Blogs

Please join us for a COTE book talk on 17 April, 1-2pm ET. Carl Elefante will present about the book and discuss it with reviewer Lori Ferriss. This session is presented by COTE national and the AIA Middle Tennessee chapter COTE. Register at this link . This session is FREE and worth 1 CE/LU. Going for Zero : Decarbonizing the Built Environment on the Path to Our Urban Future is Carl Elefante’s message to the profession honed over the course of his significant career: as a practitioner dedicated to breathing new life into old buildings, as a visionary leader of the profession, and as an emissary communicating the importance of architecture to the public. ...
According to the AI results from a google search of " grassroots ”, these efforts require collaboration to spread awareness and inspire action . If you are like me, in 2025, you are looking for ways to do all of the above efficiently and effectively. I would like to boldly suggest the following: · If you are already a member of the AIA COTE Community online and would like to share local events and/or online events, I encourage you to post them on the AIA COTE Events Page . You can also register and join a COTE Network Quarterly Call online. The next call is May 13 from 2-3pm ET and the topic is “Regional Issues”, the main goal to help build ...
COTE Top Ten for Students: Now Two Categories – and Registration Deadline is April 9 The registration deadline for the ACSA/AIA COTE Top Ten for Students Competition is coming up – it’s April 9. Learn more here: https://www.acsa-arch.org/competitions/2025-cote-competition/ . WHY a student competition Architects play a crucial role in addressing both the causes and effects of climate change through the design of the built environment. Innovative design thinking is key to producing architecture that meets human needs for both function and delight, adapts to climate change projections, continues to support the health and well-being of inhabitants despite ...
Last updated February 2025 ✔ = Reporting Signatory Firm Name Signatory Year MP RY23 39° North Architects 2022 A3C 2021 AB arquitectura 2024 Access Architecture 2020 Alan Glassberg, LLC 2021 ALSC Architects 2022 Amacher & Associates 2022 Ankrom Moisan 2018 ✔ ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge 2023 Arcadis (Formerly CallisonRTKL Inc.) 2020 ✔ archimania 2023 ✔ Architects FORA 2024 Architectural Design Group 2021 ✔ Architecture Advantage LLC 2024 Architecture Is Fun, Inc. ...
Growing up in a military family, Andrea Simpson, AIA developed the ability to adapt to various environments, a skill that has defined her professional journey. From earning her architecture degree at Auburn University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) to assuming leadership roles in major professional organizations, she has continuously evolved and thrived. Simpson began her architectural career at Giattina Aycock Studio in Birmingham, Alabama, before moving to Atlanta, Georgia, to work with Gensler. She later held positions at HEERY International and THW Design before transitioning to the commercial furniture industry ...
Learning programs directly covering Health, Safety, and Welfare topics will receive LU|HSW credit. For a learning activity to qualify as HSW, it must meet the following criteria: Content must directly support the HSW definition Content must include one of more of the AIA CES acceptable HSW topics​ At least 75 percent of the content must be on HSW The following three standards must be met for a course to qualify for HSW credit. Content must directly support the HSW definition Licensed architects and affiliated design professionals have, in their professional practice, a positive duty to protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Learning ...
Dear Members of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health, I’m honored to serve as the 2025 President of the AIA Academy of Architecture for Health in this milestone year—our 80th Anniversary! It’s humbling to reflect on the Academy’s legacy over the past eight decades—shaping spaces that bring healing, hope, and life to our communities around the world. As I looked back at our history, I was struck by the list of past presidents, beginning with Carl A. Erickson, who led the organization in 1945, when it was then called the Committee on Architecture for Health. Imagine the sense of purpose our founders must have felt in that transformative year—when World ...
In her reflective December article, Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC – AIA’s 100th President – wrote about how she and AIA leaders helped secure the future of the Institute and our profession. “More Members,” “More Money,” and “More Mission” were the focus of 2024 and created a foundation for us all in 2025. In order to secure our future, change is inevitable, and the AIA Knowledge Communities, including Regional & Urban Design (RUDC), will be in the process of evolution this year. As the 2025 Chair, I’m excited for this opportunity to help chart our future in collaboration with the RUDC Leadership Group (including six new leaders!) and with all of you. ...
The National Associates Committee 's (NAC) 2025 Annual Meeting took place from January 9th to 11th at Camp Widjiwagan in Nashville, TN. As a key member group of the AIA, the NAC fosters inclusivity and provides a platform for all associate members. This year's gathering brought together 63 state representatives and advisory committee members, creating a vibrant environment for collaboration and growth. Day 1 allowed attendees to settle into Nashville, engage in optional outings, and explore the city before the official program began. The evening set the tone for the event with a welcoming dinner at Turner Dining Lodge, followed by a lively campfire, offering ...
As I step into the role of Chair for Custom Residentials Architects Network (CRAN ® ) in 2025, I find myself reflecting on my first experience with this incredible community and how it has influenced my journey as an architect. I vividly remember attending my first CRAN Symposium—a moment that left me feeling not only empowered and included but also like I had a group of mentors who were there for me whenever I needed guidance. At the time, I was a sole practitioner and working as a residential architect amidst a sea of large commercial firms in New York City. That sense of belonging meant the world to me. One of CRAN’s greatest strengths is its sense of ...
Designing net-zero energy educational buildings: Case studies in excellence January 28 | 2–3pm ET | Earns 1 LU / HSW Explore the principles, challenges, and successes of designing net-zero energy educational buildings by exploring two award-winning case studies: The Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center in Cape Cod, and Bard High School Early College . Gain insights into the strategies and innovations that allowed these projects to achieve net-zero energy goals while fulfilling educational needs. Sponsored by the Committee on Architecture for Education (CAE) . Learn more & register > https://aiau.aia.org/course/det ...
State Representative Email Alabama Barrett Penney, AIA barrett@fosheecompanies.com Alaska Tim Whiteley, AIA tim@welshwhiteley.com Arizona Devan Porter, AIA devan.porter@dsp.design Arkansas Tim Maddox, AIA mad@demxarch.com California VACANT Colorado Emily Adams, AIA emily.adams@neoerainc.com Connecticut Karin Patriquin, AIA karin@patriquinarchitects.com Delaware Willard F. Hurd, AIA whurd@footprintarch.com Florida Alex Silva, AIA Asilva@silvaarc.com Georgia Jordache K Avery, AIA jordache@xmetrical.com Hawaii VACANT Idaho ...

