Architects and the Future of Post-Disaster Temporary Housing
AIAU26-RADR02
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LU|HSW
Live course date: 09/24/2026 | 02:00 PM
Description
Thursday, September 24, 2026 | 2-3pm ET
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 examines how AIA chapters, State Disaster Coordinators, and advocacy staff and volunteers can build the frameworks, partnerships, and pre-approved design strategies needed to deploy housing solutions quickly and effectively. From modular construction approaches that can scale rapidly in the wake of a disaster, to community planning efforts that bring together universities and local emergency management agencies, attendees will leave with a clearer picture of what advance preparation looks like in practice.
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.
Learning Objectives
Explain the importance of pre-disaster planning for temporary housing and identify the roles that AIA chapters, State Disaster Coordinators, and advocacy staff and volunteers can play in building rapid response frameworks.
Identify temporary housing design approaches — including modular and adaptable solutions — and evaluate how they can be deployed quickly and effectively in the wake of a disaster.
Describe strategies for building partnerships with universities, local emergency management agencies, and community stakeholders to develop actionable housing response plans before disaster strikes.
Recognize the connection between post-disaster housing response and the broader housing crisis, including opportunities for architects to advocate for and support unhoused individuals beyond the emergency context.
Presented in partnership with the Resilience and Disaster Response Community (RADR).
A passionate advocate for the power of design to build sustainable and resilient communities, Aaron’s professional experience includes over 20 years of working on residential and commercial projects with both public and private clients across the southeast. He has served as an invited critic and lecturer at schools of architecture on the topics of Resilience and Sustainable Design. He previously worked and taught at the Community Research + Design Center at Clemson’s School of Architecture, where his research focused on leveraging community assets as catalysts for growth and development. Aaron was recognized as part of the American Institute of Architects’ 2020 Young Architect Award program for his pursuit of design excellence and service to the profession and community. He has also been recognized by AIA South Carolina and the Clemson University Young Alumni Association for his volunteerism and leadership. His design work has been awarded at the local, state, and regional level. He is currently a Senior Associate at Moseley, where leads the office Design Excellence program and manages projects across the state. He lives in Charleston, South Carolina with his wife and son.
David Sellers’ architectural journey began while working on commercial fishing boats in Alaska,
serving as a ship’s engineer to finance his undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University. This
hands-on experience gave him a deep understanding of battery systems, potable and
wastewater systems, and generators. He later earned a master’s degree in architecture,
Urbanism, and Building Science from the Technical University Delft in the Netherlands. After
living abroad for a decade, David returned to the United States and joined The Nature
Conservancy of Hawaii, where he served as Operations Manager and Interim Director of the
Palmyra Atoll program. In this role, he managed a world-renowned research station and led the
Palmyra Renewable Energy Project, transitioning the station from diesel generators to a
renewable microgrid—saving over one million dollars annually and freeing funds for
conservation and research.
In 2015, David co-founded Hawaii Off-Grid Architecture & Engineering (HIOG) with architect
Rick McGovern and civil engineer Jacob Freeman. Building on McGovern’s established
practice, HIOG evolved into a pioneering architectural firm focused on sustainable and resilient
design. As President of AIA Maui in 2024, David played a key role in Maui wildfire recovery
efforts, partnering with the Mayor’s Office of Recovery and serving as a county-deputized safety
assessor for damaged structures within the burn zone. He also leads the design of Ohana Hope
Village, a mid-term housing project providing relief for displaced Lahaina residents.
David serves on the Board of Directors for Habitat for Humanity Maui, where he champions
innovative construction materials and methods. He was recently honored with the Gordon W.
Bradley Humanitarian Award, presented by the AIA Honolulu Chapter and the Hawaii
Architectural Foundation for his outstanding humanitarian contributions. The award recognizes
his leadership in advancing sustainable design and his commitment to serving communities in
need, including providing free rebuilding plans and supporting wildfire recovery efforts across
Maui. He has been a driving force behind introducing mass timber solutions to the Hawaiian
Islands, incorporating this sustainable technology into new residential projects and other
developments. David has officially declared his candidacy for AIA National 2027 Presidentelect/
2028 President.