Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering architectural practice, but many architects and design professionals are still determining what it means for their work, firms, and professional responsibilities. Designed for small to mid-size firms but useful to anyone curious about AI, this series of courses will introduce architects to the early stages of AI adoption and how they can use these tools to improve workflows.  Through four short, self-paced courses, you’ll build baseline AI literacy, examine responsible practices, identify low-risk starting points for adoption, and understand how data quality affects AI performance. The series emphasizes practical decision making, risk awareness, and responsible experimentation rather than technical expertise. By the end, you’ll be better prepared to evaluate AI tools and determine how to begin using them. 

How is AI generating content and outputs in firms? What are common misconceptions? How can AI support design, documentation, communications, and daily operations? Drawing from the AIA AI Firm Toolkit, this course covers accountability, review, appropriate use, confidentiality, and AI-ready data. By recognizing AI as a tool rather than a solution, you’ll understand the foundational concepts of AI and learn how to leverage it for appropriate workflows. Rather than focusing solely on what AI can or cannot do today, this course emphasizes durable practices: understanding how AI contributes to work, recognizing when AI outputs may influence decisions or deliverables, and applying professional review before using AI-assisted work. You’ll engage with AI as a changing set of tools and capabilities and understand the importance of prompts, patterns, and professionally reviewing AI-generated work before relying on it.

The course emphasizes suitable workflows, safe prompting, human-in-the-loop review, and practical application. You’ll practice identifying tasks that are appropriate for AI support, such as summarizing meeting notes or drafting internal communications, using simple and structured prompts when useful, comparing AI outputs, applying follow-up prompts, and reviewing drafts for accuracy, completeness, tone, confidentiality, and project context

AI tools depend on the quality, context, and reliability of the information they are given. In architectural practice, that information may include drawings, models, specifications, schedules, meeting notes, emails, photos, firm standards, templates, proposals, lessons learned, and other project or firm knowledge. This course introduces the 5 Cs of AI-ready information as a practical framework for evaluating whether information is complete, consistent, current, credible, and contextualized for a specific AI-supported task. The 5 Cs are not a pass/fail checklist; they help teams assess whether information is sufficiently ready for the intended task, tool, and level of risk. You’ll explore common data risks, consider how poor information quality can affect outputs, and identify steps to support responsible AI u

Using AI responsibly depends on professional judgement, firm policies, approved tools, client expectations, and documentation practices. By understanding AI-related risks, you’ll examine misleading outputs, confidentiality concerns, bias, authorship and attribution issues, and overreliance. The course connects responsible AI use to familiar professional responsibilities, including accuracy, competence, confidentiality, professional oversight, truthful communication, use of sources, client trust, and public welfare. You'll practice identifying AI-related risks, reviewing AI-generated outputs, applying ethical frameworks, and implementing practical guardrails before AI-assisted work informs project communications, decisions, deliverables, or submissions.

Take your design practice to the next level and make a measurable impact on the planet. Designing for Decarbonization is a five-part learning series that equips architects and design professionals with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to take meaningful action on climate change—turning sustainable vision into practical, measurable results.  From understanding the built environment’s role in global emissions to applying cutting-edge, data-driven tools to enhance energy performance, this series delivers practical guidance you can apply immediately. Explore real-world examples, technical insights, and actionable design approaches to reduce both embodied and operational carbon, integrate passive and high-performance strategies, and make informed design decisions with energy modeling.  Whether you’re advancing firm-wide sustainability goals or sharpening your personal expertise, this series provides the skills, insight, and leadership strategies to design buildings that perform better, last longer, and contribute positively to the planet. 

Upholding ethical obligations to clients and fellow professionals is the cornerstone of a successful architecture practice. These essential courses will reinforce your ethics knowledge and skills, helping you effectively navigate ethical dilemmas. Explore the foundations of client-professional relationships with a focus on the importance of ethical standards and legal requirements and steering clear of conflicts of personal gain.  Learn how the Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct can assist in attaining individual and organizational objectives while safeguarding the public's health, safety, and welfare. Review anti-discrimination laws and specific sections within the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct that underscore the critical need to prevent harassment and discrimination, especially concerning protected characteristics Learn strategies for preventing and addressing harassment and discrimination, such as cultivating a respectful workplace culture, establishing clear policies, and providing education on diversity and inclusion Save up to 15% when you purchase the bundle.

