We welcome these new, returning and transferring Members!
Scott H. Allen, AIA
Charles Day, Assoc. AIA
Insung Hwang, AIA
Anna Postolache, Assoc. AIA
Christophe Tanis, Assoc. AIA
Jill Thomas, Assoc. AIA
Not a member? Join the largest, most influential network of architects and design professionals. AIA’s member community shares your passion for design, a desire to change the world, and a commitment to the highest standards of practice. Sign up today!
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AIAPV COMMITMENT
AIAPV strongly denounces acts of violence, especially the disproportionate violence inflicted upon people of color, and states unequivocally that Black Lives Matter. We fully support and share the AIA’s efforts to champion equity, diversity, and inclusion, not only in the profession of architecture, but also in our communities and the world at large.
—AIA Potomac Valley Board of Directors
AIA Components that successfully complete the accreditation process receive Nationally Accredited status for a three-year period and earn the right to be identified as a “Nationally Accredited Component” of AIA. AIA Potomac Valley is proud to be counted among AIA's accredited components for 2026 – 2028.
OUR MISSION
To provide leadership, communication, education, and advocacy in support of Architects and their constituencies in the Potomac Valley region.
Events Reminder - June 16, 2026
Potomac Valley Events
Mass Timber in Multi-Family Housing: Is It a Good Fit for Your Project?
June 17, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
Mass timber is often attached to the stigma of being more expensive than other building materials. Because of this, some people assume it only makes sense for one-off projects where innovation is celebrated but repeatability is not. Is this true, or do its other benefits result in overall cost efficiency? If it is true, how can we expect to build the number of new housing units needed across our country in a sustainable and affordable manner?
Typical multi-family housing developments are in the range of 4-6 stories, often utilizing podium or pedestal construction with 1-2 stories of steel and concrete topped with 3-5 stories of light wood framing. Beyond these heights, building codes have historically required steel or concrete framing and, to justify the added costs of these materials, projects often go much taller. This has created a critical gap in housing developments in the range of 6-12 stories. Can mass timber multi-family projects make financial sense in the 4-6 story range, used in conjunction with light wood-frame systems? What new opportunities will the 2021 International Building Code create for mass timber housing in the 6-18 story range? This presentation will answer these questions and much more.
CHAPTER CLOSED FOR JUNETEENTH
The Chapter will be closed on Friday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday.
INTRODUCTION TO VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS
July 7, 12:00 – 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
This introductory course explores basic types of elevators, escalators, and miscellaneous lift applications. Additionally, this course covers basic "rules of thumb" to assist in preliminary determination of number and type of vertical transportation unit(s) required for a project based on several variables including size, program and population. Current concepts such as sustainable vertical transportation methods, impact on LEED points/process and Destination dispatching are also explored.
AIA Potomac Valley Committee Meetings – Join Us!
June 17 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM
July 10 | Committee on the Environment (COTE) (Virtual) 11:00 AM
Events, Education & Opportunities
PASSIVE HOUSE DC CHAPTER MEETING
June 18, 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]
ACTIVATING THE GUIDES FOR EQUITABLE PRACTICE, WORKPLACE CULTURE
June 18, 4:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER
Explore practical strategies for strengthening workplace culture during the next Guides in Action session. This interactive discussion highlights Chapter 2 of the Guides for Equitable Practice and demonstrates how the Activation Kit can help turn ideas into action. Space is limited and registration is encouraged for those planning to attend. Contact Andrea Milo with questions.
A NEW NYC BUILDING CODE FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS
June 25, 12:00 – 1:15 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
Do you renovate buildings in New York City? Then this important webinar is for you and your team. There is a new NYC Existing Building Code coming in early 2027.
The renovation of existing buildings in New York City today is regulated by the 2022 NYC Building Code which references the administrative code and previous building codes dating back to 1938. However, City Council is currently voting on legislation that will bring a new New York City Existing Building Code into effect early next year. This new code intends to provide clarity and eliminate grey areas that have been inevitable under today’s regulatory patchwork.
The new code will have significant impact on structural design—and consequently all design—related to existing structures. Kyle Twitchell, P.E. of KTA Engineering will introduce us to the important provisions of this new code by walking us through recent structural renovation projects and outlining how the new code requirements would have changed those structural designs. Kyle's insights promise to be fascinating, informative and useful. He will condense this learning experience into 1 hour, followed by 15 minutes for Q&A.
