Blog Archives

What’s to Come in 2025!

AIA Seattle's Major Programs and celebratory events to come in 2025

2025 Major Programs + Events In 2025, AIA Seattle is proud to continue to deliver critical education programs and celebratory events that align with our Mission, Vision, Values, & Imperatives: WAsafe Building Safety Evaluation | Early Spring, In-Person Building Code Series |

Posted in Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – December 2024

Olympia, sound and mountains image

AIA Seattle brings together and advocates for a community of professionals across ten counties who are united not only in profession, but in purpose, through our vision for equitable, resilient, thriving communities. Now is a great time to focus on

Posted in Advocacy

A Year of Impactful Engagement

End of Year Impacts for the AIA Seattle Chapter

Dear members and friends,  2024 was a year of impactful engagement. Members embraced leadership opportunities to impact the future of the profession and bring together our AEC community. Members brought forward their individual and team work of the highest quality,

Posted in Advocacy, For the Profession, For the Public

Request for Proposals – Accessibility Evaluation Tool & Staff Training

In alignment with our JE:DI Imperative, AIA Seattle recognizes the need for a comprehensive Accessibility Evaluation Tool. This tool will aim to help AIA Seattle staff develop and deliver accessible and inclusive programs, encompassing both in-person and virtual events. Additionally,

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, JEDI, Missions, Visions, Values

Committee on Homelessness letter to City of Seattle

AIA Seattle’s Committee on Homelessness (COHO) advocated for adding housing capacity, speeding up housing production and lessening code requirements in a letter addressing the City’s recent position put forward in the Amicus Curiae brief to the Supreme Court of the

Posted in Advocacy, Committee on Homelessness, Housing, Public Policy Board

Black History Month – 2022

Celebrating Black History Month graphic

At AIA Seattle we share this vision and celebrate the contributions of Black architects and designers to our profession. We are committed to a process of transparency in what measurable actions we are taking in pursuit of racial justice. We have

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Missions, Visions, Values

2021 Honor Award Winners

2021 Awards of Honor Fort Worden Building 305 and Loom House

SEATTLE, November 9, 2021 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle hosted the 71st annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design on November 9, 2021. The distinguished jury included Katherine Darnstadt AIA, NOMA, LEED AP (Latent

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Honor Awards

Welcome to Melissa K. Neher – Our New Executive Director!

Melissa Neher Executive Director headshot

Melissa is from upstate NY, and from a small town start has lived all over the world, including London, Japan, Chicago, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney. Melissa and her family made Seattle home in 2009, embracing the natural beauty, outdoor

Posted in Design In Public, For the Profession, For the Public

AHC Honor of Distinction – Call for Nominations

White text on purple background: Architecture for Health Committee

Early in 2020, the AHC Board introduced an initiative to dedicate time and resources to recognize members of our AHC community who have gone above and beyond in their careers to contribute, mentor and lead. This AIA AHC Honor of

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Letter from Executive Director, Lisa Richmond: Farewell

Lisa Richmond Hon AIA

Dear AIA Seattle Colleagues, As most of you know, next Wednesday, June 30 is my last day with AIA Seattle, and these final days are bittersweet. I have enjoyed every moment of my time within this community. You have inspired me daily with your

Posted in Design In Public, For the Profession, For the Public

Letter from Executive Director, Lisa Richmond: Transition

Lisa Richmond Hon AIA

Dear AIA Seattle Community, I am writing to share some bittersweet news. After 14 wonderful years with AIA Seattle, I will be stepping down as Executive Director at the end of June. After so many fulfilling years in this role,

Posted in Design In Public, For the Profession, For the Public

Celebrating Black History Month

Celebrating Black History Month graphic

We are also committed to a process of transparency in what measurable actions we are taking in pursuit of racial justice. We have established an evolving list for the sake of mutual accountability in our member-led organization. Read the full evolving list

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Missions, Visions, Values

Call for Proposals – Member Access Events

AIA Seattle is seeking members of our community to offer one-hour, free skill-shares to our members for the purposes of networking and community-building. We’re interested in architectural and non-architectural skills! Suggested skills include: meditation, sketching, watercolor, architectural tech tutorials, drafting,

Posted in Uncategorized

Seattle Project Related Resources during Covid-19

  SDCI Q&A On May 20, AIA Seattle held an online Q&A with SDCI about their project-related processes during COVID. You can watch that video here. Use password 8x+8M8uA Codes  SDCI Delays 2018 Construction Code Implementation to November On March

Posted in Code, Public Policy Board

COVID-19 Resources Page

As a member-based organization, AIA Seattle is rapidly shifting its response to this public health crisis with remote learning and engagement opportunities, and aggregating regional and national resources for our members. We are here for you during this difficult time,

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

A message to AIA Seattle members about COVID-19 coronavirus

As news of the coronavirus in Washington state leads to increasing action by both public health officials and private businesses, I wanted to share with you the steps AIA Seattle is taking to protect the health of our members and staff while continuing to offer the best member service we can. Thank you for your partnership and flexibility as we all navigate this health challenge together. Read more

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

AIA Seattle is hiring!

