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.
August 2026
AIA Seattle Member Committee Showcase
Tuesday, August 4 | 5-7pm at Smith Tower
Have you been wanting to do more with AIA Seattle, but not sure where to start? This showcase is an opportunity for members and the broader community to connect and learn about the purpose and activities of member committees. Meet the leaders of our member committees and learn how to get involved.
Applications Open for Next to Lead
Apply by Friday, August 7
Applications are open for AIA National’s 2026 Next to Lead Cohort, the first program of its kind to support association leadership for ethnically diverse women aspiring to be leaders of AIA. The cohort engages in a ten-month program aimed at enhancing their association leadership acumen, tackling challenges faced by women in the workplace and the architecture profession, and refining their leadership skills.
Women in Design Coffee Hour: August
Tuesday, August 11 | 7:30-9am at Olympia Coffee, 1420 5th Ave
The Women in Design Coffee Hour is a chance to cultivate relationships and provide informal mentorship. Bring any current struggles, share a recent win, or simply come to talk about work and life.
YAF + WiD Happy Hour Series: Interactions
Thursday, August 13 | 5:30-7:30pm at Mithun
Join the Young Architects Forum (YAF) and Women in Design (WiD) for the August edition of their Happy Hour Series: Interactions. This year’s theme explores how elements interact with one another through all scales – from construction detailing to landscape architecture.
Seattle Design Festival 2026
August 15-20
SDF 2026: IN[FLUX] explores movement, instability, and possibility all at once. The Festival will kick-off at the Block Party on August 15-16, a weekend-long celebration at Lake Union Park with Built Installations, Mainstage Programs, and Pop-Up Experiences. The week will continue with Design Mixers and a Closing Party at LMN’s The Shop.
Urban Design Forum (UDF) August Meeting: A Talk with César Augusto Salazar Hernández
Wednesday, August 26 | 12-1pm PT online
This session is part of UDF‘s Urban Walk + Talk Series. Salazar is architect, landscape researcher, and doctoral candidate in Marine Sciences at the Universidad de Antioquia. The presentation will explore how landscape-based planning can guide sustainable and resilient development in coastal environments facing the impacts of climate change.
INSCAPE Tour with AADU
Saturday, August 29 | 10-11:30am starting at the Wing Luke Museum
Join AIA Seattle’s Asian American Designers Union (AADU) for a guided walking tour of the Wing Luke Museum’s former US Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) building, currently known as the INSCAPE Arts Building. Learn about the stories of early immigration in Seattle and reflect upon the current immigration landscape of today.
Call for Speakers: Northwest Green Building Slam
Apply by August 30, 5pm PT
Apply to speak at the Northwest Ecobuilding Guild’s annual program. 10 speakers will have just 10 minutes to show 10 slides of their exciting project. Each presenter will be trained by a speech coach. The event is November 7 at the Panoramic Center at the Pacific Tower.
Provide Feedback on Proposed Regulation of Commercial Interior Design
AIAWA Council requests your input on proposed legislation to register commercial interior designers in Washington state (HB 2721). Your feedback will directly inform the board’s determination. Learn more here and take the survey.
September 2026
AIAWA Call for Nominations: Young Architect Representative
Applications open now through September 1
Now seeking applicants for this two-year appointment beginning January 1, 2027. The YAR serves as a link between local Young Architect Forum activities and the national Institute, representing the interests of recently licensed architects on issues of leadership, mentorship, and professional growth.
Submissions Open: 2026 Honor Awards for Washington Architecture
Open now through Wednesday, September 30
Learn more about the program and read FAQs, see the 2026 Call for Submissions + Guidelines and submit here. Get inspired by past winners and last year’s submissions.
2026 Business of Architecture Program
September 28 | 9am-6pm at the National Nordic Museum
A Whole Systems Approach to Business Planning explores how mission, vision, finance, operations, marketing, and business development work together to create an equitable and sustainable practice. This session is facilitated by industry experts at AVEC.
8 LU/HSW
AIAWA Seeking Small Firm Exchange Rep
Applications open now through the end of the year
The AIA Small Firm Exchange (SFx) advances the interests of architects practicing in small firms by advocating their value, curating relevant resources, and informing AIA of issues unique to small firm practice.
AIA National Awards – 2027 Applications Open
Deadlines late summer – early fall
Applications are now open for the 2027 AIA Gold Medal, Architecture Firm Award, Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, and more. See the 2026 award recipients, recognized at AIA26.
Space for Lease in the Journal of Commerce (DJC) Building
Located across from the downtown ferry terminal at 83 Columbia Street, Seattle, WA. For more information, contact Zeke Pelleur.
In the Community
AISC IDEAS Awards
Submissions due Monday, August 31
AISC is looking for projects that showcase the innovative use of structural steel in adaptive reuse, architecture, constructability, engineering, and sustainable design and construction. You could even get recognition for your project before breaking ground!
Facades+ Seattle
December 3 | Grand Hyatt Seattle
Presented by The Architects Newspaper, this program features the latest developments in building enclosure design and technology.
Earn up to 6 LU/HSW
Cybersecurity in the Age of AI
Tuesday, September 15 | 12-1pm PT online
Presented by SDF Pacific Northwest, this session explores how AI is changing the cybersecurity landscape. Attendees will learn how AI is being used to make phishing attempts, social engineering, and business email compromise more convincing and difficult to detect.
Regenerative Design Masterclass
On-Demand | up to 15 LU/HSW
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.