2026 ARE® PREP: CONSTRUCTION & EVALUATION (CE)
July 18, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Virtual | 5 LU/HSW | REGISTER
Organized by AIA Northern Virginia
Prepare for the Construction and Evaluation section of the Architect Registration Examination® 5.0 (ARE® 5.0) with our comprehensive course. As one of the six divisions in ARE® 5.0, this program delves into construction, contract administration, and post-occupancy evaluation of projects. Explore critical areas like construction observation, shop drawing and submittal review, bidding and negotiation, and project closeout, all essential elements for safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants. Join us for a practical and thorough preparation experience.
ECONOMIC UPDATE Q3 2026 ABI INSIGHTS
July 24, 2:00 – 3:00 PM
Virtual | 1 LU | REGISTER
Join AIA Chief Economist Richard Branch for a quarterly conversation about the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI). The ABI is a leading monthly economic indicator that uses proprietary AIA data to predict nonresidential construction activity 9–12 months ahead. Get ahead of emerging challenges and opportunities and inform your strategic planning with key insights into the industry’s latest economic data and trends.
Calls, Competitions & Deadlines
AIA MARYLAND 2026 EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARDS
Deadline for Professional Entries: June 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM
The AIA Maryland 2026 Excellence in Design Awards and 2026 Student Design Awards are now open for entries. Full program details and Call for Entries are available at the AIA Maryland Awards Portal.
Questions? Contact us at [email protected] or 410-263-0916.
MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY COMPETITION FOR EMERGING PROFESSIONALS: CALL FOR NOMINATIONS
Deadline for Nominations: June 30, 2026
AIAPV is accepting nominations for its 2026 Emerging Professional Awards Program (EPAP)—a dynamic initiative designed to celebrate, support, and empower our next generation of architects. Through EPAP, we recognize outstanding Emerging Professionals, foster meaningful mentorships with our esteemed Fellows, and strengthen the AIAPV community as a whole. The annual EPAP Competition recognizes outstanding Emerging Professional leaders and provides them with a year-long opportunity to hone their leadership skills.
2026 AIAPV EXCELLENCE IN DESIGN AWARDS COMPETITION
Submission Deadline: July 20, at 11:59 PM
The 2026 AIA Potomac Valley Excellence in Design Awards is a prestigious opportunity to showcase your firm’s most compelling, creative, sustainable, and community-enhancing work. Whether you're breaking new ground or preserving cherished history, this is your chance to be recognized for elevating the built environment through design. The competition is more than an awards program—it's a platform to honor architectural innovation, highlight the vital role of collaboration, and celebrate the transformative power of design.
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: AIAPV 2026 KEA MEDAL
Submission Deadline: August 15
The Kea Medal, awarded biennially, recognizes professionals, volunteers, and colleagues whose exceptional efforts have elevated public awareness of the role of architecture. Chapter members are invited to submit nominations for consideration in one of three categories: a) Service to the Profession; b) Leadership; and c) Architectural Advocacy.
If you know of someone whose contributions deserve recognition, now is the time to nominate them! The 2026 Kea Medal will be presented during the Chapter’s Design + Leadership Awards ceremony in October.
JOB BOARD
Your available job positions show here when you list with AIAPV. Listings are only $25 for AIAPV members and $50 for all others. Post jobs here. See also the AIA Career Center.
BLOG
Bates Architects, Davis Construction, and Common Market's Collaboration for Frederick Rescue Mission's First Annual CANstruction
In Frederick's first CANstruction event, Bates Architects was proud to partner with DAVIS Construction and Common Market to design and build "Spires and the Creek," a collage sculpture paying homage to a few of Frederick's landmarks.
06/24/2026
American Cedar & Millwork Announces Opening of New Bethesda Showroom
Bethesda Showroom Now Open! American Cedar & Millwork is proud to announce the opening of our new 4,000+ sq. ft. North Bethesda showroom—now open and available as a resource for the Maryland AIA community.
05/15/2026
A Requiem for Certificate of Merit Statutes in Federal Court
In January 2026, the US Supreme Court issued a decision raising questions about the enforceability of certificates of merit in federal court. The key lesson for design professionals: what the legislature giveth, the legislature or courts may taketh away.
05/11/2026
Wiencek + Associates Joins Torti Gallas + Partners Under the Torti Gallas Flag
TG+P, an award-winning DC-based firm with a passion for architecture, urban design, planning, and placemaking, is excited to announce the acquisition of Wiencek + Associates Architects + Planners (W+A), effective May 1, 2026.
05/11/2026
CRAN PARTNER
BRONZE PARTNER
ARCHITECTURE FIRM PARTNER
