Blog Archives

Advocacy Update – March 2019

AIA Seattle delegates pose with Rep. Pramila Jayapal

FEDERAL NEWS AIA Grassroots An AIA Seattle contingent attended AIA’s Grassroots conference in Washington, D.C. this month and participated in Hill Day, where AIA members from across the nation head to Capitol Hill to meet with their legislators. AIA Seattle

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

Advocacy Update – February 2019

Margaret Knight AIA speaks at The Power of Community Engagement event at SDF2017

FEDERAL NEWS Virtual Capitol Hill Day AIA members not attending AIA National’s Grassroots conference in DC next month are invited to participate in a Virtual Capitol Hill Day instead. On March 6, AIA members will be able to use this

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

2019 SIAF + DRT Social Hour

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

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

Advocacy Update – January 2019

STATE NEWS 2019 Legislative Session The 2019 state legislative session began this week in Olympia and will run through April 28. AIA Washington Council is already participating in hearings on bills related to the Governor’s clean buildings climate package and

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

WID + DRT: Conversations Towards An Equitable Practice

Despite increasing diversity in students and young professionals entering the field, architecture remains a remarkably homogeneous profession. The retention statistics are alarming. We are losing potential talent and important perspectives. How can we help retain more diverse voices in our

Posted in Allied Professionals, Architects, Associates, For the Profession, For the Public

Recipients Announced for 2019 AIA Northwest Washington Section Scholarship Fund

The Northwest Washington Section Scholarship Fund has awarded three scholarships totally $4500 to local residents pursuing Architectural education. 2018-2019 Recipients: Truman Hood is from Langley, Washington and currently a senior at Washington State University working towards his Architecture BS degree

Posted in For the Public, Students

2018 AIAS Honor Award Winners

Congratulations to the winners of the 2018 American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) Honor Awards! Each year the AIAS honors individuals and groups for their exemplary work in areas such as leadership, collaboration, scholarship and service. Read more

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Home Page, Honor Awards, Uncategorized

Karen L. Braitmayer FAIA receives 2019 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

Karen Braitmayer FAIA

Nationally recognized for her leadership and advocacy for civil rights for people with disabilities, Karen L. Braitmayer FAIA has smashed physical and social barriers for herself and for others. By promoting equity and inclusion through her consulting work and education efforts, Braitmayer

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

Advocacy Update – November 2018

NATIONAL NEWS From AIA National: ICC Voting Open The ICC has concluded its Public Comment Hearings for Group A of the 2021 ICC, and registered members may now vote on proposals that will directly impact the next edition of the

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

2018 Honor Awards Winners

Arlington Elementary School by zMahlum Architects and Sawmill by Olson Kundig

SEATTLE, November 6, 2018—The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Seattle chapter hosted the 68th annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture on November 5 to celebrate excellence in design. The distinguished jury included Sunil Bald (New York), Will Laufs (Berlin/New York),

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

Advocacy Update – October 2018

Participants around a table work together on a collaborative sticky-note exercise

NATIONAL NEWS AIA Secures Language to Better Utilize Architects for Disaster Recovery Efforts Congress and President Trump enacted the Disaster Recovery Reform Act in October, paving the way for AIA to advance opportunities for architects to better serve communities when

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Advocacy Update – September 2018

NATIONAL NEWS AIA Seattle Director Represents AIA at Global Climate Action Summit AIA Seattle Executive Director Lisa Richmond joined the AIA National delegation at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco in mid-September. The Summit was convened by the

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

Advocacy Update – August 2018

NATIONAL NEWS AIA Adds Voice in Opposition to Asbestos AIA National issued comments to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Acting Administrator this month on asbestos, opposing a proposed new federal rule that would create a pathway to consider new uses

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

Advocacy Update – July 2018

STATE NEWS I-1631 Reaches Ballot, Endorsements Sought The signature gathering effort for Washington Initiative 1631, which would establish a carbon fee to reduce incentives for fossil fuel use, generate funds to invest in renewable resources and promote energy efficiency, was

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

Advocacy Update – June 2018

People working

STATE NEWS Mass Timber AIA Washington Council submitted a proposal to the State Building Code Council (SBCC) in May to permit the use of mass timber in the construction of taller buildings. Proposals are currently being reviewed by the SBCC’s

