Virtual Housing Design Week
Several months ago when we began planning this year’s housing design forum, finding balance was on the minds of residential architects. Across the spectrum of residential project scales and budgets, what drives high quality design? How do we balance design inspiration and construction costs? How are residential architects innovating in their practices? Today, as we adapt our homes and businesses in the midst of a pandemic, finding balance seems an extra prescient theme. And perhaps home means something different now than it did just months ago.
Adhering to the original theme imbued with new meaning, AIA Seattle presents a virtual design week: Finding Balance Across the Spectrum of Residential Design. Join us online June 8-11 and June 15 June 8-12 for continuing education webinars, discussions, film screenings, art, and engagement focused on small scale residential design inspiration and practice innovation. Virtual Housing Design Week kicks off with keynote Omar Gandhi’s presentation Defining a Process, and concludes with keynotes Brigitte Shim and Howard Sutcliffe presenting housing/house/home.
For all-inclusive, discounted access to the full week’s events, please purchase a design week pass (includes 7.5 AIA LU HSW).
For those who do not wish to purchase a design week pass, individual session registration is available for the keynote presentations (June 8 and 12 15) and for all free, low-cost, or sliding scale offerings throughout the week (not for AIA CEU), including film screenings co-presented with Northwest Film Forum.
Click below for a PDF of the program schedule, speaker bios, and film descriptions. All sessions and speakers subject to change.
VIRTUAL DESIGN WEEK PASS
A Virtual Design Week Pass provides all-inclusive, discounted access to the full week’s programming, including all continuing education webinars (7.5 AIA LU HSW). All sessions and speakers subject to change.
$75 AIA Member
$40 Associate Member
$115 Non-Member
$20 Student
Design Week Pass Registration is passed.
NOTE: All “REGISTER” buttons below are for single session registration only. Pass-holders will automatically receive access links to all events.
Reduced rate options are available (priority given to AIA members). Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request Form via email by Monday, June 1.
MONDAY JUNE 8 | OMAR GANDHI – OPENING KEYNOTE
DEFINING A PROCESS
9:00 – 10:30 AM PT | Webinar, featuring:
Omar Gandhi is the principal of Omar Gandhi Architect, an architectural practice founded in 2010 with small teams in both Halifax and Toronto. The work of its two studios – OG halifax and OGTO – has garnered much National and International attention in the young practice’s short history. In its early years, the studio was awarded the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Prix de Rome, was included in Wallpaper* Magazine’s Architects Directory, and Omar himself was named as one of the Monocle Magazine’s ‘Most influential Canadians’. Omar was chosen as one of the Architectural League of New York’s ‘Emerging Voices’ of 2016 and was appointed as the Louis I. Kahn visiting Assistant Professor in Architectural Design at the Yale School of Architecture for the 2018-19 academic year. Most recently, Omar Gandhi Architect was the recipient of a 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for its work on Rabbit Snare Gorge, and honored as the only Canadian practice in Architectural Record Magazine’s 2018 Design Vanguard.
Included in the design week pass.
If you are not a pass-holder, individual session admission is available, price varies $5-20. CLICK HERE for more information.
TUESDAY JUNE 9 | THE SPECTRUM OF PRACTICE INNOVATIONS
PRACTICE INNOVATIONS
9:00 – 10:30 AM PT | Webinar, featuring:
- John DeForest | DeForest Architects
- John Wolters + Cady Chintis | WC STUDIO
- Andrew van Leeuwen | Build LLC
- Jeff Pelletier | Board & Vellum
- Michael Picard + Yousman Okano | Okano Picard Studio
Through a series of short presentations and round-table discussion, explore how six firm leaders innovate within design practice, design process, and the business of architecture.
Open to design week pass-holders only.
PROACTIVE PRACTICE
4:00 – 5:00 PM PT | Webinar, featuring:
- Jackie Hensy | Dovetail + Tristan Walker | The Miller Hull Partnership
Proactive Practice examines how architects can self-initiate projects to nurture vibrant and adaptive communities. This discussion focuses on ways architects can practice as caretakers and reclaim active roles in the production of space.
Included in the design week pass. Open to all others for $5.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 10 | THE SPECTRUM OF DESIGN DECISIONS
DESIGN DECISIONS
9:00 – 10:30 AM PT | Webinar, featuring:
- Michael Kramer | RDH Building Science Inc.
- David Prutting | Prutting and Co.
- Chris Hellstern | The Miller Hull Partnership
- Charlie Hellstern | Charlie Hellstern Interior Design
Through technical presentations and discussion, explore decision-making drivers that could positively impact your next residential project, including the inside scoop on construction costs, the realities of materials toxicity, and what industry partnerships are critical for complying with Red List free requirements.
Open to design week pass-holders only.
MANAGING PRACTICE IN TIMES OF CHANGE
4:00 – 5:15 PM PT | PPP Loan Presentation + Town Hall
- Jennifer Allen | Hellam|Varon
- Lane Williams | Lane Williams Architects
- Carrie Anderson | Bjarko Serra Architects
COVID-19 is impacting everyone differently. This lightly facilitated Town Hall + presentation is an opportunity for small firm practitioners to ask questions, discuss current economic impacts and opportunities, and share resources and insights about adapting through times of change.