Current SFx Board

2025 SFx Board Table Legend: Bold = Chair / Bold = Executive Committee Board member Email Alyse Makarewicz, AIA Alysem@ambarchitects.com Bart Shaw, FAIA bart@ibanezshaw.com Christopher Hong, AIA chris@whisperarchitects.com Dana Ellis, AIA dana@outpoststudioco.com Darguin Fortuna, AIA dfortuna@flow-design-studio.com Jen Wright, AIA jwright@rallymade.com Jeremiah Russell, AIA jeremiah@roguearch.com Joshua Zinder, AIA jzinder@joshuazinder.com Julie Carpenter julie@aiacincinnati.org Lewis Matthew Miller, AIA lewismmiller@outlook.com Nathan Kipnis, ...
We had an epic year of design exploration--learning from a broad range of architects, designers and civic leaders across the nation and the globe--in Northwest Arkansas, Washington D.C, and Brazil! What a tremendous honor and privilege for me to share with AIA COD the many talented friends and colleagues who generously revealed their approach to creating great architecture, landscape and institutions that foster social engagement, entrepreneurship, and empathy. My heartfelt thanks to all of them, and COD Advisory Group and especially AIA staff Susan Parrish, Kanisha Williams, Robin Preston, and Angel Ward for their support and organization. I wish COD 2025 Chair ...
Dear Committee on Design Community, It is my great pleasure to serve as the chair of the American Institute of Architects Committee on Design for 2025. Our work weaves the threads of design through various activities to support the Institute’s ambitions for excellence in architecture, urbanism, and landscape. In addition to the ongoing work supporting and promoting several of the Institutes award programs, we have a full programmatic spectrum from virtual learning on AIAU, to programs and tours for AIA 25’ to be held in Boston, and finally, our own domestic conference planned May 1-3 in Miami and Coconut Grove Florida. One might see 2025 as a pivotal time ...
Dear Fellow AIA Members, Welcome to the world of the Interior Architecture Knowledge Community (IAKC)! Many of us naturally gravitate towards interiors because architecture is fundamentally about creating spaces for people. Interior architecture plays a vital role in our industry, shaping our most immediate day-to-day environment. The AIA IAKC team aims to connect with more of you this year. Our goals in 2025 include growing the IAKC footprint, expanding our educational and networking opportunities, and making our community resources more accessible to our members. We also will be focusing on both horizontal and vertical connections: building relationships ...

COTE News

COTE News Archives 2025 Jan/Feb 2024 Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec 2023 Jan/Feb Mar/Apr May/Jun Jul/Aug Sep/Oct Nov/Dec
Where do passionate experts discover the most cutting-edge ideas and trends in educational facility design? Look no further than EDspaces: Designing the Future of Education , the premiere destination for architects, designers, facility planners, distributors and manufacturers from throughout the U.S. to convene under one roof. This year’s attendees met in Houston, November 12-14. For over 10 years, the AIA Committee on Architecture for Education has proudly partnered with EDspaces. We are thrilled to share feedback on the conference, our space, and hopes for next year! “The value in coming to the event,” says Rebecca Baibak, AIA, CAE 2025 Chair, “is to ...
Technology in Practice One year after our 2023 Industry Changing Tech issue, we take an updated look at the ways technology is altering practice, including AI (Artificial Intelligence), robotics, and virtual systems. Letter from the editor By Rebecca W.E. Edmunds , AIA, NOMA A year ago, AI’s potential impact on the profession remained, for many, ambiguous. Robotic construction seemed experimentation. Virtual work, more a hangover from the Covid pandemic than an established way of working. But technology moves forward even when we may be mired in the day-to-day requirements of running a practice and delivering projects. Numerous ...