In recent years, the climate crisis has placed decarbonization at the top of the urban agenda. While cities across the world have created climate action plans and pledged ambitious emission reductions, recent research has revealed that many jurisdictions are struggling to develop implementation strategies to meet those targets. This session will identify some of the common gaps in current city approaches and highlight innovative work happening at the local level that may provide broader guidance to community decarbonization strategies across the country. Participants will gain an understanding of the current context for this work and promising practices that may inform they own work.  This session was recorded live on February 22, 2023. 

Professional dialogues about urbanism are often held back by their own toxic jargon, but Carlos Moreno’s framing of the “15-Minute City” has delivered a publicly accessible concept that has gained global traction in recent years. Cities all over the world have begun devising strategies with the framework in mind. Urban design plays a key role in moving this idea from concept to reality, with significant implications for climate action and equitable development. Designing more compact cities can cut our carbon emissions by an estimated 25 percent. This session will feature real-world applied settings for the 15-Minute City with lessons learned for other jurisdictions seeking to mobilize action for more sustainable urbanism.    This session was recorded live on April 5, 2023.

Women are the future of architecture, and the future of architectural practice is working with existing buildings.  In 2022, existing buildings accounted for 53% of architectural billings, and the proportion is rising.  Building reuse is an essential component of achieving a more sustainable future.  Strategies for sustainable retrofitting can reduce a building’s energy use by half.  New tools for measuring embodied carbon reveal the true cost of demolition and reconstruction.    Renovation and adaptive reuse projects are often considered to be more complicated than new construction, and for good reasons.  The issues that are commonly encountered can be challenging, but by anticipating and planning for these conditions, projects can be completed more successfully and at a lower cost.  This session will address methods of analysis and documentation for existing buildings and will present strategies for improving energy performance, accessibility, and inclusion.  By developing expertise in existing buildings, architects can create a more sustainable practice that is better positioned to ride out economic downturns.  Women are well positioned to lead these trends.  The majority of professionals with degrees in both architecture and historic preservation are female.  We lead the field in both technical preservation and cultural preservation.  We are natural collaborators who understand how to engage stakeholders and set aside ego to achieve mutual interests.  These skill sets give us the power to affect both the environmental impact and the social impact of our built places.  We have the power--and a mandate--to transform the existing the built environment to become more sustainable, resilient, and relevant. Course expires 10/22/2026

As disasters increase in frequency and intensity across the country, communities now more than ever need the help of architects to address unprecedented challenges. Enter AIA's Disaster Assistance Program, which equips architects and chapters with the knowledge and skills to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This course teaches you how to properly lead an AIA Disaster Assistance Program in your state and provides you with the tools needed to become a state disaster coordinator. In this comprehensive course, you’ll examine the four phases of the emergency management cycle—mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery—highlighting the roles and contributions of architects in each phase. You’ll learn how to engage proactively in disaster preparedness and response at various levels, emphasizing the importance of these actions for your community’s safety and resilience. You’ll also explore the evolution of the program and recognize the significant contributions architects can make in different disaster scenarios.

Led by an experienced Disaster Mitigation, Resilience, and Hazards consultant, this course begins with a review of high wind hazards pertaining to the State of Illinois, but is applicable to most midwestern states. Get an overview of how wind forces act upon a structure and the various codes and standards that regulate wind design. Review case studies of how severe wind events have damaged existing structures. Finally, get an introduction to the AIA Disaster Assistance Program and how architects can become involved in assisting their communities post-disaster.  This course is presented in partnership with AIA Illinois.

This year’s inaugural Materials Pledge reporting reveals key data and insights into the industry’s progress in holistic materials specification. The A&D Materials Pledge, a key AIA climate signatory program, boasts a community of over 275 architecture and design firms. This first year of reporting included required firm-level data and optional project- and product-level data from signatory firms. Upon the release of the first ever Materials Pledge By the Numbers (RY23) progress report, join us for a conversation on high-level takeaways—highlighting the program’s advancements in data quality and quantity. We’ll discuss how firms can enhance their engagement with the Materials Pledge program through a Materials Action Plan and deeper project-level reporting.   This course was recorded live on December 3, 2024.

