Take a deep dive into architectural ethics—focusing on professionalism, integrity, and competence—in this interactive course examining the AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct. Gain greater awareness and understanding of how AIA members are committed to the highest standards of practice and how the code guides their conduct in fulfilling those obligations. Plus, 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.

Course expires: 01/16/2027

Passive design is a powerful strategy for reducing energy demand and advancing building decarbonization. This course provides architects, designers, and sustainability professionals with a foundational understanding of passive design strategies and how to apply them from early concept through building operation.

You’ll explore how passive design aligns with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and how strategies—such as building orientation, envelope design, natural ventilation, and thermal mass—can reduce reliance on mechanical systems while improving thermal comfort and indoor air quality.

You’ll assess factors like climate zones, sun paths, wind patterns, and topography, and be introduced to tools for climate analysis, energy modeling, and ongoing performance assessment.

By the end, you’ll be able to implement passive design strategies like system minimization and informed material selection that improve building performance, support occupant wellbeing, and reduce carbon emissions.

Though it is one of the world’s oldest building materials, wood is still revolutionizing the way buildings are designed and constructed today. Timber design and construction necessitate an interdisciplinary approach from the outset of a project. With the emergence of mass timber, it is important to begin by considering the impact of building codes, and what is possible within a given jurisdiction. At an elemental level, material selection is tied to both material performance and critical environmental considerations, including regional availability, carbon sequestration, and life cycle analysis. Once underway, the delivery of complex mass timber structures often involves novel approaches to construction documentation, from collaborative drawing and modeling software to parametric CNC fabrication. The end product – buildings with unencapsulated timber – creates architecture designed for occupant health and happiness, with the biophilic benefits of natural materials, abundant light, and carefully-considered building systems. Through a series of wood and mass timber case studies, this lecture presents the 38-year trajectory of Shigeru Ban Architects’ work in wood, emerging from an interdisciplinary approach. As an introduction to this presentation, there will be a panel discussion with Colorado-based professionals who do work related to the intersection of resiliency and building materials. In particular, they will discuss examples of how post-disaster rebuilds can benefit from designing to newer codes, pursue lower lifetime energy costs, and how wood construction should consider future disasters in how it is implemented. 

Presented in partnership with AIA Colorado

Owners, architects, engineers, constructors, and public policy advocates are demanding that projects incorporate sustainable design and construction practices. Residential and commercial building sectors are responsible for approximately 8 percent of carbon dioxide emissions globally and approximately 40 percent of energy consumption in the United States.  The presentation of the research looks at Project Delivery Strategies, including Design Bid Build, CM at Risk, and Design Build and how they impact our ability to achieve our goals for high performing buildings and lessening our impact on the environment.

Course expires 1/29/2026

Hear from mass timber experts with first-hand experience and learn the benefits of mass timber, including its unique design and performance attributes, environmental and social benefits, and local sourcing from certified sustainably managed forests. Focusing on the 619 Ponce building, learn how the project team leveraged their #SeedlingsToSolutions tagline with multiple stakeholders, in turn contributing to sustainability and their environmental, social, and governance goals. Whether mass timber is new to you or you’re working on your 10th project, this session offers innovative, fresh, and tangible content certain to inspire your next project.This session will center around the events that occurred before and after the catastrophic collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, in 2021. Discussion will include the ongoing intensive analysis by forensic investigators to determine a root cause, or causes, of the structural failure. Examine how this tragedy will affect our current and future legal and business operations for years to come. Understand how failure analysis is a part of our ongoing learning experience as architects.

Course expires 06/05/2026