Category: News

In this Newsletter:

• Introducing the 2024 AIA Colorado board of directors
• ByDesign: Architecture TV show filming in Colorado soon
• 2023 Practice + Design keynote presentations now available on AIAU
• AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee
• Meet the class of 2025: Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program
• Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st
• Overview of 2025 Code Classes
• Save the dates!
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: K3 Technology

Introducing the 2025 Board of Directors

A new year brings new leadership! We welcome the 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors, a team committed to elevating the architecture profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado.

This year’s Board is enriched by the valuable contributions of several new members:

• Denver Section Director: Sonya Shah, AIA, 720 design inc.
• South Section Director: Tyler Wurr, AIA, RTA Architects
• At Large Director: Bill Turner, AIA, Path21 Architecture & Planning

Additionally, we are pleased to inform you that Mo Zaina, Assoc. AIA, AECOM, has been elected to the National Associates Committee.

Welcome, new volunteers!

From Committees to Knowledge Communities and appointed roles, AIA Colorado is proud to welcome some 100 volunteers from across Colorado who will help advance the architecture profession this year. We’re also looking forward to sharing the work they undertake throughout the year, so stay tuned to see periodic committee recaps, articles, events, and webinars outlining the work and discussions that will be taking place.

Join us in welcoming and getting to know our 2024 Board of Directors,  representatives, and volunteers for 2025!

Looking for Members to join us for our 2025 Architects Day at the Capitol

A key part of AIA Colorado’s advocacy efforts is to build relationships with state legislators and discuss issues important to the architecture profession. Our 2025 day at the capitol will be Friday morning, January 31st and we’re looking for members who can help us share our perspective. If you’re interested in attending, please contact advocacy engagement director Nikolaus Remus, AIA so we can discuss who your state legislators are and try to set up a meeting with them, and which of our legislator meetings can best leverage your expertise.

ByDesign: Architecture filming in Colorado!

Exciting News! ByDesign: Architecture is coming to Colorado! As a TV series airing on CBS with the goal to bring greater visibility to showcase exceptional design principles, projects, materials and products, ByDesign: Architecture is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best architecture by AIA members. In partnership with AIA Colorado, ByDesign will soon spotlight the innovative work of Colorado architects and their incredible projects. 

Do you have a project in mind? Now’s your chance to be featured on this acclaimed TV series! We’re actively looking for projects by Colorado architects.

EJ Meade, AIA, of Arch11, 2024’s Firm of the Year, is a Colorado architect who has already been featured on a previous episode and said this of his experience: “Through America ByDesign, Arch11 highlighted how our design for Dyna Energetics embodies architecture’s role in shaping spaces that enhance collaboration, communication, and equality for all users. The show also amplified our commitment to tackling environmental and energy issues, creating an engaging dialogue with a diverse audience.”

Learn more about this opportunity and watch the Season 1 episode featuring EJ here.

New to AIAU: AIA Colorado’s 2023 Conference Keynotes!

Are you needing extra learning units before the year is up? Or, did you miss the 2023 Practice + Design Conference and want to watch the keynote presentations? Well, you’re in luck! Newly added to AIAU, you can now enjoy all four keynotes.

• Designing With People + Place: A Conversation with Tom Kundig, FAIA (1 LU)
• The Future of Cities • Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (1 HSW)
• Mithun: Design for Positive Change • Dave Goldberg, FAIA (1 LU)
• Designing in Timber: A Collaborative Approach to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction • Laura Britton, AIA, Dean Maltz, AIA & Dr. Gregory Kingsley, PhD (1 HSW)

AIA College of Fellows Nominating Committee

Being elected to AIA’s College of Fellows represents the highest individual honor bestowed by the Institute upon its members, second only to the Institute’s Gold Medal. Fellowship elevation signifies recognition for an exemplary career with a broad impact on the architectural profession. Colorado has been fortunate since 1886 to witness 108 of our members elevated to Fellowship, including one new fellow named last year.

Are you interested in pursuing Fellowship? If so, our College of Fellows Nominating Committee would love to hear from you! Learn more here and contact Phil Gerou, FAIA, Chair of the Fellows Nominating Committee, by Feb 20th.

Meet the class of 2025: Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a yearlong series of sessions focusing on everything from community leadership to firm management.

Congratulations to the 2025 scholars:

• Gwendoline Albright, Assoc. AIA, Perkins&Will
• Nathan Allen, AIA, HOK
• Hans Davis, AIA, Stantec
• Ryan Detroit, AIA, Hord Coplan Macht
• Deona Florenca, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
• Amanda Hansen, AIA, RB+B Architects
• Jenni Lane, open studio architecture
• Christina LoConte, AIA, SAR+
• Quinlan McFadden, Assoc. AIA, Holland Basham Architects
• Monica Mong, 4240 Architecture
• Brian Ott, SLAM
• Claire Padilla, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale
• Charles de Pottere, Assoc. AIA, OZ Architecture
• Zach Rowley, Perkins&Will
• Lyris Sanchez, OZ Architecture
• Noelle Wilhite, AIA, KEO Studioworks

We also wish to recognize and thank the 2025 CKLDP Executive Committee for all their work:

• Johan Duran-Hunt, AIA, OZ Architecture, Chair
• Taylor Higgins, AIA, Land+Shelter, Vice Chair
• Chelsea Wade, AIA, Semple Brown Design, Chair Emeritus
• Mackenzie Huber, AIA, BVH Architecture, Business Development Director
• Sara Zezulka, AIA, Semple Brown Design, Outreach Director
• Hannah Hobbs, AIA, Steinberg Hart, Treasurer
• Wei Zhao, AIA, RATIO Architects, Marketing Director

Allied Memberships are available through Jan 31st

Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know! 

Joining AIA Colorado as an Allied member gives businesses access to an extensive professional network, AIA Colorado member event pricing, discounted job board rates for members, insider industry information, and more. The Allied Membership is designed for people who work in a field related to architecture but do not have an architecture license or degree, including engineers, planners, landscape architects, consultants, manufacturers, and other fields related to architecture. View the benefits of membership and signup or renew today!

Renewing your AIA membership

Stay connected to the world’s largest, most influential network of architecture professionals—renew your AIA membership for 2025. All AIA memberships originate with the AIA National office and the renewal process begins at renew.aia.org. If you have any difficulty or questions regarding renewing, please contact AIA at (800) 242 3837, option 2, or send an email to membersupport@aia.org.

2025 Code Classes

We’re pleased to share the dates and locations for 2025’s code classes. Sign up today and we’ll look forward to seeing you at the following events:

• February 7 • 2024 IBC Update
  • Location: PPA Event Center, Denver 
• April 18 • 2024 Energy Code
  • Location: PPA Event Center, Denver 
• August 8 • 2024 IEBC Overview
  • Location: Castle Rock Library
• October 3 • 2024 IRC Update
  • Location: PPA Event Center, Denver 

All code classes will take place from 8:30am – 4:30pm.

Save the dates

As we begin 2025, we’re excited to share some important dates for upcoming signature events. Be sure to mark your calendars so you can plan ahead and join us for these can’t-miss occasions.

• January 31 • Architects Day at the Capitol
• March 1 • Architectural Education Foundation scholarships
• July 1 – July 31 • Call for conference presentation submission window
• September 18 • Awards Celebration Event, Denver, CO
• November 12 – 14 • Practice and Design Conference, Keystone, CO
• December • Holiday Happy Hours in Denver, North, South, and West Sections

Designing Aspen: The Houses of Rowland+Broughton is a new publication featuring ten residences designed by Rowland+Broughton. Join John Rowland, AIA, and Sarah Broughton, FAIA, for book signings taking place January 10th, from 3:30 – 5pm, in Aspen, at the Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, and January 16th, from 5 – 8pm, at Studio Como, in Denver. More info here.

Live from the AIA Colorado Design + Practice Conference in Keystone, CO — join Sarah Broughton, FAIA, Adam Wagoner, AIA, Steve Scribner, AIA, Maura Trumble, AIA, Ken Andrews, AIA, and Linnaea Stuart, AIA, for a panel featuring architect and firm award winners, to explore the intricacies of leadership in architecture. Discover key insights on building trust, evolving business strategies, and adapting mentoring practices in a changing industry. This episode offers a valuable discussion on managing work-life balance, the challenges of remote work, and the significance of peer networks and mentorship. A must-listen for industry professionals seeking to understand how these leaders are shaping the future of architecture.

Watch this episode on YouTube & listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!

Colorado Building Symposium

Join Colorado’s building community January 16th and 17th for the 1st Annual Colorado Building Symposium. This event features builder and building science experts, all based in Colorado, to speak to Colorado specific issues. AIA, ICC and PHIUS Continuing education credits will be provided. Learn more and register here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect at MHK Architecture
• Architectural Associate at Foothills Architects, Ltd.
• Project Designer – Aspiring Architect at MmD Architecture

Evelyn Lee, FAIA, inaugurated as AIA 2025 President

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is pleased to announce the inauguration of Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, as its 101st president. Lee, a multi-faceted design leader who uniquely blends her architectural background with a technology-driven focus, was inaugurated as the 101st AIA President at a ceremony December 13, 2024. 

