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

Equip yourself with the business skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive market, whether you are a design professional, business owner, or aspiring entrepreneur. Each course focuses on a specific aspect of business success, from cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset to mastering strategic planning and developing effective marketing strategies. You’ll learn to identify opportunities, develop robust business models, and implement practical strategies for growth and sustainability. Upon completion, you’ll have the knowledge and tools to position your firm for long-term success. 

The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® Building Science Education series is designed to educate students and working professionals on building science principles that are paramount to the successful design of high-performance, energy-efficient buildings. AIAU offers architects and design professionals the opportunity to earn 7.25 LU|HSW credits across six Solar Decathlon Building Science Education courses that aim to educate on: Where/how energy is used in buildings How to define zero energy buildings How to apply the fundamentals of thermodynamics to building envelope design How to explain the science of how/why buildings use energy How to apply this knowledge to design comfortable energy efficient buildings Brought to you in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon.

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. 

3D printing has evolved into an innovative tool for increasing construction efficiency and quality. For an industry like construction, one that's notably hesitant to adopt new technology, its widespread use and success are all the more remarkable. In this course, you’ll discover real-world applications of 3D printing, such as the high-profile Domino Sugar renovation in Brooklyn, and learn how its versatile, durable solutions provide a greater ROI while maximizing the quality of your projects. Course expires on 6/1/2026.

What does it mean to experience the industry as an "othered" practitioner and how can we shift the lens though which we all practice? This discussion will explore the history of how architecture has traditionally been practiced in the U.S., how our history informs the level and frequency of care that patients receive, and what a more equitable future looks like. The concept of advocate architecture will be explored.​ Hosted by the Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH).

Would you like to develop a more effective business development strategy? One that leads to more rewarding and enduring client relationships—and better projects? Hear from three panelists who will share their perspective and advice on topics such as: Connecting with current contacts to create new opportunities and relationships Creating accountability for client relationships and effective channels for communication, feedback, and collaboration Overcoming a lack of natural inclination toward relationship-building Being disciplined about staying on track with strategic target clients You’ll leave with information and templates for developing a more productive and fun business development plan. After this course, you'll have everything you need to become a business development pro! Course expires 5/22/2025

There are more women in leadership positions across all industries than at any point in history. In the architecture, engineering, construction, and planning network, project teams are taking on a different look—more women are in meeting rooms and in the construction trailer. While there is still a long way to go to close the wage gap and reduce biases in the workplace, we would like to honor some of the women pioneers who’ve paved a path for the next generation. Our panelists will talk about their personal and professional journeys, share lessons learned, and offer their perspectives on the future of women in the workplace.

Antitrust enforcement and litigation is at an all-time high. Both federal antitrust agencies, the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, have made clear that they plan to aggressively enforce the antitrust laws and are not afraid to deviate from their past practices. Such enforcement can lead to follow-on private litigation. Therefore, compliance with the antitrust laws remains imperative and starts with you. Hear from antitrust experts who will provide you with what’s needed to understand the law and how it applies to our practice and industry. We will talk about how to comply with antitrust laws and minimize antitrust risks, in line with your professional goals. Course expires 8/2/2026 This session was recorded live on November 14, 2023.

What would a movement towards greater gender equity that's unified across the building industry look like? Join us for a first of its kind, powerful panel discussion with female leaders from various building industry professional associations. Panelists include Angela Brooks, FAICP, president of American Planning Association; Angie Lee, AIA, FIIDA president of International Interior Design Association; Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA, 2023 president of The American Institute of Architects; Robin Greenleaf, FACEC, chair emeritus of American Council of Engineering Companies; and Christine Oates, CCM, DBIA, chair of the Construction Management Association of America. Course expires 11/02/2026

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.