Delve into the principles, challenges, and successes of designing net-zero energy educational buildings by exploring two award-winning case studies: the Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center in Cape Cod and Bard High School Early College. Gain insights into the strategies and innovations that allowed these projects to achieve net-zero energy goals while fulfilling educational needs. This course is ideal for architects, designers, and professionals interested in sustainable design and energy-efficient building practices. This course was recorded live on January 28, 2025.

This intermediate to advanced-level course delves into the technical design implications of recent energy efficiency codes—focusing on the building envelope’s critical role in enhancing thermal performance and occupant health, safety, and welfare. Explore strategies to meet increasingly stringent energy codes, including how to quantify and mitigate heat loss through thermal bridges using the Building Envelope Thermal Bridging Guide. Special emphasis will be placed on addressing the unique challenges of high-rise buildings with traditional unitized glazing systems, where the vertical enclosure area greatly exceeds the horizontal area. Gain the tools and insights needed to improve your material choices, design strategies, and construction practices to achieve optimal thermal performance.  This course was recorded live on February 4, 2025.

Learn actionable strategies to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change through sustainable design and construction practices in the AEC industry. Gain a comprehensive understanding of carbon’s impact on the environment, explore the critical role of the built environment in global emissions, and learn practical methods to reduce both operational and embodied carbon in design and construction. Key topics include the principles of embodied, operational and avoided carbon, energy-efficient and passive design strategies, and sustainable material selection. The course also covers critical U.S. policies and frameworks such as LEED certifications, federal and local regulations, and AIA 2030 Commitment—equipping professionals with the knowledge to navigate evolving sustainability standards while leading decarbonization efforts.

Equip yourself with the necessary knowledge and tools to meet the goals of the AIA 2030 Commitment—AIA’s actionable climate strategy for reaching net zero emissions in the built environment by 2030. Achieving these goals requires understanding sustainable design principles and mastering the practical skills to implement them effectively. Explore key concepts and strategies for reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions in building design and construction. Topics include the integrated design process, passive design strategies, energy modeling, high-performance building systems, post-occupancy evaluations, and renewable energy integration.

This course takes a behind-the-scenes look at two groundbreaking projects—City Walk BHAM in Birmingham, AL, and The Underline in Miami-Dade County. Both projects were designed to reimagine the vacant land under transportation corridors, considered a physical barrier between communities, into dynamic public spaces.  Through these two case studies, you’ll gain insights into public-private partnership models, funding strategies, and community-driven and design approaches that make these projects possible. Examine how creative design solutions have transformed challenging spaces into multi-modal transportation corridors, resilient linear parks, and vibrant community destinations—improving neighborhood connections, safety, mobility, public health, sustainability, and innovation. Learn more about how the focus on health, safety, and welfare of the end users informed the design process: from the experience of the urban pedestrian to the cyclist commuter. In addition, you’ll learn about post-occupancy activation, including public programming, art initiatives, and revenue generating opportunities that ensure long-term success.  This session was recorded live on April 16, 2025.

As risks from natural hazards and climate change grow, architects play a vital role in designing buildings that are safer, more adaptable, and aligned with evolving standards. This introductory course provides a practical foundation in resilient design, exploring how hazard risk, exposure, and vulnerability shape outcomes in the built environment.  You’ll examine the impact of both sudden shocks (e.g., hurricanes) and long-term stresses (e.g., rising temperatures), and how risk-informed strategies like hazard avoidance, resistance, and adaptation can reduce risk and improve usability. The course also covers advanced concepts such as shelter-in-place, passive survivability, and continuity of operations—approaches that extend building performance beyond minimum code requirements.   Using scenario activities to assess risk, guide decisions, and evaluate outcomes, you’ll learn how to apply the resilience process across all phases of design, from pre-design through post-occupancy. 

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.

This course is designed to help architects and design professionals review and apply the core ideas presented in the Architect’s Primer on Renewable Energy. Through a structured series of activities, learners will explore key concepts such as energy efficiency, renewable technology options, solar-ready design, and on-site vs. off-site energy strategies. Participants will work through realistic scenarios, check their understanding with interactive assessments, and reflect on how to integrate renewable energy strategies into their own projects. Successful completion earns 1.0 LU HSW. To maximize learning in this course, participants are required to read Architect’s Primer on Renewable Energy (AIA, 2021) before starting. The article serves as the foundation for all course activities.  

