AHC Fall 2026 | Healing, Resilience, and Innovation in Healthcare Design

Join the Architecture for Health Committee (AHC) for the annual AHC Fall Conference on October 30 in Portland!

The AHC Fall Conference explores emerging approaches to healthcare design that support healing, resilience, and long-term performance. Attendees will examine human-centered healthcare environments, the role of integrated building systems in occupant well-being, and the growing influence of neuroscience, research, and evidence-based principles in design. The program will also highlight strategies for creating sustainable, adaptable, and high-performing healthcare facilities that balance patient outcomes, operational needs, and environmental responsibility.

Presentations will focus on improving patient well-being while integrating safety (physical and emotional), operational processes, building systems/infrastructure, sustainable practices, and different aspects of resiliency into the healthcare built environment.

This program is presented by AIA Seattle’s Architecture for Health Committee.

Conference Sessions

Session 1 | Advancing Net Zero Energy & Carbon Strategies in Outpatient Facilities 

Session 2 | Nurturing the Hospital Daily: Lessons on Flexibility

Session 3 | Neuroarchitecture & the Future of Practice: Standards, Ethics, and Emerging Frameworks

Session 4 | Designing with the Brain in Mind: Neurodiversity Informed Lighting and Building Systems for Behavioral Health Environments

Session 5 | Healing with Dignity: Trauma Informed and Family Forward Design

*All sessions and speakers subject to change.

Learning Objectives

Explore how holistic care strategies and collaborative partnerships can improve patient care and inform patient safety and experience in healthcare environments.
Analyze how infrastructure and building systems can impact patient experience in healthcare environments and identify how interdisciplinary approaches to design can support well-being and safety.
Describe sustainable and energy-efficient design strategies to inform operational flexibility and resilient facility design to support long-term healthcare performance
Examine the connections between neuroscience and healthcare design to identify opportunities, challenges, ethical considerations, and application of human-centered design principles.

Cost

Includes continuing education credit (6 LU/ HSW)
+ light breakfast and lunch

$188 AIA Member/Corporate Allied Partner (CAP)/Allied Member
$188 Government
$124 Associate Member
$65 Student/Emeritus
$300 Non-Member

REGISTER

Early Bird Deadline: Friday, October 16, 2026. After this time, the price increases 15%.
Registration Deadline: Friday, October 23, 5:00pm PT.

Reduced rate options are available! Please submit the Continuing Education Scholarship / Reduced Rate Request form via email by Friday, October 16, 5:00PM PT.

Learn more about our program pricing, the member ticket rate, and other benefits associated with membership. Explore the other major education programs we offer.

Venue

Venue: The fall conference will be held at the Irving Street Studio.
Transportation: We encourage attendees to take advantage of public transit options and plan your trip.
Parking: Details coming soon

Happy Hour

All registered attendees are invited to join for a happy hour to connect and celebrate ahead of the AHC Fall Conference on Thursday, October 29 from
~ 4:30-6:30pm. More details will be sent to all registered attendees via email.

Accessibility

Learn more about accessibility at Irving Street Studio.
Presenter files and other program materials (as applicable) will be available on the password-protected attendee resources page at least 1-2 business days before the program. The password will be sent in follow-up email communications to all registered attendees.
We encourage speakers to create accessible presentations to ensure attendees can fully engage with the session content.

If you have accessibility needs for this program, please note them in your registration form or contact Programs Coordinator, Pamela Tagata. You can reach Pamela via email at pamelat@aiaseattle.org or via phone at 206-957-1922. Please reach out by October 9. We will do our best to support any needs conveyed after this date.