Events Reminder - January 27, 2026 
Potomac Valley Events
“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.
NEVER TOO OLD TO PLAY
March 3, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
This course explores the role of playgrounds in promoting health and happiness for people of all ages, including teens, adults, and seniors. It emphasizes the evolution of play needs throughout life and discusses the importance of incorporating diverse play elements into playgrounds to benefit all age groups. The presentation includes findings from three major play behavior studies conducted in the US and UK, involving over 60,000 participants in 100 different play environments. Attendees will learn how to design inclusive and resilient play spaces for everyone.
AIA Potomac Valley Committee Meetings – Join Us!
Feb 11 | Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Committee (Virtual) 1:00 PM
Feb 18 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM
Events, Education & Opportunities
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.
INTERFAITH DESIGN KNOWLEDGE COMMUNITY TOWN HALL
January 29, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER
The AIA Interfaith Design Knowledge Community will be holding a member Town Hall on Thursday, January 29th, from 2-3pm (ET). This is an excellent opportunity for members to share what is important to them and what they would like to see addressed in 2026. This is also a great chance to meet committee leaders and learn about ways to get involved.
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.
HILL DAY ISSUE BRIEFING
February 4, 2:00 – 3:30 PM
Virtual | REGISTER
AIA is hosting a virtual training on February 4 designed to set you up for a successful advocacy experience on Capitol Hill. You’ll gain insight into AIA’s Hill Day advocacy issues and receive step-by-step guidance on using the Soapbox mobile tool through the Leadership Summit app to manage your schedule and talking points. Time for Q/A will be provided.
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.
Durability for Steep Pitched Roof Assemblies through Vapor Management
February 11, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Free Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
There are several roofing underlayments available and determining the appropriate one can be based on several contributing factors – climate, building codes, roof type, pitch, and a variety of others. In this course, we will explore the importance of considering vapor management in the roof and attic assembly, in order to create a durable, steep pitched roof.
PASSIVE HOUSE DC CHAPTER MEETING
February 19, 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]
Classified Ads
2026-10-14:
The Texas Society of Architects has begun a search for their next EVP/CEO. With 7,800 members, the Texas Society of Architects (TxA) is the voice for Texas architecture, protecting and advancing a profession that plays an essential role in strengthening communities and addressing complex challenges in housing affordability, sustainability, resiliency, and public safety. TxA is in a strong financial and operational position with an influential advocacy voice, an established event portfolio, one of the most respected regional architectural periodicals in the nation, and an engaged network of 18 local components throughout the state. As Executive Vice President & CEO, you will build on these strengths to amplify and scale what’s working while identifying opportunities for TxA to better serve its members and the profession. Your leadership will help TxA embrace the same spirit of continuous improvement that defines the practice of architecture itself.
With a new strategic plan in place, TxA’s future direction centers on furthering advocacy impact; strengthening the value proposition for members across demographics and career stages; modernizing how TxA communicates its value and the value of the profession; and helping architects navigate significant changes related to technology advancement, workforce challenges, and licensure. To lead TxA into this next phase, you will oversee a capable staff of 10 across conferences and events, membership, advocacy and government affairs, communications and marketing, education, operations, and finance. You will manage a $4.2MM operating budget with $6.9MM in reserves, including the recently established TxA Legacy Fund, an endowment-like asset designed to support operations and new initiatives that benefit members and the profession.
2026-10-20:
Are you looking for a challenging, high-impact role with meaningful career growth at a top U.S. homebuilder? NVR, the parent company of Ryan Homes, NVHomes, and Heartland Homes, is seeking a Project Design Architect to join our innovative Architectural Design Team in our Frederick, MD office.
In this role, you will lead residential product development initiatives across NVR’s national footprint, partnering closely with senior leadership to shape design strategy, guide execution, and ensure alignment with market demand, cost targets, operational efficiency, and regulatory requirements. This position plays a critical role in influencing NVR’s long-term product vision and delivering market-ready homes at scale.
Projects span new product series development and series refreshes, utilizing collaborative BIM workflows, CAD, and advanced 3D visualization tools to support executive decision-making, cross-functional coordination, and successful market launches.
Responsibilities:
- Lead and coordinate the completion of new NVR product series or series refresh design projects.
- Complete and analyze market studies, develop concept and schematic designs, and create 3D renderings.
- Partner with senior leadership to understand product and market needs and overall design strategy.
- Ensure designs meet all guidelines, specifications, and building codes.
- Gather customer and market data, travel to new or existing markets, and present analyses to ensure alignment with market trends and cost targets.
- Collaborate with ASD and Homebuilding Operations leadership and with NVR’s Marketing department to align designs with strategy and customer expectations.
- Provide subject matter expertise within design and architecture functions; mentor Architects and Designers; and support Architectural Project Team members.
- Review architectural documentation for compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; seal and/or approve as required (requires current architectural license/AIA/NCARB Certificate).
- Develop design solutions and provide technical perspective across multiple design initiatives.
- Maintain schedules, records, and documentation for multiple concurrent design projects.
- Work with NVR’s Marketing team to optimize furniture and appliance layouts and align color schemes on renderings.
- Complete reviews, analysis, and redlines for design projects, ensuring Design Architects make necessary updates.
- Present virtual product tours and designs to senior leadership.
- Coordinate and implement architectural and design requirements with project teams.
- Lead and mentor Architects, Designers, and Architectural Project Team members.
Qualifications:
- Preferred 7+ years of experience in residential design and/or production homebuilding.
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture, engineering, or a construction-related field.
- Current architectural license and/or NCARB Certificate.
- Experience in design development and construction documentation.
- Proficiency with CAD and 3D visualization software.
- Ability to read and interpret construction documents.
- Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and time-management capabilities.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
- Experience leading, mentoring, and/or coaching junior team members preferred.
- Comprehensive understanding of materials used in residential construction.
Life at NVR
NVR is committed to your success, providing tools, training, and industry knowledge to excel. Our management team is tenured and talented, with nearly 80% promoted from within, offering mentorship and career guidance. NVR offers top industry benefits, including stock ownership through a profit-sharing trust as part of our retirement savings package. NVR has had the highest Earnings Per Share growth rate in the homebuilding industry for the past 10 years.
View more about our culture and benefits at https://www.nvrcareers.com/.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Drug Testing and Credit Check are required. Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States, as NVR does not provide visa sponsorship.
This position pays $110,000-130,000 per year.
To apply, please follow the link below where you will be taken to our careers page.
https://phg.tbe.taleo.net/phg01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=NVRINC&cws=70&rid=36347