Unlock the secrets to designing buildings that excel in efficiency, comfort, and sustainability. This dynamic course gives AEC professionals the tools to master high-performance building design—merging cutting-edge technology with proven design strategies. You’ll explore the core components of high-performance design—building envelopes, HVAC, lighting, and control technologies—while learning how to integrate them for optimal energy efficiency and occupant well-being. Across five focused lessons, you’ll also gain insight into emerging trends and technologies like AI and IoT, and how they’re reshaping the future of high-performance design. By the end, you’ll have the strategies, technical know-how, and forward-looking perspective to deliver projects that meet today’s zero-carbon demands and tomorrow’s high-performance expectations.

Energy modeling is an essential tool for architects and design professionals seeking to reduce carbon emissions and improve building performance. This course introduces the core principles and practical applications of energy modeling, emphasizing its role in achieving decarbonization across the building lifecycle.  You’ll learn how to integrate energy modeling from early concept through final construction, using it to inform critical decisions on massing, orientation, envelope, and systems selection. This course also covers modeling tools, predictive techniques, and simulation workflows that support both performance optimization and code compliance. Through real-world case studies, you’ll examine how energy modeling has driven measurable carbon reductions in diverse project types and explore emerging trends shaping the future of low-carbon design.  

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. 

In major cities, existing buildings contribute significantly to overall energy demand and CO2 emissions.  As a result, these cities implement polices and laws aimed at drastically reducing the carbon footprint of their building stock.  Deep energy retrofits are a key strategy for meeting these goals, and we are seeing an increase of such projects in these cities and beyond. However, fire safety cannot be overlooked in these retrofits, especially in older buildings lacking sprinklers. Additionally, modifying the hygrothermal properties of older buildings presents risks that must be carefully managed in both the design and execution of retrofits of any scale. Buildings that have historically been energy-inefficient require special attention and considerations when retrofitting to ensure durability and resilience for the long term.  The last thing we want is to have our newly retrofitted buildings fail or pose safety or health risks to their occupants. This program will explore several case studies of large building retrofits - both interior and exterior approaches - where fire safety and building science were critical factors in the solutions implemented.     This session was recorded live on September 11, 2025.

Hygrothermal modeling, the analysis of heat and moisture transport through building enclosure assemblies, reveals many of the climate-specific building science secrets that are key to durable design of walls and roofs and other assemblies. Debunking rules of thumb and avoiding answers of “it depends” – data and analysis can reveal exactly how many inches of a certain insulation are required, exactly what perm-rating will optimize an assembly, and what kind of havoc a reservoir cladding system can create. Case studies will be shown that demonstrate when perm rating matters and when it does not, the impact of roof membrane color and the risks of “cool roofing,” and when HT (high-temp) rated membranes are actually required. This presentation’s ulterior motive is to convince the audience that every architecture firm should be doing in-house hygrothermal modeling as an integral component of climate-specific, durable, and resilient design. This session was recorded live on August 19, 2025.

This panel convenes leading experts to explore innovative adaptive reuse strategies for underutilized faith-based buildings across the United States. Hear from several different perspectives on the critical challenges faced by institutions that are closing or falling into disrepair, in both rural and urban contexts. Discussions will range from the complexities of leveraging historic tax credits to offset developer costs, to how to navigate SEC approval and conversion processes. This session is designed for architects seeking practical, innovative strategies to transform faith structures into vibrant new community assets. This session was recorded live on October 16, 2025.

Now five years away from the year 2030, leaders from AIA 2030 Commitment and Architecture2030 come together on this panel to discuss where progress is being made in the buildings sector and where needs improvement. Speakers will chart the history of Architecture 2030, the AIA 2030 Commitment and then outline what specific actions are needed from the industry to mitigate the worst emissions pathways. In doing this, they will deep dive into two new reports, the AIA 2030 By the Numbers (RY24) and Architecture2030’s 2030 Beyond the Numbers (RY24), that analyze the reported predicted energy data from over 450 AIA 2030 Commitment signatory firms that culminate to >40k projects and 4 billion gross square feet (GSF).   This session was recorded live on October 22, 2025.

