Events & Opportunities
Welcome to our monthly roundup of upcoming events and opportunities presented by AIA Seattle committees, partner organizations, AIA National, and more.
Here you’ll find educational events, involvement opportunities, and programs tailored to our Washington design community.
May 2026
YAF & WID Happy Hour Series: Interactions
Thursday, May 14 | 5:30-7:30pm at The Shop @ LMN
This annual Happy Hour series from Young Architects Forum (YAF) and Women in Design (WiD) brings together emerging professionals and more experienced architects to discuss a theme that is related to the built environment.
AHC 2026 Spring Conference | Adaptive Care Models and Future-Ready Planning
Friday, May 15 | 8am-4pm at UW Oak Hall Denny Room
The AHC Spring Conference brings together healthcare design and construction professionals to explore strategies for shaping resilient, flexible, and community-focused healthcare environments.
6 LU|HSW
SPARC: 2026 Methow Valley Architecture Tour
Saturday, May 16 | 8:30am-5:30pm
The Small Practice and Residential Committee’s Methow Valley Tour celebrates the unique aspects of design and construction in this area of Washington; particularly regarding the climate, culture, and natural beauty of the area. This event is sold out, to join the waitlist please contact sparc@aiaseattle.org.
Affordable Housing Week
May 18-22
Presented by the Housing Development Consortium, Affordable Housing Week is an incredible weeklong series of education and advocacy events that works to highlight the role affordable housing plays in stabilizing our communities.
SDF Spring Mixer at Smith Tower
Tuesday, May 19 | 5:30-7:30pm at Smith Tower
Want to learn more about the Call for Proposals for the 2026 Seattle Design Festival? Join us for the final Mixer ahead of the close of our call!
YAF Licensing Workshops – Code 101 (Part 2)
Wednesday, May 20 | 5:30-6:30pm
This virtual workshop is the second part of a series diving into building code basics. If you’re wanting to brush up on codes for your licensing exams or general knowledge, these sessions are for you!
Guides in Action (EDI monthly series)
Thursday, May 21 | 1pm PT
Join the AIA EDI Strategies Team for their monthly discussion series (third Thursday, May–October, 4pm ET / 1pm PT). Each session focuses on a chapter from the Guides for Equitable Practice and demonstrates how to use the Activation Kit to support learning and implementation. This meeting’s topic is intercultural competence. Space is limited.
Submit to the WA Starter Home Plan’s (SHP) Townhouse Design Competition
Submit by Friday, May 22
Presented by Civic Commons, this design competition seeks innovative floor plans that leverage offsite methods, including use of volumetric modular construction.
AIA Seattle PARTI 2026
Tuesday, May 26 | 6-8:30pm at Town Hall Seattle
Each year, AIA Seattle celebrates leadership and achievement in design and the built environment at the local and national level through this member awards program. Learn more about the awardees.
Seattle Design Festival 2026 Call for Proposals
Deadline on Wednesday, May 27
SDF is looking for proposals to program our keystone event, the Block Party — a two-day street fair at Lake Union Park, August 15 & 16, 10am-7pm. There are 3 proposal types: Mainstage Programs, Pop-Up Experiences, and Built Installations.
June 2026
2026 Housing Design Forum
Monday, June 1 | 8:30am-6pm at the National Nordic Museum
The 2026 Housing Design Forum, Getting to Abundance: Unlocking the Future of Housing, will examine how we can continue to promote a future of abundant, high-quality, diverse and sustainable housing options in Seattle and beyond.
8 LU/HSW
YAF Construction Tour: 616 Battery St
Wednesday, June 3 | 1-2pm at 616 Battery St
In collaboration with Holland Partner Group, Weber Thompson is designing this mixed-use project at the site of the former Elephant Car Wash in the Denny Triangle. The tower’s design is inspired by the folding grids and urban fabric that defines the area, capturing that geometry in the massing, skin and landscaping to create a cohesive contemporary design.
