Feeling Lucky?

AIA | DC invites you to test your luck and join us for an evening of fun at our fundraising Casino Night! Each ticket includes a $25 donation to the Washington Architectural Foundation, 300,000 "DAC Bucks" for blackjack, poker, and craps tables, hors d’oeuvres, and celebratory libations!

We are celebrating our members and affiliates with this event benefitting the Washington Architectural Foundation.

City planning is too slow, obscure, and expensive for the pace of change required in cities today. Facing climate change, severe housing shortage, mass urbanization and major geo-political shifts, cities worldwide must adapt fast and effectively, but the obsolete systems prevent equity in the design and decision making process, making it difficult and costly to visually communicate projects for successful design, review, and customer and/or public engagement.

inCitu is a New York based technology company delivering on a mission to bring future cities to life via augmented reality (AR) to empower residents, industry professionals, and city governments to collaborate on the process of urban change. We turn 3D content into location-based, mobile AR experiences which can be viewed on site or remotely, radically lowering the friction to visualizing and experiencing projects for internal and external collaboration.

This presentation will give a detailed view on inCitu's product and process and will open a conversation about how architects can incorporate the tool into their day-to-day work.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will get familiar with the current state of AR technology for location-based, real-scale, outdoors, mobile 3D visualizations.
• Participants will learn how Cities, AEC companies, individual architects, and 3D providers can leverage the inCitu platform to improve and streamline their design and approval processes.
• Participants will get familiar with the inCitu platform and how to turn a 3D model to location-based AR experience
• Participants will be able to test the tool in an AR remote view during the session

Presented by:

Dana Chermesh-Reshef

Dana is an architect, a former F15 flight simulator trainer turned urban data scientist (NYU CUSP '18). In 2020, Dana founded inCitu: a startup on the mission to democratize city planning through augmented reality (AR) to bring people together on the process of urban change.
Prior to inCitu Dana worked at the New York City Department of City Planning (DCP), her research on the feasibility of Tel-Aviv’s city center rezoning was published in “Haaretz” newspaper and she is a frequent lecturer on Smart Cities’ next frontier.

Organized by:

inCitu

Nick Carosi will provide a technical presentation covering the precast design, detailing, and manufacturing process. The discussion will cover the technical opportunities and limitations in designing precast façades. The presentation will be followed by a tour of the plan and yard, covering how precast is manufactured, shipped, and erected on commercial projects.

Learning Objectives:

• How raw materials such as cement, aggregates, pigments and admixtures are used to make concrete and produce different colors and textures.
• How molds are built to create varying sizes and shapes of precast.
• How plant quality control procedures and national standards are operationalized to ensure the highest quality product.
• How various finishing techniques can refine and enhance the appearance and texture of concrete.

Presented by:

Nick Carosi IV

Nick Carosi is the president and owner of Arban & Carosi, Inc. located in Woodbridge, Virginia. A&C is a leading and prominent producer of architectural precast concrete (a prefabricated façade element which clads large buildings–mainly office, residential and healthcare buildings). For the past 100-years A&C has produced the finest architectural precast concrete in the Washington Metro area (including the International Monetary Fund HQ, Department of Transportation HQ, and MGM National Hotel – just to name a few) and their work can be seen across mid-Atlantic region and eastern parts of the country.

He graduated from Lehigh University (Bethlehem, PA) with a double engineering major in Civil and Industrial Engineering. Currently, he is President and an active board member of the Architectural Precast Association (APA), and a member of the American Concrete Institute (ACI), National Precast Concrete Association(NPCA), American Builders & Contractor Association (ABC), Washington Building Congress (WBC), & American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Organized by: 

AIA|DC Building Enclosure Council

District Architecture Center offers a unique 5-day camp experience for 3rd graders to 8th graders from the DC metropolitan area. Professional architects guide children to the wonders of architecture, develop creative and analytical skills, and grow an appreciation for the field. Over the 5-day period, children will be introduced to fundamentals of architecture, the design process, aspects of engineering, and go on walking tours and field trips. By the end of the week, final projects will be exhibited for families. 

1. Introduction to Architecture- walking tour of Penn Quarter neighborhood
2. Engineering Fundamentals-visit a construction site - TBD
3. Design Elements - visit Shakespeare Theatre Company
4. Landscape Architecture - walking tour Police Memorial, MLK Library Rooftop, Portrait Gallery
5. Final Day of Completing Projects and Presentations

Scholarships Available

Questions? Please contact Heidi Sohng.