AIA Seattle is seeking dynamic and passionate candidates for two positions: Membership & Volunteer Manager and a Program & Project Coordinator. Read more

Posted in Home Page

Earn 7.25 HSW online “Density Done Right” Housing Forum

Filmed live on May 20 at the 2019 Housing Design Forum, Density Done Right is now available in 7 individual sessions online for up to 7.25 continuing education HSW credits.This series of case studies and lightning talks offers innovative strategies

Posted in For the Profession, Uncategorized

AIA Seattle’s Strategic Plan

AIA Seattle believes our world needs the visionary and integrative thinking of architects and designers, and that design solutions can positively impact our communities. That is why we champion the central role of architects in creating and sustaining a better built environment. Read more

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Missions, Visions, Values

goCstudio wins the 2018 Emerging Architect Award

Seattle-based goCstudio has received the 2018 Emerging Architect Award from the Northwest and Pacific Region Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). This award recognizes emerging firms that are less than ten years old and that are challenging traditional perceptions and methods of architecture. Read more

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AIA Seattle 2017 Annual Report

2017 was a year of growth for AIA Seattle, and for the city we call home. Our activities flourished as our members played an active role in conversations that are shaping our region. Advocacy was a major focus for the

Posted in Allied Professionals, Architects, Associates, For the Profession, Member Firms, Recent Graduates, Sponsors, Students

Advocacy Update – April 2018

UDF SLU city skyline

  STATE NEWS Carbon Ballot Measure This month a Thurston County judge approved the ballot title language for I-1631, this year’s carbon initiative aimed at reaching the November ballot. Ballot titles can make or break an initiative, and the judge’s

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Public Policy Board

Seattle Design Festival | Call for Proposals

Seattle Design Festival 2018 TRUST

2018 is the year of TRUST. From September 8 – 21, the Seattle Design Festival (SDF) will connect designers, community members and civic leaders to explore how we design for TRUST.  Call for Proposals Due May 7. Read more

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

Displaced: Design for Inclusive Cities | A Design Competition

Black text on white background: "Displaced: Design for Inclusive Cities - A Design Ideas Competition"

Displaced: Design for Inclusive Cities calls upon designers of all disciplines to apply the power of design thinking to the urgent need to welcome, support and empower urban immigrants and refugees. Read more

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

Your Voice Matters

Please take 2 minutes to complete our short 4-question survey to let us know how we are doing and ways we can improve. We will keep your responses confidential, reporting the data only in aggregate form. Your voice will make a

Posted in For the Profession

Jen Cho AIA

The great recession failed to demolish her optimism, and she worked at Mithun on a variety of projects including student housing and a private school expansion. In 2016, she joined Encore Architects, and has since focused on multifamily housing. Jen

Posted in Uncategorized

Thank You to 2017 Departing Board Members and Committee Chairs!

It is through these passionate members that we have successfully engaged our community of architects and other design related professionals in meaningful conversations about the value of design and the professsion. A tremendous thank you for the gift of your time,

Posted in For the Profession, Steering Committee, Uncategorized

Summer 2017 Advocacy Updates – Mayoral Forum, Capital Budget & More

AIA Washington Council’s Spring Advocacy Conference prepares members for the next legislative session AIA Washington Council held its Spring Advocacy Conference in June to make preparations for the 2018 state legislative session.  Although the 2017 session remained stuck in budget

Posted in For the Profession, Public Policy Board

Summer Intern Happy Hour & Portfolio Review

AIA Seattle is excited to introduce the Summer Intern Happy Hour & Portfolio Review. Each summer, hundreds of students relocate to Seattle to gain experience at top architectural firms. We want to offer this next generation of talent a forum

Posted in Uncategorized

Built Environment Mayoral Candidate Forum

Seattle will have a new mayor next year, and the built environment of our city is under stress like never before.  How do the candidates propose to accommodate the 3,125 new Seattleites who arrive each month while addressing the homelessness

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Public Policy Board

Small Firm Essentials: Four Ways to Maximize Profit

This highly interactive 4-hour workshop describes essential actions necessary to becoming more profitable – controlling scope creep, improving work processes, balancing staff skill with work types, and understanding how to figure out what to charge. Practical methods for addressing each

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Materials Matter – Season 2

Materials Matter is a five-session series delivering comprehensive, high-level knowledge and strategies for assessing and selecting healthy, sustainable materials. Read more

Posted in For the Public, Home Page

How are we doing?

AIA Seattle needs to hear what’s important from our members and non-members in order to be a better resource for the design community and a leading advocate of well-designed, livable spaces. Your feedback matters! Read more

Posted in For the Profession, Home Page, Uncategorized

City Council votes on HALA-related rezones for Downtown and SLU

On Monday, April 10, the full Seattle City Council will vote to expand the City’s Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) rezone program to Downtown and South Lake Union.  MHA will require developers to build affordable homes or contribute to a City

Posted in Public Policy Board

Smarter Buildings: At the Intersection of Architecture, Design, and Technology

Smarter Buildings explores advancements in the field of building technology through case studies of the world’s smartest buildings. As this year’s recipient of AIA Seattle Emerging Professionals Scholarship, architect Derik Eckhardt traveled to Abu Dhabi, Amsterdam, Boston, Copenhagen, Dubai, London, Portland and

Posted in For the Public

Open to All: Designing for the full range of human experience – ends February 18

Open to All: Designing for the Full Range of Human Experience, opening @ the Center in January, 2017, shows how designers make places, objects and experiences to better match the diversity of individual interactions with them. Read more

Posted in Uncategorized