Read an interview with Evelyn titled “Articulating AIA’s voice in 2025” and learn about plans to address AI and housing solutions as 2025 AIA President here.

LPA Design Studios receives 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award

LPA Design Studios wins award by establishing itself a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture, blending a mission-driven ethos with innovative, interdisciplinary design practices. Read more at AIA.

2025 AIA Gold Medal Awarded to Deborah Berke, FAIA

The Board of Directors and the Strategic Council of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) are honoring Deborah Berke, FAIA, with the 2025 Gold Medal. The Gold Medal honors an individual or pair whose significant body of work has had a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. Read more at AIA.

Presenting the new AIA Trust website

AIA is pleased to present a complete overhaul of the AIA Trust website—complete with a sleek new look, a streamlined navigation system, and an exciting new feature: The product finder. Visit the new website at theaiatrust.com.

K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, they have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because they don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company. 

View K3 Technology company website

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!

Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!

Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:

• Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
• Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
• Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
• Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public

For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.

Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2025 Design + Honor Awards
  • Celebration event: September 18th
• 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
  • November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
  • Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.

In this Newsletter:

• Letter from the President: 2024 year in review
• ByDesign: Architecture TV show filming in Colorado soon and you and your project could be featured on an episode! 
• 2023 Practice + Design keynote presentations now available to watch on AIAU
• 2024 Legislator Awards
• Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
• Dec 19: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: IMEG

Thank you for your attendance and enthusiasm making this year’s Practice + Design Conference another spectacular experience, full of intellectual stimulation and professional camaraderie! Our conference is the best in the region, if not the nation, curated by members, for members, and happens only because of active member participation. Thank you!

We’ve had another active year! Several items from this year come to mind:

• Starting with a stellar group of volunteers embracing the revised structure and holding over 61 events, offering a total of 40.5 LU’s and 80.5 LU|HSW.
• Ascending on Capitol Hill in February to share with our elected officials to advocate for pressing legislation that will significantly impact the architecture profession and community needs.
• The passing of the architecture practice act here in Colorado.
• The celebration of our members works at the Design + Honor Awards.
• The times when our Government Affairs Committee (GAC) has supported and advocated for architects, including support for our members in Boulder as they responded to recent zoning changes.
• The sustainability codes event held in Basalt with our partners at CORE this past May.
• Hosting the Big Sibs and Large States in Denver with over 90 attendees from across the country.
• AIA Convention participation and voting at AIA24 in Washington D.C. this past June.
• And augmented our mission statement to capture the essence of our place and practice. 

We continued to build bridges with likeminded organizations including the City and County of Denver, Denver Architecture Foundation (DAF), Aspen Art Museum, ACE Mentorship Program of Colorado, CORE, Denver Public Schools, NOMA, Community College of Denver, SEAC, University of Colorado ENVD, University of Colorado CAP, AIAS, and others to bring our profession front of mind. Let’s keep working together to keep our profession relevant and our emerging professionals engaged. For the future is dependent on their love of our craft.

As my presidency nears its end, I continue to be grateful and honored to serve you and our profession. I look forward to partnering with our 2025 leaders, Scott Rodwin, AIA, and Andy Rockmore, AIA, the entire Board, and you, our members. Together, as one AIA Colorado, we will continue to work our mission ‘Elevating the architecture profession to design a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado.’

ByDesign: Architecture filming in Colorado!

Exciting News! ByDesign: Architecture is coming to Colorado! As a TV series airing on CBS with the goal to bring greater visibility to showcase exceptional design principles, projects, materials and products, ByDesign: Architecture is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best architecture by AIA members. In partnership with AIA Colorado, ByDesign will soon spotlight the innovative work of Colorado architects and their incredible projects. 

Do you have a project in mind? Now’s your chance to be featured on this acclaimed TV series! We’re actively looking for projects by Colorado architects.

EJ Meade, AIA, of Arch11, 2024’s Firm of the Year, is a Colorado architect who has already been featured on a previous episode and said this of his experience: “Through America ByDesign, Arch11 highlighted how our design for Dyna Energetics embodies architecture’s role in shaping spaces that enhance collaboration, communication, and equality for all users. The show also amplified our commitment to tackling environmental and energy issues, creating an engaging dialogue with a diverse audience.”

Learn more about this opportunity and watch the Season 1 episode featuring EJ here.

New to AIAU: AIA Colorado’s 2023 Conference Keynotes!

Are you needing extra learning units before the year is up? Or, did you miss the 2023 Practice + Design Conference and want to watch the keynote presentations? Well, you’re in luck! Newly added to AIAU, you can now enjoy all four keynotes.

• Designing With People + Place: A Conversation with Tom Kundig, FAIA (1 LU)
• The Future of Cities • Carol Ross Barney, FAIA (1 HSW)
• Mithun: Design for Positive Change • Dave Goldberg, FAIA (1 LU)
• Designing in Timber: A Collaborative Approach to Architecture, Engineering, and Construction • Laura Britton, AIA, Dean Maltz, AIA & Dr. Gregory Kingsley, PhD (1 HSW)

2024 Legislator Awards

The AIA Colorado Government Affairs Committee (GAC) is thrilled to announce Sen. James Coleman as the recipient of our 2024 Legislator of the Year award and Rep. William Lindstedt as 2024’s Outstanding New Legislator. Thank you to both Sen. Coleman and Rep. Lindstedt for their continued support of the architectural profession’s interests at the Capitol as we all strive to live in a more equitable, sustainable, and beautiful Colorado! Read more about each legislator’s efforts on our behalf and see photos from Sen. Coleman’s award presentation here.

2024 Practice + Design Conference

Attendance from this year’s conference has been uploaded and automatically added AIA transcripts. If you need certificates, or have a question about your transcript as it relates to conference attendance, please contact Rylee Younger.

Holiday Happy Hours

Members in Denver enjoyed a Holiday Happy Hour and tour of OZ Architecture’sbeautifully expanded and renovated offices (left picture). Many thanks to the team at OZ Architecture for opening their doors and hosting the event!

North Section members gathered in Boulder at the T-Zero lounge inside the St. Julien hotel and enjoyed the time together (right picture).

Two more Holiday Happy Hours remain to close out the year of events. Join us tonight in the West at Forum Phi’s Aspen office and tomorrow night in Colorado Springs at Ivywild School’s Study Hall event space. 

All four events feature raffle giveaways of the book Sparano + Mooney: A Way of Working, by 2024 Practice + Design Conference keynote speaker Anne Mooney, FAIA.

West Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

South Section Holiday Happy Hour

Thursday, December 19th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

Colorado Building Symposium

Join Colorado’s building community January 16th and 17th for the 1st Annual Colorado Building Symposium. This event features builder and building science experts, all based in Colorado, to speak to Colorado specific issues. AIA, ICC and PHIUS Continuing education credits will be provided. Learn more and register here.

Looking to downsize your library?

Historical Larimer County is building out an Architecture and Preservation Library for Northern Colorado and has asked if AIA Colorado members would like to donate any architectural books or magazines. They are a registered 501(c)3 tax, so your donation may be tax deductible too! Contact them directly for more information here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect at MHK Architecture
• Architectural Associate at MHK Architecture
• Architect/Architectural Designer at GB DesignBuild

The American Institute of Architects reaches 100,000 members, a first in organization’s history

AIA is the largest, most influential network of architecture professionals, now with over 100,000 members who share a passion for design, a desire to change the world, and a commitment to following the highest standards of practice. Read at AIA.

AIA Board of Directors celebrates accomplishments of Lakisha Woods, CAE, and announces appointment of interim EVP/CEO

Lakisha Woods, CAE, EVP/CEO of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), has announced her departure effective February 2025. She is the first person of color and second woman to hold this position, marking a significant milestone in AIA’s 167-year history. Read at AIA.

2025 AIA Awards Close January 8th

AIA’s 12 remaining award programs close for submissions on January 8th. Submit to multiple programs with a single application and save money: $450 for the first submission and only $100 for each additional program.

How to apply:

1. Complete one common application per project.
2. Choose the award programs to enter.
3. Submit and save.

Learn more and apply here.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, IMEG and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company they have intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise.

View IMEG company website

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

PCI Mountain States Virtual Courses

Join allied member PCI Mountain States for accredited live courses via Zoom, December 19th and 20th from 12-1pm. RSVP Here.

• December 19th – Building High Performance Educational Facilities
• December 20th – Innovations and Operations: Developments in Sustainable Precast.

Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!

Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!

Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:

• Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
• Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
• Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
• Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public

For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.

Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2025 Design + Honor Awards
  • Submission window: March 12 – May 16
  • Celebration event: September 18th
• 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
  • November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
  • Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.

In this Newsletter:

• 2025 Call for Volunteers submission window closes today
• 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program application window closes this Friday
• 2025 Ascend program application window closes Dec. 11
• Recapping GENERATE Practice + Design Conference: Part 2
• J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee at DPS 8th Grade Career Fair
• Add your firm to the AIA Colorado firm directory
• Dec. 6: Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life
• Dec 6. Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour at OZ Architecture
• Dec 10: West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike
• Dec 11: North Section Holiday Happy Hour in Boulder
• Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
• Dec 18: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: IMEG

2025 Call for Volunteers

Volunteering with AIA Colorado is a great way to use leadership skills, meet like-minded colleagues, expand your network, and shape the profession. As you consider involvement, note that many committee meetings take place via video conference, allowing geographical participation from across the state. Commitments for committee participation are for one calendar year and committee chair positions are appointed annually. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics. 

Apply today to join one of the following committees:

• Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC)
• Awards Committee
• Business of Architecture Knowledge Community
• College of Fellows Nominating Committee
• Committee on the Environment (COTE)
• Conference Committee
• Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
• Housing Committee
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee
• Local Advisory Councils (Denver, North, South, West)
• Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community
• Colorado Sesquicentennial Task Force 

Also, do you have an idea to bring like-minded colleagues together outside of these opportunities? Would you like to submit an inquiry or pilot program for consideration? If so, you are welcome to submit an application to form a new group through the same submission platform.

A recent update to our Call for Volunteers now includes a call for a Disaster Response Coordinator. This position helps connect AIA Colorado with AIA National and future response efforts around the country. Please consider this position as you apply for volunteer for 2025.

Before applying, review all volunteer opportunities and descriptions. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 4th, at 5pm.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a series of nine half-day sessions. The curriculum focuses on honing skills like:

• Entrepreneurship and firm management
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Negotiation skills
• Client development
• Community leadership
• Understanding industry trends

Each year, this competitive program accepts 16 emerging professionals to collaborate, learn together, and develop as leaders in architecture. This program is ideal for members who are eager to advance in their career and either have not yet become a licensed architect, or have been licensed for 10 years or less. 

Applications for the 2025 Class are now available with the window to apply closing Friday, December 6th.

Ascend Mentorship Program

The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally. Program Outcomes:

• Guidance
  • Awareness and identification of culture of architecture profession. Training on professional etiquette and expectations. Negotiate the adjustments from academia to profession.
• Support, Problem Solving
  • Preparing for and dealing with challenges in the working environment. 
• Career Planning, Goal Setting
  • Understanding the different career paths in architecture. Setting goals in a career and developing a pathway to achieve those goals.

Mentors and Mentees for the 2025 program are now invited to apply. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Conference Wrap Up and Photography

Delve into GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference presentation recaps, access download links to the conference photos, and catch up on everything that unfolded over three very full and enjoyable days, visit the conference page at aiacolorado.org/conference.

To view and download photography from the conference, follow these steps:

• Follow this link to access your secure and shareable gallery. https://theunfounddoor.sproutstudio.com/gallery/aia-generate-2024
• To download, click the download cloud icon in the top right corner of the gallery.
• Enter your email address for the delivery of the digital download and use the following passcode:
  • Full Resolution Passcode: aia2024 
  • Web Resolution Passcode:  aia2024web

Keynote recap: Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, “Radical Practice”

The final keynote of the conference offered a delightful twist: hearing from both Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, together. During soundcheck, Marlon remarked, “You know, we don’t get to do this together very often.” This set the tone for an engaging and dynamic presentation, as the duo stood side-by-side, working through nearly 200 slides. They drew deeply from their vault of expertise, sharing insightful and captivating nuances for each project they highlighted. Jon Bell, AIA Colorado Communications and Creative Director, shares thoughts and project overviews here.

Keynote recap: Julie Snow, FAIA, “Architecture’s Trajectory”

Julie Snow’s keynote focused on how small ideas can bring a project to life. She stated “as a studio, we rely on the power of small ideas. The ability of small ideas to navigate the design process. I would suggest that the most critical design decisions may not be the singular big idea, but instead the small ideas that refine the project.” Jose Banuelos, a junior majoring in architecture at the College of Environmental Design, University of Colorado at Boulder, was on hand to share from the keynote presentation here.

Breakout Session recap: Designing neuro-inclusive and accessible spaces

During the first set of breakout sessions, the J.E.D.I. committee presented “If design can be the source of exclusion, can it also be the remedy? Designing neuro-inclusive and accessible spaces,” a breakout session that was the culmination of many years of planning, in part to gain HSW certification. The session began with an explanation of neurodiversity and expanded into actionable suggestions for designers to consider when designing for neurodiversity and neurodivergence. Anna Friedrich, AIA, AIA Colorado Associate Director shares about the journey for HSW justification and key session takeaways here.

J.E.D.I. Education Pipeline Committee at DPS 8th Grade Career Fair

On November 20th and 21st, 2024, the AIA Colorado Justice, Equity,Diversity, Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Education Pipeline Committee, NOMA Colorado, College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver, and AIA Colorado members hosted an “architecture” table at the Denver Public Schools 8th Grade Career Fair. Over 3,400 middle school students were introduced to exciting career possibilities and exciting post-secondary options. Learn about the event and some of the questions that 8th graders have for architects here.

Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!

AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.

Congrats to Brian Nelson, AIA, of Animal Arts for being randomly chosen to receive a $100 gift card for his participation in our conference attendee survey!

Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life

Friday, December 6th, starting at 9am, let’s talk about the process that is needed to get projects compliant with the energy code. We will take a look at plan examples and field pictures, view good examples and some with have room for improvement. We’ll discuss what details are needed to be placed on the plans to give the project the opportunity to be successful. We will also discuss the available tools and resources to assist with energy compliance with any project. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been approved for 6.0 AIA LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour

Friday, December 6th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado Denver Section members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted by OZ Architecture, where members can tour the firm’s recent remodel/expansion, connect, and celebrate the season. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike

Tuesday, December 10th, from 8 – 9:30am, join Western Slope members for a time of conversation. The topic for this call will be “Managing the Cost Spike while Maintaining Design Integrity”. There will be a brief presentation followed by Q&A. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we gather regularly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership. Hopefully, these conversations will create a springboard for more to come. This will be a virtual gathering and the Zoom link will be included in the confirmation email.

RSVP here

North Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 11th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a Holiday Happy Hour at T-ZERO Lounge in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel, downtown Boulder. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

West Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

South Section Holiday Happy Hour

Thursday, December 19th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

Western Mountain Region College of Fellows Announces their 2024 Design Awards, Jason Pettigrew Award, and Silver Medal recipients

The newly reestablished Western Mountain Region College of Fellows convened at Keystone Conference Center following AIA Colorado’s Practice + Design Conference and members enjoyed the time together. The inaugural design award program celebrates the best architectural designs and service achievements from AIA members in the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region states and those AIA members who have worked on projects in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. 

Congratulation to Gregory M Friesen, FAIA, recipient of a Silver Medal award and congratulations to Jason Pettigrew Scholarship Award recipient Brittany Goldsmith, Assoc. AIA. Congratulations to all of the Colorado recipients! View coverage of the event and design award recipients here.

Denver Architectural Foundation (DAF) calls for participation in K-8 classroom program

The Cleworth Architectural Legacy (CAL) Project enlivens K-8 classrooms with architecture education, inspiring learners to think critically about our built environment. DAF connects teachers to resources, training and support to implement CAL in their classrooms. Volunteers are one such resource, representing many of Denver’s leading architecture and engineering firms. Together, teachers and volunteers utilize architecture as a tool for students to actively engage with their classroom subjects. For more information and to get your firm involved, contact DAF here.

Looking to downsize your library?

Historical Larimer County is building out an Architecture and Preservation Library for Northern Colorado and has asked if AIA Colorado members would like to donate any architectural books or magazines. They are a registered 501(c)3 tax, so your donation may be tax deductible too! Contact them directly for more information here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architectural Designer at Carvell Architects, Inc.
• Project Coordinator at Arrow B Architecture
• Architect/Architectural Designer at GB DesignBuild

ABI October 2024: Business conditions at architecture firms begin to moderate

After twenty months of declines, architecture firm billings were flat in October. The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) score for the month was 50.3, meaning that the share of firms that reported declining billings was essentially equal to the share of firms that reported increasing billings. Read at AIA.

Young Architects Forum August newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Read here.

Preparing for interviews in the age of AI

The convenience and efficiency of AI are undeniable, but relying too much on technology can also lead to job applications that feel generic and even impersonal. As AI use becomes prevalent, knowing how to properly leverage its resources while recognizing its advantages and drawbacks becomes crucial. With a leveled playing field, how can you make yourself stand out? Here are four takeaways for using AI to supercharge your job hunt. Read about the tour takeaways at AIA.

