Utrike Kaiser is an abstract oil painter based in Washington, DC, since 2010. Her recent works feature abstract, atmospheric landscapes with underlying narratives, created through textured, layered compositions on canvas with a glossy finish, inspired by the beauty of the sea and sky. Through her art, she captures reflections of nature and aims to transport viewers on a virtual journey.

OPEN JUNE 5, 5-7 PM TO TRADE | JUNE 6, 5 - 7 PM TO PUBLIC

EAC May Committee Meeting

Topic: Open Planning Meeting

Location: Virtual (Join at attendee link)

May Design Excellence Committee, Meeting, Tuesday May 13, from 6-7 PM at the office of Quinn Evans, 2101 L St NW Suite 950, Washington, DC 20037

During this meeting, Thomas Luebke, FAIA of the Commission of Fine Arts, will be giving a brief talk on the CFA’s work and the agency approval process in DC. Look out for individual invitations from Paperless Post.

Agenda: We will follow Mr. Luebke’s talk with a brief 15 min regular meeting to discuss DEC logistics, then will close with a tour of the Quinn Evans office and a group photo.

Please RSVP by emailing James Jesmer or Michael Day by EOD Friday. 

Join us for an evening of networking with industry professionals, Signature Sagamore Spirit cocktails, delicious appetizers, and learn more about Pella’s multifamily window and door offerings for Commercial projects.

The event will be held in the Tasting Room at Sagamore Distillery, just a short walk from one of our favorite multifamily projects, Rye House!

Join the AIA|DC Historic Resources Committee and the Asian American Designers Union (AADU) this May for a special Preservation Month panel discussion focused on the past, present, and future of Washington, DC’s Chinatown.

As one of the city’s most culturally rich and historically significant neighborhoods, Chinatown has long balanced the preservation of its architectural and cultural identity with the pressures of redevelopment and adaptive reuse. With recent conversations around the potential reimagining of the Capital One Arena, the area is once again at a pivotal crossroads.

This timely panel will feature voices from the Asian American community, alongside representatives from the DC Office of Planning, a local developer, and a design professional who has worked on key projects in the area. Together, they will share their experiences shaping the Chinatown we know today, discussing successes and challenges in maintaining the character of this core historic district amid new development.

We will also take a closer look at the neighborhood’s layered history - its origins, cultural evolution, and the importance of representation in preservation. Panelists will explore how public policy, community advocacy, and thoughtful design can support Chinatown’s cultural identity while ensuring a vibrant future.

Presented by: 

• Office of Planning – Steve Callcott
• Developer – Stephan Rodiger - Rift Valley Capitol
• Architect – Kevin Milstead -  Shalom Baranes
• Chinatown History – Richard Wong
• Chinatown Community - Ted Gong – 1882 Foundation
• Moderator – Rebecca Miller

Agenda:          

• 5          Introduction (Rebecca Miller)
• 5          Chinatown History (Richard Wong)
• 20        (4) Participants Briefing
• 45        Panel Discussion
• 15        Question & Answer

Self-Guided Tour: Follow on tour at 5:30. Modified digital tour offered with support from DC Preservation League

To complement the panel, attendees are invited to take a self-guided walking tour of Chinatown. A curated map and guide will highlight notable historic sites, examples of adaptive reuse, and current or upcoming development projects. This tour offers a chance to see firsthand how the District’s built environment reflects its ongoing story of transformation.

Learning Objectives: 

• Learn about the cultural and architectural history of DC's Chinatown.
• Identify principles of adaptive reuse and how they are applied to preserve cultural heritage in urban historic districts.
• Evaluate the role of zoning, regulations, and guidelines in shaping historic neighborhoods.
• Examine how architectural interventions in historic neighborhoods like Chinatown impact community and cultural continuity.
• Analyze examples of adaptive reuse within historically significant neighborhoods that accommodated growth and development while aligning with preservation best practice.

Sponsored by: 
 

SmithGroup

Architecture tells us a great deal about society. In fact, glass and glazing are used to blur the lines between inside and out, helping elevate performance and the experiences of people. Yet while humans can use environmental cues to identify glass as a barrier, there is growing realization that birds cannot.

The solution is bird-friendly glass that delivers on performance, energy efficiency and the needs of people. This course from Guardian Glass is intended to provide the basis for a better understanding of how to recognize issues affecting the bird population while learning about best practices and design fundamentals for smarter, safer buildings.

Presented by: 

Rich Blymire

As Architectural Design Manager in the Capital Region for Guardian Glass, Rich Blymire is driven to foster a consultative relationship with those in the architectural design community by highlighting the performance and aesthetics of Guardian's vast array of architectural glazing products as they relate to your project. A professional with nearly 25 years of experience, Rich has experience in almost all areas of the glass and glazing industry and has had involvement with many notable projects, such as the Herbert C. Hoover Building in Washington, DC, the Starrett-Lehigh Building in New York, and the Escondido Graduate Residences at Stanford University.

Learning Objectives: 

• Recognize the basic behavioral patterns of birds.
• Identify the four most common reasons that bird-building collisions occur.
• Investigate the different types of product testing.
• Assess some available and emerging glazing solutions.

Sponsored by: 

Guardian Glass 

This event is Monday, June 16th and Tuesday, June 17th from 8:30am-12:00pm each day. 

Intended for licensed architects, engineers, or certified building inspectors, this training certifies attendees as Building Evaluators in the nationally recognized Safety Assessment Program (SAP).

The program is managed by Cal OES with cooperation from professional organizations, including AIA. It utilizes volunteers and mutual aid resources to provide professional engineers, architects and certified building inspectors to assist local governments in safety evaluation of their built environment in an aftermath of a disaster. SAP is the training standard of the AIA Disaster Assistance Program, which provides leadership, advocacy, and training to architects who are interested in volunteering their professional skills in times of crisis. This workshop will teach participants to conduct rapid damage assessments of structures affected by earthquakes, wind, and water. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to consistently and safely assess structures for habitability and will receive a nationally recognized Cal OES registration ID card from the state of California.

Learning Objectives: 

• Recognize the important role architects and associated building professionals play in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
• Accurately conduct a post-disaster rapid building assessment and complete appropriate damage assessment forms.
• Demonstrate understanding of the Applied Technology Council’s ATC 20 Post-earthquake Safety Evaluation of Buildings and ATC 45 Safety Evaluation of Buildings after Windstorms and Floods damage assessment procedures.
• Explain the features of the Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS), including how SAP and other requirements fit within those systems to support disaster response.

Bring your big ideas to life, brick by brick! In this hands-on, imagination-powered workshop, kids will step into the shoes of urban designers to create their very own city park using LEGO® bricks!

Drawing inspiration from iconic green spaces like the National Mall, Central Park, and other famous urban parks around the world, participants will use a fictional site map to design and build exciting public spaces that bring people together.

From skate parks and splash pads to zoos, playgrounds, and ice cream stands—your park can have it all! We’ll explore the concepts of placemaking, community space, and how thoughtful design makes cities better for everyone.

What’s in store:

•  Learn the basics of park design and city planning in a fun, creative way
   
• Use real design ideas and examples as inspiration for your own layout
   
• Build features like museums, gardens, theatres and more
   
• Collaborate with others on group builds—or go solo with your own vision
   
• Present your park to the group like a real urban planner!
   

This workshop blends design thinking, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving—plus plenty of LEGO® fun. Whether you're a future architect, builder, or city dreamer, this is your chance to turn big ideas into miniature masterpieces!

Best for kids ages 8 and up. All materials provided.