New! Earn product-specific CE: Learn how specific products and systems perform, where they can be appplied, andhow to use them in your projects—all while earning AIA-approved CE.

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Window and door frames shape far more than sight lines and operation. In custom residential design, frame material choices influence window and door sizes, structural performance, thermal behavior, condensation risk, durability, maintenance, resilience, safety, and long-term homeowner satisfaction. Participants will learn how pultruded fiberglass is manufactured and how it compares to other composites, focusing on performance characteristics such as strength, durability, exterior finishes, certified mulling and design flexibility.  The course concludes with an overview of Marvin’s fiberglass product collections and provides participants with application guidance to help make informed decisions on the best use cases for each product collection.

How can architects and designers take action in selecting sustainable materials? With competing priorities from clients and project teams to a whole world of product and project-level certifications, responsible material selection is hard to navigate. The AIA Materials Pledge provides a framework for architects and designers to begin to chart progress in data transparency and optimization across the five impact categories: Human health, Social health and equity, Ecosystem health, Climate health, and Circular economy.

Join AIA Materials Pledge leadership for this webinar where speakers will focus on beginner steps for designers to take in thinking about holistic material health. They will then speak about how the AIA Materials Pledge reporting framework can support firms at any stage of their materials journey. Finally, they will provide an overview of this year's third annual Materials Pledge By the Numbers (RY25) report, looking at reported materials data from 148 signatory firms.

The presenters will close the session by reflecting on the post-reporting survey finding and providing updates on next year's reporting. 

New! Earn product-specific CE: Learn how specific products and systems perform, where they can be appplied, andhow to use them in your projects—all while earning AIA-approved CE.

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As energy codes continue to raise minimum insulation requirements, specifiers need roofing insulation that delivers more thermal performance without adding thickness. This course introduces ThermaThin™ 7, Carlisle SynTec Systems' next-generation polyisocyanurate roof insulation panel engineered to deliver R-7 per inch, compared to approximately R-5.7 per inch for standard polyiso.
Participants will examine ThermaThin 7's material composition, physical properties, and code, fire, and insurance listings, then compare its thermal, logistical, and sustainability performance against standard polyiso, including real-world assembly and freight examples. The course also covers ReadyFlash® facer technology and product compatibility across ballasted, mechanically fastened, and fully adhered roofing systems. The session concludes with applied specification strategies for two of the most demanding project types: cold storage facilities and height-restricted or re-roof applications, where thinner, higher-R assemblies directly reduce retrofit complexity and operating costs.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to identify, analyze, evaluate, and apply ThermaThin 7 specification data to real-world roofing design decisions. 

Mental and behavioral health is an often stigmatized and misunderstood area of healthcare design. Too often, safety comes at the expense of serenity, risk reduction is prioritized over recovery, and spaces described as deinstitutionalized still miss opportunities to advance dignity through design. 

This course introduces better practices for inpatient mental health planning and design for professionals ranging from emerging practitioners to senior medical planners. Participants will explore the VA Inpatient Mental Health Design Guide, a resource of more than 500 pages containing over 30 room templates, planning diagrams, and detailed discussion of the clinical models that influence behavioral health environments. The program will demonstrate how thoughtful planning and design decisions can balance safety, dignity, recovery, and caregiver needs. 

In this joint partnership between the Building Performance Knowledge Community (BPKC) and the Resilience and Disaster Response Community (RADR), panelists will review historic cooling, heating, and resilience strategies and discuss how they can be used to amplify and expand the effectiveness of emerging technology for passive survivability and energy efficiency. By designing for aesthetics first, and then using modern HVAC and other solutions to overcome any inefficiencies second, we are doing ourselves, our clients, and our communities a grave disservice. 

In the 1999 essay by Tod Williams and Billie Tsien called ‘On Slowness,’ there is a quote from Milan Kundara: “There is a secret bond between slowness and memory, between speed and forgetting.” 