AIA Firm Survey Report 2024 

Newly updated for 2024,?The Business of Architecture: AIA Firm Survey Report is the only report that covers the full complexity of firms that power the architecture and design profession. With data from more than 1,200 firms—more than double that of 2022—this essential resource includes metrics to measure practice, evaluate performance, and set strategy. Free for AIA members! Get it at AIA

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, IMEG and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

With a history that dates back over 100 years, IMEG Corp. grew from several firms coming together under one uniting vision: people-centered engineering. As a national engineering and design consulting company they have intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise.

View IMEG company website

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

Allied Memberships for 2025 are now open!

Do you know a company that should be an Allied member of AIA Colorado? Reach out and let them know!

Allied members are a vital part of AIA Colorado’s community of industry leaders shaping Colorado’s built environment. A membership provides:

• Access to events with exclusive member pricing the same as AIA members.
• Opportunities to connect with architects and professionals across Colorado.
• Visibility through the Allied Member Directory and our member communications.
• Priority window to purchase sponsorships and booths before we open the opportunities to non-members and the public

For 2025, Allied Membership remains $500 per member. While not tax-deductible as a charitable contribution, it may be deductible under other IRS provisions. Please consult your tax advisor for details. Renewal deadline for current Allied Members: January 15, 2025.

Read about the benefits here, and sign up here.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2025 Design + Honor Awards
  • Submission window: March 12 – May 16
  • Celebration event: September 18th
• 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
  • November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
  • Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.

In this Newsletter:

• Recapping GENERATE Practice + Design Conference: Part 1
• 2025 Call for Volunteers submission window now open
• 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program applications open
• 2025 Ascend program applications open
• Add your firm to the AIA Colorado firm directory
• Nov. 21: AAHKC happy hour networking event
• Dec. 3: Business of Architecture Roundtable: Remote Work Do’s and Don’ts
• Dec. 6: Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life
• Dec 6. Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour at OZ Architecture
• Dec 10: West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike
• Dec 11: North Section Holiday Happy Hour in Boulder
• Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
• Dec 19: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: JVA, Inc.

GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference

The annual conference was once again a tremendous experience for keynote presenters, breakout session leaders, expo hall exhibitors, sponsors, AIA Colorado staff, and the hundreds of attendees! The inspiration, networking conversations, time spent thinking through the big questions, and ideas for the future of our profession, will have lasting effects.

Tech Connect offered new and insightful perspectives on the future of our profession and each one of our GENERATE 2024 keynote presenters brought their A-games. We broke news about the role of Colorado architects in future seasons of the ByDesign TV show, and 2024 Architect of the Year, Adam Wagoner, AIA, was right in the center of the Expo Hall to capture the best of the ideas from conference for his Architect-ing podcast, so we can all keep the conversation going in the months ahead. 

While we work through the photos and details from the days at Keystone, we’re going to share a few recaps in this newsletter and share the remaining articles, recaps, insights, and nuggets of wisdom, along with a complete bank of imagery in our next newsletter, delivered to you December 4th.

Thank you to our Conference Committee and the many volunteers who helped to pull off a truly great conference!

Keynote recap: Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, 2024 AIA President-elect

After a day of design-focused, inspirational keynotes, the 2025 AIA President-Elect’s Friday morning Q&A session provided a refreshing shift to the narrative. The conversation centered around a few topics: how the profession evolves to meet future issues, around attracting and retaining talent as we face competition from adjacent professions, and how we and shift practice models in order to provide greater benefits and pay. Conference Committee Co-Chair Kaylyn Kirby, AIA shares perspectives on the session here.

Keynote recap: Anne Mooney, FAIA, A Way of Working

During Anne Mooney’s insightful and inspiring keynote presentation, she described how she grounds her projects in strong ideas and translates those ideas into meaningful architectural designs. Her way of working involves slowing down to move beyond preconceptions, allowing time to uncover the unique potential within every project. Andrea Malta, a senior at the College of Architecture and Planning at CU Denver, took in the presentation and shares the journey of what she learned here.

Randy Deutsch, FAIA: How AI changes architecture

Kicking off the Tech Connect 1-Day event, Randy Deutsch shared practical insights and a forward thinking perspective for attendees to consider when contemplating AI’s role in an architect’s career. Andy Rockmore, AIA, opens up his notebook from the session here.

Arjun Kaicker, Intl. Assoc. AIA: Transforming workplace design with AI

What if, instead of anxiety, “AI” fostered a sense of empathy: feelings of connection and collaboration, of personalization, flexibility, adaptability, and environmental evolution? These are the types of big questions that Arjun Kaicker, Intl. Assoc. AIA, of Zaha Hadid Architects, bought to the discussion and Craig Lawrence, AIA, was there to capture it all here.

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2025 Call for Volunteers

Volunteering with AIA Colorado is a great way to use leadership skills, meet like-minded colleagues, expand your network, and shape the profession. As you consider involvement, note that many committee meetings take place via video conference, allowing geographical participation from across the state. Commitments for committee participation are for one calendar year and committee chair positions are appointed annually. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics. 

Apply today to join one of the following committees:

• Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC)
• Awards Committee
• Business of Architecture Knowledge Community
• College of Fellows Nominating Committee
• Committee on the Environment (COTE)
• Conference Committee
• Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
• Housing Committee
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee
• Local Advisory Councils (Denver, North, South, West)
• Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community
• Colorado Sesquicentennial Task Force 

Also, do you have an idea to bring like-minded colleagues together outside of these opportunities? Would you like to submit an inquiry or pilot program for consideration? If so, you are welcome to submit an application to form a new group through the same submission platform.

A recent update to our Call for Volunteers now includes a call for a Disaster Response Coordinator. This position helps connect AIA Colorado with AIA National and future response efforts around the country. Please consider this position as you apply for volunteer for 2025.

Before applying, review all volunteer opportunities and descriptions. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 4th, at 5pm.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a series of nine half-day sessions. The curriculum focuses on honing skills like:

• Entrepreneurship and firm management
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Negotiation skills
• Client development
• Community leadership
• Understanding industry trends

Each year, this competitive program accepts 16 emerging professionals to collaborate, learn together, and develop as leaders in architecture. This program is ideal for members who are eager to advance in their career and either have not yet become a licensed architect, or have been licensed for 10 years or less. 

Applications for the 2025 Class are now available with the window to apply closing Friday, December 6th.

Ascend Mentorship Program

The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally. Program Outcomes:

• Guidance
  • Awareness and identification of culture of architecture profession. Training on professional etiquette and expectations. Negotiate the adjustments from academia to profession.
• Support, Problem Solving
  • Preparing for and dealing with challenges in the working environment. 
• Career Planning, Goal Setting
  • Understanding the different career paths in architecture. Setting goals in a career and developing a pathway to achieve those goals.

Mentors and Mentees for the 2025 program are now invited to apply. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!

AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.

Congratulations to AIA Colorado member firms Bldg. Collective Architecture + Design CCY Architects, CG Modern Architecture, Renée del Gaudio Architecture, Semple Brown Design, and Tomecek Studio Architecture who were recently included on the Forbes list of Top 200 Residential Architects.

AAHKC Happy Hour

Thursday, November 21st,  5:30 – 7:30pm, hosted at HDR, join the Colorado Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC) for a happy hour networking event.

RSVP here

Business of Architecture Roundtable: Remote Work Do’s and Don’ts

Tuesday, December 3rd, 5:30 – 8pm, join the AIA Colorado Business of Architecture Committee for a roundtable discussion of remote work do’s and don’ts.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Should our practices be fully remote, fully in-person, or hybrid
• Setting employer and employee expectations
• Incentivizing employees to come to the office
• Remote work policy creation

Event will be held in person at Neoera’s office in Denver with virtual attendance available.

RSVP here

Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life

Friday, December 6th, starting at 9am, let’s talk about the process that is needed to get projects compliant with the energy code. We will take a look at plan examples and field pictures, view good examples and some with have room for improvement. We’ll discuss what details are needed to be placed on the plans to give the project the opportunity to be successful. We will also discuss the available tools and resources to assist with energy compliance with any project. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been approved for 6.0 AIA LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour

Friday, December 6th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado Denver Section members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted by OZ Architecture, where members can tour the firm’s recent remodel/expansion, connect, and celebrate the season. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike

Tuesday, December 10th, from 8 – 9:30am, join Western Slope members for a time of conversation. The topic for this call will be “Managing the Cost Spike while Maintaining Design Integrity”. There will be a brief presentation followed by Q&A. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we gather regularly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership. Hopefully, these conversations will create a springboard for more to come. This will be a virtual gathering and the Zoom link will be included in the confirmation email.

