Maestrxs de Arquitectura is a unique lecture series created by LA.IDEA DC to recognize Latin American architects for their professional journey and accomplishments in the U.S. and globally. This lecture aims to inspire the Latinx design community and extend our reach to a multicultural and interdisciplinary group of professionals. The funds generated by the event are destined to support the various educational, networking, and community outreach events we host in the DC metro area every year. Past Maestrxs de Arquitectura include Cesar Pelli in 2014, Rodolfo Machado in 2015, Alfredo Brillembourg in 2016, Juan Herreros in 2017/2018, Hernan Diaz Alonso in 2019, Tatiana Bilbao in 2021, and Francisco Gonzalez Pulido in 2022.

2023 Maestrx de Arquitectura:

Monica Ponce de Leon, AIA, NCARB, is the founding principal of MPdL Studio and dean of Princeton University School of Architecture.
Among her many honors, Ponce de Leon received the National Design Award in Architecture from the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian National Design Museum. She has also been honored with the Academic Award in Architecture from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the USA Target Fellow in Architecture and Design from United States Artists, and the Young Architects and Emerging Voices awards from the Architectural League of New York. Her highly acclaimed and broadly published work has received 13 Progressive Architecture (P/A) Awards, 14 awards from the American Institute of Architects, including the AIA Institute Honor Award for Architecture, as well as the prestigious Harleston Parker Medal from the Boston Society of Architects. In 2016 Ponce de Leon was inducted into the National Academy of Design.

Known as an educational force, Ponce de Leon is currently a professor and the dean at Princeton University School of Architecture. From 2008 through 2015, she was the dean of Taubman College at the University of Michigan. For over 12 years, Ponce de Leon taught at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard, where she became a professor and served as the Graduate Program coordinator and was director of the Digital Fabrication Lab. Prior to her appointment at Harvard, Ponce de Leon was an assistant professor at Northeastern University. She has been a visiting professor or scholar at various institutions across the United States, including SCI-Arc, Rhode Island School of Design, the University of Miami, as well as Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech, she was the first Thomas W. Ventulett III Distinguished Chair in Architectural Design. In recognition of her extraordinary contributions in academia, in 2018 Ponce de Leon received ACADIA’s distinguished teaching award, and in 2020 received the Architectural Record Women in Architecture Award for Educator/Mentor.

Ponce de Leon has a Master of Architecture in Urban Design from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard, as well as a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify an internationally known Latin American architect and learn about how their multicultural and diverse background has shaped their architectural career.
• Illustrate their extraordinary contributions as a renowned architecture professional, by exploring ties between academia and practice.
• Discuss how computational design, digital fabrication, and robotics can enhance the design process.
• Discover projects in institutional, cultural, civic, commercial, and residential sectors and their success in project delivery.

Organized by:

AIA|DC LA.IDEA Committee

Sponsored by:

Learn to think like an architect by learning the tools of the trade!

This Fall, The Washington Architectural Foundation continues its partnership with ArtReach GW to offer Archi-Builder.

Classes will be held at ArtReach GW’s studio at THEARC on Tuesdays from 6:00-7:30pm, September 13th through November 15th.

Design and build your museum! This program teaches students the design processes used by architects. Students will work in teams to learn techniques that transform early ideas into a final design. Presentation skills will be fostered to prepare participants to share their new skills and experiences with others. The end project is to build a scale model of their own architectural design. 

This session is meant for youth in grades 3-8.

This program is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

This Fall, The Washington Architectural Foundation continues its partnership with ArtReach GW to offer Digital Design for Teens.

Classes will be held virtually on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:30pm, September 14th through November 1st.

This session is meant for youth ages 14 to 18.

Digital Design for Teens teaches valuable computer-aided design (CAD) skills to high school students. Part II is designed for students who have previously taken Part I or have other experience with CAD. Though many high-schools teach similar courses, the Washington Architectural Foundation and ArtReach GW team up to provide introductory education on digital drawing and 3D modeling for architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering purposes. Students will learn simple techniques they can practice outside of the classroom and apply for internships and educational opportunities. Digital Design for Teens is an excellent asset for any college applicant or job-seeker to have on their resume, and provides insight into the work involved in a modern design career. Please note desktop computers and laptops are preferred. Tablets are acceptable but not preferred.