YAF Licensing Workshop – June
Wednesday, June 10 | 5:30-7:30pm at Boulder Associates
Join YAF at Boulder Associates to review materials for the practice-based licensing exams. They’ll review content and practice questions for the Practice Management, Project Management, and Construction & Evaluation exams. This will be a hands-on session with food and drink provided!
YAF & WiD Happy Hour Series: Interactions
Thursday, June 11 | 5:30-7:30pm at PeopleSpace
This Happy Hour series in collaboration with Women in Design brings together emerging professionals and more experienced architects to discuss a theme that is related to the built environment.
AIA26: Conference on Architecture & Design
June 10-13 | San Diego
AIA26 brings together the people behind the $700 billion AEC industry—those leading firms, shaping cities, advancing practice, and redefining what architecture can do.
Volunteer with AIA National
Apply by June 15
Explore AIA volunteer opportunities—a great way to support the work and shape the future of the architecture profession, develop and grow leadership skills, and help advance AIA’s mission. Positions include board service, industry alliances, committees, state-based groups, and more.
Mass Timber: Buse Mill Tour
Tuesday, June 16 | 2-6pm at Buse Mill
The AIA Seattle Mass Timber Committee invites members to a tour of Buse Mill in Everett offering a behind-the-scenes look at the early stages of the wood supply chain.
AIA Seattle Annual Chapter Meeting
Monday, June 29 | 4-5pm Online
Our Annual Chapter Meeting is an opportunity for members of our 10-county community to come together virtually to hear about engagement opportunities, advocacy efforts, AIA Seattle’s 2025 – 2030 strategic plan, and more.
ADUniverse: Call for Designs
Submit by Friday, July 3
Presented by Seattle OPCD, The City of Seattle is now accepting submissions of ADU and middle housing designs to expand their gallery of pre-approved designs on ADUniverse. Architects, designers, and homebuilders are invited to submit their work for consideration. This is your opportunity to shape how Seattle grows – and get your designs in front of those actively planning their next project!
NCARB Year in Review: FY25 Annual Report
NCARB’s FY25 Annual Report is now available, highlighting new Competency Standards, an improved licensing requirement tool, and other priority updates from the year.
Join the Women in Architecture and Design Committee Network
The Women in Architecture and Design Committee Network is a new online community for women and allies in architecture and design who want to connect, share resources, and learn from one another. Complete the join request form and reach out to Kirsten Swanson for details.
In the Community
Energy Week
May 11-15
The Seattle 2030 District is thrilled to present Energy Week, an immersive event series designed to explore the latest advancements in energy efficiency, decarbonization, and renewable energy solutions for the built environment.
Conversations That Convert: Getting Results by Speaking the Language of Decision Makers
Thursday, May 28 | 5:30-7:30pm
Join SDA Pacific NW for an in-person dinner event (hybrid optional) exploring communications and toolsets for anyone who needs to get decisions made or communicate with clients or leadership – topic is broadly based.
Unlocking Fast Starters, Last Minuters, & Everyone In Between
Tuesday, June 9 | 12-1pm
This webinar from SDA Pacific NW flips the script on procrastination, revealing how our work styles, when named, understood, and communicated, can drive trust, collaboration, and productivity.
Watch “Dark and Tender”
Shot on Whidbey Island and The Big Island of Hawai’i, short films by The Chronically UnderTouched (CUT). Project available to stream or screen.
Regenerative Design Masterclass
Presented by GBES, discover how regenerative design surpasses traditional sustainability practices, enabling you to develop resilient, self-sustaining projects in harmony with the natural world. This course is perfect for architects, designers, and sustainability professionals looking to lead the way in innovative, impactful design.
LEED Green Associate (GA) Training
On-Demand | 15 LU|HSW + LEED CE
A virtual training program for those seeking to become a LEED Green Associate. AIA Seattle members qualify for $100 discount, please email Claire Needs for the discount code.
Night Chapel
An installation made from CLT by Michael Bennett / Studio Kër, on-view at the Northwest African American Museum. Read more in The Seattle Times article.