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

Advocacy Update – May 2018

STATE NEWS AIA Seattle Endorses I-1631 AIA Seattle’s Board of Directors has endorsed Washington Initiative 1631, the Protect Washington Act, which would establish a carbon fee to reduce incentives for fossil fuel use, generate funds to invest in renewable resources

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

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

Advocacy Update – March 2018

People working

STATE NEWS Legislative Session This year’s 60-day legislative session was characterized by significant movement on several Democratic priorities that had been stalled in recent years. As a result of the Democrats taking full control of state government in 2018, bills

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

Advocacy Update – January 2018

Interested in receiving advocacy information straight to your inbox? Take this short survey to opt-in to receive additional policy information on specific topics from AIA Seattle. Read more

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

2018 Happy Hour Series

YAF WID 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 explore the social, environmental, and cultural responsibilities of design. JOIN US EVERY

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

Working with an Architect

Architect and client

The AIA launched TopicA to provide homeowners, building owners, and community leaders with helpful information on the value of working with an architect. Read more

Posted in For the Public

Congratulations to Volunteer & Committee Award Winners!

This year we recognize the Diversity Roundtable co-chairs Meredith Everist AIA, Margaret Knight AIA, Susan Frieson AIA  (top, left to right), and Vicki Ha AIA, Phillip Tomlinson AIA, and Jason Williard AIA (bottom, left to right). Design in Public Volunteer Award: Vicki Ha AIA New

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

2017 Honor Awards Winners

AIA Seattle hosted the 67th annual Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design. Across the spectrum of project types, the jury commended the strong design culture represented by both the breadth and quality of submitted projects, and applauded the winners for their masterful use of materials and high marks on building craft. Read more

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

Join AIA Seattle’s Committee on Homelessness

AIA Seattle’s public policy advocacy efforts span all aspects of a well-designed, livable city. Our concept of a livable city includes one where everyone has a home. AIA Seattle’s Public Policy Board has been exploring issues related to homelessness and

Posted in Allied Professionals, Architects, Associates, For the Profession, For the Public, Member Firms, Missions, Visions, Values, Public Policy Board, Recent Graduates, Sponsors, Students

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

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

AIA Seattle Announces 2017 Honorees

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 Allied Professionals, Architects, Associates, For the Profession, For the Public, Home Page, Member Firms, Missions, Visions, Values, Sponsors

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

Federal, State and Local Advocacy Updates – and a new Advocacy Manager

The past month has been an active one for advocacy on the built environment, at every level, from city to state to federal. As always, AIA advocacy is led by our members’ interests, and enhanced by the expertise and engagement

Posted in For the Profession, For the Public, Home Page, Missions, Visions, Values, Public Policy Board

HALA: What’s Happening Now

The Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA) is a set of 65 recommendations issued by the 28 member HALA Advisory Committee to address Seattle’s housing affordability crisis. Read more

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Carbon Pricing Discussions in Olympia

As you know, AIA Seattle endorsed Initiative 732 on the November 2016 ballot, which would have established a carbon tax in the state. While that initiative failed with 41% of voters approving, it has spurred a state-wide conversation about carbon

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

2016 Honor Awards Winners

AIA Seattle hosted the 2016 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture to celebrate excellence in design. The award-winning projects, announced at a packed event at Benaroya Hall, serve as powerful demonstrations of the outstanding caliber of design that is consistently produced by Washington-based architects and designers. Read more

Posted in For the Public, Home Page

Seattle Design Festival

Seattle Design Festival connects designers, community members and civic leaders to explore the ways design improves our city and our lives – 2024 Call for Proposals launches April 3! Read more

Posted in Associates, Design In Public, Design in Public - Sidebar, For the Public, Home Page, Recent Graduates

Volunteer & Committee Awards

Mary Wyllie, Peggy Heim, David Mead & Michael Fiegenschuh

AIA Seattle recognizes our hardworking and dedicated volunteers through a set of awards, the Volunteer Award and Committee Award, to acknowledge individuals and committees who demonstrate a high level of leadership, involvement and outstanding contribution to the organization. Read more

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