Blog Archives

2020 Committee & Volunteer Awards

image collage of the AIA Seattle Volunteer Award winners. Names in description

This year we recognize Matt Hutchins AIA; the Seattle Design Festival Core Team; and the Committee on the Environment, co-chairs: Shannon Bunsen and Gaurav Mehta. AIA Seattle Volunteer Award: Matt Hutchins AIA Matt Hutchins is a founder and principal of CAST

Posted in Design In Public, For the Profession, For the Public, Housing, Public Policy Board

AIA Seattle Announces 2020 Honorees

AIA Seattle - 2020 President's Dinner

Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the Fellows & Honors committee each spring. AIA Seattle is delighted to recognize these recipients for their exceptional contributions to the profession and our community. Please join us in congratulating the

Posted in For the Profession

Advocacy Update – August 2020

Its About Time - Housing

FEDERAL NEWS AIA National Policy Platform AIA National has released a federal policy platform in advance of this year’s presidential elections. General categories include: A future economy Climate action Healthy and equitable communities STATE NEWS Clean Energy Transformation Act The

Posted in Advocacy, Public Policy Board

2020 Northwest Washington Design Awards

AIA Northwest Washington’s Steering Committee invites you to share your most dynamic, new work! Join us as we celebrate the best architectural designs available from the AIA members in Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and San Juan Counties for the Northwest Washington

Posted in Uncategorized

It’s About Time We House Everyone

Seattle needs more homes, of all shapes and sizes, for more of our neighbors. AIA Seattle is working to shape policies that rethink the city’s majority single-family zoned areas, which have often restricted access for communities of color, renters, low-income

Posted in Design In Public, For the Public

Missing Middle Housing Reading List

The Housing Imperative Nine Totally Necessary Evolutionary Changes for Seattle’s Residential Neighborhoods     The Urbanist     4.16.20 Cities turn to ‘missing middle’ housing to keep older millennials from leaving     Washington Post     12.9.17 Bring Back Missing Middle Housing     AARP     2019 History of Seattle

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – June 2020

Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone Black Lives Matter Mural

BLACK LIVES MATTER AIA Seattle joins powerful community voices raised to condemn the murder of George Floyd and the broader system of racism, violence, injustice, and inequity that it represents. In the coming weeks, you will hear more about our

Posted in Advocacy, Public Policy Board

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: Diversity By Design

  Visit the Diversity by Design website to see projects that have already been submitted. By continuing to promote and share the impact and experiences as underrepresented designers, Diversity Roundtable hopes to encourage not only youth but currently practicing professionals

Posted in Uncategorized

Reopening the Workplace Resources

As this public health crisis continues to evolve, we are committed to providing as many up to date resources as possible. Since many counties are being – or have been – approved for Governor Jay Inslee’s “Phase 2,” there is

Posted in Uncategorized

2020 Northwest Washington Section Scholarship

AIA Northwest Washington - A Section of AIA Seattle

AIA Northwest Washington Section is proud to offer its annual scholarship fund, designed to encourage and assist local residents pursuing a degree in architecture. The scholarship is open to students (inclusive of those with immediately family) from Whatcom, Skagit, Island,

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – May 2020

As we continue to navigate work in these unprecedented times, AIA Seattle and AIA Washington Council are striving to make sure you have the resources you need to take advantage of federal, state, and local programs designed to help firms

Posted in Advocacy, Public Policy Board

More Design Review Guidance

On April 27th, City Council passed emergency legislation making temporary six-month land use permitting process changes that: Exempt affordable housing from design review Keep projects normally subject to Design Review moving forward by allowing City staff to complete review processes

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – April 2020

empty streets in seattle - AIA Seattle Advocacy update

As we all work to navigate these unprecedented times, AIA Seattle and AIA Washington Council are working to make sure you have the resources you need to take advantage of federal, state, and local programs designed to help firms and

Posted in Uncategorized

Gov. Inslee’s Shelter in Place Order

Gov. Inslee’s Stay Home Stay Healthy has been extended to May 4. The order outlines the requirements for all people to remain in their homes “except to conduct or participate in essential activities and/or employment in providing essential business services.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – March 2020

ARCHITECT ADVOCACY IN ACTION Seattle Firm Prompts New Rulemaking for Common Sense Bar Design This report is written by Joe Herrin AIA, Principal at Heliotrope in Seattle. Heliotrope is fortunate to have collaborated with many of Seattle’s most successful restauranteurs.

Posted in Public Policy Board

AIA’s 2020 ADU Tour is Moving to an Online ADU Showcase

ONLINE SHOWCASE OVERVIEW AIA Seattle’s tour of built DADUs and AADUs was moved to an online ADU Showcase Gallery in 2020. Like to submit your ADU project to the gallery? Please fill out the Submission form, and include photos, site

Posted in For the Public, Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – February 2020

Multifamily Housing

FEDERAL NEWS Support Federal Legislation to Phase Down HFCs Architects Advocate, an independent group of architects and firms formed to advocate for policies to mitigate climate change, is calling for architects to support two bipartisan bills in Congress that would

Posted in Public Policy Board

2020 Happy Hour Series

Hindsight Is 20/20 - Women In Design & Young Architects Forum 2020 Happy Hour series

The AIA Seattle Happy Hour Series is a monthly gathering presented by the Young Architects Forum and Women in Design committees to encourage connections within the Seattle design community. This year’s happy hours will highlight connections between designers and builders throughout the design and construction process. Join