The speed with which we develop new technologies to enhance our building performance increases our forgetting of the basic principles that helped people survive for hundreds of years without air conditioning and ducted heat. Building science and technology continue to evolve and advance in both possibilities for improved outcomes and complexity. The more we learn about vented rainscreens, smart vapor barriers, all in one water resistive barriers and insulation products, the more intricate our detailing becomes. High performance envelopes are exciting and full of promise even with the challenges of coordination and installation execution. Join us for a 60 minute discussion of getting back to basics as a way to further progress in building resilience and passive survivability. 

This session was recorded live on July 14, 2026.

This course is a free resource that does not offer credit for completion.

Stepping into your role on the AIA Continuing Education Committee means shaping the professional development of architects globally. This course will equip you with a clear understanding of the committee’s charge, the purpose and impact of continuing education, and the practical workings of AIA’s learning ecosystem. You’ll gain the context and confidence to participate meaningfully in your first meeting, advocate for quality learning, and represent your peers with integrity.

AIA staff use generative AI tools to support development, drafting, and editing. This content reflects that collaboration and has been reviewed and finalized by our team for quality, originality, and accuracy.

National Preparedness Month is a reminder that effective disaster response begins long before the storm. This webinar explores the proactive role architects can play in developing temporary housing solutions that are ready to deploy when communities need them most. 

Rather than waiting for catastrophe to drive action, this session explores how AIA chapters and their members can prepare before disasters and support communities through recovery afterward. Attendees will examine the frameworks, partnerships, and pre-approved design strategies that can help communities deploy housing and other solutions quickly and effectively when disaster strikes. From modular construction approaches that can scale rapidly in the wake of a disaster, to planning efforts that bring together universities and local emergency management agencies, the session will highlight what effective preparation looks like—and why it matters. Attendees will also gain insight into how design professionals can help communities navigate deployment, response, and recovery in the aftermath.

The conversation also broadens beyond the post-disaster context to examine the intersection of emergency housing and the ongoing housing crisis — including how temporary solutions can sometimes become permanent ones, and how architects can advocate for and support their communities year-round.

This session was recorded live on September 24, 2026.

Part 2 of the Architect's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Series.

As climate risks intensify and project challenges become more complex, architects are increasingly required to design for resilience in ways that are both actionable and measurable. Emerging AI-powered tools, such as Digital Twins and Large Language Models (LLMs), are transforming how practitioners assess risk, test scenarios, and incorporate resilience strategies into their daily workflows. 

This webinar will explore how architects can effectively use AI-powered Digital Twins and LLMs to inform resilient design decisions from initial concept through development. Participants will gain an understanding of the limitations and reliability of these technologies and identify opportunities to implement resilience strategies across various projects. The session will focus on usability and applications, helping architects translate emerging technologies into concrete design outcomes. 

This session was recorded live on September 3, 2026.

Part 1 of the Architect's Role in Disaster Risk Reduction Series.

Propel your practice’s success with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence—the defining 10 principles of design excellence in the 21st century. In this introductory course, you will learn the origin, evolution, and significance of each of the framework’s principles and examine how they advance progress toward a zero-carbon, healthy, just, resilient, and equitable built environment. Learn from real-world case studies showcasing successful implementations across diverse firms and project types. Plus, you’ll learn how to navigate the valuable online resources for each of the 10 principles to use in your design process for future projects. Course expires on 2/04/2027

Changing access and supervision requirements are beginning to challenge the traditional norm of designing segregated, gender-specific restrooms and locker rooms for K–12 schools. Inclusive facilities offer a more humane and dignified approach to the traditional toileting and locker room experience. Learn the benefits and practicalities of designing inclusive restrooms and locker rooms—highlighting their role in promoting equity, accessibility, efficiency, and student health.  Understand how inclusive facilities can reduce bullying, enhance privacy, and improve overall student safety and well-being. Gain practical tools to navigate conversations with community stakeholders, code officials, administrators, staff, families, and students—ensuring a smooth transition to more inclusive environments in K–12 schools. AIA Best Practices Guide To learn more about inclusive and universal restroom and locker room design in K-12 schools, read the AIA Guide on Inclusive restrooms & locker rooms in K-12 schools by Cheryl Jacobs, AIA, Greg Louviere, AIA, & Benjamin Fields, AIA, published June 2024. This session was recorded live on August 29, 2024.  Course expires 6/14/2027

