I am excited to serve as the 2026 Chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Design. It has been a pleasure to work with past Chairs during my time as Chair of Sponsorship. This experience has been both fulfilling and invaluable in preparing me for my new role. I am following in the footsteps of many leaders who, since 1969, have advanced design within the AIA. I would like to extend special thanks to our most recent Chair, Craig Brandt, FAIA, for his passion and dedication in delivering a fabulous year of events, including conferences in Miami and Helsinki. I would also like to thank our Past Chair, Susan Chin, FAIA, who nominated me for this role and has been a delight to work with over the past few years. Susan’s 2024 conferences in Northwest Arkansas and Brazil stood out for their personal touch—connecting cultures by exploring design shaped by cultural context and social empathy.
This year, the Committee on Design will explore Chicago and Porto, Portugal—two “Second Cities” that stand proud and play second fiddle to none. Both cities are defined in part by their iconic rivers—the Chicago River and the Douro River—which have shaped how each city functions, grows, and interacts with its surroundings. Situated in the northern regions of their respective countries, both Chicago and Porto lie at approximately 41 degrees latitude and experience dynamic seasonal changes throughout the year. These two hardworking and gritty cities will host this year’s theme, “Third Places – Architecture that Belongs to Everyone.” This theme invites us to explore Third Places—spaces separate from home (the first place) and work (the second place)—where people gather to socialize, build community, and foster a sense of belonging.
- The Spring Conference in Chicago will take place April 16–19 and will provide a well-rounded look at recent architectural works while honoring the city’s history as a center of architectural tourism.
- The Fall Study Tour in Porto will take place October 7–11, with an optional add-on day on October 12 to explore the wine region of the Douro Valley.
About the AIA Committee on Design
The AIA Committee on Design (COD) was founded in 1968 to promote design excellence among AIA members, the broader design community, and the public at large, both nationally and internationally. Design increases the vitality of communities, enhances the environmental responsibility of buildings, and supports social and ecological well-being. Our initiatives elevate the human experience and deepen society’s ability to thrive through problem-solving and creativity.
Our goals are to:
- Examine and promote knowledge of contemporary design issues, building construction, and site design
- Compare current design with historic precedents
- Learn from the contrast and progression of ideas
- Inspire architects to lead in the fields of design, planning, and government
This year's programming in San Diego (AIA26), and in design conferences in Chicago and Porto, Portugal, builds upon recent successful conferences held in: San Francisco, California, and Basel, Lausanne, Lucerne, Chur, and Vals, Switzerland (2019); Los Angeles, California (2022); New Orleans, Louisiana, and Minneapolis, Minnesota (2023), Northwest Arkansas and São Paulo, Brasília, and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2024); and Miami, Florida, and Helsinki, Finland (2025).