March 18, 2026 

Chapter News

     
 
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Potomac Valley Events

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.

CRAN: From Site to Finish: Integrated Design and Construction in Custom Residential Architecture

April 10, 1:00 – 2:30 PM
Arlington, VA | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Join architect Richard Leggin, AIA, landscape architect Guy Williams, and builder John Thorsen for a behind-the-scenes guided tour of a custom home nearing completion. Explore how integrated design, material selection, and craftsmanship combine to achieve exceptional residential quality and performance. The program will cover site design, stormwater management, waterproofing, and detailing strategies that enhance both sustainability and durability while showcasing the collaborative process behind high-end residential architecture.

Full details >>

Event and lunch sponsored by:

Organized by AIA PV and the Capital Area CRAN (Custom Residential Architects Network, an AIA Knowledge Community), a tri-chapter committee founded jointly by AIA DC, AIA Northern Virginia and AIA Potomac Valley.

THANKS TO OUR PV CRAN ANNUAL SPONSORS!

ASK ME ANYTHING WITH MARC FEINSTEIN, AIA

April 16, 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER

Presented by the AIA Potomac Valley Emerging Professionals Committee

Join us for AIA Potomac Valley's “Ask Me Anything,” a FREE virtual Q&A event where you have the unique opportunity to engage directly with a seasoned architect. Structured like office hours, participants can join the Zoom link to chat with an architect. Want to know more about a certain type of architecture, or maybe you need help preparing for an interview and have a question about your portfolio? Whether you’re an aspiring architect, a professional in the field, or simply someone with a keen interest in architecture, this session is designed for you! 

Selecting Resinous Flooring and Walls for Design and Performance

April 22, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This presentation introduces the attendee to the category of resinous flooring and provides an introduction to the three primary chemistries in resinous flooring, individual systems and applications. Substrate preparation and installation techniques are discussed.

Home Grown: A Residential Architecture Mentorship Series

April 30, 6:30 – 8:00 PM
Rockville, MD | Submitted for AIA CES Approval | REGISTER

Organized by the AIA Potomac Valley Custom Residential Architecture Network (CRAN) committee. Hosted by American Cedar & Millwork.

Looking to grow your career in residential architecture? Join us for an engaging "speed" mentorship experience designed to connect emerging professionals with seasoned practitioners through fast-paced, meaningful conversations.

This interactive session, held at American Cedar & Millwork’s new Rockville, MD showroom, dives into the realities of custom residential practice—exploring career pathways, practice management, and the power of collaboration in delivering thoughtful, high-quality homes.

Gain insights on:

     •   Navigating licensure and career development
     •   Integrating healthy, sustainable materials
     •   Advancing energy-efficient and high-performance design
     •   Advocating for the value of architects in shaping resilient communities

The program will begin with an open networking session—giving you the chance to build relationships, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network.

Whether you're an emerging professional or simply curious about residential practice, this is a unique opportunity to learn, connect, and grow.

(NOTE: Are you a seasoned residential professional interested in sharing your expertise? Please email Mary-Margaret Stacy to volunteer as a mentor for this event.)

THANKS TO OUR PV CRAN ANNUAL SPONSORS!

WAYFINDING FLOORING STRATEGIES

May 5, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This presentation will explore the answer to the questions: How do individuals navigate a space? How does wayfinding contribute to a facility’s success? How can wayfinding communicate spatial definition and function? Discuss the value of implementing sound wayfinding strategies into a space. Discuss the impact of color, texture, and materials on wayfinding success, as well as how wayfinding will be affected in the post-COVID Era.

AIA Potomac Valley Committee Meetings – Join Us!

Mar 18 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM – TONIGHT
Apr 8 | Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Committee (Virtual) 1:00 PM
Apr 10 | Committee on the Environment (COTE) (Virtual) 11:00 AM

Renew by March 31 to maintain access to your transcript, designation, and member benefits and discounts. 

Renewing your membership helps you stay connected to the community, resources, and opportunities that support your professional growth.

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Advocacy

AIA MARYLAND LEGISLATIVE UPDAte

AIA Maryland continues active advocacy in Annapolis to protect licensure, strengthen professional practice, and support policies that improve the built environment. This has included testimony, committee engagement, and continued monitoring of key legislation.

The Maryland General Assembly is approaching key crossover deadlines, and committees are moving quickly to advance priority legislation. AIA Maryland remains actively engaged to protect licensure, strengthen permitting efficiency, and advocate for policies that support the built environment. 

Read the latest updates:
March 16, 2026 Legislative Update
March 9, 2026 Legislative Update

Stay informed through AIAMD’s Legislative Tracking List.

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Guest Article

THE HEAVY HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN

By Krutika Shah, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, SEED
Architectural Studio Director | Sheladia Associates, Inc.