RSVP here

North Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 11th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a Holiday Happy Hour at T-ZERO Lounge in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel, downtown Boulder. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

West Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

South Section Holiday Happy Hour

Thursday, December 19th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

Denver Architectural Foundation (DAF) calls for participation in K-8 classroom program

The Cleworth Architectural Legacy (CAL) Project enlivens K-8 classrooms with architecture education, inspiring learners to think critically about our built environment. DAF connects teachers to resources, training and support to implement CAL in their classrooms. Volunteers are one such resource, representing many of Denver’s leading architecture and engineering firms. Together, teachers and volunteers utilize architecture as a tool for students to actively engage with their classroom subjects. For more information and to get your firm involved, contact DAF here.

Energize Denver December Feedback Sessions

The Energize Denver program is updating its rules and regulations to add additional flexibility options for meeting the 2030 targets. This session is designed to present the second draft of changes and gather feedback to refine the design of the options. 

Public Sessions 

• December 3, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (register) 
• December 4, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. (register) 
• December 5, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (register) 

Service Provider Sessions 

• December 2, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (register) 
• December 6, 9:00-10:00 a.m. (register) 

Manufacturing, Agricultural, and Industrial Buildings 

December 4, 12:00-1:00pm (register) 

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect / Architectural Designer at ArcDen Studio
• Architect / Project Manager at Hampton Architecture
• Project Architect / Project Manager at Lightwell Architecture

AIA Materials Pledge By the Numbers

New in 2024! Access the AIA Materials Pledge By the Numbers report—tracking firm signatory progress on positive material specification. The AIA Materials Pledge offers signatory firms a reporting framework to track and document their progress specifying healthier materials that contribute to the five impact categories: Human health, social health and equity, climate health, ecosystem health, and a circular economy. Download the report at AIA.

AIA Firm Survey Report 2024 

Newly updated for 2024,?The Business of Architecture: AIA Firm Survey Report is the only report that covers the full complexity of firms that power the architecture and design profession. With data from more than 1,200 firms—more than double that of 2022—this essential resource includes metrics to measure practice, evaluate performance, and set strategy. Free for AIA members! Get it at AIA

Call for submissions: Project-based AIA awards

AIA Awards is launching a new application process for 2025 awards. AIA is streamlining its award submission timeline and improving the submission process by implementing a common submission form for all project-based AIA awards. The common submission form will offer a more cohesive and user-friendly experience for applicants and allow project-based submissions for multiple categories in a single application. This approach reduces the administrative burden on both applicants and the AIA. Learn more and start your submission at AIA.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, JVA, Incorporated, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

JVA is a consulting engineering firm with offices in Boulder, Fort Collins, Winter Park,
Glenwood Springs, and Denver, Colorado. Since 1956, JVA has provided engineering
services to architects, owners, building departments, and general contractors in Colorado
and nationwide. Our Structural, Civil, and Environmental engineering departments offer
highly skilled engineers who complement your experience to fully meet your design and
construction needs. We take pride in our commitment to provide excellent service.

Learn More About JVA, Inc.

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2025 Design + Honor Awards
  • Submission window: March 12 – May 16
  • Celebration event: September 18th
• 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference
  • November 12-14, 2025 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO.
  • Breakout session submission window opens May 28th.

In this Newsletter:

• There’s still time to join us at GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference and Tech Connect 1-Day event!
• 2025 Call for Volunteers submission window now open
• 2025 Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program applications open
• 2025 Ascend program applications open
• Add your firm to the AIA Colorado firm directory
• COTE’s third AIA 2030 Commitment session event available to watch
• AEF celebrates scholarship recipients
• Nov. 21: AAHKC happy hour networking event
• Dec. 3: Business of Architecture Roundtable: Remote Work Do’s and Don’ts
• Dec. 6: Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life
• Dec 6. Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour at OZ Architecture
• Dec 10: West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike
• Dec 11: North Section Holiday Happy Hour in Boulder
• Dec 18: West Section Holiday Happy Hour in Aspen
• Dec 18: South Section Holiday Happy Hour in Colorado Springs
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: JVA, Inc.

PRACTICE + DESIGN CONFERENCE IS NEXT WEEK!

It’s almost time to gear up for the keynotes, breakout sessions, learning labs, community, sold out expo floor, and networking that will make this year’s conference one to remember! Featuring keynote presentations by Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, AIA President-Elect Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, Julie Snow, FAIA, and Anne Mooney, FAIA!

Registration is still available for this year’s special edition of Tech Connect, taking placeNovember 13th, and GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference taking placeNovember 14 – 15. Earn 1 LU|HSW & 2 LU at Tech Connect and 9 LU|HSW & 4.5 LU at GENERATE! 

Late registration ends Tuesday, November 12th, and on-site registration will be available for an additional $50. Room rates through the AIA Colorado room block are still available, so make sure to pick up the phone and call Keystone in order to get the best rate!

Tech Connect 1-Day

Join us Wednesday, November 13th, from 2 – 6pm, at Keystone Conference Center, for a special event featuring three presentations that you will not want to miss:

• “How AI changes architecture: the productive, ethical, and innovative intersection of technology, computation, robotics, and the built environment”
  • Randy Deutsch, FAIA, University of Illinois 
• “Building an image generator: principles and practices in AI”
  • Matt Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA, HDR
• “Transforming workplace design with AI: insights and innovations”
  • Arjun Kaicker, AIA, Zaha Hadid Architects

Register for Tech Connect at the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference registration website.

2025 Call for Volunteers

Volunteering with AIA Colorado is a great way to use leadership skills, meet like-minded colleagues, expand your network, and shape the profession. As you consider involvement, note that many committee meetings take place via video conference, allowing geographical participation from across the state. Commitments for committee participation are for one calendar year and committee chair positions are appointed annually. We encourage candidates from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds including career stage, firm size, practice type, location, and personal demographics. 

Apply today to join one of the following committees:

• Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC)
• Awards Committee
• Business of Architecture Knowledge Community
• College of Fellows Nominating Committee
• Committee on the Environment (COTE)
• Conference Committee
• Government Affairs Committee (GAC)
• Housing Committee
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Committee
• Local Advisory Councils (Denver, North, South, West)
• Regional and Urban Design Knowledge Community
• Colorado Sesquicentennial Task Force 

Also, do you have an idea to bring like-minded colleagues together outside of these opportunities? Would you like to submit an inquiry or pilot program for consideration? If so, you are welcome to submit an application to form a new group through the same submission platform.

Before applying, review all volunteer opportunities and descriptions. The application deadline is Wednesday, December 4th, at 5pm.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program

The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) aims to train the next generation of leaders in architecture through a series of nine half-day sessions. The curriculum focuses on honing skills like:

• Entrepreneurship and firm management
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Negotiation skills
• Client development
• Community leadership
• Understanding industry trends

Each year, this competitive program accepts 16 emerging professionals to collaborate, learn together, and develop as leaders in architecture. This program is ideal for members who are eager to advance in their career and either have not yet become a licensed architect, or have been licensed for 10 years or less. 

Applications for the 2025 Class are now available with the window to apply closing Friday, December 6th.

Ascend Mentorship Program

The Ascend Program connects emerging architecture professionals with mid-career architects through mentorship as an intentional first step into the profession. These connections will support EP’s in the early stage of their careers, guiding through challenges, setting goals, and developing the skill set to succeed. Ascend groups are organized locally. Program Outcomes:

• Guidance
  • Awareness and identification of culture of architecture profession. Training on professional etiquette and expectations. Negotiate the adjustments from academia to profession.
• Support, Problem Solving
  • Preparing for and dealing with challenges in the working environment. 
• Career Planning, Goal Setting
  • Understanding the different career paths in architecture. Setting goals in a career and developing a pathway to achieve those goals.

Mentors and Mentees for the 2025 program are now invited to apply. Mentors and Mentees are invited to apply no later than Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!

AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.

AEF celebrates scholarship recipients

This past October 23rd, representatives from the Architectural Education Foundation (AEF) celebrated several scholarship recipients at the College of Architecture and Planning Scholarship Breakfast. The honored recipients are:

• Toni Alexander & Abigail Arredondo: FAIA Colorado Fellows Scholarship
• Andrea Malta Zuniga (pictured above): C. Gordon Sweet AIA Scholarship 
• Fritz Carpenter: Michael Kephart AIA Scholarship
• Rachel Randolph: De Von M. Carlson FAIA Scholarship
• Sophia Ostendorf: Priscilla & William Muchow FAIA Scholarship
• Toby Underhill: Temple Hoyne Buell FAIA Scholarship
• Berenice Ibarra: Robert K. Fuller FAIA Scholarship
• Dania Morelli: Flodie and John Anderson FAIA Scholarship

AEF, in partnership with AIA Colorado, offers traveling and professional development scholarships to advance the interest of the profession of architecture in the State of Colorado. Learn more about AEF and donate to the organization here.

Congratulations to Ekman Design Studio for winning “Best Residential Folly” at the Palladio Awards honoring outstanding achievement in traditional design for their Humboldt Pool Pavilion and Folly project in Denver. To our knowledge, this national recognition is a first for a Colorado firm.

