January 7, 2026 

Chapter News

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Building Momentum in 2026—Aligning Innovation, Community, and Purpose

Happy New Year and thank you for the privilege of serving as your 2026 President of AIA Potomac Valley.

My journey into leadership began not with certainty, but with curiosity. When I stepped into the Emerging Professionals Awards Program, I expected resources, but I discovered something far more impactful: connection, mentorship, and momentum. That experience reshaped how I viewed our chapter. It reminded me that our greatest strength is not individual talent alone, but the network that allows every architect to grow, experiment, learn, and contribute. No member stands alone; and no challenge is too large when we face it together.

We enter 2026 at a pivotal moment for our profession. Small firms, the backbone of our region, are innovating faster than ever, often with fewer resources, limited time, and increasing complexity. At the same time, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, and evolving sustainability mandates are reshaping how we design, collaborate, and measure impact. Change is constant, but it does not have to be overwhelming. My goal this year is to ensure every member feels prepared, supported, and empowered to navigate what’s ahead.

As architects, we are trained to imagine what does not yet exist, and to build it with intention. In 2026, we will apply that same design mindset to our chapter. We will expand high-value, hands-on programming, foster conversations that strengthen practice resilience and elevate climate-responsible thinking and emerging tools that unlock creativity rather than replace it. From technology workshops and business strategy sessions to climate-forward design discussions and new networking formats, our focus is simple: if you show up, you should leave with something that makes you better.

My vision is for AIA Potomac Valley to be a chapter where firms of all sizes thrive, innovation is accessible, climate leadership is shared, and every member sees a clear return on engagement. Whether you are a student, sole practitioner, small studio, mid-size firm, educator, or seasoned leader, there is a place for you here, and meaningful value waiting to be unlocked.

I invite you to take a moment to explore our committees and consider where you might want to engage. Committees are where ideas turn into action; connections deepen, and leadership grows, often in ways you do not expect. Whether you have time to lead, contribute, or simply listen and learn, your involvement helps shape the future of our chapter and our profession.

This year, we will not react to change; we will lead it. We will align profession and purpose, innovation, and community, and continue building a chapter that is not just a membership, but a movement. 

Our profession leads change.
In 2026, our chapter will too.

Emily Lally, AIA, CPHC
2026 AIA Potomac Valley President
Studio Lally LLC

We are pleased to welcome our newly elected and continuing board members to the 2026 AIAPV Board of Directors—the governing body of the AIA Potomac Valley Chapter—who will guide the organization and serve our membership in the year ahead. Please don't hesitate to reach out to anyone on the PV board with your questions, comments, and concerns.

Meet the 2026 AIAPV Board of Directors

CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP AT AIA POTOMAC VALLEY

After six transformative years, we bid a bittersweet farewell to our Executive Director, Sue Presti, who retired on December 31, 2025.

Sue joined AIA Potomac Valley in April 2019, and her impact was immediate. Just one year into her tenure, she faced the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a steady hand and a clear vision, Sue navigated our organization through those uncertain times—pivoting to virtual connection and ensuring our members never lost their connection to the chapter.

A Legacy of Advocacy and Excellence
Sue’s tenure was defined by a "hands-on" philosophy. Whether navigating complex board governance or diving into the fine details of committee work, she was a constant resource for our leadership. Her impact is perhaps most visible in her dedication to the next generation of architects.

One of Sue’s crowning achievements was her instrumental role in the development and sustained success of the Emerging Professionals Awards Program (EPAP). By advocating for those early in their careers, she ensured that the future of the industry remains bright and that new talent within our chapter is recognized and nurtured.

Strength in Leadership
Beyond programming, Sue’s contribution to the "health" of AIAPV cannot be overstated. Her impact included:

A Personal Thank You
I am incredibly grateful for the foundation Sue has built. Her financial acumen, deep institutional knowledge, and "hands-on" approach have left us in a position of incredible strength. On a personal note, her mentorship as I transitioned into the executive director position has been invaluable.

We are ready to take on 2026 with confidence, supported by our dedicated volunteer leaders and the amazing work of our Member Services Manager, Pam Rich.

Thank you, Sue, for your service. We wish you the very best in your well-deserved retirement!

David Iams
Executive Director
AIA Potomac Valley

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Potomac Valley Events

GREEN ROOFING 101: BETTER GREEN ROOFS FROM THE GROUND UP

January 14, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This course will explain the Green Roofing concept, system types, membrane protection, and vegetation free zones. It discusses layers and designs for long-term, thriving, leak-free Green Roofing. Maintenance recommendations will be discussed as well.

