Explore Washington’s famous monuments and memorials on a walking tour of the National Mall. Take in the towering Washington Monument, sobering Vietnam Wall and awe inspiring Lincoln Memorial, while learning about the designers and politicians that helped shape this monumental core of the Capital. Peek behind the stones, looking beyond the bricks, and find little known secrets among these National icons on a stroll through the heart of Washington DC.

Our tour begins near the base of the Washington Monument to discuss the history of Washington DC, the master plan of our National Mall, and the long and tumultuous journey our Nation’s Capital has taken! We’ll then proceed past a little known monument to Thomas Jefferson’s ego, to a classic view of the White House. Then down to the moving WWII Memorial, our newest on the National Mall, with a secret known almost only to the veterans themselves. We’ll proceed along the reflecting pool, and over to the Vietnam Wall, discussing the conflict and controversy surrounding this sobering memorial. Our last war memorial to visit, dedicated to the “forgotten war, ” is the underappreciated and evocative Korean War Memorial. Finally we’ll ascend the steps (or elevator) into the hallowed halls of the Lincoln Memorial, full of history, symbolism, and just a few more secrets.

National Mall: Monuments & Memorials Architecture Tour Sights and Stops:
 

• Washington Monument
• The White House
• National WWII Memorial
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Korean War Veterans Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial
• and more!

Explore wood as a building material for fenestration. The course investigates wood as a traditional and highly appreciated building material. Discuss the properties of wood; flexible and long wearing, as well as being superior to other materials in terms of thermal insulation, durability, aesthetics, and more. Using wood as an ecologically friendly material, with the potential for cradle-to-cradle sustainability, and as an extremely environmentally friendly option in terms in of carbon footprint, end-of-life recycling, and sustainable production.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about material sustainability, longevity and effectiveness in construction and fenestration, how wood compares favorably to alternatives. Contrast the impact of wood with PVC, steel, and aluminum in these categories; of environmental, energy efficiency. 
• Define categories of environmental impact and terms including carbon footprint, operational carbon, embodied carbon, toxic byproducts, and end-of-life procedures, as well as several relevant certifications.
• Explore optimal wood species and their individual properties, suitability to fenestration uses, and the prospects of responsible sourcing based on growth rate and cultivating and harvesting practices employed.
• Identify species under pressure and at risk of over-exploitation, and potential unethical sourcing. Identify substandard species that could compromise the properties of buildings in which they are used.

Presented by:

Diane van Horn 

Diane van Horn is the Senior Architectural Territory Manager for Loewen Windows and Doors. In her role Diane is responsible for architectural specifications, project reviews, design assistance and delivering Continuing Education courses. Diane has experience in fenestration products for both residential and commercial applications. Diane currently serves on the Board of Directors for AIA New Jersey’s Newark & Suburban Chapter. In addition, Diane is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) where she earned her Construction Document Technologist (CDT) certification.

Sponsored by: 

Loewen Windows and Doors
 

This tour will explore the key challenges with incorporating natural ventilation into an existing building atrium, to connect people to their environment and reduce energy use. A walk-through will describe both the visible equipment (such as operable doors, automated glazed louvers, ventilation, and ceiling fans) and other integrated systems (which are less visible). By understanding these systems, tour attendees will understand the considerations for natural ventilation to create places where people can be comfortable, connected to their environment, and ultimately save energy.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand energy savings, air quality and experiential improvements that natural ventilation can allow in existing buildings
• Identify barriers and technical strategies for incorporating natural ventilation into existing buildings, including integration of architectural and ventilation systems and related equipment.
• Determine the times of year and environmental factors where natural ventilation systems can be utilized.
• Understand how natural ventilation equipment communicates with the building systems to create an adaptable environment.

Presented by:

Juan M. Villafañe, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Krueck Sexton Partners

This mixed use / adaptive reuse project involves all of the programmatic components of city making — retail, commercial office space and housing, all within four historic buildings and their new additions, and all on a prominent corner in historic Georgetown.

