If you are coming to the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) this year (June 4-7 in Boston), there is an official CCA workshop plus many more great sessions to consider! This guide provides you with an inside look at some of the sessions and events that CCA members might be most interested in.
CCA events
Wednesday: Architects in Work Boots
WE100 | 9:30am-11:30am | 2 LU
Do you know how to lead a project through construction contract administration? To do so successfully, you need an in-depth understanding of how to manage this phase. This session will provide strategic management insights and feature case studies to empower you to chart your career path.
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Thursday: CCA Open Forum
EV122 | 11am-12:30pm
In this new open forum, you'll join the leaders of the AIA CCA Knowledge Community for an open discussion on CCA topics and trends in 2025. The leaders will also share a recap of recent programming, a preview of upcoming initiatives, and ideas for how you can engage with the group's work.
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Other sessions of interest
Wednesday
Safety Assessment Program
WE141 | 9-5pm | 6.5 LU HSW | $49 for Members / $199 for Non-Members
This training session, designed for licensed professionals, will certify you to conduct rapid safety assessments through the nationally recognized Safety Assessment Program (SAP). SAP equips you with the skills to assess structural safety in the aftermath of disasters. As a trained evaluator, you'll play a critical role in helping local governments determine the habitability of buildings after events like earthquakes, hurricanes, and floods. Join us to make sure you're qualified to lead, advocate, and make a tangible difference during crises.
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Hardhat Tour: Public Science Common - Museum of Science
ET106 | 2:15-4:45pm | 1.75 LU HSW | $95
Join us for this construction site tour - highlights will include the flexible, glass-enclosed, LEED Platinum-designed Public Science Common hovering over the Charles River, the revamped live animal garden, and the new inclusive "everyone restrooms." With insights from the owner, architect, structural engineer, and construction manager, the tour will showcase the complex renovations in a busy, operational museum and the innovative solutions used to manage construction without traditional land-based access. Find out how collaboration and early trade-partner participation helped make it possible to achieve design excellence.
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One Foot in Your Mouth, the Other in a Grave
WE145 | 4-4:30pm | 0.5 LU
This session will focus on the importance of communication and documentation by every member of the firm. Join us for an illuminating discussion about the legal liability of architects, the dangers of inappropriate email communications, the impact of marketing materials, and the necessity of appropriate file retention. Through a review of illustrative claim stories, you''ll also discover how projects can go from rational to risky.
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Thursday
Transforming Practice Through Collaborative, In-House Fabrication Processes
TH107 | 7:30-8:30am | 1 LU
Peek inside Seattle firm LMN's innovative fabrication space, The Shop, where architecture and fabrication merge to create new possibilities in design and construction. Through detailed case studies from built projects, this session will reveal how embedding fabrication capabilities within an architecture practice transforms traditional workflows and enables uniquely collaborative solutions. You'll learn practical strategies drawn from actual project experience for integrating digital fabrication into your firm's design process, from early prototyping through final delivery.
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Building Beyond Today: Preparing Construction Leaders for Tomorrow's Economy
EX006 | 11-11:30am | .5 LU
The construction economy landscape has substantially transformed in just the last few years. Recent shifts in America''s trade stance will create new opportunities and risks that construction leaders must tactfully manage. Plus, changes in financial market conditions will continue to impact the ability to move projects beyond pre-construction. Join Michael Guckes, chief economist at ConstructConnect, for a look at how industry leaders can successfully navigate their companies through today's complex construction sector.
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How Architecture Can Drive Manufacturing in Mass Timber Construction
LL030 | 2:30-3:30pm | 1 LU HSW
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources recently completed a mass timber building in the Upper Peninsula community of Newberry using Michigan-sourced red pine as cross-laminated timber panels. This panel discussion will review the project's design and construction. Join us to see how local sourcing of wood enabled the architectural team to work closely with state and building product manufacturers in driving a shared vision for this project and Michigan's timber industry. You'll gain valuable insights into the collaboration required to meet architecture's sustainability goals, the revolutionary manufacturing process that will expand the possibilities in mass timber wood design, and more.
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Construction 3D Printing: Opportunities & Challenges in Design
TH302 | 4-5:15pm | 1.25 LU
Construction 3D printing is an emerging technology that will likely have profound implications for architectural design. This session will present case studies of planned and completed large-scale 3D-printed projects by architects from three design practices. Join us to review the state-of-the-art in construction 3D printing as well as the inherent challenges of deploying this new technology within a still-nascent regulatory landscape. Plus, explore new design possibilities the technology enables within sectors such as affordable housing, hospitality design, residential design, and design for hurricane and tornado resiliency.
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Real-Life Lessons From Modular Development, Design & Construction
TH106 | 4-5pm | 1 LU HSW
Explore the potential of modular construction as a solution to the housing crisis in this session. Drawing from four years of firsthand experience in architecture, construction, and real estate development, the presentation will offer a balanced, practical view of modular building. Join us to gain insights into the opportunities and challenges of modular housing, so you can assess whether it aligns with your development goals. You'll leave with a rich understanding of the critical steps in successful implementation—from selecting the right factory to navigating key design considerations—empowering you to make informed decisions on your next project.
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Friday
Project Delivery and Public Architects Open Forum
EV134 | 11:00am-12:30pm
The Public Architects and the Project Delivery knowledge communities are excited to announce that they will combine their open forums to discuss issues of relevance to both groups. Leaders from these two communities will facilitate a collection of roundtable conversations around the critical topics impacting architects today.
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AI in Architecture : Transforming Design & Construction Practices
FR302 | 3-3:30pm | .5 LU
AI technologies such as machine learning, neural networks, and data-driven algorithms are revolutionizing how architects design, plan, and manage projects by enabling more efficient processes, smarter designs, and data-driven predictions. This session will examine how AI is transforming architecture by enhancing design creativity, optimizing project efficiency, and improving predictive capabilities for outcomes like energy consumption and cost management.
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