“PERFORMANCE AND SUSTAINABILITY” WINDOWS AND DOORS IN COMMERCIAL SPACES – CONSIDERATIONS IN DESIGN

February 3, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This course explores how windows and doors can be strategically incorporated into commercial architecture to achieve the architect’s design intent while supporting sustainability, performance, and occupant well-being.

AIA Potomac Valley Committee Meetings – Join Us!

Jan 21 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM
Feb 11 | Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Committee (Virtual) 1:00 PM

January 15 is the deadline for members to renew for 2026.

Click here for details on advertising in Potomac Valley Architect

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Featured Project

ROSEWOOD TOWNHOUSES

Winstanley Architects & Planners
Washington, DC

Our celebration of the winners of AIAPV’s 2025 Excellence in Design Awards continues with a focus on Rosewood Townhouses in Washington, DC, renovated by Winstanley Architects & Planners. The adaptive reuse and historic preservation project earned a Commendation Award from the jury.

Above Image: Looking Northwest. Photo: Anice Hoachlander Photography


(l to r) Marc Feinstein, AIA (2025 AIAPV President) with George Eisenberger, AIA and Michael Winstanley, AIA  Photo: ©2025 Montgomery Planning

In 2017, Rosewood Hotel acquired the Capella Hotel at 1026 31st Street NW in Georgetown, along with a collection of unrenovated historic townhouses built circa 1890 at the corner of 31st Street NW and South Street. This project represents a significant adaptive reuse and historic preservation effort, transforming these late 19th-century townhouses into exclusive luxury suites as part of the hotel. The renovation increased the hotel’s total room count from 49 to 63 rooms, seamlessly integrating these historic structures into Rosewood’s boutique hospitality experience.

Street View. Photo: Anice Hoachlander Photography

Townhouse Detail. Photo: Anice Hoachlander Photography

JURY: “The jury was impressed by the project's minimal intervention with the existing historical character of the Georgetown streetscape. By preserving the integrity of the exterior, the townhouses were given a new purpose without erasing their past. This measured approach allowed modern infrastructure to work quietly behind the historic façade, creating a seamless blend of old and new.”

LEARN MORE

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Allied/Partner Spotlight

ALLIED MEMBER NEWS

YOUR AS-BUILT RESOURCE—MEET COLIN MALONEY

Meet Colin Maloney, Senior Account Executive at Precision Property Measurements (PPM). With over fourteen years at PPM, Colin has partnered closely with architects on hundreds of projects of all sizes and scopes, delivering accurate and dependable As-Built documentation that design teams can trust. He has played a key role in expanding PPM’s services and advancing the firm’s use of LiDAR scanning to support high-quality plans and models. Architects in the Potomac Valley and beyond can consider Colin a trusted partner and go-to resource for As-Built plans, scope guidance, and project support. To connect, call 206-690-8960 or email [email protected].

Colin Maloney
Senior Account Executive
P 206-690-8960
[email protected]
asbuiltdrawings.com

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Events, Education & Opportunities

ARE® PREP SERIES: ARE® ROUNDTABLE    

January 14, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Virtual | 1.5 LU | REGISTER

Kick off AIA Northern Virginia’s ARE Prep Series with a unique opportunity to hear directly from National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) staff and AIA NoVA chapter leaders who have recently navigated the licensure process. Whether you're currently testing, earning experience through the AXP, or still completing your education, understanding the requirements and pathways to licensure can feel overwhelming.

This roundtable session brings clarity to the full spectrum of the licensure journey. You’ll learn what’s required to qualify for testing, how the ARE exams connect to real-world architectural practice, and what to expect when scheduling and taking each division.

Canstruction® Frederick Interest Meeting

January 15, 9:30 – 10:30 AM
Frederick, MD & via ZOOM | REGISTER

Ready to use your creativity to design, build, and serve your community? Canstruction® is coming to Frederick in June 2026!

Be a part of a team that designs and builds a giant sculpture entirely from cans of food, all donated to the Frederick Rescue Mission to help feed local families.

Every year, nearly 100,000 people receive groceries through the Rescue Mission’s Food Distribution Center. During the summer months, shelves run low. Canstruction® transforms creativity into direct impact, keeping canned goods stocked for neighbors in need year-round.

