scenes architecture experience of President Lincoln's Cottage, organized in collaboration with President Lincoln's Cottage staff.

This tour, presented by President Lincoln's Cottage's Director of Preservation Jeffrey Larry, will go in depth into the architectural history of the house, as well as what it takes to preserve such a historic building. You will depart this tour with new intelligence on the history of this home, its various purposes over the years and, of course, how the beautiful Gothic revival house was built. 

Presented by:

Jeffrey Larry, Director of Preservation- Jeff joined the staff at President Lincoln’s Cottage as Preservation Manager in January 2008. He started his career as sole-proprietor of a restoration business in Burlington, Vermont soon after receiving a BA in Historic Preservation from Mary Washington College in 1996.  After moving to Washington D.C., he completed projects on several local historic homes and sites, including the Decatur House and the south porch of The Old Naval Hospital, a building commissioned by Abraham Lincoln in 1864 to be the District’s first naval hospital. In addition to his work at the Cottage, Jeff uses his preservation and project management skills to bring improvements to his community in Baltimore.  He serves on the Board of the Charles Village Community Foundation, an organization that provides grants for groups and individuals whose projects will enhance the neighborhood’s quality of life; he is the Vice President of the Friends of the 26th Street Corridor, a community lead group that has been working with the city to turn a section of 26th street into a park; and he is a volunteer member of the Village Learning Place’s (VLP) Facilities Committee where he has performed pro-bono restoration work, developed a cyclical maintenance plan and managed numerous restoration projects to the slate roof, brickwork, interior surfaces, and gardens.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the challenges in preserving a historic building, such as ensuring proper accessibility and maintaining integrity of the building, and how to overcome these challenges.
• Explain the importance of preserving a historic structure, including the benefits to the local community.
• Describe the cottage’s beautiful arched doorways and large windows, exploring the different characteristics of the Gothic revival style, as it relates to Washington D.C.’s diverse architecture history.
• Discuss the history of the cottage, and how the museum utilizes the building today to promote the true spirit of the Lincolns, build empathy, and inspire patrons to act upon their own ideas for social justice.

Organized by:

The District Architecture Center and President Lincoln's Cottage

On April 8th, students from six regional architecture schools will gather to present their innovative projects themed 'climate/sustainability', with a secondary theme of 'housing.' This event will highlight forward-thinking designs and solutions aimed at reshaping design around the world, offering a glimpse into how emerging architects envision a sustainable future.

Learning Objectives

• Identify various design strategies for affordable housing that prioritize environmental sustainability, cost-efficiency, and long-term durability.
• Explore how core design principles can be incorporated into affordable housing projects to promote physical and mental well-being for residents.
• Assess the impact of well-designed affordable housing on the surrounding community, understanding how it can foster social cohesion, economic opportunity, and overall quality of life, particularly for vulnerable populations.
• Gain knowledge of sustainable building techniques and materials, and how these practices can be applied to affordable housing projects to minimize environmental impact while maintaining accessibility and affordability for residents.

This walking tour, led by Joseph Himali, a public historian, licensed real estate agent, and lifelong Washingtonian, will discuss one of Washington, DC’s most historic neighborhoods. 

This tour will discuss the history of Georgetown, DC which is the oldest neighborhood in the Capital City. 

We will discuss the early building requirements of land ownership in Georgetown in the 18^th century. We will examine the construction methods used in the earliest commercial buildings in the city including the structural engineering issues that manifested in the buildings. 

We will discuss the architecture, design and construction of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal and its effects on the surrounding neighborhood. We’ll review some of the earliest examples of historic adaptive reuse in Washington DC including examples by Arthur Cotton Moore, who was one of the most important architects in Washington in the second half of the 20^th Century. 

We will explore the use of various building materials including brick, stone and wood in the construction of commercial and residential properties. And we’ll review the effects of historic preservation laws on the shaping of the streetscapes of Georgetown. We will see a variety of architectural styles from Federal, Italianate, Art Deco, Tudor, Post-Modern and many others. 

Learning Objectives

• Explain the building and construction trends of Georgetown’s residential dwellings for over 300 years from the Colonial period through today.
• Summarize the significance and history of Georgetown in the overall history of Washington, DC.
• Describe the hallmark characteristics of many architectural styles and how they are affected by historic preservation laws.  
• Analyze the impact of zoning laws and structural engineering on the development of Georgetown and how it affects people living there to this day.