Four historic commercial buildings on Wisconsin were preserved, renovated and expanded, while later more modern additions were demolished and replaced. Around the corner on Prospect Street, new ground floor retail and an entry to four upper levels of offices and residential units were added. At every level above the first floor there are terraces for both the office and residential tenants.

Within the office space, warm interiors of old brick and wood, abundant natural light, and a choice of common exterior and interior spaces for groups of 2 to 24 people, has contributed to an early return to the post-COVID office.

Learning Objectives:

• Further understand the benefits of adaptive reuse and of respect for historic building fabric, and of the creative advantages that process can offer.
• Further understand how design decisions can benefit our urban environment, both at the street level and for the users.
• Further understand the benefits of mixed-use projects in a dense urban environment.
• Further understand the advantages of green space and natural light in urban environments, and how those factors can be creatively integrated into the design.

Presented by:

Mark McInturff FAIA, Principal, McInturff Architects

Join us for a special edition behind-the-scenes tour of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library! Lead by the Executive Director of DC Public Libraries, Richard Reyes-Gavilan, this tour will not only cover the grand architectural history of the building but will also give tour attendees the chance to get a special insider's view of the things like the special collections vault, and original furniture designed by Mies van der Rohe.

Learning Objectives:

• How a midcentury modern building can be brought up to 21st Century standards
• The requirements of a building that includes a collection of rare and special objects
• How the design of the furniture was integral to the original concept of the library
• How the changing function of a library influenced the renovation of the building

This Lunchtime Learning session will cover the basic foundation, designs, and NFPA codes pertaining to trash, recycle and linen chutes. We will also cover designs for shafts, discharge rooms and venting. Trash, recycling, and linen chutes must be designed, installed, and maintained to meet the 2019 NFPA 82 standard. This course addresses these requirements in detail and includes discussions on sound dampening, electric interlock doors systems as well as compactors and sorters. Trash, recycling, and linen chutes must be designed and manufactured to meet the 2019 NFPA 82 and ADA standards. This course addresses how trash, recycling and linen chutes need to be designed in order to meet those requirements, from the roof to the ground floor, including intake doors, breaches in the shaft wall, and spatial requirements in the discharge room.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the steps involved in the design of a typical trash, recycling, or linen chute, and accessory components to ensure an NFPA 82-compliant system.
• Discuss how interlock and pneumatic doors, disinfecting and sanitizing units, and heat sensors are used to protect building occupants from fire, falling debris, and odor and bacteria exposure.
• Explain the NFPA 82 requirement for automatic, fusible-linked sprinklers, and how they help eliminate fire hazards.
• Identify the various components that comprise a chute system and describe how trash, recycling, and linen chute systems differ.

Presented by: 

Darren Harp 

Darren Harp is an accomplished professional with two decades of experience in training and education, both internationally and domestically. He has excelled as an educator, administrator and most recently, an architectural representative for CHUTES International.

Sponsored by: 

CHUTES International
 

We’ll explore the transformative power of green roofs in urban environments. This guided tour will take you through a cutting-edge rooftop garden, showcasing innovative solutions for property assessment, drainage, and stormwater management. Learn how green roofs can mitigate flooding, discover the incentive programs that can help make these projects a reality, and hear success stories of how green roof installations have significantly enhanced property value and appeal.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the key elements of a green roof: Participants will be able to recognize and describe the essential components of a green roof, including vegetation, growing media, and drainage systems.
• Describe how a green infrastructure consultant conducts initial online assessments of a property’s water challenges and potential, identifying key factors that determine the suitability for a green roof installation.
• Identify and summarize the incentive programs available for green roof installations, including how a green infrastructure consultant assists property owners in maximizing these benefits, with a focus on local and federal programs.
• Analyze the impact of green roof installations on property value, using success stories to illustrate how these projects can enhance both the financial and aesthetic appeal of a property.