Climate change is no longer an abstract threat. Day after day, an already disrupted climate is impacting the lives of millions, and the time available to curtail climate change is alarmingly limited. Decarbonizing how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated is a sea change that is already altering professional principles and practices.  In Going for Zero: Decarbonizing the Built Environment on the Path to Our Urban Future, seasoned architect and former AIA president Carl Elefante addresses how buildings and cities can and must help resolve the looming climate emergency. Elefante offers a decidedly alternative viewpoint, one informed by his architecture career rescuing buildings from senseless demolition and learning from the practices and wisdom embedded in built heritage.   Going for Zero is an urgent call to action and path forward. Elefante’s message is ultimately one of hope—but we must act now.  This session was recorded live on October 23, 2025.

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.

Learn how to conduct building-scale vulnerability assessments that support resilient, climate-adaptive design. This course equips architects and design professionals with a 10-step process for conducting vulnerability assessments to evaluate hazard exposure, identify critical vulnerabilities, and develop effective mitigation strategies. Using practical examples and a structured approach, you'll assess system performance under risk, quantify hazard loads, and develop solution “menus” aligned with project goals, functional priorities, and feasibility. Topics include hazard identification, vulnerable components, external dependencies, and compound risk. By the end of the course, you’ll be prepared to lead or support vulnerability assessments for a wide range of building types, translating risk into actionable design decisions.

Thoughtfully tailored for licensed architects and architectural designers, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to anticipate risk in the built environment and implement performance-based solutions that protect people, structures, and communities. You’ll explore the core principles of hazard mitigation and learn design strategies for specific threats—such as flooding, high winds, wildfires, extreme temperatures, drought, and seismic activity—while emphasizing the importance of early, proactive planning. Each step is structured to ensure a deep understanding of how resilient design is embedded into every stage of the design process. Engaging learning elements like practical exercises, expert interviews, interactive reflection prompts, and real-life case studies make this course both informative and applicable to your practice.

Deepen your expertise in resilience by learning how to assess vulnerabilities in existing buildings, respond to evolving resilience standards, and implement hazard mitigation into everyday design decisions. Explore the fundamentals of hazard mitigation and retrofit strategies for specific hazards, including flooding, wind, wildfire, extreme heat, drought, and seismic activity, while addressing the unique challenges of historic structures. Each step is structured to ensure a deep understanding of how to assess vulnerabilities and implement targeted retrofit solutions that enhance safety, performance, and durability. Expert insights, real-world case studies, interactive knowledge checks, and workbook-based reflection activities make your learning experience engaging, practical, and directly applicable to professional practice.

As climate hazards grow more frequent and severe, resilient design has become a professional, ethical, and business imperative. This course equips licensed architects with the frameworks, data, and strategies to address resilience through the lenses of risk management, long-term value, and economic opportunity. Participants will learn to evaluate hazard risk based on ownership type and geography, communicate effectively with clients about exposure, and leverage cost-benefit analysis and financial incentives to support resilient outcomes. Real-world case studies, performance tools, and updated guidance from FEMA, NIBS, and ULI provide practical frameworks to help architects enhance life safety, reduce liability, and demonstrate the long-term value of resilient design.

Strengthen your ability to integrate resilience into practice by strategically applying codes, regulations, and rating systems. As climate-related hazards increase, minimum code compliance is no longer sufficient. This course explores the current regulatory landscape, identifies gaps in conventional approaches, and empowers licensed architects and design professionals to make informed, proactive decisions across all project phases—from pre-design to construction administration. Through practical examples, case studies, and analysis of existing and emerging standards, you’ll gain the tools to advocate for smarter land use, apply hazard mitigation codes, and leverage building rating systems to enhance both resilience and sustainability outcomes.

As climate hazards grow more frequent and resilience standards evolve, architects are uniquely positioned to design buildings that protect people, preserve function, and create lasting value.  This six-course series equips design professionals to anticipate risk, apply hazard mitigation strategies, and lead resilience efforts from concept through occupancy. You’ll explore hazard-specific design for both new construction and retrofits—including flooding, wind, wildfire, extreme heat, drought, and seismic risk—alongside the distinct challenges of working with historic buildings. Courses also address professional liability, the business case for resilience, as well as the codes, regulations, and rating systems that guide practice.  Through expert insights, case studies, interactive tools, and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain practical skills in vulnerability assessment, hazard-specific design, retrofit solutions, regulatory navigation, risk-informed decision-making, and the business case for resilience. By connecting technical strategies with policy, economics, performance, and long-term usability, this series empowers architects to confidently integrate resilience into every project—turning challenges into opportunities for innovation, safety, and community well-being.  Save up to 15% when you purchase the full series or Subscribe to AIAU and save all year!

