Notes from the Co-Chairs – Alexis Burck, AIA (SmithGroup) and Sarah Gregory, AIA (Dwell Design Studio)
Welcome to 2025 Design for Aging. Alexis and I are excited to share our 2025 projects, events, and milestones. This year we are looking to increase volunteerism, expand the board in the fall, and continue our efforts to promote and educate around our mission. Here is an update of what is happening in 2025.
· Environments for Aging Conference (EFA) - At EFA in Lexington KY, April 26-29, we're hosting our annual Monday morning breakfast panel followed by a deep dive session featuring the intergenerational task force. Stop by our booth 427 in the expo and explore award winners in the gallery space. We are also planning a meet up on Monday evening, stay tuned! Register for EFA if you haven’t already by March 30 for advance rates. Don’t forget to select AIA as your organization.
· Student Competition - Our student competition is back up and running in collaboration with the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA). Help us reach future architects early. The 2026 competition will go out to universities in 2025.
· Awards - Our 2025 Design for Aging Review Award cycle has concluded, and the jury will be held this spring. We are very excited for the winners to be announced at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) in June in Boston.
· AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA25) - Our Knowledge Community will be at the AIA Conference in Boston this year for our second Open Forum. Come out and meet us! Registration to open soon
· Virtual CEUs - We are targeting six virtual presentations again this year. Watch the website and LinkedIn for information and registration. Potential topics include the environment, intergenerational design, affordability, and more.
· Sponsorships - Reach out if you are a senior living product or service looking for a great sponsorship opportunity to directly connect nationally with the architecture industry. We have many virtual and in-person events. Find more information on Sponsorship
· Research - You may not know it, but we conduct research in collaboration with Perkins Eastman, who generously funds half the cost, on our award submission projects each cycle. This year we will be sending out this research in monthly releases! Stay tuned for the first cycle.
· Social media - We always strive to expand and reach more people in the senior living design space with our education. Follow AIA DFA on LinkedIn
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Interested in getting involved? We are always looking for volunteers. Reach out to one of our co-chairs through the website messaging, reply to this post, or find a co-chair on LinkedIn. We can use your support in furthering our mission of education. Volunteering is a great way to see if our board might be a great fit for you.
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Helpful links
Social: AIA DFA LinkedIn Page
Website: AIA DFA Webpage
AIANY DFA: https://www.aiany.org/committees/design-for-aging/
AIASF DFA: https://www.aiasf.org/design-for-aging-dfa
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Sarah Gregory, AIA
Dwell Design Studio, LLC
Charlotte, NC
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