Chapter News

President's Message

As summer gives way to fall, AIA Potomac Valley enters a season defined by connection, learning, leadership, and impact. Looking ahead at our upcoming calendar, I am reminded that the true strength of our chapter is not found in any single program or event. It is found in our members and in the relationships we build with one another.

The months ahead offer opportunities to connect, learn, and lead through educational programs, networking events, advocacy initiatives, mentorship, and community engagement. These experiences do more than advance our careers. They strengthen our profession, foster collaboration, and reinforce the essential role architects play in shaping resilient, vibrant communities.

At a time of significant change and challenge, our profession offers a powerful example of what thoughtful leadership can achieve. Architects are uniquely positioned to bring people together, solve complex problems, and help shape a better future for our communities. I encourage each of you to stay engaged, make your voice heard, and participate in the civic processes that influence the places we live and work. Voting, advocacy, and community leadership are meaningful ways we can advance the public good and strengthen our collective impact.

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Potomac Valley Events

Best Practices in Precast Concrete Multifamily Construction

September 23, 12:00 − 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Precast, prestressed concrete delivers durable, efficient, and accelerated construction for multifamily projects, offering safe, visually appealing buildings that reflect community character. Mid‑Atlantic precast fabricators are industry leaders in modern prefabrication, partnering closely with owners, architects, and builders from early design through completion. The program will showcase multifamily case studies that highlight precast’s performance, aesthetic, and schedule advantages.

UMD Fall 2026 Lecture Series

Wednesdays, September 23−November 4, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM
College Park, MD | Architecture Building Auditorium | Details

The University of Maryland will host several notable lecture series in Fall 2026 across different colleges and departments. AIA credits are provided courtesy of AIA Potomac Valley.

Heritage as Climate Action: Cultural Wisdom, Ethical Urbanism, and the Future of Sustainable Architecture
September 23, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM | 1.5 LU/HSW | Details
Speaker: Johannes Widodo, National University of Singapore, College of Design and Engineering

A Tale of Two Lodges: Relationality and the Architecture of Isolation
October 14, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM | 1.5 LU/HSW | Details
Speaker: David Fortin, David Fortin Architects, Fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (Craig & Mimi Spangler Architecture Lecture)

The Politics of Design: A Conversation with Maurice Cox
October 21, 2026 | 5:30 − 7:00 PM | Submitted for AIA CES Approval | Details
Speaker: Maurice D. Cox, Emma Bloomberg Professor in Residence of Urban Planning and Design, Harvard Graduate School of Design (Karl Du Puy Lecture / LeFrak Lecture)

AI Summit:
October 28 & October 30, 2026 | 2:00 − 6:00 PM | Details
This two-day event will bring together experts from architectural firms, universities, and industry to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in architecture and design.

Why Listen?
November 4, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM | 1.5 LU/HSW | Details
Speaker: Carin Smuts, Principle, CS Studio and Architects (Colden Florence-Thomas Eichbaum Lecture)

Pressure-Equalized Rainscreens: Single Skin Metal Panel Systems

October 6, 12:00 − 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Throughout this presentation, we'll examine the fundamentals of rainscreen design, pressure equalization principles, performance criteria, and practical implementation strategies that can enhance your next project's durability and performance. This continuing education course is tailored to architects and building envelope professionals seeking to deepen their technical understanding.

CRAN: Improving Health and Safety Through Smart Home Enabled Windows & Doors

October 15, 5:00 − 7:00 PM
North Bethesda, MD | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

Join us at 5:00 pm for Happy Hour & Networking when you can learn about the latest products and trends and speak with experts and installers. Refreshments will be provided. Event is free and open to all.

Then attend the educational course at 6:00 pm that will explore recent trends in smart home technology for residential construction looking at a wide range of options available to architect designing a smart home. It will also review the benefits of collaboration with smart home integrators. Earn 1 LU/HSW.

Organized by the AIA Potomac Valley Custom Residential Architecture Network (CRAN) committee.

AIAPV 2026 Design + Leadership Awards Celebration

October 22, 6:00 − 9:00 PM
College Park, MD | REGISTER

AIAPV's Design + Leadership Awards 2026 will be held on Thursday, October 22 at the College Park Aviation Airport Operations Center in College Park. This annual celebratory event provides the opportunity for architects and the greater design community to network with professional peers, celebrate the best work of our members and our region through the chapter's professional Excellence in Design Awards program and our Emerging Professional and Student Design Awards programs, and recognize outstanding leadership with the presentation of our Kea Award. We invite you to join us!