This program is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Join us to celebrate the opening of our latest exhibition, Ricardo J. Rodríguez De Santiago: Present Futures.

With this exhibition, Ricardo J. Rodríguez De Santiago (@bytesandmortar) presents a collection of AI-generated images that raise questions on architecture, climate change, and politics in his native Puerto Rico. Using the power of AI, Ricardo creates imaginary worlds framed between pain and recovery to highlight Puerto Rican resilience in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria and Hurricane Fiona.

Meet the artist and explore these thought-provoking artworks. Drinks and light hors d'oeuvres will be served.

The exhibition is organized by the District Architecture Center in collaboration with @BytesandMortar for the Suman Sorg Gallery.

_{Photo Credit
Shadows to Spectrum, courtesy of the artist.}

Join AIA|DC's Small Firm Exchange for our annual party, we'll be celebrating all of the committee's hard work over the past year and lookin forward to what's next!

The Small Firm Exchange (SFx) seeks to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. The group advocates for the value of small firms within the AIA and out in public. It also promotes business development, marketing and leadership development. AIA|DC SFx focuses the national mission at a local scale, engaging and supporting small firms practicing in Washington DC.

With AI tools exploding in the marketplace and across all sectors, this discussion will present AI tools and trends and that can bolster small firms capabilities and strengthen design. We will hear from Jack Lynch, who'll share with us his published research on AI and how it applies to his firm. We will have AI tools for architects showcase their workflows via live walkthroughs, and an opportunity for Q&A. Attendees will leave with strategies helping small firms compete in the marketplace, and improve their services to clients.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn about trends in AI that support architects
• Find workflows that incorporate AI software
• Find potential areas of exposure that can lead to issues with AI
• Learn how to leverage AI to improve services

Presented by:

Jack Lynch

Project Architect, Hickok Cole

John W Lynch is a Project Architect at forward-focused design practice, Hickok Cole, where he specializes in multifamily projects with a background in master planning, project development, and consulting. A recent recipient of iLAB, the firm’s internal microgrant program, John and his research partner are seeking to define the future of vertical mixed-use development. As an early adopter, John champions innovation in the architectural profession and is currently studying the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on the design industry. His research has been published in Dezeen and Fast Company in addition to The Architect’s Newspaper, to which he contributed an opinion piece documenting his foray into the subject. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Washington, University in St. Louis, and a Master of Architecture from Columbia University.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Small Firm Exchange (SFx)

Sponsored by:

This presentation will provide an update to AIA members on zoning topics generally applicable to their architectural practices in DC, including a review of DC Zoning Regulations amendments over the last two years.

Specifically the presentation will:

• Review DC Zoning Regulations amendments over the last two years.
• Review changes in administrative interpretations of DC Zoning Regulations which have not been amended.
• Update attendees on changes in administration at DOB and the Zoning Administrators office.
• Review major applicable updates in inclusionary zoning.
• Review recent changes in RA-1 zoning - including requirement to go to BZA any time one unit or more is added.
• Update attendees on alley lot zoning, including the latent requirement to require an alley to be named before receiving a building permit, which is now being enforced.

Learning Objectives:

• Reinforce the Attendees' knowledge of DC Zoning
• Inform the attendees about important recent changes in DC Zoning Law and Interpretations thereof
• Inform the Attendees on Administrative changes in DOB - the permitting agency
• Review recent changes in RA-1 zoning - including requirement to go to BZA any time one unit or more is added.

Presented by:

Marty Sullivan

Marty began his DC Zoning Law career at zoning and real estate law powerhouse Wilkes Artis, in 1998. He joined a group of zoning attorneys that left Wilkes Artis in 2000 for Shaw Pittman, later Pillsbury (a group that has since moved to Goulston Storrs) and practiced there until 2005. After a brief stint in-house for a Maryland homebuilder, Marty opened his own zoning practice in 2008, and, with former Wilkes Artis colleague Tony Barros, formed Sullivan & Barros, LLP, in 2010.

Marty now heads the Zoning practice at Sullivan & Barros, LLP, which includes Associate Alexandra Wilson, Associate Andrew Justus, and Legal Assistants Anna Fraser and Leisha Mahajan. Marty’s practice is focused exclusively on District of Columbia zoning matters. He represents a variety of clients, including developers, investors, homeowners, and institutions. For over 22 years, he has worked closely with clients to create innovative solutions to maximize the return and enjoyment of their properties. He handles everything in DC zoning from the initial due diligence to Board of Zoning Adjustment (“BZA”) and Zoning Commission requests and appeals. Marty also works with the Zoning Administrator and the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs (“DCRA”) to secure favorable interpretations. Marty is known for his extensive knowledge of DC Zoning and uses this, along with the relationships he’s developed over the years, to help analyze and craft the best possible development plan under the challenging DC zoning scheme, regardless of project size.