This hands-on, collaborative project blends design, teamwork, and community service. You don’t need a full team to join—come with a group or sign-up individually and get matched with fellow builders who want to make a difference.

Join the interest meeting on January 15, 2026, to learn more about and ways to get involved. Visit https://forms.gle/rFg7kS2U2uN8WbG86 for more information.

PASSIVE HOUSE DC CHAPTER MEETING

January 15, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER

Attend and network with others working to transform the building industry across the US. Get the latest, regional, national and international Passive House news. Hear reports on ongoing efforts and help brainstorm new ones. Please invite friends or colleagues who may be interested. Zoom link is provided with registration.

Passive House Washington DC is part of The Passive House Network, in affiliation with the International Passive House Association, and the Passive House Institute. Questions welcome: [email protected]

Annual Case Review of Legal Decisions

January 28, 5:30 – 8:15 PM
Stevensville, MD | 2 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Organized by AIA Chesapeake Bay

This seminar will survey over twenty legal cases involving, and affecting, architects and engineers from across the country, focusing on identifying “lessons learned” from those cases to discuss effective professional practices and project management strategies to promote the health, safety, and welfare of occupants of the built environment.

5:30 pm: Registration & Networking; 6:15 – 8:15 pm: Program
$25/AIA Members; $35/Non-AIA Members (Lite Fare & Beverage will be provided).

Lee/Shoemaker is an Educational Program Allied Member of AIA Potomac Valley.

31st Annual Case Review of Legal Decisions Affecting Architects and Engineers

February 4, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Baltimore, MD | REGISTER

Jonathan C. Shoemaker and Paul E. Knupp, III will present this annual seminar reviewing legal decisions from across the country affecting architects and engineers and identifying “lessons learned” for design professionals to apply to their practice. Begun in 1994 by James F. Lee, Jr., a founding member of Lee/Shoemaker PLLC, this program highlights the challenges faced by design professionals and solutions for managing those risks.

Lee/Shoemaker PLLC invites you to join them on February 4, 2026 for this event, with registration running from 8:00 am-8:30 am and the program running from 8:30am-12:30 pm. We hope you are able to join us.

Free to Attend; Registration is Required

Lee/Shoemaker is an Educational Program Allied Member of AIA Potomac Valley.

AIA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 2026

February 11–14
Washington, DC | REGISTER

AIA Leadership Summit gives chapter leaders the tools, training, and advocacy experience to lead with confidence and elevate the AIA member experience.

Join nearly 700 peers in Washington, D.C., for high-impact leadership sessions, critical conversations with lawmakers, and practical insights you can bring home to strengthen your chapter and better serve members.

The Leadership Summit will be held at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C. AIA has secured a special group rate for attendees. The booking deadline is January 19, 2026. Rooms are limited—book early to secure the AIA group rate. Reserve your room here.

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From AIA

REVIEW AIA’S DRAFT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR 2026–2030

Help shape AIA’s future by providing your insights. After reviewing the draft plan, you can share feedback through a short survey and join for a public comment session.

 
DECLARE YOUR CANDIDACY AS AN AIA BOARD MEMBER

AIA seeks well-qualified and eager candidates to join the AIA Board of Directors and fill other leadership positions. Read more

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Calls, Competitions & Deadlines

CALL FOR EVENTS: AIA26 IN SAN DIEGO

Submission Deadline: January 15, 2026, 11:59 PM PT

Looking to connect, celebrate, or collaborate during the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design 2026? The Call for Events is now open! AIA welcomes members, components, and allied organizations to host receptions, alumni gatherings, chapter meetups, and other experiences that bring the architecture community together. Approved events will appear in the official AIA26 program. Space at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, AIA26 headquarter hotel, is limited so submit early! Join us in shaping the experiences that make AIA26 unforgettable.

SUBMIT A PROPOSAL

2026 AIA NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION: CALL FOR ENTRIES

Submission Deadline: April 15, 2026

Produced by AIA St. Louis, the AIA National Photography Competition celebrates architects, design professionals, and architecture students for their creative photographic interpretations of the built environment. Open to all active U.S.-registered architects, AIA Associates, and accredited architecture students (AIA membership is not required), the competition invites submissions from architects nationwide. Award-winning images will be featured on the AIA St. Louis website and social media, showcased in Architectural Record Magazine's digital edition, exhibited at the AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego, and recognized with cash awards.

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