How can architects and designers take action in selecting holistically responsible materials? With competing priorities from clients and project teams to a whole world of product and project-level certifications, responsible material selection is hard to navigate – and one that has to be done on a daily basis. The AIA Materials Pledge provides a framework for architects and designers to begin to chart progress in data transparency and optimization across the five impact categories: Human health, Social health and equity, Ecosystem health, Climate health, and Circular economy.   Join AIA Materials Pledge leadership for this webinar where speakers will focus on beginner steps for designers to take in thinking about holistic material health. They will then speak about how the AIA Materials Pledge reporting framework can support firms at any stage of their materials journey. Finally, they will provide an overview of this year’s second annual Materials Pledge By the Numbers (RY24) report, looking at reported materials data from over 100 signatory firms. This session was recorded live on November 12, 2025.

Take your architecture career to the next level with our 3-course package designed for architects aspiring to step into leadership roles or elevate their impact within their firms. This specially curated bundle provides the tools, strategies, and insights to shape you into a leader who can inspire, motivate, and drive team success. 

Improve your understanding of the fundamental business concepts in architecture and design. Learn the significance of business acumen in your professional journey and gain insights into how you can use it to have the greatest impact on your career. Dive into the current and historic internal and external business dynamics—from organizational culture to economic conditions—shaping architecture and design firms to establish a crucial foundation for making informed and strategic decisions.

Learn the essential skills and insights needed to develop effective team leadership and cultivate positive team dynamics. Understand the six essential characteristics of team excellence that distinguish high-performing teams from average ones so you can analyze individual roles and nurture the key traits that drive successful teamwork. Plus, dive into the major impact employee engagement can have on team performance—learning actionable strategies to boost engagement and motivation among your team. Assess the influence of team dynamics on productivity and performance and acquire practical techniques to optimize these dynamics, ensuring that your team works cohesively towards shared goals. Course expires 04/06/2027

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? In this interactive course, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the core leadership principles needed to become an effective leader in any organization. Explore various leadership styles, including autocratic, democratic, transformational, transactional, and laissez-faire, and discover the situations when each style is most suitable. You'll also learn the key elements for creating a leadership vision statement that motivates and drives your team and/or organization. Get actionable insights to enhance your leadership skills with six proven practices to propel you toward becoming a more effective leader. Whether you're a seasoned leader seeking to refine your abilities or an aspiring leader ready to take your first step, this course will empower you to become a more confident leader capable of inspiring, motivating, and driving positive change. Unlock your potential on your path to leadership excellence.

In today’s competitive and turbulent marketplace, it can be a challenge for design firms to reach and maintain sustained growth. That’s why developing your firm’s strategic planning and learning new growth strategies is vital to your firm’s success. In this course, you will learn about the strategic planning process and explore growth strategies such as market development, diversification, and strategic alliances. You’ll also understand how to incorporate the components of the business model canvas into your decision-making to develop and implement effective strategic plans that drive firm growth.  

Intended for licensed architects, engineers, or certified building inspectors, this training certifies attendees as Building Evaluators in the nationally recognized Safety Assessment Program (SAP). To register | Click Add to cart and complete the checkout process. Evaluator Field Manuals |  ATC 45 | ATC 20 | Participants are responsible for purchasing these texts from ATC. They are not included in the course cost. The program is managed by Cal OES with cooperation from professional organizations, including AIA. It utilizes volunteers and mutual aid resources to provide professional engineers, architects and certified building inspectors to assist local governments in safety evaluation of their built environment in an aftermath of a disaster. SAP is the training standard of the AIA Disaster Assistance Program, which provides leadership, advocacy, and training to architects who are interested in volunteering their professional skills in times of crisis. This workshop will teach participants to conduct rapid damage assessments of structures affected by earthquakes, wind, and water. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to consistently and safely assess structures for habitability and will receive a nationally recognized Cal OES registration ID card from the state of California. AIA SAP Training Program