Blog Archives

Register Now for Our Upcoming Code Mode Seminars

Join us for four upcoming seminars to learn from Code experts.  Seminar 1 | Code Mode | Code Flexibility (Alternative Code Approaches) March 19-20, 2024 // ONLINE // 12:00PM – 2:00PM PT on both days // Class Credit: 4 LU/HSW

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

2023 Honor Award Winners

2023 Awards of Honor winners Collage

SEATTLE, November 6, 2023 – Last night, AIA Seattle hosted the 73rd annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design. The distinguished jury included: Katie Ackerly AIA, LEED AP, CPHC (David Baker Architects) Steven Lewis FAIA, NOMAC, LEED

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

2023 Honor Awards | Submittals FAQs

Visit the 2023 Honor Awards page and download the 2023 Call for Submissions + Guidelines for details about requirements, submission categories, and submitter eligibility. If you still have questions, we hope this FAQ page will help! The final submission deadline

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

2023 Honor Awards

LIVE EVENT ON NOVEMBER 6 AT TOWN HALL SEATTLE The Honor Awards for Washington Architecture is AIA Seattle’s annual marquee program, drawing hundreds of attendees to a lecture-style event of unique rigor and breadth. This nationally-recognized program provides an important opportunity

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

Culture Change in Practice: A Leadership Cohort 2023

Culture Change in Practice: a Leader Cohort

This four-part, peer-based learning program was designed by a team of architects and allied professionals as a response to racist violence, inequitable firm culture, and a segregated built environment. With the support of our facilitator, Dr. Anu Taranath, this program

Posted in Allied Professionals, Architects, Associates, For the Profession, For the Public, Member Firms, Racial Justice Working Group, Uncategorized

2022 Honor Award Winners

Collage of Honor Award 2022 Winners

SEATTLE, November 8, 2022 – Last night, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle hosted the 72nd annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design. The distinguished jury included Billie Faircloth FAIA, LEED AP BD+C (KieranTimberlake), Ghazal

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

2022 Honor Awards

  LIVE EVENT ON NOVEMBER 7 AT TOWN HALL SEATTLE The Honor Awards for Washington Architecture is AIA Seattle’s annual marquee program, drawing hundreds of attendees to a lecture-style event of unique rigor and breadth. This nationally-recognized program provides an

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

2022 YAF/WID Happy Hour Series

White text on blue/teal background. Imperial logo in top-right which reads: AIA Seattle. White text in top-right reads: Presented by Young Architects Forum & Women in Design. Centered text reads: 2022 Happy Hour Series. Below, two clip art pieces of glasses and beer glasses "cheers"-ing. Center-left text reads Looking Forward What is the Future of Seattle Architecture? bottom silhouette of a black Seattle skyline with Mount Rainier in the background.

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 series will explore the exciting innovations and advancements that

Posted in For the Public

2022 Small Firm Series

In this 3-part Small Firm Series, Rena M. Klein and her colleagues at CVG 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, these

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Uncategorized

2022 Culture Change in Practice: A Leadership Cohort

This four-part, peer-based learning program was designed by a team of architects and allied professionals to specifically provide architecture and allied firms the tools and community to meet the explicit goals and metrics laid out in NOMA NW’s Call-to-Action. It

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Uncategorized

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

Register Now for our Upcoming Road to Code Seminars

Join us for four upcoming sessions to learn from Code experts.  Session 1 | Road to Code | Code Requirements for Doors and Hardware February 17, 2022 | ONLINE | 12:00PM – 2:00PM // Class Credit: 2 LU/HSW Session 2 | Road

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Uncategorized

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

2021 NWW Design Awards Winners Announced

Collage image of a waterfront, three-story mixed-use building, and a series of townhomes/congregate housing against farmland

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northwest Washington Section hosted its virtual Design Awards on October 7 to celebrate excellence in Design. The jury included Dr. Sharon Egretta Sutton, FAIA  (New York, Parsons School of Design), Rik Allen (Skagit County, Artist), and Tiffani Candler (Greater

Posted in For the Public

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

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

Join Us For 15-Minute Seattle: Creating Livable Places for All

Want to learn more about the 15-minute city concept? Visit the 15-Minute City Resources Page! UPCOMING PROGRAMS Housing Innovation in the 15-Minute City  Kristian Skovbakke Villadsen’s 15-Minute Cities for People Monday, June 7 | 10:30 – 11:30am PT | Opening

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Housing

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

2020 Honor Awards Winners

SEATTLE, November 16, 2020—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle chapter hosted the 70th annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture on November 16 to celebrate excellence in design. The distinguished jury included Marsha Maytum, FAIA, LEED AP (LMSA), Pascale Sablan, AIA, NOMA, LEED

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

Recipient Announced for 2020 Northwest Washington Section Scholarship

AIA Northwest Washington - A Section of AIA Seattle

The Northwest Washington Section Scholarship Fund has awarded one scholarships totaling $4000 to a local student pursuing Architectural education. 2020-21 Recipient: My name is Matthew Robinson, I was born and raised in Bellingham Washington and I am 22 years old.

Posted in For the Public, Students

2020 NWW Design Awards Winners Announced

Collage image of six award winners, described in text below

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Northwest Washington Section hosted its virtual Design Awards on October 15 to celebrate excellence in Design. The jury included Karen Braitmayer (Seattle, Studio Pacifica), Linda Smeins (Bellingham, Professor Emeritus, Western Washington University), and Susan McCants (Seattle, Splice). The jury

Posted in For the Public

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

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

Racial Justice Resources Page

This compilation will continue to get updated, and we invite you to contribute to our collective dialogue, learning, and action. Please contact Andrea Aguilera, AIA Seattle’s Senior Programs Coordinator, if you would like to add to this list. Direct Action:

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public

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

An update to AIA Seattle members about COVID-19

Dear AIA Seattle Members, AIA Seattle as an association exists to do together, as an architecture community, what individual members and firms cannot do as easily or as well on their own. Our mission depends on bringing people together. In these

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’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

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

2019 Honor Awards Winners

2019 Honor Award Winners - Big Mouth House and National Nordic Heritage Museum

SEATTLE, November 5, 2019—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle chapter hosted the 69th annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture on November 4 to celebrate excellence in design. The distinguished jury included Bryan C. Lee Jr.  (New Orleans), Lisa Matthiessen

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Honor Awards, 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 – June 2019

Member ADUs

STATE NEWS State Legislative Session We are reposting AIA Washington Council’s final report on this year’s legislative session, which can be found here. AIA|WA encourages members to attend their state legislators’ in-district open-houses over the summer and fall. These are

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Home Page, Public Policy Board, Uncategorized

Advocacy Update – May 2019

Member ADUs

STATE NEWS State Legislative Session The Legislature adjourned minutes before midnight on April 28, marking the first time in 10 years that a legislature has ended a budget-writing session on time. The state budgets were pushed through in the final

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

2019 Volunteer and Committee Awards

2019 Volunteer and Committee Award Winners

This year we recognize Karen DeLucas AIA (top left) and Cheryl Jacobs AIA (bottom right); Trevor Dykstra AIA (bottom center); and the Committee on Homelessness, co-chairs: Anton Dekom AIA (top right) and Alexander Froehlic Assoc. AIA (bottom left). Volunteer Award

Posted in For the Public, Home Page

Advocacy Update – April 2019

bill signing with AIA Seattle and AIA Washington Council staff

FEDERAL NEWS AIA Pledges Support for the Invest in America Act AIA National is supporting a newly-introduced federal bill, the Invest in America Act (HR 2210), which was introduced on April 10 by Rep. John Larson (D-Connecticut) and Rep. Kenny

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