Pandemic Beginnings: Isolation and Leadership
My son was born during the height of the pandemic in May 2020, when hospitals were tense, cities had shut down, and fear filled the air. We brought him home to a world of isolation: no visitors, no celebrations, just silence.

At the same time, I was adjusting to remote work and first-time motherhood. With no boundaries between home and office, no breaks, and no help from parents or friends who were stuck in a different country, I  was stretched thin. I was expected to lead teams and deliver solutions while heating bottles between team calls. 

Being an immigrant added another quiet, powerful layer to this journey. Motherhood, leadership, and burnout felt heavier without the support system I grew up with, and my family was oceans away with every milestone unfolding through grainy video calls instead of familiar hands nearby. I learned to build strength out of distance and create community from scratch, but that resilience also deepened the weight of those early years in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. Performing a little extra, to stay relevant, and be visible as an immigrant on visa while navigating the complex scenarios is life pushed the boundaries of burnout. 

Burnout doesn’t arrive all at once. It builds slowly through skipped meals, late nights, and the constant pressure to say yes. I wore my busyness like a badge of honor. But over time, the joy I once felt in the creative process turned into dreading Revit, RFIs, and Submittals. I wasn’t flourishing; I was just surviving.

CONTINUE READING

Above Image:
Salon at St Elizabeth’s Homeless Shelter, Washington DC
Photo Credit: Jeffery Sauers and Wiencek+Associates Architects+Planners 

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Featured Project

MCKAY–SCHEER STUDIO

Hill & Hurtt Architects
Washington, DC

As we continue to spotlight the winners of AIAPV’s 2025 Excellence in Design Awards, in this issue we recognize the McKay-Scheer Studio, an inspiring adaptive reuse project transforming an early 1920’s commercial /light industrial building in a historic neighborhood into a modern home with attached studio workshop, creating a live / work environment for the artist owners. The project received a Merit Award from the jury.

Above Image: New masonry openings in courtyard. Photo: Frazier Springfield


(l to r) Marc Feinstein, AIA (2025 AIAPV President) with Eric B. Hurtt, AIA, NCARB and Mary-Margaret Stacy, AIA, Hill & Hurtt Architects  Photo: ©2025 Montgomery Planning

After decades of use as a rental apartment with a small studio and storage space, this adaptive reuse project transforms an early 20th-century commercial/light industrial building in a historic neighborhood into a modern home, maintaining the attached industrial scale garage studio to create a live/work environment for the artist owners. Developing interior spaces with ample natural light and direct visual connections to the exterior which maintain privacy was a critical component of the design.

Living Room Looking Towards Courtyard and Studio. Photo: Frazier Springfield

The glass block that characterizes the street elevation—a protected feature of the historic neighborhood—provides privacy while allowing natural light for the front facing bedroom. The side elevation, facing an entry courtyard and urban garden, was carefully redesigned with new, large masonry openings and groupings of windows responsive to the new living room, bedroom, and kitchen. The narrow muntin profile of the windows echo the steel windows typical of light industrial buildings of the early 20th century, a nod to the building’s origin.

Bedroom with New Windows and Historic Glass Block. Photo: Frazier Springfield

Restored Front Facade. Photo: Frazier Springfield

JURY: “A tender act of reuse, the studio holds onto fragments of its industrial past while becoming an intimate ground for creativity and continuity.”

LEARN MORE

EXPLORE FURTHER

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Member News

WILMOT SANZ 2026 PROMOTIONS

Wilmot Sanz is proud to recognize the leaders shaping the future of healthcare design at our firm. This year’s promotions reflect more than individual achievement—they represent our continued commitment to creating environments where care performs better, teams thrive, and communities heal. Please join us in celebrating the talent, dedication, and vision driving our mission forward.

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Partner Content

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS FOR DESIGN PROFESSIONALS IN THE DMV

By Jos. Scott Shannon, Esq. and Cassidy M. Flood, Esq. | Lee/Shoemaker PLLC

Since the 2022 enactment of the District of Columbia’s Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Act (the “Act”), design firms often ask whether they are able to require their employees to execute agreements which restrict the employee’s ability to compete with the firm. In most instances, and with careful drafting, a design firm providing services in the District of Columbia may require key professional employees to enter into an agreement with non-solicitation and non-disclosure provisions, which restrictive covenants will also be enforceable in Maryland and Virginia.

Courts require that employment agreements with restrictive covenants be drafted for the purpose of protecting those aspects of the employer’s business which are entitled to legal protections. While the DC Ban on Non-Compete Agreements Act tips the scale in favor of the employee, it does not prevent all types of restrictive covenants. The Act limits restrictive covenants which prevent a former employee from engaging in professional practice at another firm, but it does not prevent the use of non-solicitation and non-disclosure provisions in employment contracts.