Creating the Regenerative School, the new book co-authored by Alan Ford, FAIA, was recently featured in the magazine Learning by Design. See an online version of the coverage here.

AAHKC Happy Hour

Thursday, November 21st,  5:30 – 7:30pm, hosted at HDR, join the Colorado Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC) for a happy hour networking event.

RSVP here

Business of Architecture Roundtable: Remote Work Do’s and Don’ts

Tuesday, December 3rd, 5:30 – 8pm, join the AIA Colorado Business of Architecture Committee for a roundtable discussion of remote work do’s and don’ts.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Should our practices be fully remote, fully in-person, or hybrid
• Setting employer and employee expectations
• Incentivizing employees to come to the office
• Remote work policy creation

Event will be held in person at Neoera’s office in Denver with virtual attendance available.

RSVP here

Code Class: Getting the IECC Out of the Code Book and Into Everyday Life

Friday, December 6th, starting at 9am, let’s talk about the process that is needed to get projects compliant with the energy code. We will take a look at plan examples and field pictures, view good examples and some with have room for improvement. We’ll discuss what details are needed to be placed on the plans to give the project the opportunity to be successful. We will also discuss the available tools and resources to assist with energy compliance with any project. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been approved for 6.0 AIA LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Denver Section Holiday Happy Hour

Friday, December 6th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado Denver Section members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted by OZ Architecture, where members can tour the firm’s recent remodel/expansion, connect, and celebrate the season. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

West Virtual Connect: Managing the Cost Spike

Tuesday, December 10th, from 8 – 9:30am, join Western Slope members for a time of conversation. The topic for this call will be “Managing the Cost Spike while Maintaining Design Integrity”. There will be a brief presentation followed by Q&A. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we gather regularly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership. Hopefully, these conversations will create a springboard for more to come. This will be a virtual gathering and the Zoom link will be included in the confirmation email.

RSVP here

North Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 11th, from 4 – 6pm, join AIA Colorado members in the North for a Holiday Happy Hour at T-ZERO Lounge in the lobby of the St. Julien Hotel, downtown Boulder. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

West Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 18th, 5:30 – 7:30pm join fellow Western Slope members for a Holiday Happy Hour hosted at Forum Phi’s Aspen office. Light food and drink will be provided. Please RSVP so that we can be prepared, and we will look forward to seeing you!

RSVP here

South Section Holiday Happy Hour

Wednesday, December 18th, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA Colorado members in the South for a Holiday Happy Hour at Ivywild School in Colorado Springs. Head upstairs to the Study Hall event space and look forward to a time to connect and celebrate the season. Please RSVP beforehand!

RSVP here

CAP Fall lecture series

• Thursday, November 7, 6pm – Thomas Phifer, Thomas Phifer and Partners, Founder 

Lecture will be held at the Second Floor Gallery, CU Denver. More info and RSVP here.

Path to Fellowship session at Keystone

Immediately following the closure of this year’s Practice + Design Conference, starting at 4:30pm, Friday, November 15th, join the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region members for an event to learn about Fellowship, the path to apply, and meet Fellows from Colorado who can help guide you on your Fellowship journey. Panelists include Ron Abo, FAIA (2023), Will Babbington, FAIA (2024), Phil Gerou, FAIA (1993), Greg Gidez, FAIA (2022), and Jon Sparer, FAIA (2018). Session will take place at Keystone Conference Center and there is no need to RSVP beforehand and no charge to attend.

Beyond the Facade: Inside the Work of Davis Partnership Architects

Thursday, November 14th, 4:30 – 6pm, join Denver Architecture Foundation and Davis Partnership Architects for a tour of Davis’ historic office building and a presentation of the inner workings of two major buildings in Denver: The Freyer Newman Center at the Denver Botanic Gardens and One River North. Presentations will cover the overview of the buildings and the process of bringing these projects to life. Following the presentations, join for a tour the historic building where Davis works, The Bindery on Blake. More info and purchase tickets here.

Cherry Creek North Design Advisory Board (CCNDAB) 

Licensed architects residing in the City and County of Denver, and retailers from the Cherry Creek North District, are encouraged to apply for two openings on the Cherry Creek North Design Advisory Board (CCNDAB). Learn more and apply here.

Energize Denver December Feedback Sessions

The Energize Denver program is updating its rules and regulations to add additional flexibility options for meeting the 2030 targets. This session is designed to present the second draft of changes and gather feedback to refine the design of the options. 

Public Sessions 

• December 3, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (register) 
• December 4, 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. (register) 
• December 5, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. (register) 

Service Provider Sessions 

• December 2, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. (register) 
• December 6, 9:00-10:00 a.m. (register) 

Manufacturing, Agricultural, and Industrial Buildings 

• December 4, 12:00-1:00pm (register) 

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect (All Levels) at Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects
• 6+ Year Project Manager/Project Architect at Godden Sudik Architects
• Architect or Architectural Designer at Vera Iconica Architecture

AIA Firm Survey Report 2024 

Newly updated for 2024,?The Business of Architecture: AIA Firm Survey Report is the only report that covers the full complexity of firms that power the architecture and design profession. With data from more than 1,200 firms—more than double that of 2022—this essential resource includes metrics to measure practice, evaluate performance, and set strategy. Free for AIA members! Get it at AIA

Young Architects Forum October Newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Highlights in this newsletter include: 

• Align Mentorship program applications are open (Pairs YAs + EPs with Fellows)
• 2025 Young Architect Award submissions open

 Read here 

12+ AIA Awards are now open for submission

AIA Awards is launching a new application process for 2025 awards. AIA is streamlining its award submission timeline and improving the submission process by implementing a common submission form for all project-based AIA awards. The common submission form will offer a more cohesive and user-friendly experience for applicants and allow project-based submissions for multiple categories in a single application. This approach reduces the administrative burden on both applicants and the AIA. Learn more and start your submission at AIA.

Business conditions continue to worsen at architecture firms, ABI data shows

September marked the twentieth consecutive month of declining billings for architecture firms, according to the latest data from the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI). Read at AIA.

Call for Proposals to present at AIA25 closes October 23rd

Submit your proposal for an educational session or architectural tour at AIA25 in Boston! AIA is looking for ahead-of-the-curve educational content from a diversity of voices, career stages, and industries. Start submission here.

Watch Season 2 Episode 1 of America ByDesign: Architecture

America ByDesign: Architecture Season 2 is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best of American architecture from AIA members. From awe-inspiring architectural homes on the lake, to design that reflects culture and learning, to architecture centered on sustainability and collaboration. AIA has exclusive first access to each episode in the series for the AIA community – ahead of the general broadcast. Just as AIA believes “design belongs to everyone”, ByDesign is committed to showcasing design in technology, living, science and architecture to everyone. As associates and members of AIA are passionate about excellence in design, a collaborative partnership with the ByDesign series is a natural fit! 

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, JVA, Incorporated, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

JVA is a consulting engineering firm with offices in Boulder, Fort Collins, Winter Park,
Glenwood Springs, and Denver, Colorado. Since 1956, JVA has provided engineering
services to architects, owners, building departments, and general contractors in Colorado
and nationwide. Our Structural, Civil, and Environmental engineering departments offer
highly skilled engineers who complement your experience to fully meet your design and
construction needs. We take pride in our commitment to provide excellent service.

Learn More About JVA, Inc.

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Date:

• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.

In this Newsletter:

• GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference is less than 1 month away!
• Tech Connect 1-Day event
• Call for Nominations | 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils
• New AIA Colorado firm directory
• J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles
• October 17th: emerging professional happy hour
• October 22nd: affordable housing in Denver event
• October 24th: historic preservation tour of Larimer Square
• October 25th: Code Class: 2021 IBC Multi-Family Construction
• October 28th: AIA 2030 Commitment session #3
• November 21st: AAHKC happy hour networking event
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: K3 Technologies

Conference is less than 1 month away!

Featuring keynote presentations by Marlon Blackwell, FAIA, and Meryati Blackwell, AIA, AIA President-Elect Evelyn M. Lee, FAIA, Julie Snow, FAIA, and Anne Mooney, FAIA, it’s time to gear up for the keynotes, breakout sessions, learning labs, community, sold out expo floor, and networking that will make this year’s conference one to remember! 

Registration is still available for this year’s special edition of Tech Connect, taking placeNovember 13th, and GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference taking placeNovember 14 – 15. Regular registration, and the conference room block, ends Oct 31st,so don’t delay!

Tech Connect 1-Day

Join us Wednesday, November 13th, from 2 – 6pm, at Keystone Conference Center, for a special event featuring three presentations that you will not want to miss:

• “How AI changes architecture: the productive, ethical, and innovative intersection of technology, computation, robotics, and the built environment”
  • Randy Deutsch, FAIA, University of Illinois 
• “Building an image generator: principles and practices in AI”
  • Matt Goldsberry, Assoc. AIA, HDR
• “Transforming workplace design with AI: insights and innovations”
  • Arjun Kaicker, AIA, Zaha Hadid Architects

Register for Tech Connect at the GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference registration website.