Energy efficient design embraces the climate when beneficial, and minimizes unwanted environmental conditions. In this session, we’ll explore using climate data and site characteristics to conduct climate analyses, which we can use to inform building design and lower energy loads. This will set the stage for future courses that will address specific design strategies in more detail. In this course we cover the key elements of climate analysis. We discuss climatic factors that affect both a building’s performance and occupant comfort. We also decipher the “mysterious” psychrometric chart, which allows us to consider both climate and comfort together. Finally, we explore ways in which climate affects design decisions about site and program, as well as where to look for hidden opportunities during this phase to increase efficiency. The AIA+2030 Online Series is an AIA and Architecture 2030 co-production. It's based on the highly successful AIA+2030 Professional Series, which was created by AIA Seattle and Architecture 2030, with support from the City of Seattle and Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance.

Do these oversights result from a lack of awareness, incomplete drawings and specifications, or sloppy construction? Or has the topic become so complex planners can't synthesize relevant information? This presentation will look at items of non-compliance most frequently found in construction. You'll review photos of existing installations; join a discussion of what went wrong, was missing, or was misunderstood; and gain essential insights into the access issues to watch for and preemptively address in future projects. Course expires 6/11/2025

To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 1, review the history, mandates, and legal obligations of the ADA. The definitions and complications of implementation in various types of buildings are highlighted through case study examples and discussion. The course illustrates a comparison of standards and codes and the architect’s responsibility through contracts and documents, drawings and details, existing and new construction. Course expires 4/20/2025

To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 2, go in depth on compliance issues regarding accessible routes, ramps, parking spaces, protruding objects, doors and clear floor space, controls, and counters. Typical design issues will be highlighted regarding convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail outlets as well as specific cases involving owner decisions which negate ADA compliance. Course expires 5/22/2025

Discover how alternative living solutions can integrate sustainable and equitable design goals into new and existing single-family communities in urban, suburban, and rural regions. Explore examples of the challenges and benefits of building accessory dwelling units (ADUs), tiny homes, and pre-fabrication homes, and how they serve as a possible solution to nationwide housing problems.   Course expires 2/3/2027

With the trend toward decarbonization increasing interest in net zero carbon buildings and on-site renewable energy, it is essential architects and design professionals understand the process and factors to consider, the best practices and procedures, and where to find the resources to complete a zero energy building design. The Advanced Energy Design Guide (AEDG) Series has been supporting this effort for over a decade. The guides provide definitions and processes; solution sets by climate zone with a mix of prescriptive and performance-based approaches; guidance on strategies, including whole-building integration approaches; recommended energy targets; and examples of buildings with performance data showing proven techniques and achievable targets.   Adapted from the Advanced Energy Design Guide for K-12 School Buildings and featuring case studies of zero energy K-12 schools, this highly interactive, self-paced learning program offers recommendations, strategies, and resources for achieving zero-energy commercial buildings to help design practitioners improve their skills in high-efficiency building design.  The course was developed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Course expires on 8/9/2026.

What happens in planning and design impacts what happens in the facility life cycle and vice versa. Unfortunately, project life cycle factors are overlooked when the project team has a myopic attitude to capital planning only putting first cost front and center.  Brushing TCO aside during planning and design leads to costly waste and unintended consequences.  Responsible Owners envisage the long-term impact of ROI on their bottom line and strive to minimize TCO within their business model. Accountable Architects strive to meet the Owner’s project requirements by providing solutions with considerations to "cradle to grave” and TCO assessments. The TCO is a crucial factor in calculating the ROI, for efficiency and for value creation.  A TCO strategy is an approach to delivering a sustainable project. Course expires 01/17/2026

Get an in-depth overview of the accessibility requirements for new and existing buildings and learn how to avoid common compliance issues.  

This course will cover the specific wording of ADA Standards Section 104.1.1 on tolerances and similar language in selected other accessibility standards and explain how they should be interpreted. It will cover what types of conditions are subject to the tolerances language and which ones are not. The panelists will discuss how they measure field conditions affecting accessibility and ADA compliance, how those measurements are critical in understanding and applying the tolerances language, and what types of field conditions affect the determination of whether a measurement is within the tolerances. This session provides architects with peer feedback on a critical but highly esoteric topic. Course expires 1/6/2025