This tour is organized by Best Address.

This walking tour of Southwest Washington, DC, led by Joseph Himali, a public historian, licensed real estate agent, and lifelong Washingtonian, will discuss one of the first neighborhoods in the District to be developed. 

We will discuss the architectural styles and how development began in Washington in the 18^th Century. In addition, there will be discussion about the materials and construction methods used in early Washington, DC buildings.

This tour will discuss this history of the neighborhood and how the architecture and built environment of Southwest Washington, DC was used a political propaganda tool of the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.  It will discuss the redlining and restrictive covenants that were used to limit access to affordable housing for marginalized communities.

We will also review the ideas of Le Corbusier and other proponents of the “radiant city” ideals and how they were implemented in the urban renewal schemes employed in the redevelopment of Southwest during the mid-1900s. We will see unique architectural styles and interior configurations that led to new architectural styles in Washington, DC and around the country.

We will discuss the concept of the “Super Block” and the removal of alleys in the city and how that affected the people who lived there. Additionally, we’ll discuss the integration of landscape architecture in the design of the neighborhood.

The tour features some of the finest mid-century modern architecture in Washington, DC including work from Cloethial Woodward Smith, Charles Goodman, and the buildings that earned I.M. Pei his first awards. 

Learning Objectives

• Discuss the redevelopment of the mixed-use development of the Southwest Waterfront
• Summarize the impact of the “Super Block” in architecture and the integration of the landscape with the architecture of the buildings.
• Describe the history and impact of Cloethial Woodard-Smith who was the most influential woman architect of mid-century America.
• Analyze the impact of the Urban Renewal scheme on Southwest.  

This tour is organized by Best Address.

Join the AIA|DC Board and AIA|DC Members for a networking session and to build relationships that could lead to future collaborations. This networking hour will include food and beverage and a touch of fun!

Please join the National Gallery of Art for the 74th A. W. Mellon Lectures in the Fine Arts presented by Mabel O. Wilson. Cultural historian, architectural designer, and curator Mabel O. Wilson addresses the history of slavery and dispossession in US civic architecture in this four-part series.

Over four lectures, Wilson presents key themes and examines buildings, works of art, and other historical documents through the interplay of race and the construction of national identity. She brings together historical research on the United States’ early civic architecture, including Richmond’s Virginia State Capitol, the White House, and the design of Washington, DC. Her talks explore the complex dichotomy between the founding ideals of these institutions and the reality of their construction.

Please join the AIA I DC Fellows Public Programs Committee for our annual Winter Event. This year’s event will present the District of Columbia’s innovative and award-winning plan for Emergency Housing, a program that has become a national model.

In 2016, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced a plan to replace the existing D.C. General Shelter with eight smaller facilities located in each Ward of the city, supporting the transition of families to subsidized housing. The success of this plan allowed the mayor to close the outdated D.C. General Shelter in 2018.

This innovative plan, led by the District’s Department of Human Services (DHS) engaged some of the city’s most talented Architecture firms to create safe, dignified, and well-designed shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Each program provides a rich array of support connections, including housing search, mental health & employment services, and meaningful activities for children; all with the goal of helping families quickly transition to permanent housing and stability.

Presenters: 
The panel discussion of this program includes the following speakers:

• Lisa Franklin Kelly, Program Director, DC Department of Human Services
• Ralph Cunningham FAIA, Principal, Cunningham Quill Architects, Architect of Ward 1, and Ward 7 Facilities
• Rachel Chung AIA, Principal, DLR Group, Architect of Ward 8 Facility
• John Burke AIA, Principal, Studio 27 Architects, Architect of Ward 6 Facility
• Megan Avery Bugbee, recent graduate of The University of Maryland School of Architecture, and author of an academic thesis on Emergency Family Housing

This annual program is intended to allow not only members of the College of Fellows, but all in our profession, industry, and community to come together, learn and foster relationships.

Agenda:

5:30-6:15 PM Fellows and Sponsors Reception

6:15 PM Welcome Remarks & Introduction

6:20-7:10 PM Program

7:10-7:25 PM Questions & Answers

7:30 PM Closing Remarks

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn the definitions of types of emergency shelters, including transitional facilities, in addition to subsidized housing.
• Attendees will learn how the design of emergency family housing can positively impact the physical and mental health of the occupants.
• Participants will learn how the design of transitional housing for families differs from adult-only and single-gender shelter housing.
• Attendees will understand how the model for decentralized emergency housing has been replicated in other locations, with discussion of the pros and cons of scaling.