The SBA’s popular Paycheck Protection Program Loan has left us with many unanswered questions. Jennifer’s session will help shed light on the specifics such as timing, eligible costs and how to obtain maximum forgiveness.
THURSDAY JUNE 11 | THE SPECTRUM OF DESIGN INSPIRATION
DESIGN INSPIRATION
9:00 – 10:30 AM PT | Webinar, featuring:
- Todd Vogel + Karen Hust | Loom Foundation
- Ron Rochon | The Miller Hull Partnership + Cassie Hillman Picard | Graham Baba Architects (formerly with The Miller Hull Partnership)
- Matt Wittman | Wittman Estes
Through case study presentations and round-table discussion, learn the inspiring stories and collaborative efforts behind residential projects driven by values and experimentation, including the Loom House (The Miller Hull Partnership), Whidbey Island Residence (The Miller Hull Partnership), and Tsuga Townhomes (Wittman Estes).
Open to design week pass-holders only.
MEMORY HOUSES: DEPICTING AN ARCHITECTURE
4:00 – 5:30 PM PT | Webinar, featuring:
- Robert Hutchison | Robert Hutchison Architecture
- With: Xiaoxi Jiao, Tristan Walker, + Juan Benavides
Robert Hutchison’s Memory Houses is a speculative project that investigates mortality and memory through the lens of architecture. Situated along the banks of the Wye River on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, architectural typologies such as dwelling, chapel, lighthouse, and memorial weave together spatial narrative about loss and recollection. This session will explore the interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the project through specific Houses within the work.
***This session is now being offered with a BONUS 1.5 AIA LUs.***
Included in the design week pass. Open to all others for $5.
SPATIAL FEATURES | CO-PRESENTED WITH NORTHWEST FILM FORUM
7:30 – 9:30 PM PT | Film Showcase, featuring:
- ECOS | Oda al Silencio by Andres Arochi
- Sue Sada Was Here by Cindy Mochizuki
- Método Livingston by Sofía Mora
On the occasion of Virtual Housing Design Week, Northwest Film Forum presents Spatial Features, a program of short films and a feature documentary that use an interdisciplinary lens to invoke conversation around ideas, innovations, and movements in residential design.
***ALL PROCEEDS from NWFF’s June film screenings will benefit Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network, Rainier Valley Community Clinic, and other organizations to be announced.***
Open to all, $0-$25. Click below for full film descriptions, more information, and to get tickets.
Registration deadline: 6:30PM PT Thursday, June 11.
MONDAY JUNE 15 FRIDAY JUNE 12 | SHIM-SUTCLIFFE – CONCLUDING KEYNOTE
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County has called for a General Strike and Silent March in the state of Washington on Friday, June 12. In response and with support from the speakers, this session has been rescheduled for Monday, June 15.
/HOUSE/HOME
9:00 – 10:30 AM PT | Webinar, featuring:
Brigitte Shim, Hon. FAIA, FRAIC and A. Howard Sutcliffe, Hon. FAIA, FRAIC are both principals in the design firm Shim-Sutcliffe Architects based in Toronto, Canada. Brigitte Shim is also a Professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto. Shim-Sutcliffe’s built work explores the integration and interrelated scales of architecture, landscape, furniture and fittings. To date, Shim and Sutcliffe have received fifteen Governor General’s Medals and Awards for Architecture from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada and an American Institute of Architects National Honor Award along with many other professional accolades for their built work ranging from projects for non-profit groups to public and private clients. Their work has been published internationally and they have both lectured around the world sharing interest and passion for design at all scales.
Included in the design week pass.
If you are not a pass-holder, individual session admission is available, price varies $5-20. CLICK HERE for more information or simply register below.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Summarize innovative approaches to practice management that include establishing a firm culture that aligns with implemented design values (e.g. equitable, sustainable spaces), prioritizing client needs in the design process, and practicing inclusive public outreach during project planning.
- Through design case studies, evaluate how the Living Building Challenge and Passive House standard (among others) can support the planning and construction of highly sustainable homes.
- Synthesize the critical selection decisions and necessary industry partnerships that impact human and environmental health outcomes, including red-list free interior finishes.
- From owner, architect, and contractor perspectives, describe the most promising design opportunities and cost challenges related to building high-performing homes that support resilient communities.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR HOUSING DESIGN WEEK SPONSORS
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PLANNING TASK FORCE
Garrett Reynolds (Chair) | Bohlin Cywinski Jackson
Karen DeLucas | Karen DeLucas Architecture
Julie Campbell | CTA Design Builders
Susan Ingham | KASA Architecture
Tom Lawrence | Tom Lawrence Architecture
Colbi Cannon | Gray Cedar
Registration or Credit Questions?
Contact Zoe Guckenheimer, Program & Event Coordinator at AIA Seattle
Program Questions?
Contact Cassie Blair, Associate Director of Programs & Impact at AIA Seattle
Sponsorship Questions?
Contact Kristen Lound, Associate Director of Growth & Operations at AIA Seattle