Join Emily Mottram, known for her work on the "Pretty Good House" concept, for a session exploring the proper detailing and installation for air, water, and insulation layers within a building. Emily will demonstrate how to begin the design process with the specific climate zone, and then reverse engineer decisions from there. Participants will learn to identify risks associated with poorly executed detailing and explore strategies to enhance air quality and building durability through careful material selection and detailing control layers. By viewing the structure as a whole-building integrated system, this approach highlights a practical framework for designing custom residential homes that prioritizes occupant health, safety, and welfare. This session was recorded live on July 17, 2025.

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of hurricanes, healthcare facilities in coastal regions face growing pressure to remain operational during extreme weather events. This webinar explores the design and planning of a forward-thinking New Medical Campus (Health First Cape Canaveral Replacement Hospital, built to endure Category 4 hurricanes while delivering uninterrupted care.  Through the lens of this facility, architects (The Lawrence Group) and healthcare professionals will examine how resilient design imperatives—such as elevated construction, hardened building envelopes and integrated emergency planning—are essential in safeguarding public health in vulnerable regions.  Key topics include:  Responding to a Changing Climate: How evolving environmental conditions shaped the design strategy  Designing for Continuity: Architectural and operational systems that ensure care delivery during and after hurricanes  Collaborative Preparedness: Partnering with public health and emergency management agencies to develop robust response plans  Site-Specific Risk Mitigation: Evaluating and addressing vulnerabilities unique to coastal Florida  This session offers actionable insights for professionals designing healthcare campuses in hurricane-prone areas, emphasizing the need for adaptive, sustainable, and resilient solutions.  This session was recorded live on November 11, 2025.

Materials that comprise the building envelope must be able to endure fire, hurricanes, flooding, and extreme cold and heat. This session will demonstrate how to construct building envelopes that can withstand catastrophic weather events and drastic temperature swings by using fiber cement cladding. See how fiber cement cladding can help you build sustainably while promoting resiliency, structural stability, and life safety. You'll learn about the design and engineering behind fiber cement products that enhance flexibility and function across a variety of climate zones. Plus, explore the evolutionary progress made in fiber cement products for the built environment and architectural specification. This session was recorded live on September 18, 2025.

As remote work transforms the commercial real estate landscape, architects face unprecedented opportunities to address the affordable housing crisis through innovative adaptive reuse strategies. This course explores how underutilized office buildings in suburban markets can be transformed into vibrant residential communities. Our expert panel will examine current office vacancy trends and their implications for conversion opportunities, while diving deep into practical design strategies that navigate stringent zoning challenges and building code adaptations essential for structural health and safety. Participants will discover the complexities of adapting essential infrastructure, particularly the requirements for updating mechanical, electric, and plumbing systems to ensure adequate sanitation. These design challenges also include addressing issues such as the potential need for seismic retrofits in certain areas and determining the usability of existing structures, such as existing circulation and floor slabs. Beyond addressing housing shortages, these conversions offer substantial environmental benefits by extending building lifecycles and reducing construction waste. Join us to explore cutting-edge approaches that transform vacant commercial spaces into thriving residential neighborhoods while supporting sustainable development goals. This session was recorded live on December 9, 2025.

Workplace wellness encompasses the intentional design, implementation, and operation of built environments that holistically support occupant health, wellbeing, and performance. It includes architectural elements, spatial configurations, material selections, and environmental systems that promote physical health, mental wellbeing, social connection, and productivity while minimizing harmful contaminant exposure and encouraging healthy behaviors.​

This course explores how access to clean, well-designed drinking water access points can support human health, behavior, and wellness in the built environment. Architects and designers are increasingly asked to go beyond code compliance – to shape spaces that promote hydration, trust in water quality, and equitable access. This course equips design professionals with the latest thinking on how water access points can serve as visible, functional wellness touchpoints across commercial, institutional, and public settings. This session was recorded live on August 27, 2025.