Sponsor:

Quinn Evans

Topic: LA.IDEA Feb 2025 Mtg

Time: Feb 11, 2025 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84473269296?pwd=JuQYrxb7gw2cN41Y9tvrAEuxHLRwVz.1

Meeting ID: 844 7326 9296

Passcode: 420103

Join SEA-MW's SE3 (Structural Engineering Engagement and Equity) Committee for an engaging panel discussion on the book "Prospering In The U.S.: A Handbook For Immigrant Architects".  This book is a comprehensive resource that compiles essential insights and practical advice from twenty nine successful immigrant architects and designers from around the world. Covering topics from cultural acclimation to career development, this handbook serves as a road map in pursuing a thriving and inclusive career in the United States. We will be joined by three local authors & architects that contributed to this book.

Featured Speakers (and Co-Authors of this book):

Gozde Yildirim – Senior Design Professional at HOK

Gozde Yildirim, AIA, LEED GA, M.Arch, MBA, earned her bachelor’s degree in architecture from Beykent University in Istanbul. After receiving a scholarship from Miami University, Ohio, she completed her master’s in architecture in 2015. Gozde began her career with the Turkish Ministry of Health’s Ikitelli Integrated Health Campus, Europe’s largest hospital, which inspired her to focus on healthcare architecture.

With eight years of experience, Gozde excels as a Senior Design Professional and BIM Coordinator at HOK, where she contributed to large-scale healthcare projects. Her dedication and expertise have earned her the titles of 2023 Healthcare Design Rising Star and 2024 Women in Healthcare Rising Star. Gozde is deeply committed to service, mentorship, and promoting equity in the industry. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Women in Healthcare Washington, D.C. Chapter and AIA|DC’s Equity Committee.

Mika Naraynsingh – Project Architect at Perkins&Will

Mika Naraynsingh is a Project Architect at Perkins&Will, with a passion for building enclosure and façade design. As a socially conscious professional, Mika has co-founded and served on various mentorship and diversity committees. She has taken leadership roles in AIA|DC as the Advocacy Chair for the Emerging Architects Committee and is the Past Chair for the Equity Committee by WIELD. In 2024 she joins AIA|DC’s Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large.

As a community focused architect, Mika is determined to build an equitable profession. She has spearheaded programs to keep women and minorities supported in the industry. She co-authored City Shapers: Stories of Immigrant Designers and has been featured in podcasts like Architectette and Architect My Life. For her advocacy efforts she has received the 2022 UNBUILT Washington Honor Award, 2023 Sho Ping Chin Women's Leadership Summit Grant and the 2023 AIA|DC Emerging Architect Award.

Saakshi Terway – Project Designer at Quinn Evans

Originally from New Delhi, Saakshi Terway, Assoc. AIA, LEED Green Associate, works as a Project Designer at Quinn Evans in Washington, DC. As a design professional, she has contributed to many federal, adaptive reuse, mixed-use, multi-family, and senior living projects. After working for two years in India, where she is a licensed architect, Saakshi graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a master’s degree in architecture and a certification in sustainable landscape design. Her interests lie in responsible and sustainable architecture that has a social impact on local and global communities.

Saakshi is a well published professional who also advocates for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion within the industry. Currently, she is serving as the DC Representative at AIA National Associates Committee, Advisory Board member for the Women’s Leadership Summit, and as the Secretary of the Immigrant Architects Coalition. She is also the founder of the “Inclusivity Student Scholarship” at UC, a recent recipient of the 2024 AIACA Norma Sklare Humanitarian Award, 2023 DCCEAS Young Architect Award, 2022 AIA|DC Emerging Architect’s Award and the 2022 Sho-Ping Chin WLS Grant.

This event is free and open to all, but spaces are limited! Due to security reasons, RSVP is required.

We encourage participants to read the book before the event, however you do not have to read the whole book to participate. All are welcome.

The book may be purchased directly from the publisher at: from https://www.immigrantarchitects.org/category/all-products.

Digital copies are also available on other platforms.

Registration closes on Monday, March 17th, 2025 at midnight. 

Schedule:

• 5:30pm to 6:00pm - Check-in and networking with light refreshments & snacks
• 6:00pm to 7:00pm - Panel Discussion with Q&A
• 7:00pm to 7:30pm - Closing and networking