CONTINUE READING

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Events, Education & Opportunities

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]

Building the Future: Launching and Sustaining K–12 Architecture Outreach Programs

March 24, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Virtual | 1 LU | REGISTER

Hosted by the K–12 IDEA Group

Join four AIA members from chapters across the country for a deep dive into their experiences developing Architecture Week programs. AIAPV member and SFx state representative Lori Apfel Cardeli, AIA, NCARB of LACArch is one of the speakers on the panel.

This session is ideal for anyone looking to launch or strengthen K–12 outreach initiatives within their chapters or local communities. You'll hear directly from K–12 leaders representing multiple AIA chapters as they present case studies from their Architecture Week grant–funded programs. Each presenter will walk through their project's goals, anticipated and measured impact, implementation strategies, partnerships, timelines, and budget considerations. They'll also share candid insights about lessons learned, common challenges, and approaches to building long-term sustainability.

CONTRACTOR COLLEGE & PRODUCT EXPO

April 1, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Bethesda, MD | AIA Credits Available | REGISTER

Join TW Perry at the Bethesda Marriott for a day filled with learning, networking, and exploring the latest products in the industry. This event is designed to bring builders, architects, designers and contractors together to share knowledge and discover new solutions. Don't miss out on this opportunity to choose from 16 education courses and connect with fellow professionals to enhance your skills.

The REGISTER link will take you to a Google Form to complete. Please register for the classes you wish to attend ASAP—capacity is limited and all classes are expected to fill!

AZIZA CHAOUNI: "Designing with Scarcity in Africa"

April 8, 4:00 – 5:20 PM
College Park, MD | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

AIA Potomac Valley is pleased to support the Craig and Mimi Spangler Lecture (part of the University of Maryland School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation's 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.

Architects and AIA members that attend this event in person will be eligible for 1 LU|HSW Learning Unit, provided by AIA Potomac Valley.

ARE^® PREP SERIES – PROGRAMMING & ANALYSIS

April 11, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Virtual | 5 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Organized by AIA Northern Virginia

Prepare for the Programming and Analysis section of the Architect Registration Examination 5.0 (ARE 5.0) with our insightful course! This division is a crucial part of ARE 5.0, and our program is tailored to guide you through project type analysis, establishing project requirements, evaluating project sites, and understanding economic issues. Join us for a practical exploration that enhances your skills and knowledge in preparation for the examination.

Learn more about the 2026 ARE^® Prep Series and view the full series schedule.

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. The stories spotlight architecture and design, sparking creativity and curiosity about the built environment.

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.

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From AIA

AIA TRUST FIRM LIFECYCLE GUIDES

The AIA Trust’s Firm Lifecycle Guides support members at every stage of practice—from starting a firm, to running a successful practice, to ownership transition and retirement planning.

TAKE ACTION ON FEDERAL STUDENT LOAN CHANGES

AIA and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture are spreading word of the significance of federal student loan changes impacting architecture schools. Learn how you can support the effort.

SFX INSIDER FEBRUARY 2026

The latest SFx Insider is a primer on finance and negotiations with key takeaways on how you can protect profit and scope, identify and achieve profit, and manage risk in the field. 

Feature your award-winning project on SFx Social Media

AIA SFx is proud to spotlight the award-winning work and remarkable design contributions of small firms across the nation. Through our social media platforms, we celebrate the innovation, creativity, and impact that small firm practitioners deliver every day in communities coast to coast. Submit a project.

JOIN THE WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN COMMITTEE NETWORK

The Women in Architecture and Design Committee Network is a new online community for women and allies in architecture and design who want to connect, share resources, and learn from one another. Designed for those leading, supporting, or building WIA/WID committees, the network offers guidance on leadership, engagement, programming, funding, and long-term sustainability. Interested in joining? Complete the join request form. Reach out to Kirsten Swanson for details.

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Calls, Competitions & Deadlines

2026 AIA CRAN Scholar Program: Call for Applications 

Application Deadline: March 27, 2026, by 5:00 PM

THE U40 LIST: AIA/AAH LIST OF HEALTH CARE DESIGN’S BEST UNDER 40 

Submission Deadline: April 3, 2026 

Members under age 40 may wish to apply for the U40 List, an award to celebrate individuals making a significant contribution to the advancement of health facilities design. Each year up to two individuals are selected for this list. Recipients also receive complimentary registration and travel expense stipend for the 2026 AIA AAH/ACHA Summer Leadership Summit July 17–19 in Minneapolis. 

2026 AIA FUTURE FORWARD GRANT

Submission Deadline: April 17, 2026 

A project presented by the Large Firm Roundtable (LFRT) and the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF), this grant supports students, emerging professionals, and early career architects in the testing of new ideas that disrupt the traditional conception of practice, process, and product in the field of architecture. The primary objective of the grant is to perpetuate innovation in the practice of architecture by empowering students, emerging professionals, and early career architects to do things they would not otherwise have the capital or resources to accomplish. 

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