Posted in Uncategorized

DRT + SIAF Social Hour Series 2020

SIAF+DRT 2020 Social Hour Series

The AIA Seattle Social Hour series is a bimonthly gathering facilitated by the Diversity Roundtable and Seattle International Architecture Forum to encourage connections amongst diverse practitioners within the Seattle design community. Please join us for an opportunity to engage in

Posted in Sponsors

Advocacy Update – January 2020

STATE NEWS Washington’s 2020 Legislative Session is Underway The state legislative session kicked off this week and will run through mid-March. AIA Washington Council will be providing weekly updates on the bills it is tracking and any new developments. Key

Posted in Climate, Housing, Public Policy Board, Uncategorized

Register Now for our Upcoming Cracking Code Seminars

Cracking Code series 2020

Join us for five upcoming sessions to learn from Code experts.  All in-person sessions will be held at Seattle City Hall, Bertha Knight Landes Room | 600 Fourth Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Session 1 | Cracking Code: 2018 Fire Code

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – December 2019

bus on a snowy hill

STATE NEWS Governor Releases Supplemental Budget On Dec. 18, Gov. Inslee released his proposed 2020 Supplemental Budget, which makes adjustments to the two-year state budget passed by the Legislature earlier this year. During the 2020 legislative session that runs from

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – November 2019

NATIONAL NEWS ICC Vote on AIA’s Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix In coordination with Architecture 2030, AIA National submitted a Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix to become part of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). The Appendix is optional

Posted in Climate, Housing, Public Policy Board, Uncategorized

2019 NWW Design Awards Winners Announced

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northwest Washington Section hosted its Design Awards on October 3 in Bellingham to celebrate excellence in Design. The jury included Chrysanthe Broikos (DC, National Building Museum), John Janicki (Sedro Woolley, Janicki Industries), and Al

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

Advocacy Update – October 2019

october advocacy update - activated street graphic

NATIONAL NEWS ICC vote on AIA’s Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix AIA National submitted a Zero Code Renewable Energy Appendix to become part of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). If approved by the International Code Council (ICC) voting

Posted in Public Policy Board

AHC Fall Seminar – Lessons Learned Call for Lightning Talks

White text on purple background: Architecture for Health Committee

**CALL IS NOW CLOSED. 2019 AHC Fall session registration available here.** AIA Seattle Call for Lightning Talk Presentations 2019 AHC FALL EVENT: LESSONS LEARNED Nov 22, 2019, Mt. Baker Rowing and Sailing Center, Seattle FORUM OVERVIEW This year’s Architecture for

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – September 2019

bike transportation

NATIONAL NEWS AIA Makes Big Move on Climate This month AIA National launched an initiative to drive climate action within the architecture profession. As part of this effort, AIA called on architects around the world to support humanity’s collective call

Posted in Climate, Housing, Public Policy Board, Transportation, Uncategorized Tagged with:

Big Moves on Climate from the 2019 State Legislature

Clearly a top priority for Democrats this session, legislation to address climate change performed very strongly.  The increase in the number of Senate seats held by Democrats after the 2018 election allowed Democrats to push these bills few with very

Posted in Uncategorized

Climate Partner: Shift Zero

Its aim is to form a collective voice to advocate on behalf of zero net carbon buildings; inform policy solutions; and educate policymakers at all levels of government. Shift Zero’s diverse membership of local, regional and statewide organizations unites a

Posted in Climate, Public Policy Board

Seattle Proposes Speeding Up Oil to Electric Heating Conversions

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a plan to speed up the conversion of homes that burn oil for heat to cleaner electric heating as part of the city’s 2018 Seattle Climate Strategy. The City Council with consider legislation that would

Posted in Climate, Public Policy Board

Seattle Passes Local Green New Deal Resolution

Seattle City Councilmember Mike O’Brien introduced a resolution laying out the agenda for a Green New Deal for Seattle and an ordinance creating a Green New Deal Oversight Board. The resolution endorses the Federal Green New Deal and identifies five

Posted in Climate, Uncategorized

Mayor Durkan Approves Electronic Vehicle Readiness Legislation

On May 8, Mayor Durkan signed Electric Vehicle Readiness legislation into law. The new rules went into effect on June 7. The legislation will require all new buildings with off-street parking to include electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The goals are

Posted in Climate, Transportation

Seattle’s Center City Streetcar Gets Green Light to Move Forward

After months in limbo, Seattle’s Central City Connector Streetcar line was approved by Mayor Durkan to move forward, albeit with higher cost estimates and a timeline five years later than initially planned. Some design and engineering for the project will

Posted in Transportation, Uncategorized

Seattle Enacts Mandatory Housing Affordability

The ordinance will implement MHA in Seattle’s 27 urban villages and all other commercial and multifamily residential areas. All urban villages and multifamily residential and commercial zones will see zoning changes, allowing slightly larger or taller buildings. Additional development capacity

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized

Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda Speaks to AIA on Housing

Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda spoke as part of AIA Seattle’s City Leaders Breakfast Series on June 12. She spoke about her housing priorities on the Council, including ADUs, allowing more duplexes and triplexes and more upzoning. She also talked

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized

Fort Lawton Redevelopment Plan Approved

On June 10, the Seattle City Council voted to approve the city’s plan to turn the former military site at Fort Lawton into 237 affordable homes for low-income seniors and formerly homeless individuals alongside supportive services, workforce housing and affordable

Posted in Housing, Uncategorized