The AIA Framework for Design Excellence now defines good design as that which meaningfully addresses human health, ecological thriving, and social equity. At the same time, new technology, such as AI and advanced situation tools, has entered the forefront of architectural discourse, bringing with it unique challenges and opportunities. To navigate the current era, and to reach the potential of high-performance design, we’ll need a clear vision for how we can most effectively leverage technology to serve human needs. Drawing on a decade of sustainable design leadership, Corey will discuss the unique roles of human purpose and computational prowess within an effective sustainable design process.  This session was recorded live on March 12, 2026.

Material choices made during design can affect occupant exposure, emissions, supply chains, and ecosystem conditions throughout a product’s lifecycle. Architects are often expected to consider these impacts without a consistent process for identifying potential risks in commonly specified materials. This foundational course introduces a practical approach for identifying potential human and environmental risks using the AIA Materials Pledge impact categories. You will learn how to use ingredient transparency, disclosure about material contents, and product documentation to compare products, consider lifecycle impacts, and inform specification decisions. After completing this course, you will be able to screen materials for potential lifecycle impacts and support specification decisions that align with project goals for improved human and environmental outcomes.

Material performance is shaped across extraction, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life pathways. Architects are increasingly expected to understand how these lifecycle stages influence human health, ecosystems, and climate outcomes when selecting building materials. This course introduces practical lifecycle thinking for evaluating and comparing building products using established documentation. You’ll learn how to interpret lifecycle assessment (LCA) results and use Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Health Product Declarations (HPDs), and ingredient transparency documentation to evaluate measurable impacts. You’ll also explore how different carbon types—embodied, operational, avoided, and sequestered—affect material decisions and broader project goals. After completing this course, you’ll be able to assess lifecycle tradeoffs, compare material options more confidently, and apply design strategies that support reuse, material durability, and reduced environmental impact.

Material impact goals established during design can shift during procurement without consistent documentation and follow-through. Substitutions, incomplete disclosure, or unclear evaluation criteria may result in installed materials that differ from those originally specified. This course prepares architects to work effectively with manufacturers, contractors, and project teams to maintain alignment between design intent and installed materials. You will learn how to request ingredient transparency and disclosure material contents, evaluate supplier documentation, and review submittals for consistency with project criteria. After completing this course, you will be able to manage substitutions and apply procurement practices that support project goals related to human and environmental impacts throughout the construction process.

Many firms set goals to reduce holistic material impacts but lack a consistent framework for applying those priorities across projects or tracking progress over time. Without defined roles, evaluation methods, and documentation practices, material commitments can be difficult to implement in daily workflows. This course prepares you to develop a firm-specific Materials Action Plan aligned with the impact categories referenced in the AIA Materials Pledge. You’ll learn how to translate strategic materials priorities into project- and product-level goals supported by clear metrics, baselines, and evaluation methods. You’ll also explore team roles, governance structures, and reporting practices that strengthen accountability in materials decision-making. After completing this course, you’ll be able to create a draft Materials Action Plan that supports coordination across teams and guides ongoing evaluation and refinement within your firm.

Efforts to advance materials with lower human and environmental impacts often encounter technical, procedural, or organizational barriers during project delivery. Concerns about cost, performance, liability, or documentation can limit consistent adoption across teams and project types. This course explores practical strategies for overcoming these challenges and supporting the use of lower-impact materials in architectural practice. You’ll learn how to incorporate material impact criteria into project specifications and quality assurance processes, and how to apply verification strategies during construction administration. You’ll also examine the ethical, legal, and insurance considerations related to material selection, along with the role of policy and regulation in shaping building material markets. After completing this course, you’ll be able to support consistent implementation of lower-impact materials and identify opportunities to engage in policy and advocacy efforts.

This certificate series prepares architects to evaluate, select, and implement building materials that support improved human and environmental health across projects and firm practice. Material choices influence occupant exposure, emissions, ecosystem conditions, and supply chain practices, yet these impacts are often difficult to assess using conventional design and procurement processes. Across five courses, you will learn how to apply the AIA Materials Pledge impact categories—Human Health, Social Health & Equity, Ecosystem Health, Climate Health, and Circular Economy—along with lifecycle thinking to evaluate material options and inform project decisions. The series explores how ingredient transparency, disclosure about material contents, and lifecycle documentation can support more informed material selection. You’ll examine how procurement practices, supplier relationships, and firm-level planning influence installed material outcomes. The courses address common implementation challenges and introduce strategies for integrating material priorities into specifications, workflows, and firm policies. After completing the series, you’ll be equipped to apply structured evaluation methods, use available documentation during selection and procurement, and support firmwide implementation of healthier materials strategies.