Marty evaluates properties and potential development projects and explains the options in plain English. Sometimes a client has no viable options, but they appreciate getting the bad news up-front before committing significant time and money to a losing effort. More often than not, they do have viable options, and Marty helps them navigate the zoning process with as little friction as possible, always keeping the client’s objectives in the forefront. The success of a project, and a zoning engagement, is not just about getting an approval; it is about getting the right approval, without spending unnecessary time and money.

In addition to winning hundreds of BZA cases, Marty has also successfully represented clients before the Zoning Commission, the D.C. Court of Appeals, and the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Marty was a CPA and worked for real estate developer Potomac Investment Associates/Natelli Communities, developers of the Avenel Community and many other TPC-related residential development projects across the country.

Organized by:

 Sullivan & Barros, LLP

A survey of most of the ways that art, both 2D and 3D, new and existing, is integrated into a project and analyzing the best strategies to assure that this aspect of your project keeps pace and runs smoothly. The program will run through the potential timing of when to address art (ASAP), who to involve and estimations of the time it will take to address. Specific topics will be through the lens of current market conditions involving reduced tenant footprints, increased branding and the dilemma of exiting collections. Special focus will be on the requirement of exterior artwork, murals, sculpture etc., primarily stipulated by Public Art Programs.

Learning Objectives:

• Exploring the potential Steps and potential pitfalls for including art in projects.
• Identifying all the possible factors involved in both interior and exterior art installation.
• Planning timing necessary to incorporate art on a projects.
• Producing a budget.

Presented by:

Jack Devine

Partner, Artists Circle

Jack and his team at Artists Circle have been helping those with art-related needs for 50 years. Jack has been involved in every aspect of the art world. From working with galleries, many, many artists, framers, art handlers and installers on the "source" end, to coordinating with clients, architects, project managers and construction teams to make sure projects are as surprise-proof as possible. He makes sure Artists Circle's focus on logistics is constant. Jack has worked on hundreds of interior projects and over 30 exterior sculpture placements and like most of his staff, and despite his wife's misgivings, is a certified MEWP operator. He has delivered talks to various real estate and design professionals but is especially proud of presentations to Jr. & Sr. BFA students on the topic of pragmatic aspects of maintaining a career in art. Two of Jack and his wife Joanna's four children are graduates of college art programs, Pratt Institute and Virginia Commonwealth.

Organized by:

Artists Circle

This course provides an overview of basic contract principles, standard of care, project documentation, site safety, professional fees, construction phase services and best practices to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public while delivering professional design services. Through a review of key court cases and statutes, attendees will learn how these laws help to improve the physical, emotional and social well being of the public using the structures they designed. Further, a review of various building codes, contract clauses and proper execution of Construction Phase Services help protect the public safety for everyone occupying or using the buildings/structures created by design professionals. Finally, a review of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain environmental laws will demonstrate how they protect equal access for all members of the public and protect the public welfare through inclusion and use by all.

Learning Objectives:

• Attendees learn how various AIA contract clauses establish the rights and duties of the A/E and the Owner on any Project relating to the Standard of Care, Indemnification, Scope of Services, Dispute Resolution and Health, Safety and Welfare provisions.
• Attendees will learn about the importance of various laws and legal decisions designed to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
• Attendees learn how various AIA contract clauses help to protect the public's health, safety and welfare.
• Attendees will learn how to manage and minimize the risk of liability caused by COVID-19 when performing Construction Phase services through knowledge of CDC and local government guidelines and requirements issued to protect the public.

Presented by:

Terrence M. McShane, Esq.

Terrence M. McShane, Esq., President of MCSHANE PC, concentrates his practice in commercial litigation involving construction, employment, insurance, real estate and contract matters. His litigation practice is focused upon the representation of architecture and engineering firms, many of which are in the ENR top 100. He also represents insurance companies, banks, real estate entities. In addition, Terry provides general business advice in corporate, risk management, human resources and transactional matters, including commercial leases and owner/contractor and subcontractor agreements. In his significant litigation experience, he has tried over 100 cases to verdict successfully including many complex multi-party commercial disputes.