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2026 DESIGN + LEADERSHIP AWARDS SPONSORS!

NAPKIN SKETCH SPONSOR

PATRON SPONSORS
Moody Graham
WDG Architecture

A Path to Low-Carbon Building Design with LEED v5

November 3, 12:00 − 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This course explores USGBC’s LEED v5 framework, highlighting credits and strategies to deliver ultra-low carbon buildings. Participants will review the intention behind the LEED v5 system goals, targeting decarbonization. We will explore the science of carbon emissions and their critical role in global warming, providing a foundational understanding of the chemical properties of carbon and its impact on the environment. Participants will examine the primary sources of carbon emissions in building products, starting from the sourcing of raw materials to the manufacturing process, and learn how specified products can assist in designing out carbon. The course will dive into practical applications for a new LEED v5 credit, “Reduce Peak Thermal Loads,” and examine how phase change material ceilings contribute to this credit. Leave this course with a clear understanding of how LEED v5 prioritizes decarbonization and how your role as a specifier plays a key part in carbon reduction.

Sealing Joints in the Building Envelope

November 18, 12:00 − 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER

This program focuses on different expansion joint technologies and how they interface with and seal the building envelope. In this course, participants will gain practical insight into common design oversights and how to avoid them. 

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Featured Project

Franconia District Governmental Center and Kingstowne Regional Library

Grimm + Parker Architects
Alexandria, Virginia

The new Franconia Governmental Center reimagines what civic infrastructure can be in the 21st century. Rather than perpetuating a fragmented network of aging public buildings dispersed across the county, Fairfax County envisioned a vibrant civic destination at the heart of Kingstowne. This building is a place where government services, lifelong learning, public safety, recreation, and community life converge to create a stronger, more connected community.

Above Photo: Exterior View of the Drop off and Entry. ©2026 Sam Kittner Photography

Exterior View of the Main Entry. ©2026 Sam Kittner Photography

Constructed on a reclaimed quarry site that had long sat vacant, this transformative project turns underutilized land into a dynamic community asset. The center serves as a seamless one-stop destination where residents can access a broad spectrum of county services under a single roof while gathering in welcoming indoor commons and a vibrant public plaza designed to host markets, events, and everyday social interaction.


Interior View of the Library. ©2026 Sam Kittner Photography

The 90,000-square-foot facility brings together the Franconia Police Station, Lee District Supervisor’s Office, Franconia Museum, Kingstowne Regional Library, Active Adult Center, Early Childhood and Childcare Center, community meeting spaces, structured parking, and outdoor play environments within a unified civic campus. The design process was rooted in collaboration, engaging county agencies, community organizations, neighboring residents, and local stakeholders to ensure the center would become a natural extension of the surrounding neighborhood fabric.


Interior View of the Library Teen Area. ©2026 Sam Kittner Photography

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Grimm + Parker Architects is an Architectural Firm Annual Partner of AIA Potomac Valley.

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Events, Education & Opportunities

Passive House DC Chapter Meeting

September 17, 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]

Monthly Guides in Action: Negotiation

September 17, 4:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER

This Guides in Action session will focus on Chapter 5: Negotiation and how power, bias, and identity can affect negotiation outcomes. Explore negotiation not just as a personal tactic, but as a professional competency that shapes access, advancement, and influence.

AIA Maryland 2026 Design Awards Celebration

September 17, 5:00 PM
Mitchellville, MD | REGISTER

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 AIA Maryland Excellence in Design Awards Celebration. Join us as we award architects, teams, and projects redefining our skylines and communities—from bold commercial builds to thoughtful historic preservation, standout interiors, and forward-thinking unbuilt architecture. Signature cocktails, premium beverages, gourmet small plates, and passed hors d'oeuvres included. Complimentary on-site parking is available for all guests.

NCARB Live: Preparing for the ARE

September 23, 4:00 PM
Webinar | REGISTER

During the webinar, NCARB’s Assistant Vice President of Programs: Outreach & Operations, Patricia Ramallo, AIA, NCARB, MBA, CAE, and NCARB’s Assistant Vice President of Customer Relations, Casandra Walker, MBA, MSHRM, will share their top resources and recommendations—from understanding available accommodations to taking advantage of free study materials—to help you prepare for your next ARE division. Our panelists will also share a reminder of the updates to rescheduling fees going into effect on October 1 and answer any questions you have in a live Q&A session.