As cities across the globe face mounting pressures from rapid population growth, climate change, and resource scarcity, architects are uniquely positioned to lead the charge toward sustainable urbanization. This course examines how design professionals can go beyond traditional building design to shape resilient, inclusive, and ecologically sound urban environments. With a panel of experts sharing experience in master planning projects across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, the session will highlight how architects can serve as strategic partners in master planning, infrastructure integration, and cross-sector collaboration. Through real-world project insights, participants will gain a practical understanding of how to advocate for sustainable outcomes at both building and urban scales in vastly different cultural, climatic, and regulatory contexts. This session was recorded live on April 15, 2026.

Communities across the country are experiencing the impacts of a changing climate—from stronger storms to flooding, heat, and other climate-intensified hazards. Architects and landscape architects have an important role to play in helping communities prepare for these challenges and better recover after disasters. This session will highlight the value of cross-disciplinary collaboration and community-driven design in building climate resilience. Last year, the Communities by Design (CxD) program hosted a project in Bakersville, North Carolina, after the small community was hit by Hurricane Helene. Architect Cheryl Morgan, based in Birmingham, Alabama, and landscape architect Aida Curtis, from Miami, Florida, will share lessons from their work on that project and other resilience-focused initiatives developed through the CxD program. Drawing from their experiences both within and beyond CxD, they will discuss how design professionals can work alongside local leaders, residents, and other experts to identify risks, strengthen community capacity, and implement strategies that help communities adapt to changing conditions. Participants will gain practical insights into how collaborative design processes can support preparedness, recovery, and long-term resilience in communities facing increasing climate pressures. This session was recorded live on April 23, 2026.

The 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement and a critical shift from global dialogue toward concrete climate action. COP30 represents a moment of progress where the world is moving from talk to action, but also of significant political setbacks. This program explores the key components of the Belem Political Package while addressing significant challenges, such as the impacts of countries failing to submit their Nationally Determined Contributions. It further highlights how initiatives like the Buildings Breakthrough Agenda are driving essential policy and market changes for those in the built environment. Ultimately, the session is designed to provide vital insights for architects interested in advancing decarbonization, resilience, and international policy. This session was recorded live on June 25, 2026.

Water shapes decisions across every project. Before systems are fully designed, architects make choices that influence how a project interacts with water. Site selection shapes exposure to flooding, drought, groundwater, and infrastructure conditions. Program and building-system choices influence demand, while landscape and grading affect rainfall and runoff. Materials, construction, and energy create water impacts beyond the site, while operations influence long-term use, water quality, maintenance, and performance. This course introduces a systems-based approach for recognizing these relationships and incorporating water into architectural decisions. You’ll explore water availability, reliability, and quality; operational and lifecycle water use; the water-energy connection; rainfall, stormwater, and wastewater; infrastructure and watershed relationships; climate and resilience; and connections to health, access, affordability, equity, and communities. Through project examples, decision prompts, and short activities, you’ll practice recognizing conditions, identifying less-visible impacts, tracing connections, and raising useful questions while decisions remain open.

Water priorities become actionable when project teams translate conditions and opportunities into clear goals, informed comparisons, coordinated decisions, and follow-through. This course introduces a practical five-step process for moving from project context to implementation. You’ll establish water goals and targets; identify major water demands and potential supplies; develop an appropriate baseline, comparison method, or preliminary water budget; explore and screen strategies; evaluate tradeoffs; document decisions; assign responsibilities; and plan for verification, handoff, operations, and post-occupancy review. Using project examples and a continuing public recreation-center scenario, you’ll examine demand reduction, fit-for-purpose water sources, rainfall and stormwater strategies, landscape approaches, lifecycle considerations, the water-energy connection, cost and financial considerations, regulations, public health, equity, community impacts, and owner capacity. The emphasis is on selecting strategies that fit the project and carrying design intent through implementation and operations.

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.

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.