Join the AIA|DC Emerging Architects Committee as we raise a glass to all we have achieved as a committee in 2023, including recognizing our members who have obtained licensure or achieved a professional accomplishment this year.

Have you obtained licensure or achieved a professional accomplishment (received a promotion, award or other recognition) in 2023 - or know of an emerging professional in our industry that deserves recognition? Please e-mail ian@drummondprojects.com by Friday, December 8, so that we may recognize all the accomplishments of our emerging professionals at this event!

The practices of parenthood and design are anything but "easy" to navigate and reconcile for any within the professional world. How does one navigate the intersection of being LGBTQIA+ and stepping into (or being fully immersed in) parenthood? How can businesses support all employees, including LGBTQIA+ employees, in policies and practice that embrace the beautifully diverse range of what parenthood and the AEC profession are? In this encouraging panel discussion, you'll hear from LGBTQIA+ designers and leaders in the AEC industry who are navigating their careers, advocating for business policy changes, while balancing parenthood. Get ready to hear their stories and experiences in how parenthood and professional life have influenced each other, how each has been involved in advocating for more inclusive business practices, and how you can be an advocate for change. Have questions? Unsure where you can begin? Looking for a network of support and community to continue this conversation in? Join on December 14th to hear more! The session is a panel discussion with live Q&A.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to measure recently enacted legislation and policy changes for and against the potential monetary and design impacts to AEC practices
• Participants will be able to describe what parental and family formation policies firms implement to expand equitable access
• Participants will be able to identify ways to advocate for employees into addition to and beyond updating firm policies
• Participants will be able to illustrate how firm advocacy for queer employees and inclusive parenthood can positively impact the health, safety, and welfare of all employees

Presented by:

Anastasia Markiw, AIA, ACHA, NCARB, LEED Green Associate

With a primary focus on healthcare architecture, Anastasia strives to design spaces that provide inspiration to work, live, learn, and heal through her role of Project Manager and Architect at DesignGroup. Currently, Anastasia is the 2023-2024 AIA National Young Architect Forum Advocacy Director leading a work group responsible for advocacy content and webinars on topics such as equitable firm practices and the culture of architecture by highlighting underrepresented cultures and voices. Expecting their first child, Anastasia and her wife have been gathering data on various firms’ parental leave policies and advocating for more inclusive language to be offered for non-birthing parents to be eligible in paid parental leave. 

Parva Markiw, AIA, LEED Green Associate is a native Iranian and a Project Architect at DesignGroup located in Pittsburgh, PA. She has a diverse background in higher education, small to mid-size commercial, and healthcare markets. Parva attended undergraduate and graduate school at Kent State University and received her Master’s degree in 2014. She is currently serving her second year of a two-year term as a chair of AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professional Committee. At the local level, she is a member of the AIA Pittsburgh's Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Women+ in Design Committees. Parva's focus through her involvement in various committees is to help emerging professionals at different stages of their careers and amplify voices of minority and underrepresented groups.

Rosalie Howell is an architectural designer at Dewberry. Her pre-architecture background is in history and cultural anthropology, which lends a unique outlook on human interactions with and within the built environment. In her design process, she strives to be multi-optical, body-inclusive, evidence-based, eco-integrative, and community-oriented. She is especially interested in spatial & social justice, trauma-informed design, and practical, down-to-earth solutions to complex issues. She believes in the power of collaboration & building teams with diverse backgrounds & contexts in order to reach design solutions that are well-rounded and effectively accommodate the needs of all stakeholders. Rosalie is also co-founder and currently chair of Prism, Dewberry’s ERG dedicated to serving the LGBTQIA+ employee community & bringing professional programing to Dewberry employees that highlights LGBTQIA+ excellence and elevates LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the AEC industry. Rosalie and her wife have been navigating various stages of family planning since 2019.

Meghan Hottel-Cox is a real estate attorney with the US Postal Service. Until November of this year, Meghan was a real estate associate with Goulston & Storrs focused on zoning and permitting law and serving on the firm’s Inclusion Advisory Committee. In those roles, she advocated for more equitable parental leave and family planning benefits. In addition to practicing law, Meghan has served as an adjunct professor at GW Law since 2016, currently teaching Land Use Law. Meghan is also the co-founder of Q City, a commercial real estate affinity group for LGBTQ+ professionals in the D.C. metro area. Meghan was named a “D.C. Rising Star” by the National Law Journal in 2019 and received CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) DC’s Emerging Leader award in 2019. Meghan is also a contributing author to the Feminist Judgments: Rewritten Property Opinions legal book and frequently writes and speaks on issues of equity and inclusion in the legal and real estate communities. Meghan and her wife have one child and live in Takoma Park, Maryland. 