Call for Nominations | 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils

We are seeking AIA Colorado members to serve on the AIA Colorado Board of Directors and as state representatives to AIA national councils. The AIA Colorado Board provides stewardship of the nonprofit and is responsible for collaboratively setting the direction of the organization through consensus driven governance, policy-making and strategic planning. The national councils are peer group networks who provide insight from our state into their programming and strategy to the national level of the Institute. 

Ideal candidates are AIA members who are strategically minded, service-oriented, and capable of identifying and responding to industry trends—to enhance and propel the profession and to help members excel in their areas of practice. AIA Colorado is committed to broadening equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a stronger profession. Towards that end, the nominating committee will make every attempt to recommend a diverse, strategy-driven, and competency-based slate of candidates. For more information, go here.

Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!

AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.

J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles

The J.E.D.I. Committee invites neurodivergent members to share their unique perspectives for an upcoming profile. If you’re neurodivergent experiences have influenced your work in architecture and design, we want to hear your story. Help us raise awareness and inspire positive change within our community! To get involved, please contact AIA Colorado Communications Director, Jon Bell.

Emerging Professional AE Happy Hour with SEAC

October 17th, from 5 – 7pm, join emerging professional members from AIA Colorado and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) for a happy hour at Wynkoop Brewery.

RSVP here

Affordable Housing in Denver: Tour and Panel Discussion

Tuesday, October 22nd, from 4 – 5:45pm, the AIA Colorado Denver Local Advisors will be hosting a tour and panel discussion on the topic of affordable housing in Denver. The event will offer three 30-minute simultaneous site tours of projects in the Sun Valley neighborhood and be followed by a panel discussion highlighting the opportunities and challenges our community has in setting up affordable projects as we all aim to solve the housing issues in Denver. The panel will focus on how affordable projects come to life and the challenges of making them a reality. A reception and Q&A with the panel and tour hosts will follow. This will be an exclusive event for AIAColorado members and reservations are limited! Event has been approved for 1.5 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Historic Preservation Tour – Larimer Square

Thursday, October 24, at 4pm, join Denver Local Advisors for a tour of the historic preservation and restoration to Denver’s Larimer Square. The tour will look at the $20 million-dollar exterior restoration and preservation improvements of the downtown historic 1400 block of Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets. Constructed between 1860 and 1880, the block includes 18 historic building facades, containing over 50,000 sq ft of interior space, and pedestrian streetscape. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Code Class: 2021 IBC Multi-Family Construction

Friday, October 25, at 8am, attend an overview of the requirements for multi-family dwellings in the International Building Code. Type V-A construction may be the most difficult type of construction to build a structure by. This seminar discusses the design, construction and inspection of Group R-2 occupancies including, building planning, fire-resistive rated construction, fire protection requirements and means of egress requirements. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been for approval for 7.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours.

RSVP here

AIA 2030 Commitment: Breaking Boundaries with Embodied Carbon

Monday, October 28th, 5 – 6:30pm, in-person at The Alliance Center or attending virtually, join the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment (COTE) for the third member education session. 

A few of the topics discussed will include:

• Understanding operational carbon and embodied carbon within the context of building design and construction.
• Identify key tools, benchmarks, and metrics for measuring and tracking embodied carbon in buildings.
• Understanding how to engage your project team in the discussion of carbon reduction strategies.
• Gain insight to the benefits and impacts of reducing embodied, operational, and refrigerant carbon through case study projects.
• Illustrate the benefits of participation in the AIA 2030 Commitment and supporting the effort to reduce emissions and change the practice of architecture.

A Q+A session will follow the presentation. This session has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.  Watch Session #1 here and Session #2 here.

RSVP here

AAHKC Happy Hour

Thursday, November 21st,  5:30 – 7:30pm, hosted at HDR, join the Colorado Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAHKC) for a happy hour networking event.

RSVP here

Path to Fellowship session at Keystone

Immediately following the closure of this year’s Practice + Design Conference, starting at 4:30pm, Friday, November 15th, join the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region members for an event to learn about Fellowship, the path to apply, and meet Fellows from Colorado who can help guide you on your Fellowship journey. Panelists include Ron Abo, FAIA (2023), Will Babbington, FAIA (2024), Phil Gerou, FAIA (1993), Greg Gidez, FAIA (2022), and Jon Sparer, FAIA (2018). Session will take place at Keystone Conference Center and there is no need to RSVP beforehand and no charge to attend.

Call for Entries: Western Mountain Region Fellows Design & Honor Awards program

Following this year’s Practice + Design Conference, join the AIA College of Fellows Western Mountain Region members for an evening celebrating the 2024 AIA COF WMR Design & Honor Awards program. The inaugural design award gala will take place at Keystone Conference Center Friday evening, November 15th. Celebrating the best architectural designs and service achievements from AIA members in the AIA COF WMR states and those AIA members who have worked on projects in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. Learn more about the AIA COF WMR design award program and Practice + Design conference registration for WMR members here. 

Entry deadline: October 23rd, at 10 pm. Start your submission here.

City of Denver Zoning Board of Adjustment seeking applicants

The City and County of Denver mayor’s office and City Council are seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment. The Board of Adjustment hears and decides cases regarding the Denver Zoning Code and Former Chapter 59. It is quasi-judicial, responsible for conducting formal legal proceedings, subject to legal standards and court review. The appointed candidate will serve a term effective January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. Learn more and apply here.

Cherry Creek North Design Advisory Board (CCNDAB) 

Licensed architects residing in the City and County of Denver, and retailers from the Cherry Creek North District, are encouraged to apply for two openings on the Cherry Creek North Design Advisory Board (CCNDAB). Learn more and apply here.

Nominations now open for 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards!

Since 2005, the Mayor’s Design Awards have honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, urban design, and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others for their creative contributions to Denver’s built environment through excellence and innovation. Many different types of projects are eligible. Mayor Mike Johnston and the Department of Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards to be handed out in early 2025. Nominations are due Friday, November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony early next year. Nominate a project here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Project Designer at Arch11
• Sustainability Specialist at Boulder Associates 
• BIM Manager at Treanor

2024 YAF Report

We’re thrilled to have AIA Colorado member Kaylyn Kirby, AIA, Semple Brown Design, on the Young Architects Forum, which represents approximately 20,000 of AIA’s nearly 100,000 members, serving alongside talented and passionate leaders in the AIA. Catch up on YAF’s 2024 Priority Areas, Goals, Accomplishments, and learn more about the work that transpires throughout the year here.

AIA Disaster Assistance Program updates

Architects play a crucial role in disaster response, and AIA proudly supports chapters and members in aiding their communities during crises. Read at AIA

NCARB and AIA release new guidance for developing ethics and public welfare-related CE courses

Over the past several years, interest in social determinants of health and ethics-related CE courses has grown, leading to questions regarding if and how these topics qualify for HSW credit. Developed jointly by AIA and NCARB, Ethics and Public Welfare Topics: A Guide to HSW Course Development confirms that both AIA and NCARB accept ethics, sociology, and public welfare content within the framework of HSW CE credit. Read at AIA

Five high-impact quotes from WLS 2024

Over 800 women gathered in Chicago last week for AIA’s 15th Women’s Leadership Summit! Read at AIA

Call for Proposals to present at AIA25 closes October 23rd

Submit your proposal for an educational session or architectural tour at AIA25 in Boston! AIA is looking for ahead-of-the-curve educational content from a diversity of voices, career stages, and industries. Start submission here.

Watch Season 2 Episode 1 of America ByDesign: Architecture

America ByDesign: Architecture Season 2 is a magazine-style half hour television program exclusively showcasing some of the best of American architecture from AIA members. From awe-inspiring architectural homes on the lake, to design that reflects culture and learning, to architecture centered on sustainability and collaboration. AIA has exclusive first access to each episode in the series for the AIA community – ahead of the general broadcast. Just as AIA believes “design belongs to everyone”, ByDesign is committed to showcasing design in technology, living, science and architecture to everyone. As associates and members of AIA are passionate about excellence in design, a collaborative partnership with the ByDesign series is a natural fit! 

Please welcome the newest AIA Colorado Premier Partners, K3 Technology, as we look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, we have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because we don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company. The only way to do that is by trying to understand your business as well as you do, and we can’t do that if we spread ourselves across multiple industries. View K3 Technology Website

Congratulations to Jacqueline Pons-Bunney, Esq., of W&D Law, for being invited, and accepted, to the prestigious legal panel of arbitrators and mediators for the American Arbitration Association, International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Complex Construction Division (“AAA”). Read at W&D website.

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Date:

• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.

