Years into calls for racial and social reckoning within architecture and society at large, how is your firm responding? Have your equity efforts stagnated, or moved forward? Curious to know what your peers’ firms are doing and what’s working? Share best practices and challenges with your peers in this four-part, peer-based learning cohort. We invite a dedicated cohort of 40 firm leaders who have committed to, or are considering, the NOMA NW Call-to-Action Pledge.

In a world that is increasingly experiencing disconnection, how can design affirm and strengthen critical connections within our community? This year’s Seattle Design Festival, August 20-26, will kick off with the SDF Block Party at Lake Union Park and feature in-person and virtual experiences throughout the week. Our Call for Proposals has officially launched – due May 23. More information can be found on the festival website. Review our call for proposals and learn more about our Festival goals and the different ways to engage as a 2022 SDF program partner!

Rena M. Klein and her colleagues at Charrette Venture Group will share fundamental knowledge, strategies, tools, and resources for successful small firm adaptation and transformation. Tailored to the needs and interests of small firm practitioners, the 2022 Small Firm Series 3 interactive half-day sessions will include compelling presentations, case study features, workshop activities, and ample time for peer-to-peer discussion. Both full series registration and single-session registration are available.

YAF’s Coffee Talk | May 25

CAE’s South Seattle College Tour | May 25

Laddership Spring Social | May 25

Inter-committee Happy Hour | May 26

Mass Timber’s UW Founders Hall | June 1

COHO’s Social Housing in Seattle | June 2

COTE’s World Environmental Day Sustainability Slam | June 8

Join our Comp Plan Work Group that meets every 1st and 3rd Wednesday, 12-1 pm. Required by the state to plan for how the city will accommodate growth over the next two decades, the city’s Comp Plan will address crucial questions around how we distribute opportunity, what our neighborhoods should look like, and what changes we need to make to create a more sustainable and resilient city.

Look to our Advocacy page for other ongoing priorities and updates.

AIA Northwest Washington (NWW) serves our members in North Puget Sound, supporting and promoting the design profession through educational programs and other activities. Check here for their latest updates.

Join NWW for their upcoming virtual Code Seminar: WA State Energy Code Means of Egress | June 9, 8am – 1pm, 4 LU/HSW

Diversity by Design: Equity in Architecture showcases 7 Northwest Regional projects submitted to Diversity Roundtable’s open call to celebrate the work of underrepresented designers. This show, which complements the Diversity by Design website, offers an opportunity for underrepresented architects to showcase their work and highlights the experience and impact community involvement has on the architect of color, the design of the building, and the community in which the building resides.

As AIA Seattle reflects on our pursuit of racial justice, we are committing to a process of transparency in what measurable actions we are taking. As a member-led organization, we are establishing this evolving list for the sake of mutual accountability — so you may see what we are doing, and tell us where we should be moving in the future.

We know there is hard work to be done to achieve Racial Justice. We’ve compiled an evolving list of Racial Justice Resources. we’ve found helpful in this work.

AIA Seattle believes our world needs the visionary and integrative thinking of architects and designers, and that design solutions can positively impact our communities. Guided by our values of excellence, advocacy, integrity, equity, stewardship, and collaboration, we prepare our profession to lead, and deploy design to make a difference, so that we are all able to do our best work in a culture of design that fosters equitable, resilient, thriving communities. Read about the planning process, member feedback and our mission, vision, values in our strategic plan.