Tuesday, December 3, 2024  |  2:00-3:00pm EST 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.  

Thursday, October 24, 2024  |  3:00-4:00pm ET What progress has more than 24,000 projects totaling 3.9 billion GSF designed last year made towards net-zero carbon? The AIA 2030 Commitment, a key climate action program, brings together a network of over 1,350 signatory architecture and design firms dedicated to tracking their projects’ energy data to reach carbon neutrality in the built environment. Upon this year’s release of the 2030 By the Numbers (RY23), join us for a conversation on the high-level findings from the report, including where we are succeeding as an industry and where we can still improve based on the reported data. We will discuss data trends on overall energy performance, the incorporation of energy modeling in projects, and the inclusion of renewable energy sources and embodied carbon data. 

Wednesday, October 23, 2024  |  3:00-4:00pm EST Digital transformation is critical for businesses to thrive, and emerging technologies, like artificial intelligence, show massive promise for organizational efficiencies and improvements. However, identifying, implementing, and adopting technology-based tools can often be intimidating and overwhelming. Companies frequently fail to realize that the ability to innovate is more accessible than ever. Taking small steps in using things like artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other technologies can set you up for bigger advancements. Attend this session to learn how to make innovation accessible and see some examples and use cases your firm might explore to help secure the future.

Wednesday, October 30, 2024  |  1:00-2:00pm EST By helping owners understand the tensions and alignments between their organization’s decision-making profile and different types of project delivery methods, the Building Owner's Assessment Tool (BOAT) empowers project managers to understand their organization, to reflect on delivery methods, and to onboard project team members with an understanding of and create strategies to address roadblocks and pain points during project delivery.  Discover how you and your clients can leverage this new tool to foster productive collaborative conversations, identify organizational challenges, set shared expectations, and design specific processes to address challenges.  The Building Owner’s Assessment Tool was developed by the University of Washington with support from the Charles Pankow Foundation, AIA Project Delivery Knowledge Community, Integrated Project Delivery Alliance, P1 Consulting, and Chandos Construction.  

Thursday, November 7, 2024  |  2pm ET Join AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, Hon. AIA, and AIA President Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, for our quarterly conversation about the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI). The ABI is a leading monthly economic indicator that uses proprietary AIA data to predict nonresidential construction activity 9–12 months ahead. Get ahead of emerging challenges and opportunities and inform your strategic planning with key insights into the industry’s latest economic data and trends. This free live course is brought to you through a partnership with Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope. By registering for this course, you grant AIA permission to share your name and email address with Oldcastle BuildingEnvelope. 

Wednesday, November 6, 2024  |  2:00-3:00pm EST The public sector is experiencing a surge in project demand—driven by new federal, state, and local funding sources and increased fee limits for Department of Defense (DoD) projects—presenting small and mid-sized architecture and design firms an unprecedented opportunity to expand their practice and influence. Traditionally, these lucrative public projects have been dominated by large firms, but the landscape is shifting—allowing smaller firms to compete and succeed. This comprehensive course is designed to equip architecture and design professionals with the tools and knowledge needed to identify, pursue, and secure public sector projects. Through a discussion of key case studies, you’ll learn how to navigate the complexities of public procurement processes, use your skills and experience, and strategically position your firm to win public contracts. You’ll develop the skills to leverage emerging public sector opportunities to diversify your project portfolio and grow your small business. 

Tuesday, November 12, 2024  |  2:00-3:00pm EST The Huntsman Mental Health Institute (HMHI) Translational Research Building at the University of Utah marks a significant step in addressing the post-pandemic behavioral health crisis. HMHI will be an international hub of collaboration for testing and refining mental health design as well as research, clinical, and policy ideas. The facility will create a new model of translational research that unites experimental, computational, and clinical research under one roof to address national stigma, policy, and scientific challenges.  In this session, we will explore how behavioral health trends and emerging models of care impact the design of multidisciplinary clinical and research facilities, showing how HMHI’s neuroarchitecture-inspired design promotes interconnectedness and collaboration. We will discuss how the facility helps to rethink the American mental health care system by de-stigmatizing mental health, increasing awareness, and expanding mental health research and clinical services. 

Intended for licensed architects, engineers, or certified building inspectors, this training certifies attendees as Building Evaluators in the nationally recognized Safety Assessment Program (SAP). December 11-12, 2024  | 12 - 4pm ET  To register | Click Add to cart and complete the checkout process. Evaluator Field Manuals |  ATC 45 | ATC 20 | Participants are responsible for purchasing these texts from ATC. They are not included in the course cost. The program is managed by Cal OES with cooperation from professional organizations, including AIA. It utilizes volunteers and mutual aid resources to provide professional engineers, architects and certified building inspectors to assist local governments in safety evaluation of their built environment in an aftermath of a disaster. SAP is the training standard of the AIA Disaster Assistance Program, which provides leadership, advocacy, and training to architects who are interested in volunteering their professional skills in times of crisis. This workshop will teach participants to conduct rapid damage assessments of structures affected by earthquakes, wind, and water. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to consistently and safely assess structures for habitability and will receive a nationally recognized Cal OES registration ID card from the state of California. AIA SAP Training Program

Tuesday, October 15, 2024  |  12:00-1:00pm ET As universal drivers continue to develop, sustainability and wellness have taken the spotlight. We will explore universal drivers that will keep the topics of sustainability and wellness at the forefront both today, and well in the foreseeable future. We will then use the most up to date research to explore how these driving factors shape micro trends in the commercial built environment. Next, we will discover new sustainable materials and the latest technologies on the horizon that can positively impact both the environment and wellness of those who live and work in commercial spaces. Lastly, we will touch on the importance of color in sustainable architecture and design. We will learn how color can aid in safety and wellness, as well as their proven health benefits in one’s physiological and psychological responses. 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024  |  3:00-4:00pm EST Architects can unburden themselves from tedious yet necessary tasks by harnessing technological innovation such as cloud licensing, AI-powered compliance checking, digital twin technology, and streamlined sustainability assessments. These innovations are here now and on the way. This session will highlight existing processes to minimize the mundane and inspire attendees to invest in innovation created for the future.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024  |  3:00-4:00pm EST In this era of recyclability and building more sustainably, how can architects, engineers, and designers help their builders and general contractors succeed in this matter? To the greatest extent possible, specify architectural products that are custom fabricated 100% offsite (custom prefabricated), and delivered to the jobsite ready-to-be-installed. Due to its durability, recyclability, and resistance to corrosion stainless steel is the preferred choice for products and structures that require little maintenance and long lifespan. Offsite fabrication of architectural products contributes to building sustainability by allowing the builder/general contractor to install the product themselves while dramatically reducing product waste & cost and improving quality since there’s no need for a Local Metal Fabricator.

Thursday, October 17, 2024  |  2:00-3:30pm EST 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.

Thursday, November 21, 2024  |  2:00-3:30pm EST Governments at all levels spend billions of dollars each year on major capital projects from public sector buildings to infrastructure renovations. However, there is a lack of architects in government to oversee and ensure these projects are built to the highest level of standards. Civic projects often only occur once in a lifetime and thus need to be built to last as they are of high use and meant to represent the best of civilization. Through a diverse panel discussion, you’ll learn the many roles that an architect in government can play from project manager, review board member, designer, or official city architect. We’ll define the economic, physical, and functional benefits of architects in public and government leadership. Finally, we'll identify and discuss best practices in government work and examples of architects as stewards of public health, welfare, life safety, and design excellence.