Dennis Daisey is an architect and principal in the Washington, DC, office of Smithgroup, where he specializes in the interior design of workplace, higher education, science and technology and government projects. He’s known for his commitment to leading teams through mentorship and his passion for creating functional, sustainable and emotionally engaging interior environments, earning recognition from local IIDA and AIA chapters.

When he’s not working, Dennis can be found spending time with his family, making his way through a long home improvement to-do list, or exploring Rock Creek Park. He earned his bachelor of architecture from Syracuse University, and he is a licensed architect in the District of Columbia and LEED-accredited professional.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Equity Committee by WIELD

Pride by Design

QCity

Sponsored by:

Join AIA|DC's Design Excellence Committee for a film screening and panel discussion highlighting the profound contributions of South American women architects in the world of creativity, design, and diversity.

This program is part of a 4-part series showcasing 4 countries: Argentina, Peru, Chile and Brazil. Each session will include 4 panelists from the represented country that will share their work.

The series explore representation of diverse typologies of unseen architecture in South American countries all seen from the eyes of local women architects.

This 4x4 = 16 Brazil showcases the work of architects Gloria Cabral, Marta Moreira, Mariana Simas, and Cláudia Sales de Alcântara.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify emerging man-made materials and experimentation techniques that can be a conduct to allow social experiences and collaboration in low-income societies.
• Discover the design of public sector service architecture related to cultural, educational and academic buildings in the megalopolis of Sao Paulo.
• Discuss topics about equity and inclusion in the north of Brazil that include themes such as Collective Black Land, Discourse and Territory and Transatlantic Cities and Racial Thought.
• Illustrate the approach to rethink and give continuity to the iconic Brazilian Modern Architecture movement.

Presented by:

Francesca Franchi, AIA - Presenter

Cristiana Mascarenhas - Moderator   

Gloria Cabral

Arquiteta Gloria Cabral believes that architecture is her tool for making the necessary transformations in our society. Cabral was a partner of Gabinete de Arquitectura in Paraguay, from 2004 to 2020. She participated in the Rolex Mentor and Protégé program as a mentee of Peter Zumthor, during 2014 and 2015.

Among the many international recognitions that Cabral has received together with her partners are: the Golden Lion of the Venice Biennale of Architecture, for Best Participation in the International Exhibition; the Architects 2018 Moira Gemmill Award for Emerging Women in Architecture; and the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in 2021.

She studied architecture at the University of Asunción where she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate, in 2020.

Marta Moreira

Arquiteta Marta Moriera founded MMBB Arquitetos in 1991 together with Fernando Franco and Milton Braga; later Maria João joined the team. The office focuses on the development of public and institutional projects in the areas of building, infrastructure and urban planning.

MMBB has won several distinctions and awards, such as the Archdaily Building of the Year 2023; the Brazilian Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai; the First Prize of the International Urban Project Award – IUPA 2020 and the Special Prize at the XI BIAU 2019, both with the SESC 24 de Maio building, in collaboration with Paulo Mendes da Rocha; the Prize at the IX BIAU 2014 with the Jardim Edite social housing complex; and the Best Entry with prize the Watery Voids proposal in the 3rd International Architecture Biennale of Rotterdam 2007.

She has been a professor of design at Escola da Cidade since 2001 and a member of the Association’s Presidency since 2019.

Moreira received her title from the School of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo (FAU/USP) in 1987.

Mariana Simas

Arquiteta Mariana Simas is a partner and the executive director at Studio MK27.

Her interests in the global architectural dialogue led her to head the communications efforts at MK27. She has had the opportunity to present and discuss the studio´s body of work on several institutions such as at the Archipel, Belgian Institute of Architects; Universidad Politecnica de Valencia; South Florida University and the Royal Academy of Arts, in London.

Simas is focused on developing masterplans and conceptual designs for competitions and pro-bono projects such as Catarina town, a planned sustainable city in the outskirts of São Paulo; a Pavilion in Chapultepec, City of Mexico; and the Occupation of the former Ford Factory in São Paulo, a housing project requested by the municipality for the unsheltered people.