Presented by: 

RainPlan - http://www.myrainplan.com/

RainPlan team comprises incredibly knowledgeable green infrastructure experts dedicated to increasing sustainable infrastructure on private properties. Their mission is to empower property owners by providing access to the most comprehensive stormwater database available. This includes detailed contractor lists, innovative project ideas, incentive matches to help fund projects, and even virtual site visits. Through these resources, RainPlan seamlessly connects property owners with the tools and expertise they need to implement effective stormwater management solutions, fostering a more sustainable future.

Aggregate Architecture & Design - www.aggregatearchitecture.com/
Aggregate is a full-service architecture and design firm based in Washington, D.C. Led by husband-and-wife team Mark and Lucia Freeman. Since its founding in 2009, Aggregate has designed, renovated, and expanded numerous properties across the region including residential, restaurant, office, retail, mixed-use, and multi-family buildings.

With experience in both the modernization and restoration of the region’s abundance of historic homes and original concepts, Aggregate uses a collaborative approach to pull together architecture, interior design, construction management, and engineering knowledge to shape the perfect-fit transformation for our residential clients.

Aggregate cultivates partnerships with those who commission, construct, and inhabit the spaces we design, keeping in mind that our work is a collaborative effort. Architecture is capable of transforming experiences and influencing well-being. Our team is driven to both create  transformational spaces and steward the creation process responsibly, adding value to our communities, our city, and our clients properties.

Lucia W. Freeman, AIA
Since moving to Washington in 2003, Lucia has worked for both architecture and interior design firms in Washington, DC. Lucia brings 15+ years of experience and specializes in interior architecture and custom millwork, including high-impact details that are often overlooked in the design process. This eye for detail is part of what sets Aggregate's services apart. Her project experience ranges from small residential renovations to custom homes and luxury interiors. Lucia received her Master's in Architecture from Tulane University's School of Architecture in 2002. She is a licensed architect in Washington, DC and North Carolina, and is NCARB certified.

Mark A. Freeman, AIA
Since moving to Washington in 2003, Mark has worked with interior design, architecture and construction firms in Washington, DC. Mark brings 15+ years of experience in space planning, architectural design, construction detailing and construction project administration to Aggregate. He prides himself on taking a hands-on team approach - from design conception through the construction process - in order to ensure a seamless process. Mark received his Master's in Architecture from Tulane University School of Architecture in 2002. He is a licensed architect in Washington, DC, Virginia, and Maryland, and is NCARB certified.

Organized by: 

LA.IDEA 

This tour offers a unique opportunity to witness the full spectrum of designing and constructing new buildings in a neighborhood undergoing redevelopment. You will explore two distinct phases of this process: the recently completed Bonsai Apartments and 1200 Bladensburg Road, NE, currently under construction. These projects together contribute significantly to shaping a vibrant and cohesive urban environment.

The Bonsai is a new 41-unit multifamily apartment residences, composed of four floors plus cellar and setback penthouse, located at 1214 Bladensburg Road, NE. The building is designed with clear horizontal and vertical lines, creating a subtle grid and subdivision of the façade allowing a direct dialogue between the interior spaces and the exterior streetscape. The limited palette of artfully composed materials used allows the eye to navigate through the façade in a seamless manner, focusing on the careful composition of the elevation. The upper floors sit on a brick plinth, giving the building a physical and theoretical attachment to the urban streetscape. Nature is omnipresent, from the street planters to the green roofs to Juliet balconies, allowing each resident to have their own connection to nature.

1200 Bladensburg Road, NE – designed by Kurv Architecture – will be a 4-story building with a penthouse that mirrors the scale and ambition of its neighboring project, The Bonsai. The ground floor will host a spacious retail area designed to enhance the local commerce scene. The upper floors are dedicated to residential units, offering a blend of modern living spaces with optimal layouts. The U-shaped design of the building is not just an aesthetic choice; it’s a strategic one. This form allows for maximum daylight penetration, ensuring bright and airy interiors. It also optimizes the organization of units, providing a balanced mix of privacy and community.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the overall process of creating a new building, from its conception to its construction.
• Understand the differences between types of constructions (concrete vs wood) and their respective challenges.
• Understand how a building impacts its environment and vice-versa.
• Understand how sustainability can be part of a project, at various scales and how it can be implemented in their home.