AIA Trust Week 2026

September 28−October 2
Virtual | REGISTER

AIA Trust Week returns September 28−October 2 with nine free virtual sessions focused on issues shaping architecture practice today, including AI, cybersecurity, climate resilience, legal risk, professional liability, healthcare, retirement, employee benefits, and more. All sessions are free and eligible for AIA Continuing Education credit.

Architecture Firm Leader’s Guide to Consistent and Predictable Revenue

September 29, 3:30 − 4:30 PM
Virtual | 1 LU | REGISTER

Hosted by AIA Connecticut
Presented by the Small Firms Exchange and the Professional Practice Knowledge Community

Even the most talented architecture firms can experience inconsistent revenue, unpredictable project pipelines, and business development efforts that depend too heavily on one or two principals. While exceptional design work is essential, long-term growth requires a structured approach to developing and maintaining client relationships.

This program is designed specifically for firm owners, principals, partners, managing directors, studio leaders, and emerging firm leaders who want to create a more predictable and sustainable business development process. Participants will explore a practical leadership framework for building a repeatable business development system that supports consistent growth while preserving the firm's culture and commitment to design excellence.

Building with Nature: Regenerative Solutions for Climate Resilient Communities

October 1, 5:00 − 7:30 PM
Wheaton, MD | RSVP

Session 3 of Montgomery County Planning Board's 2026 Speaker Series

Record breaking temperatures, flooding, and other climate-related challenges are affecting communities across the country, including our own. These challenges are especially acute in urban areas, where large expanses of pavement and buildings absorb and retain heat, while limited vegetation and impervious surfaces increase stormwater runoff and flooding. The impacts of climate change are not felt equally, with historically disadvantaged communities and people with underlying health conditions often facing the greatest risks. Fortunately, nature-based solutions can help reduce these impacts while making our neighborhoods healthier, greener, and more resilient for the future.

Join us to learn how natural systems, such as expanded tree canopy, wetlands, and healthy landscapes, can help manage heat and stormwater, and how these proven approaches can be applied in Montgomery County.

This free event is open to the public.

Firm Management Symposium 2026

October 1−2
Washington, DC (GCAD) | REGISTER

The Firm Management Symposium (FMS) is a new AIA event, October 1−2, 2026, in Washington, DC, delivering focused, high-value learning on the fundamentals that drive firm success: winning work, delivering results, and getting paid. Designed for firm owners and emerging leaders seeking business training without the time and cost of a traditional conference, FMS equips firm leaders with the skills needed to strengthen their practice in today's rapidly evolving industry.

Spots are limited. AIA members save $150 on registration. Members are encouraged to secure their spot now at this first major event at the new AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design®.

Public Architecture Symposium 2026

October 20, 8:00 AM − 6:30 PM
Washington, DC (GCAD) | REGISTER

Building Public Trust: Advancing Integrity & Collaboration in Civic Architecture brings together public architects, civic leaders, and industry professionals to explore architecture's role in creating equitable, resilient, and future-ready communities.

Economic Update Q4 2026 ABI Insights

October 21, 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.

Women's Leadership Summit 2026

November 1−3
Kansas City, MO | REGISTER

Register now for the Women's Leadership Summit 2026, taking place November 1−3 in Kansas City. Members save more than $240 on registration. Experience the architecture profession’s premier leadership event designed to accelerate women into positions of influence, visibility, and impact. Across three inspiring days, you’ll gain the network, insights, and momentum to grow your career and lead with impact.

This year's summit features keynote, long-distance swimmer, Diana Nyad about assembling a high-performance team, and enjoy TED-talk-style conversations at the WLS Storytelling Stage on pivotal moments, lessons, and real world successes.

2026 Virtual Masonry Masterclass for Senior-Level Design Professionals

November 2−December 14
Virtual | Up to 10 AIA LU/HSW | Details | REGISTER (by October 9)

This is a unique, free advanced-level design course for experienced architects and structural engineers who want to deepen their masonry expertise and improve the quality and efficiency of their projects.

This class will discuss provisions within the IBC that can reduce masonry labor costs, improve structural performance, and communicate masonry advances and best practices to design professionals. Through this five-session series, you’ll gain insights that make your job easier—and lead to better masonry structures at a lower cost.