Globally, she has designed projects such as the island for Patina hotel in the Maldives; an urban community in Madrid; and the Brazilian Pavilion for Expo Osaka 2025.

Sima believes that the purpose of her work is to create a healthy business model to allow for the intellectual research of architecture to thrive.

She studied at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of São Paulo where she acted as treasurer of the student’s union, created a cooperative of employees that took over the school´s canteen, and generated a financial fund for the student´s activities that lasted for the years to come.

Cláudia Sales de Alcântara

Cláudia Sales de Alcântara is an architect and pedagogue, with a master's and a PhD degree in Brazilian Education. She has been working as a professor of architecture and urbanism since 2013.

Sales de Alcântara served as Federal Councilor for the state of Ceará between 2021-2023. She was the coordinator of the Temporary Commission on Race, Equity and Diversity - CTRED at the Council of Architecture and Urbanism of Brazil - CAU/BR, between 2021-2022. During 2021-2023 she acted as assistant coordinator of the Ordinary Commission for Education and Training – CEF; and assistant coordinator of the Temporary Commission on Affirmative Policies - CTPAF (2022-2023).
 
During her time at CAU/BR, she focused her work on developing the quality of teaching in architecture and urbanism; the implementation of policies to combat ethnic-racial discrimination in the profession; and promoting actions to enable the participation of minorities in the political process of the Council.

Sales de Alcântara teaches architecture and urbanism at the University of Unichristus, Fortaleza.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Design Excellence Committee

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

SILVER DONORS

AECOM

Ares Management

HOK

Mikela McMahon

MOYA

Perkins&Will

BRONZE DONORS

-Avalon Bay Communities

-Cunningham / Quill Architects PLLC

-David Haresign, FAIA

-Francesca Franchi, AIA

-Frederick & Cederna Architects

-Gerald Briggs, FAIA and Randy Briggs

-HGA

-Landdesign

-Mariela Buendia-Corrochano, IIDA, Assoc. AIA

-rdc

-shalom baranes associates architects

-SMITHGROUP

-WDG

-Whiting-Turner

-William Hodges Hendrix, AIA

-Winstanley Architects & Planners

VENUE PROVIDED BY:

-Brazilian Embassy of Washington, DC

It's that time of year!  Build a house made of candy, snowmen, a toy train, or decorate a tree to make a winter wonderland come to life.  Bring the family for a festive morning of handmade, holiday decorations! Great for kids ages 3 and up!

Join Dominion Lighting for an enlightening afternoon to explore cutting-edge LED lighting technologies with a special presentation by Dino Paturo from WAC Lighting. You'll quickly become a subject matter expert with all things LED as we break down the future of lighting design and innovation! 

After the learning presentation, join us for a relaxed and luminous happy hour in the 18-time award-winning Dominion Lighting Flagship showroom. Network with industry peers, exchange ideas and be inspired. 

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze the correct LED package that performs optimally for your various lighting applications and to meet your specific lighting needs. Learn about the different techniques for high-power and mid-power LED lighting, COB (Chip on Board) LEDs, and others.
• Discover how to select the various media types for lighting optics, including the latest reflectors, TIR lenses, and edge-lit panels. Assess the applications and material selection and how they contribute to the human connection to integrated spaces, including when designing for residential, hospitality, and commercial applications.
• Understand the style, function, and performance of LED lighting fixtures, from chandeliers and pendants to wall sconces and vanity lights, tape, undercabinet lighting, and exterior wall luminaires.
• Examine case studies that exemplify the role of LED luminaires and lighting systems in connecting people to integrated interior and exterior spaces.
• Discover the latest luminaire application efficacy and how this and other lighting design metrics are crucial in selecting LED lighting, including performance, energy savings, and ROI.

Organized by:

AIA Potomac Valley

Capital Area Custom Residential Architects Network, a tri-chapter committee founded jointly by AIA|DC, AIA Northern Virginia and AIA Potomac Valley

Join us for the Building Enclosure Council end-of-year gathering to discuss what the committee does and how to get involved.

Building Enclosure Council of Washington D.C. (BEC-DC) is an organization comprised of architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, and manufacturers who share a common interest in new and existing building enclosures and the science related to them. BEC-DC offers a forum for professionals in the construction industry to discuss and share valuable information relating to building enclosure design and their experiences with success and adversity.