Events + Opportunities
Welcome to our monthly roundup of upcoming events and opportunities presented by AIA Seattle committees, partner organizations, AIA National, and more.
Here you’ll find educational events, involvement opportunities, and programs tailored to our Washington design community.
August 2026
Urban Design Forum (UDF) August Meeting: A Talk with César Augusto Salazar Hernández
Wednesday, August 26 | 12-1pm PT online
This session is part of UDF‘s Urban Walk + Talk Series. Salazar is architect, landscape researcher, and doctoral candidate in Marine Sciences at the Universidad de Antioquia. The presentation will explore how landscape-based planning can guide sustainable and resilient development in coastal environments facing the impacts of climate change.
INSCAPE Tour with AADU
Saturday, August 29 | 10-11:30am starting at the Wing Luke Museum
Join AIA Seattle’s Asian American Designers Union (AADU) for a guided walking tour of the Wing Luke Museum’s former US Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) building, currently known as the INSCAPE Arts Building. Learn about the stories of early immigration in Seattle and reflect upon the current immigration landscape of today.
Call for Speakers: Northwest Green Building Slam
Apply by August 30, 5pm PT
Apply to speak at the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild’s annual program. 10 speakers will have just 10 minutes to show 10 slides of their exciting project. Each presenter will be trained by a speech coach. The event is November 7 at the Panoramic Center at the Pacific Tower.
CRAN Symposium 2026: San Antonio
Registration deadline August 31 | September 23-26 in San Antonio
Exploring LEGACY—the lasting influence of place, design, and people who shaped San Antonio’s rich and vibrant residential architecture. Three days of curated seminars, inspiring home tours, special networking events, and an innovative vendor showcase.
2027 IDEAS Awards Call for Entries
Submit by August 31
Every year, AISC presents the IDEAS Awards to projects that illustrate the possibilities of structural steel design and construction. The IDEAS Awards are the structural steel industry’s highest design honor, reserved for projects that drive the industry forward. Submit your recent project for the next Awards!
Small Firm Exchange: Call for Award-Winning Projects
The AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) is soliciting award-winning projects by AIA members of small firms (firms having 10 or fewer architectural staff) to spotlight in their social media platforms. The award can be from any awards program, not just AIA programs. Featured images may include professional photography, high-quality renderings, and scanned hand sketches.
Provide Feedback on Proposed Regulation of Commercial Interior Design
AIAWA Council requests your input on proposed legislation to register commercial interior designers in Washington state (HB 2721). Your feedback will directly inform the board’s determination. Learn more here and take the survey.
September 2026
AIAWA Call for Nominations: Young Architect Representative
Applications open now through September 1
Now seeking applicants for this two-year appointment beginning January 1, 2027. The YAR serves as a link between local Young Architect Forum activities and the national Institute, representing the interests of recently licensed architects on issues of leadership, mentorship, and professional growth.
Women in Design (WiD) Coffee Hour
Tuesday, September 8 | 7:30am at Caffe Vita in Smith Tower
The Women in Design Coffee Hour is a chance to cultivate relationships and provide informal mentorship. Bring any current struggles, share a recent win, or simply come to talk about work and life. No registration needed.
The Studio at Walk Your Plans Open House Tailgate
Thursday, September 10 | 4-7pm at Walk Your Plans Seattle
Join Walk Your Plans Seattle for The Studio’s Open House Tailgate! Enjoy game-day food, drinks, and entertainment, and be immersed by floor-to-ceiling projection.
COHO: Sound Foundations Volunteer Day
Sunday, September 13 | 1:45-5:30pm at Hope Factory in SODO
This volunteer opportunity is hands on: build a tiny house throughout the day and hear about the mission of Sound Foundations. This volunteer opportunity is limited to 8 people, please only register if you are fairly confident you can participate.
Call for Young Voices Selection (YVS) Nominations – 2026 Honor Awards
Nominate by Wednesday, September 16 at 5pm PT
AIA Seattle and the Honor Awards Committee invite you to nominate yourself or consider someone in your office to participate in the annual Young Voices Selection Panel. Three young professionals, endorsed by firm/industry leaders and selected by the Honor Awards Committee, will be offered direct participation and representation in the 2026 Honor Awards.
SPARC Committee Meeting and Talk
Thursday, September 17 | 12-1pm PT online
Featuring: “Emergency Preparedness: Considerations for Architects,” a talk with Jon Alexander and The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild exploring practical strategies for designing and retrofitting homes to withstand a range of emergencies.
1 LU/HSW
Submissions Open: 2026 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture
Open now through Wednesday, September 30
Learn more about the program and read FAQs, see the 2026 Call for Submissions + Guidelines and submit here. Get inspired by past winners and last year’s submissions.
2026 Business of Architecture Program
Monday, September 28 | 9am-6pm at the National Nordic Museum
A Whole Systems Approach to Business Planning explores how mission, vision, finance, operations, marketing, and business development work together to create an equitable and sustainable practice. This session is facilitated by industry experts at AVEC.
8 LU/HSW
AIAWA Seeking Small Firm Exchange Rep
Applications open now through the end of the year
The AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) advances the interests of architects practicing in small firms by advocating their value, curating relevant resources, and informing AIA of issues unique to small firm practice.
AIA National Awards – 2027 Applications Open
Deadlines late summer – early fall
Applications are now open for the 2027 AIA Gold Medal, Architecture Firm Award, Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, and more. See the 2026 award recipients, recognized at AIA26.
Space for Lease in the Journal of Commerce (DJC) Building
Located across from the downtown ferry terminal at 83 Columbia Street, Seattle, WA. For more information, contact Zeke Pelleur.
Plan Ahead
Women’s Leadership Summit 2026 – Registration Open
November 1-3 in Kansas City
Registration is now open for Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS)—the architecture profession’s premier leadership event designed to accelerate women into positions of influence, visibility, and impact.
In the Community
AISC IDEAS Awards
Submissions due Monday, August 31
AISC is looking for projects that showcase the innovative use of structural steel in adaptive reuse, architecture, constructability, engineering, and sustainable design and construction. You could even get recognition for your project before breaking ground!
Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
Tuesday, September 15 | 12-1pm PT online
Presented by SDF Pacific Northwest, this session explores how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape. Attendees will learn how AI is being used to make phishing attempts, social engineering, and business email compromise more convincing and difficult to detect.
Facades+ Seattle
December 3 | Grand Hyatt Seattle
Presented by The Architects Newspaper, this program features the latest developments in building enclosure design and technology.
Earn up to 6 LU/HSW
Individual Tax Changes and Understanding Business Cash Flow
December 8 | 12-1pm PT online
Tax changes can be difficult to follow—and business cash flow can be just as difficult to interpret. What has changed for individuals and families? What does cash flow mean for the business you support? This session brings both topics together in a practical, accessible presentation from Alan Dance, CPA, CGMA.
Regenerative Design Masterclass
On-Demand | up to 15 LU/HSW
Presented by GBES, discover how regenerative design surpasses traditional sustainability practices, enabling you to develop resilient, self-sustaining projects in harmony with the natural world. This course is perfect for architects, designers, and sustainability professionals looking to lead the way in innovative, impactful design.
LEED Green Associate (GA) Training
On-Demand | 15 LU/HSW + LEED CE
A virtual training program for those seeking to become a LEED Green Associate. AIA Seattle members qualify for $100 discount, please email Claire Needs for the discount code.