For over 20 years, Mr. McShane has presented seminars to thousands of architects and engineers for continuing education credits. He has appeared in association with professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, the American Council of Engineering Companies, the District of Columbia Bar Association, and others in speaking to architects, engineers and lawyers on various legal topics and risk management issues. At the National AIA convention, Terry presented a seminar entitled “Monumental D.C. Architecture: Unique Design Challenges and Unique Legal Risks”; and, annually, he has presented, “Mastering the Rules of Evidence,” as part of the District of Columbia Bar Association Continuing Education Series for thousands of lawyers in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Recently, Terry was selected to the list for 2023 Super Lawyers.

Mr. McShane is admitted to the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia and New York bars. His federal court admissions include the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, U.S. Court of Appeals (2nd and 4th Circuits) and U.S. District Court (District of Columbia, Maryland and New York). He has received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating given to attorneys for legal ability and ethical standards. Robert Morgenthau appointed Terry to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for New York County (Manhattan) from 1983-89.

Mr. McShane received his Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University School of Law and Bachelor of Science Business Administration degree from Georgetown University.

Mr. McShane is a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Navy UDT/SEAL Teams.

Organized by:

McShane PC

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 Chile showcases the work of architects Mirene Elton, Loreto Lyon, Jeannette Plaut and Cazú Zegers.

Learning Objectives:

• Discover the seamless dialogue between Chilean architecture, the Andes Cordilleras and the Southern Pacific Ocean; resulting in buildings that inhabit their territory and environment with respect and leaving no trace.

• Illustrate the use of wood as a building material from context to detail; by means of combining high experimentation and low-tech construction.

• Identify the Chilean rural house typology related to its roots in local and sustainable materials.

• Discuss the overall view of women in the design and construction business in Chile, and how they are dedicated to activities related to the profession and gender.

Presented by:

Francesca Franchi, AIA - Presenter

Maria Candelaria Ryberg - Moderator   

Mirene Elton Pérez

Mirene Elton graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, 1993. She continued her specialized studies by graduating with a Master of Science (Built Environment) from the University of London, 2001.

Elton is a founding partner of the office elton_léniz arquitectos asociados together with the architect Mauricio Léniz. Throughout their career they have been highlighted as young architects by Catholic University in 1997 and as 'Emerging Architectural Office AOA', by the Association of Architects Offices, 2009; among other important national and international awards.

Her academic experience includes a trajectory of 20 years as an associate professor at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chileand as professor of classroom workshop at the Universidad Andrés Bello and Universidad del Desarrollo at national level.
To date, her work has been published in different media in Chile and worldwide through diverse platforms, collaborating in prominent exhibitions such as "Andes Shadow, The survey as a transforming experience", 15th Venice Architecture Biennale 2016, the participation in Cut'n'Paste exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA. New York and the Iconic Award, Germany. Winners Best of Best Innovative Architecture. She received the award for Woman Architect, 'MA Awards 2022' in the consecrated category, which highlights the work of contemporary woman architect carried out in the territory of Chile. She has been on the jury of many competitions and has given lectures throughout Chile and internationally.

Her office, plus a varied list of collaborators including artists, architects, designers and photographers have worked on a wide range of commissions independently. Their work has included objects and furniture, exhibition installation, commercial spaces, interior design, housing, residential buildings, urban development, sculpture, and public and educational spaces.

Loreto Lyon

Loreto Lyon is principal of Beals & Lyon Arquitectos, based in Santiago, Chile. She received the title of Architect from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile) in 2005. In 2011 she received a Master of Science degree (MSc) in ‘Environmental Design and Engineering’ from the Bartlett, University College of London (UCL). From 2004 to 2010 she worked as an associate architect with the Chilean architect Smiljan Radic, on several projects and competitions, such as the Vik Winery and the Museo de Arte Precolombino.

Lyon has been the head of the School of Architecture at the Universidad San Sebastián, in Santiago, since 2022. She has also been director of the School of Architects of Chile (2020-2023), where she co-curated and co-directed the last Architectural Biennale in Chile, “Habitats Vulnerables” (January 2023). Lyon also teaches a studio unit at the Universidad Católica de Chile, where she is an assistant professor. She has been a visiting Critic at Cornell University AAP; run workshops at the IUAV in Venice, Scola da Cidade in Sao Paulo and Universidad Católica del Perú.

