Get an overview of the major changes to Facility Guidelines Institute’s (FGI) 2026 Guidelines for the Design and Construction of Hosipitals, Outpatient Facilities, and Residential Health, Care, and Support Facilities in this engaging and informative session, including the new chapter on short-term outpatient care facilities, the new chapter on residential behavioral and mental health treatment facilities, revised design considerations for rural emergency hospitals, updated room size and clearances for rehab hospitals, revised planning requirements for procedure and operating rooms, the new minimum percentage for single-occupancy rooms in most residential facility types, and improved flexibility to support the design of small-scale residential facilities.   FGI’s senior leadership and an expert facility architect will outline and discuss the guidelines’ many revisions in addition to reviewing efforts to improve the documents’ usability and enforceability.   This session was recorded live on June 11, 2024. Course expires 5/15/2027

Health care buildings are often defined by popular, income-generating spaces—patient rooms, operating rooms, imaging rooms, and grand public spaces. These rooms create an image that is presented to patients and the public and thus define the character of the building. But what about the other required spaces that are essential to the building’s functions? Without attention to detail, the failure to design these spaces properly will result in a building that is inefficient for users and costly for operators. Join presenters to look at the successes and failures of back-of-house rooms in health care buildings and learn how their design can impact your next project.  This course was recorded live on December 12, 2024.

The built environment is witnessing the cascading impacts of climate change, from every person, project, and client. The architecture industry must look within, with immense opportunities to transform firm culture in response to present and future changing conditions. Our new resource, the AIA Climate Action Business Playbook, is for building an architectural practice that embraces climate change mitigation and adaptation. Individuals and firms can immediately apply the included recommendations and best practices to enhance their current policies and efforts around climate action within their practice. This session will inspire attendees to focus on behavior change, giving architects the tools to adopt more sustainable practice models.    Course expires 2/5/2026

The past 2+ years of a global pandemic and increased calls for racial justice, coupled with the threats of climate change have only amplified the impacts and disparities of mental health and highlighted the intersection of identity and economic inequality with mental health.  This webinar will provide a platform for an open dialogue with the goal of de-stigmatizing discussions of mental health and advancing the conversation. The panelists and moderator will present their past personal experiences and perspectives, along with their design work to discuss how architects can better address mental health in workplace culture, our communities, and our practice.  Attendees will hear from a diverse group of architects and designers who are committed to design that addresses mental health challenges and barriers and works towards a healthier, more equitable future for all. The panelists will share their background, vision, project samples, and insights in why consideration for mental health and the varied perspectives and needs of individuals is imperative for architects and their communities. Attendees will learn various methods of incorporating considerations of mental health in their practice and daily lives and encourage the audience to continue the conversation outside of the webinar with actionable suggestions.  The panelists will expand on how and why architects should take on a leadership role in this area and advocate for spaces where all may thrive. This session will have ample Q&A time, allowing for attendees to engage with the panelists. Hosted by YAF. This session was recorded live on December 6, 2022. Course expires 10/23/2025

This course showcases the WLS 2023 kicked off with a keynote event that explores the theme of Equity x Society—the intersection of advocacy, women's social issues, and the role of the building industry. Part keynote address, part panel discussion, this experience looks at the universal challenges women face and some of the bold, brave, creative solutions our keynoter, panelists, and AIA leaders have been able to achieve through fearless leadership. Opening remarks by 2023 AIA President Emily Grandstaff-Rice, FAIA and AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer Lakisha Ann Woods, CAE.  Panelists include Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Boston, Tiffany Chu, Co-Chair for the Boston Women’s Workforce Council, Evelyn Murphy, 2023 Boston Society for Architecture President, Andrea Love, FAIA, and 2024 AIA National 2024 President-Elect, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA. Course expires 11/02/2026  

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.

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.  

Many retailers are building and remodeling stores to personalize experiences and engage shoppers. Learn about the top trends and innovations impacting retailers reimagining their store experiences. This is hosted by the Retail and Entertainment Knowledge Community (REKC). Course expires 6/18/2026 This session was recorded live on July 27, 2023.

Join the AIA Regional & Urban Design Committee for a series of relevant conversations at the intersection of livable cities connecting regions through lifestyle resilience. How we live, work, play and learn is changing to a drumbeat of increased connection & separation through evolving cultural awareness. Possibly at no other time in modern history has choice been more important than present day. Can cities thrive in turbulent times? Our panel will discuss the questions and opportunities of choice for our resilient cities and inclusive urban design challenges. Hosted by Regional and Urban Design Committee (RUDC). Course expires 9/10/2025

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

Emerging technologies will have profound impacts on the urban experience in coming years, with the potential to bring wholesale changes to everything from urban form to mobility and e-commerce. Technology is an integral component of how we plan our cities of the future, creating a host of promising opportunities and daunting challenges. This session will provide a broad overview of the major implications of key emerging technologies unfolding in cities and a framework for understanding urban design and development connections to them.   This session was recorded live on February 1, 2023.

The Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) opened in December 2012. It remains the only building to achieve seven of the highest green building certifications: the Living Building Challenge, WELL Platinum (first), SITES Platinum (first), LEED Platinum, BREAAM Outstanding In-Use (first in the United States), Fitwel 3 Star, and Zero Energy certifications. After 10 years of occupying, operating, and refining this unique facility, Phipps and the design team have developed a wealth of knowledge to share with designers, builders, and owners. This presentation will explore what was learned about design process, biophilic design, performance, occupant engagement, and ongoing evaluation. Course expires 06/05/2026

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.

A major transformation is underway at the American Institute of Architects’ national headquarters in Washington, DC. Scheduled to open in late 2024, the new headquarters will be a physical manifestation of the Institute’s values, demonstrating the power of design to advocate for a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. This session will explore the major renovation of a 1973 Brutalist building into a place of high performance and high impact—an engaging and inclusive new campus that reflects the diversity of the profession and a reimagined workplace landscape that enhances collaboration, ideation, belonging, and wellness. Course expires 06/05/2026

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.

What values manifest in the built environment and what design principles can we apply to our projects to assure that our physical environments embody the diverse cultures of their inhabitants? Today, the architecture profession recognizes that diverse teams are more successful, particularly when it comes to analysis, creativity, and innovation, all of which are the cornerstones of architecture firms. Intersectionality in architecture is not just about the politics of recognizing individuals and their multiple and intersecting identities but extends to a framework of collective responsibility and action toward practices that are inclusive, diverse, and socially just. In this session, attendees will hear from a diverse group of architects, designers, and artists who will share their cultures, visions, project samples, and insights in why the intersection of architecture and culture is imperative for the built environment and their communities they serve. The panelists will expand on how thoughtful planning and design can contribute to a more welcoming, and diverse place for occupants to live and thrive, and why architects should incorporate different communities' experiences with culture, policies and design, to create both beautiful and more diverse environments. This session will have ample Q&A time, allowing for attendees to engage with the panelists. Course expires 03/25/2026

Reducing the total carbon footprint of buildings is a frequent goal for designers, and the roof can be a strong contributor to that mission. Imagine if these goals can be achieved using the roof you already specify. It’s not a fantasy. This presentation will dive into the details of how you can take a code compliant roof assembly to the next level. We will share data on how the choice of materials can impact the total carbon footprint of a project, and specifically the embodied carbon. It will also show examples on ways to improve the energy efficiency of a roof assembly and the impact it has on overall building performance across all climate zones. Finally, the presentation will provide attendees with examples of how to use environmental product declarations (EPDs) and energy analysis tools to do similar evaluations for their specific projects. This session was recorded live on April 24, 2025.

This webinar will feature a brief introduction to FGI and the feature highlights and updates to the FGI 2022 Edition. The Facility Guidelines Institute is an independent 501 c3 not for profit organization that promotes consensus-based guidelines and publications, advised by research, to advance quality health care design. FGI produces three distinct volumes for the planning, design, and construction for 1) Hospitals 2) Outpatient Facilities and 3) Residential Health Care and Support Facilities.  There is a regular review and revision cycle every four years, where consensus methodology is used to produce improved future editions of the Guidelines. FGI 2022, is the latest in the 75-year history of the Guidelines and is an update from the 2018 edition. The 2022 edition of the Guidelines has been updated with a few topics that note the evolving role of FGI in promoting patient centered care, building resiliency during community emergencies, the impact that design can have on palliative and end of life care, flexibility to reduce overcrowding in Emergency Departments, and new design guidelines for behavioral and mental health crisis units. As the needs of planning, design and construction for healthcare facilities evolves, FGI responds with updated editions of the Guidelines.  This session was recorded live on November 8, 2022. Course expires 10/4/2025

Our society is undergoing a profound transformation. By mid-century, an estimated two-thirds of our global population – 6 billion people - will live in cities. Global population growth and urbanization are putting enormous stress on our civilization, fueling a host of cascading crises from climate change to housing, health to inequality. Despite the unprecedented challenges facing us, cities are uniquely positioned to serve as the hub of a global strategy to address our current crises. This series will focus on a number of key themes facing the future of our cities, offering provocative ideas about how we conceptualize our collective future and the role of design leadership in achieving global goals.  This series is intended for civic leaders, architects, and other design professionals looking to make a difference in their community. These sessions were recorded between February and May 2023. Save up to 15% when you purchase the series.

There is a shift happening in cities today with more and more sustainable and human-centered mobility options, including public transit enhancements, the promotion of walking and cycling, and the design of mixed-use neighborhoods. Explore the impact of emerging mobility technologies and the importance of policy in shaping urban mobility in this crucial course charting the future of mobility in cities.  You’ll develop the tools to analyze and evaluate mobility solutions, integrate them into urban design, and advocate for policy changes that support sustainable urban spaces. You’ll also acquire the practical skills to implement emerging technological solutions and sustainable transportation options in real-world projects. This course is your key to designing sustainable, human-centric urban spaces and actively engaging in urban planning processes.  This course was recorded live on October 17, 2024.