Each class will be hosted by one or more Upstate NY MCAA Chapter members, who will share real-world perspectives from the field.

Registration is limited and selected by application. An invitation will be sent to those selected. Registration closes October 9.

2026 Future Forward Conference & Expo

November 4, 8:00 AM − 5:00 PM
Linthicum Heights, MD | Maritime Conference Center | Details | REGISTER

The Future Forward Conference & Expo brings together architects, engineers, tradesmen, and professionals from the construction field, along with associates and industry leaders from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. 

Explore cutting-edge sustainability practices, network with decision-makers, and gain actionable insights to lead the industry forward. This landmark event features distinguished speakers, special events, and a dynamic expo showcasing cutting-edge products and services.

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From AIA

AIA advocacy update: Housing, Climate Week NYC, flood risk, and more

Matt Toddy, AIA, of the of the AIA Board of Directors’ Government Affairs Committee, gives a tour of the latest AIA advocacy news in this post.

Licensing boards faced growing pressure in 2026

The 2026 legislative sessions showed a growing trend in professional licensing legislation: increased scrutiny of the boards themselves. ARPL’s legislative retrospective examines proposals and actions in Indiana, Florida, Oklahoma, Montana, and other states—and what they could signal for professional licensing going forward. Read the 2026 legislative retrospective >

AIA expands collaboration on disaster response and resilience

AIA has partnered with the International Association of Emergency Managers, representing more than 6,000 emergency management professionals, to strengthen collaboration around resilience and disaster response in communities. Read the announcement >

America ByDesign explores buildings that help people reach their next chapter

Five projects designed by AIA members showcase multigenerational living, a revitalized elementary school, a supportive housing complex, and a unique project bridging industry and academia. Read more >

National Government Advocacy Update – September 2026 

The National Government Advocacy Committee report for early September 2026 is now available for viewing. Read the update >

Q3 AIA Home Design Trends Survey results 

This quarter, the survey focuses on home features. Its visual format is intended to help you quickly identify emerging trends in home design. Read more > 

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Calls, Competitions & Deadlines

Apply Now – AIA Potomac Valley Emerging Professional Awards Program

Application Deadline: October 2 at 12:00 PM

AIA Potomac Valley’s Emerging Professional Awards Program (EPAP) is still seeking applicants! Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your career and connect with some of the region’s most accomplished architects. Applications are due Friday, October 2 at 12:00 PM (Noon).

EPAP recognizes outstanding Emerging Professional leaders and supports their growth through a unique, year-long mentorship with AIA Potomac Valley Fellows. Selected awardees receive a $500 cash award plus a $1,000 professional development stipend to be used for leadership programs, career development, and networking opportunities.

Take advantage of this chance to sharpen your leadership skills, gain valuable mentorship, and expand your professional network.

APPLY HERE

Call for Proposals: AIA Leadership Summit

Deadline for Proposals: October 9

Shape the conversation at AIA Leadership Summit 2027—the premier advocacy and leadership training event for AIA chapter leaders—February 10–13 in Washington, D.C. This is your opportunity to share your expertise, innovative ideas, and best practices to help strengthen chapter success. We’re seeking dynamic, forward-looking sessions that equip chapter leaders with practical tools, reinforce core principles, and inspire action. Experienced presenters, first-time contributors, and volunteer members are all invited to submit a proposal.

Call for Submissions: Health and Wellness Showcase

Deadline for Submissions: October 15

The AIA Baltimore Health & Wellness Committee invites healthcare and wellness project teams to participate in a November 12th peer-to-peer showcase. We welcome completed projects, projects in progress, and post-occupancy insights, with particular interest in Emergency Department projects. Selected teams will provide a brief project overview and join an informal moderated discussion focused on design strategies, lessons learned, and best practices.

SIGN UP HERE 

AIA Maryland 2026 Early Professional Friendly Firm Award

Application Deadline: October 19 at 11:59 PM

Applications are open for AIA Maryland's 2026 Early Professional Friendly Firm (EPFF) Award. The program recognizes firms that make supporting early professionals a meaningful part of their practice. 

From mentorship and licensure support to professional development, workplace culture, and opportunities to lead, EPFF recognizes firms that are creating places where the next generation of architects can build their careers. 

There is no fee to apply.

LEARN MORE & APPLY

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