In 2012, she co-founded the architectural studio Beals & Lyon Arquitectos, together with Alejandro Beals; an independent practice distinguished by careful attention to context, materials, and details. Their interests and work range from landscape and infrastructure, public buildings and spaces, to interior and furniture design. They have published, lectured and exhibited extensively. In 2016 Ediciones ARQ published the monograph Beals & Lyon Architects: Public Voids, featuring a selection of their works regarding public architecture.

The studio has been recognized with different design awards like the Oscar Niemeyer for Latin American Architecture and Plataforma Arquitectura’s Building of the Year Award; both for the project Nancagua Town Hall in Central Chile, in 2020. In 2023 they won the curatorial and design competition for the Chilean pavilion “Moving Ecologies” at the Venice Biennale “Laboratory of the Future”.

Jeannette Plaut

Jeannette Plaut is an architect trained at the University of Chile as well as an architectural critic and academic. She is co-founder and director of CONSTRUCTO and director of YAP_CONSTRUCTO, a Young Architects Program developed in partnership with the Museum of Modern Art.

In 2016, she was selected by MoMA to be part of the museum’s International Curatorial Institute in Modern and Contemporary Art. Plaut led the team that created the models for the MoMA’s 2015 exhibition Latin America in Construction.

Plaut has worked as a Latin American correspondent for several media outlets and has served as editor-in-chief of Trace magazine since 2010. From 2000 to 2009, she was architectural editor of Ambientes magazine. Plaut was curator of the Chilean Pavilion at the 2010 Shanghai Expo, Director of the XV Chilean Architecture Biennial (2006), Director of the International Conference of Architects at the XIV Chilean Architecture Biennial (2004), and Coordinator of the International Conference of Architects at the XIV Chilean Architecture Biennial (2002).

From 2004 to 2010, she was a consultant for the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean’s Division of Sustainable Development and Human Settlements. She is the author of several books, including PULSO: New Architecture in Chile, PULSO 2: New Architecture in Latin America, LATAM: Contemporary Latin American Architecture, and LATAM 2.

Plaut has taught architectural studios at the Universidad Católica in Chile, Universidad de Chile and at Andrés Bello University and has spoken at several institutions, including the University of Leipzig, Universidad Católica, MoMA, Center for Architecture, University of Johannesburg, Federico Santa María University, among others. She currently serves on the jury for the Rolex Mentor & Protégés Arts Initiative and has served on the juries for the Ibero-American Biennia, the Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, and the Dhaka Art Summit. She also co-curated EXTRA-ORDINARY: New Practices in Chilean Architecture at the Center for Architecture and CAMPUS-AULA: Contemporary Educational Architecture now on view at the Center for Architecture.

Cazú Zegers

Cazú Zegers is a Chilean artist and architect, founder and director of Estudio Cazú Zegers. In 2019 she was included in the prestigious ELLE Decor Architecture A-List and a year later, she was recognized as one of the Latin American architects who break down barriers by Forbes Magazine.

She is an ambassador for Marca Chile, founder of the Lastarria Observatory, today Fundación +1000 and co-creator of the collaborative and educational platform Andes Workshop, together with Grupo Talca. Zegers has also served as a Visiting Professor at YSoA (Yale School of Architecture) and is a leading international speaker on various subjects.

Zegers and her architectural practice have a strong social and sustainable focus, with strong roots in the place, its local processes and materials, especially wood. Her projects cover a wide range of multidisciplinary research, moving through different scales, from the territory to the object and from the object to the territory, in a creative process that is born from geopoetry.

Her work has been awarded various prizes, such as the Versailles Grand Prix, the National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World Award and the Latin American Architecture Grand Prix (1993), among others. She has also been a finalist for the ArcVision award (2016) and in 2021 she was awarded for innovation in architecture by receiving the Dora Riedel Distinction.

During 2022 she was a finalist for the Chilean National Architecture Award, along with Smiljan Radic and Fernando Pérez Oyarzún. Today she leads as an expert in ethno-architecture and ethno-engineering in Latin America.

Organized by:

AIA|DC Design Excellence Committee

Thank You to Our Sponsors:

SILVER DONORS

AECOM

HOK

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:

-CUArch