September 30, 2026 
Chapter News
Only 2 Days Remain! 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, but only for two more days! 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. There is no fee to apply!
Click here for details on advertising in Potomac Valley Architect
Potomac Valley Events
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.
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.
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 | 1 LU | 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 + Architecture Summit
October 26, 28 & 30
Architecture Building Auditorium
Architecture in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (Keynote)
October 26, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM | Details
Speaker: Neil Leach, PhD, Professor and Director of the Doctor of Design Program, Florida International University
The AI-Enabled Practice: How Will Architecture Change in the Next Five Years? (Industry Panel Discussion)
October 28, 2026 | 4:00 − 5:30 PM | Details
Panelists: JJ Rivers, AIA, Co-Managing Director and Principal, Gensler; Antonio Rebelo, AIA, IIDA, Co-President and Chief Design Officer, Grimm + Parker Architects; Scott Welch, AIA, LEED Green Associate, Certified Passive House Designer, Senior Principal and Board Member, Torti Gallas + Partners
Moderator: Hooman Koliji, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor, University of Maryland; Co-Founder, BioBulb
Collaborative AI Design Workshop Architecture Firms + Faculty + Students
October 30, 2026 | 12:00 − 2:00 PM | Details
Open to Architecture Firms, faculty and students
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)
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 to 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.
Organized by the AIA Potomac Valley Custom Residential Architecture Network (CRAN) committee.
Health, Safety and Wellness of Rainscreen Cladding and the Use of Solid Wall Terra-cotta
October 21, 12:00 − 1:00 PM
Webinar | 1 LU/HSW | REGISTER
This program will educate and explore the use of terracotta rainscreen versus barrier wall systems for the prevention of water penetration through the building envelope and displays how the material provides HSW benefits on each job. This is to include the history and development of rainscreen technology including manufacturing, installation, finish details for systems and ways to specify the product.
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. We invite you to join us!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2026 DESIGN + LEADERSHIP AWARDS SPONSORS!
NAPKIN SKETCH SPONSOR
PATRON SPONSORS
Moody Graham
Think Make Build
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.
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.
Oct 14| Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Committee (Virtual) 1:00 PM
Oct 21 | Emerging Professionals Committee (Virtual) 6:30 PM
Events, Education & Opportunities
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.
AIA COTE Top Ten Metrics in DDx - Open Office Hour #2
October 6, 3:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER
Learn how the COTE Top Ten metrics tool, integrated with AIA’s Design Data Exchange (DDx), helps architects calculate performance metrics across the AIA Framework for Design Excellence principles.
Early Professional Friendly Firm (EPFF) Designation - Q&A
October 7, 1:00 − 2:00 PM
Virtual | REGISTER
Join Joe Taylor, AIA and Alonzo Colon, AIA of the AIA Maryland Early Professionals Committee for a live Q&A on the 2026 Early Professional Friendly Firm (EPFF) Designation. They helped rebuild this year's survey and can walk you through how it works, what changed from the pilot, and what the jury is looking for.
The session is open to principals, firm leaders, and early professionals alike. Stay for the full hour or drop in for the part you need.
EPFF recognizes Maryland firms that make supporting early professionals a real part of their practice, from licensure support and mentorship to professional development, culture, and paths to leadership. It is free to apply, and the application is completed by firm leadership and early professionals together.
Applications close on October 19, 2026 at 11:59 PM
LEARN MORE & APPLY
AIA Speaker Series – Regenerative Cities: Synchronizing Natural and Built Ecologies
October 14, 6:00 − 7:30 PM
Washington, DC (GCAD) | CEUs Available | REGISTER
Presented by Varun Kohli, Director of Sustainability at global architecture and design firm Corgan, this free lecture explores how architects and designers can move beyond minimizing environmental impact toward creating built environments that actively support thriving natural and human systems. Through project examples and integrated design strategies, the session will examine approaches that reconnect buildings, infrastructure, and cities with their environmental context while addressing climate mitigation and adaptation at both the building and urban scale.
Passive House DC Chapter Meeting
October 15, 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]
Public Architecture Symposium 2026
October 20, 8:00 AM − 6:30 PM
Washington, DC (GCAD) | REGISTER (by October 6)
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.
Activating the Guides for Equitable Practice, Mentorship and Sponsorship
October 22, 4:00 PM
Virtual | CEUs Available | REGISTER
The final monthly Guides in Action discussion will explore mentorship and sponsorship and their role in creating equitable, inclusive, and sustainable career pathways in architecture. The interactive discussion highlights Chapter 6 of the Guides for Equitable Practice and will explore strategies for engaging as mentees, mentors, sponsors, and allies. Space is limited and registration is required.
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.
35th Annual Affordable Housing Summit
November 20, 8:00 AM − 2:30 PM
Rockville, MD | REGISTER
The 2026 Annual Affordable Housing Summit, Housing Affordability in Practice: Promises vs. Reality, will be held November 20, 2026, at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD.
Panels will include:
- Opening plenary: The Housing Production Conundrum: Housing Affordability or Housing Shortage?
- Community-Led Development
- Technical Innovation in Housing: Modular Urban Construction
- Breaking the Codes: Non-Zoning Costs to Housing
- Moving Forward: Transit Progress in Affordable Housing
- The 21st Century Road to Housing Act Opportunities
- How to Navigate Housing Finance Obstacles
- Housing for Elderly and Disabled Populations
- Renter Protections
From AIA
September SFx Insider: Wildfire Resilience for Small Firms
The latest Small Firm Exchange (SFx) Insider is on Wildfire Resiliance. Check it out.
Looking for more information on wildfire resilience? This month, Marisol Sanchez Gallagher, of Marisol Studios: Architecture & Consulting highlighted practical strategies to reduce wildfire and smoke risk. In addition to educating the audience, she shared information to include in your project startup and site planning process.
ABI August 2026: Architecture Firm Billings Remain Soft
Architecture firm billings remained soft in August, with the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) at 47.2. Conditions varied across the country: firms in the Midwest reported modest growth, business at firms in the West was essentially flat, and billings declined in the Northeast. This month’s report also looks at AI adoption, with nearly half of architecture firms actively engaging with AI, although formal training and dedicated AI budgets remain limited. AIA members can access the full ABI report for free.
New Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Pledge
AIA's new Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Pledge is now open for firms to join. The pledge encourages firms to work with clients, consultants, stakeholders, and communities to consider current and future risks and make informed decisions that can meaningfully enhance the resilience of projects and communities.
Calls, Competitions & Deadlines
Only 2 Days Remain! 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, but only for two more days! 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.
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.
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.