Events Reminder - February 24, 2026 
Potomac Valley Events
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.
Designing and Building with Single Skin Metal Wall Panels
April 7, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
Explore the history of single skin metal wall panels and their advancements into modern day architectural wall cladding systems. Design professionals will learn the advantages of building with eco-conscious practices and how they can help to reduce the construction industry’s environmental footprint. The course will explain the advantages of building with wall systems that provide performance and sustainability as well as how modern paint finishes will protect and enhance a structure. The course will round out with a look into the importance of proper detailing and assemblies with a focus on how incorrect design and construction can lead to structural damage, mildew and mold issues, and the impact these conditions can have on building’s inhabitants.
AIA Potomac Valley Committee Meetings – Join Us!
Mar 13 | Committee on the Environment (COTE) (In Person) AIA National Headquarters (Time: TBD)
Mar 18 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM
Events, Education & Opportunities
STATE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY 2026
February 24, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Webinar | REGISTER
Discover how to position your business for resilience and growth. This webinar will equip you with the insights and strategies needed to navigate uncertainty, embrace innovation, and seize new opportunities in a rapidly evolving market.
NCARB Live: Upcoming Exam Changes
February 24, 3:00 PM
Webinar | REGISTER
Have questions about the upcoming changes to the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®)? Join a live webinar on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at 3PM, to learn about updates to exam objectives and descriptions, as well as formatting changes to case studies that take effect on April 27, 2026.
NCARB’s Assistant Vice President of Programs: Assessments Michelle Cohn, AIA, NCARB, PMP, ICE-CCP, and NCARB’s Senior Manager of Programs: Quality Assurance Nick Respecki, AIA, NCARB, ICE-CCP, will provide an overview of the updates to 12 of the 91 exam objectives identified in the ARE 5.0 Guidelines, as well as to some of the objectives’ descriptive paragraphs. They’ll also explain formatting adjustments to the exam’s case studies and answer any questions you have in a live Q&A session.
REGISTER
ALAN RICKS: “Seeking Abundance”
February 25, 4:00 – 5:20 PM
College Park, MD | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
This KEA Distinguished Professor Lecture is part of the UMD Spring 2026 Architecture Lecture series.
In "Seeking Abundance," architecture is presented as a tool for advancing balance between human and ecological systems at a time of accelerating climate, social, and cultural crises. It frames abundance not as excess, but as a condition of equilibrium—where communities have enough to flourish while operating within planetary limits. Drawing on MASS Design Group’s work across geographies and scales, it examines how design decisions shape health, dignity, biodiversity, and resilience. Emphasis is placed on material provenance, landscape systems, and long-term stewardship, arguing that architecture must move beyond minimizing harm toward regenerative practices that support collective wellbeing and a flourishing planet.
Annual Case Review of Legal Decisions
February 25, 5:30 – 8:15 PM (NEW DATE)
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.
AIA MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE ACTION DAY
February 26, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Annapolis, MD | REGISTER
Join AIA Maryland for the 2026 Legislative Action Day in Annapolis. This is your opportunity to meet with state legislators, advocate for the profession, and support policies that strengthen Maryland’s built environment. Your voice matters—be part of the conversation that shapes our communities.
Any member is invited to join us and you do not need to be a constituent of any district in order to participate. Meetings are scheduled with members of the Education, Energy & the Environment; Environment & Transportation; and Economic Matters Committees—where most of the bills of interest to AIA Maryland are heard. Where you are a constituent does not matter.
Currently, 14 meetings are scheduled for the morning, with additional meetings available in the afternoon for those unable to attend earlier. We look forward to having you join us.
Legislative Action Day Agenda – Thursday, February 26, 2026
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Coffee, Welcome & Orientation
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Legislative Meetings in the Maryland State House
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Grab N Go!
IMPORTANT!
Our priority legislation will be heard on the same day as Legislative Action Day—creating a rare opportunity for members to see advocacy in real time.
• Legislative meetings scheduled at 3:00 PM, 3:30 PM, and 4:00 PM
• AIA Maryland members will testify on the panel
• Members are encouraged to remain for the bill hearing
Your presence matters. A unified room sends a powerful message.
Virtual Orientation Session
Tuesday February 24, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 1:30 PM
A brief virtual session to help prepare you for Advocacy Day (link for the meeting and priorities will be in the registration confirmation email.)
Visit www.aiamd.org/legday for more information.
ARE® PREP SERIES – PROJECT MANAGEMENT
March 7, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Virtual | 6 LU/HSW | REGISTER
Prepare effectively for the Project Management section of the Architect Registration Examination 5.0 (ARE 5.0) through this comprehensive course. Dive into the nuances of managing architectural projects, covering design and construction phases. The course emphasizes essential elements such as organizational principles, contract management, consultant coordination, and quality control, all while prioritizing the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Join us for a practical journey to enhance your skills as you prepare for the ARE 5.0.
Learn more about the 2026 ARE® Prep Series and view the full series schedule.
PASSIVE HOUSE DC CHAPTER MEETING
March 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]
AZIZA CHAOUNI: "Designing with Scarcity in Africa"
April 8, 4:00 – 5:20 PM
College Park, MD | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
This Craig and Mimi Spangler Lecture is part of the UMD Spring 2026 Architecture Lecture series.
This lecture explores how scarcity—of materials, infrastructure, energy, and capital—can become a generative force for architectural innovation in Africa. Drawing on built work, research, and post-crisis interventions across the continent, Prof. Aziza Chaouni reframes constraint as a catalyst for climate-responsive design, social equity, and cultural continuity. The talk examines low-carbon construction, bio-sourced materials, adaptive reuse, and participatory processes that leverage local knowledge and crafts. Rather than importing extractive models, the lecture argues for context-driven design methodologies that transform scarcity into resilience, affordability, and long-term environmental stewardship.
ARCHITECTURE WEEK 2026: VIRTUAL READ-ALOUDS
April 12 – 18, 2026
It’s never too early to start thinking like an architect! Architecture Week is a nationwide celebration recognizing the power of good design, with a goal of inspiring hopeful architecture and design professionals and K-12 students.
Gather your students and join architecture and design children's book authors throughout Architecture Week for a virtual read-aloud followed by Q&A. These sessions are designed to be easy, turn-key opportunities for engaging with schools, libraries, and community groups.
Browse 15 read-aloud options for grades K-12 HERE and click the book images to register for your favorite session(s). Groups are welcome.
AIA Maryland Architecture Week Book Drive
Help inspire the next generation of designers! In celebration of Architecture Week, AIA Maryland is collecting K–12 books to share the power of architecture with young readers. Consider donating a book or two from our wishlist—every gift makes a difference.
Books ship directly to the AIA Chapter House.
Thank you for helping build curiosity, creativity, and futures—one book at a time!
Calls, Competitions & Deadlines
AIA26 Emerging Professionals Grant
Deadline for Applications: March 1, 2026, at 11:59pm ET
Supported through the Architects Foundation, this grant provides emerging professionals an opportunity to attend the annual conference and gain access to career resources, the latest trends in the building industry, networking opportunities, and potential employment opportunities.
This opportunity is ideal for emerging professionals eager to shape the future of architecture—those committed to advancing innovation in business, equity, workplace culture, technology, and climate action. The grant supports attendance at the 2026 AIA Conference on Architecture and Design in San Diego (June 10–13, 2026), creating space to connect and learn.
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