Presented by:

Antoine Laduron - Staff Designer II, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS

John Edwards, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP BD+C - Associate Partner, Bonstra | Haresign ARCHITECTS

Walk along the beautiful waterfront of one of DC's most up and coming areas, The Wharf, as you explore restaurants designed by local firm //3877. With a vast knowledge of the area and a keen eye for detail, the architecture and design team will guide the exploration of four recently completed food & beverage projects: Limani, Lucky Buns at The Wharf, ilili, MI VIDA, The Grill, and Easy Company. Displaying stunning and unique designs, each of the four restaurants are inspired by a different cuisine, providing unique insight into design’s relationship with a variety of menus and operations.

Kicking off near The Wharf’s Transit Pier, THE GRILL—an upscale American eatery boasts a mid-century modern theme inspired by Miami living. Around the corner, Easy Company is a French- and Italian-inspired wine bar with al fresco dining with a design inspired by bustling European plazas. The tour will then move to MI VIDA, a fresh perspective on modern, south-of-the-border dining. The restaurant embraces colorful design elements the brand has become known for, particularly the traditional Mexican Árbol de La Vida, or “Tree of Life.” Next, attendees will visit ilili, a stunning Lebanese restaurant housed in a glass box building. The restaurant features a large limestone fountain that first flowed in Provence, France, in the late 19th century, bird cages suspended from the ceiling, and pops of bright orange and turmeric. Further south along Wharf Street SW, Lucky Buns— created by chef and Food Network personality Alex McCoy—showcases a classic neighborhood bar and burger restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. Last on the tour, Limani’s striking exterior architecture greets visitors with a design that transforms a distinct existing building on the pier into an upscale restaurant with panoramic views inspired by Mediterranean cuisine.

Approximately 0.4 miles each way, please be prepared to walk 1 mile through the duration of the tour.

Learning Objectives:

• Explore and evaluate the unique design strategies employed by //3877 in the creation of four distinct food and beverage establishments, understanding how these strategies contribute to the functionality of food service.
• Learn how cultural influences and themes are integrated into the design of each restaurant, from the European-inspired wine bar at Easy Company to the vibrant, south-of-the-border cuisine at MI VIDA, gaining insights into how cultural storytelling enhances the overall dining experience.
• Study the adaptive reuse of existing structures, particularly at Limani, to understand the challenges and benefits of transforming pre-existing buildings into modern, upscale dining venues with unique architectural identities.
• Discuss the design considerations for blending indoor and outdoor spaces, as demonstrated at Lucky Buns and Easy Company, to create versatile and seamless restaurant environments.

Presented by:

David Shove-Brown, AIA, NCARB, Partner at //3877

David Tracz, AIA, LEED AP, Partner at //3877

This course will take the participant on a directional color journey showcasing stimulating imagery, evidence-based findings and a focus on Health, Safety and Welfare requirements that are found throughout the main design drivers and color, material and finish directions for 2025.

We will explore the macro trends influencing future color directions that include global, technological, historic, psychological and sustainability factors that have insight over the four-color trend stories for 2025; Chrysalis, Paradox, Wellspring and Kindred.

This program will focus on commercial design and aim to give you information and inspiration for current or future design projects. 

Learning Objectives: 

• To gain knowledge and insight into the influences for residential color trends for 2025.
• To gain knowledge and insight into the cultural, environmental and designer influences for color and design trends in 2025/2026.
• To gain inspiration for current and future design projects.
• To gain knowledge of how color plays a role in a variety of interior environments.

Presented By: 

Amanda Lowery 

Amanda Lowery provides coating specification and color support for Sherwin Williams in the DC, MD, and Northern VA areas. She has been with Sherwin Williams for 13 years and has worked with specifiers for the last 11 years. Amanda services commercial A&D markets with product specifications, color development and support, and continuing education presentations. She has degrees in Interior Design and Political Science. Amanda has the following certifications: Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Associate, WELL AP, CDT-- and is passionate in learning how to improve the built environment both for the environment and those working and living in such spaces.