In this Newsletter:

• Practice + Design Conference schedule release
• ARCpac and ARCsdc announce 2024 recipients of campaign contributions
• Call for Nominations | 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils
• New AIA Colorado firm directory
• J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles
• Health Horizon 24 half-day symposium
• AEF and AIA Colorado celebrate scholarship recipients
• October 17th: emerging professional happy hour
• October 22nd: affordable housing in Denver event
• October 24th: historic preservation tour of Larimer Square
• October 25th: Code Class: 2021 IBC Multi-Family Construction
• October 28th: AIA 2030 Commitment session #3
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: K3 Technologies

Full conference schedule now available

View all sessions for this year’s Tech Connect, taking place November 13th, and GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference November 14 – 15. We are pleased to share with you the keynote speakers, breakout session details, and Tech Connect event info. Regularly priced registration is open through October 31st.

ARCpac and ARCsdc announce 2024 recipients of campaign contributions

ARCpac and ARCsdc accept contributions from AIA members and use these funds to support state legislative race candidates who support the architecture profession. Issues affecting the architects at the capitol are non-partisan and we have allies on both sides of the aisle. Read on for the list of candidates supported in 2024.

Call for Nominations | 2025 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils

We are seeking AIA Colorado members to serve on the AIA Colorado Board of Directors and as state representatives to AIA national councils. The AIA Colorado Board provides stewardship of the nonprofit and is responsible for collaboratively setting the direction of the organization through consensus driven governance, policy-making and strategic planning. The national councils are peer group networks who provide insight from our state into their programming and strategy to the national level of the Institute. 

Ideal candidates are AIA members who are strategically minded, service-oriented, and capable of identifying and responding to industry trends—to enhance and propel the profession and to help members excel in their areas of practice. AIA Colorado is committed to broadening equity, diversity, and inclusion to create a stronger profession. Towards that end, the nominating committee will make every attempt to recommend a diverse, strategy-driven, and competency-based slate of candidates. For more information, go here.

Add your firm to the new AIA Colorado firm directory!

AIA Colorado staff often receives inquiries from clients looking to hire architects from firms of all sizes across Colorado. Our goal with this Firm Member Directory is to help you get discovered and connect with potential projects. We’re excited to launch this new directory, currently in its beta phase. This means we’re still fine-tuning the features and gathering feedback to ensure it meets your needs. Join now and pay nothing for the rest of the year! See the directory here and join here.

J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles

The J.E.D.I. Committee invites neurodivergent members to share their unique perspectives for an upcoming profile. If you’re neurodivergent experiences have influenced your work in architecture and design, we want to hear your story. Help us raise awareness and inspire positive change within our community! To get involved, please contact AIA Colorado Communications Director, Jon Bell.

Health Horizons 2024

This October 15th, join the Academy of Architecture for Health and Women in Healthcare for an engaging half-day symposium on the future of healthcare. We will explore emerging industry-wide issues including challenges faced by nurses and clinicians, increasing costs and construction schedules, and technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence. Together, we will discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead, seeking to navigate these changes while prioritizing the human experience.

This event, held at the CSU Spur facility in Denver, is tailored for those in care delivery and healthcare facility design and construction, with continuing education credits provided for a variety of disciplines. The day starts with networking and a light breakfast, followed by guest presentations and a lively panel discussion. After a brief break, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a design thinking workshop and envision the future of healthcare together. More info and register here.

AEF celebrates scholarship recipients

On September 12th, representatives from the Architectural Education Foundation (AEF) celebrated several scholarship recipients at a luncheon at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The honored recipients are: 

• Jose Banuelos: Colorado North AIA Scholarship
• Nathan Quintero: Garry G. Landin AIA Scholarship
• Mia Winstead: Oscar R. Sanchez AIAS Scholarship

AEF, in partnership with AIA Colorado, offers traveling and professional development scholarships to advance the interest of the profession of architecture in the State of Colorado. See a list of past recipients here and learn more about AEF and donate to the organization here.

Emerging Professional AE Happy Hour with SEAC

October 17th, from 5 – 7pm, join emerging professional members from AIA Colorado and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) for a happy hour at Wynkoop Brewery.

RSVP here

Affordable Housing in Denver: Tour and Panel Discussion

Tuesday, October 22nd, from 4 – 5:45pm, the AIA Colorado Denver Local Advisors will be hosting a tour and panel discussion on the topic of affordable housing in Denver. The event will offer three 30-minute simultaneous site tours of projects in the Sun Valley neighborhood and be followed by a panel discussion highlighting the opportunities and challenges our community has in setting up affordable projects as we all aim to solve the housing issues in Denver. The panel will focus on how affordable projects come to life and the challenges of making them a reality. A reception and Q&A with the panel and tour hosts will follow. This will be an exclusive event for AIAColorado members and reservations are limited! Event has been approved for 1.5 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Historic Preservation Tour – Larimer Square

Thursday, October 24, at 4pm, join Denver Local Advisors for a tour of the historic preservation and restoration to Denver’s Larimer Square. The tour will look at the $20 million-dollar exterior restoration and preservation improvements of the downtown historic 1400 block of Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets. Constructed between 1860 and 1880, the block includes 18 historic building facades, containing over 50,000 sq ft of interior space, and pedestrian streetscape. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Code Class: 2021 IBC Multi-Family Construction

Friday, October 25, at 8am, attend an overview of the requirements for multi-family dwellings in the International Building Code. Type V-A construction may be the most difficult type of construction to build a structure by. This seminar discusses the design, construction and inspection of Group R-2 occupancies including, building planning, fire-resistive rated construction, fire protection requirements and means of egress requirements. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been for approval for 7.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours.

RSVP here

AIA 2030 Commitment: Breaking Boundaries with Embodied Carbon

Monday, October 28th, 5 – 6:30pm, at The Alliance Center, join the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment (COTE) for the third member education session. 

A few of the topics discussed will include:

• Understanding operational carbon and embodied carbon within the context of building design and construction.
• Identify key tools, benchmarks, and metrics for measuring and tracking embodied carbon in buildings.
• Understanding how to engage your project team in the discussion of carbon reduction strategies.
• Gain insight to the benefits and impacts of reducing embodied, operational, and refrigerant carbon through case study projects.
• Illustrate the benefits of participation in the AIA 2030 Commitment and supporting the effort to reduce emissions and change the practice of architecture.

A Q+A session will follow the presentation. Watch Session #1 here and Session #2 here.

RSVP here.

Join Alan Ford, FAIA and his co-authors, Tuesday, October 8th, from 4 – 6pm, for a book launch party at Run for the Roses, located in Denver’s Dairy Block, to celebrate the release of “Creating the Regenerative School.” For more info and to RSVP, email Beth@PowersProducts.com.

Where is Denver’s Chinatown? 

From October 9, 2024 – August 9, 2025, History Colorado Center invites visitors to uncover the history of the neighborhood, discover what happened to it, and help imagine what it might become. Once located in the area known today as Lower Downtown (LoDo), Denver’s Chinatown was one of the largest in the American West during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It provided a welcoming space for Chinese people in Colorado who built a community and celebrated their culture against a backdrop of frequent ignorance, hostility, and violence. The exhibition will invite visitors into this thriving cultural community through historic personal family photographs and objects, artifacts from the museum collection, a portrayal of a typical home, and artistic reimaginings of the neighborhood. More info here.

Mindful Materials Denver Event

October 23rd, come discover new materials, learn about the power of collaboration to scale our individual work to reduce the embodied impacts of the built environment, and learn about Gensler’s Product Sustainability Standards. Event is in-person at Gensler’s Denver office and offers 1 LU|HSW. Register here.

Nominations now open for 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards!

Since 2005, the Mayor’s Design Awards have honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, urban design, and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others for their creative contributions to Denver’s built environment through excellence and innovation. Many different types of projects are eligible. Mayor Mike Johnston and the Department of Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards to be handed out in early 2025. Nominations are due Friday, November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony early next year. Nominate a project here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect III at Fentress Architects
• Project Manager/Architectural Consultant at Building One Consulting, LLC
• Project Architect: 4-8 years at 4240 Architecture

Women’s Leadership Summit 2024

Registration is open! Get your ticket to the industry’s premier leadership training event dedicated to accelerating women into leadership positions in architecture, design, and the allied building industries. WLS convenes the industry’s largest network of women who are breaking down barriers and manifesting the careers they want—while making a difference in the world. You’ll meet, network with, and learn from an extraordinary lineup of renowned speakers, trailblazing leaders, and industry experts who will share pathbreaking ideas to tackle challenges and lead change. Register at AIA

Recent disaster: Hurricane Helene response and recovery

Hurricane Helene recently swept through the southeastern United States, rapidly intensifying to a Category 4 storm before making landfall on the Florida panhandle. Its powerful winds and heavy rains caused widespread damage in Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, reaching inland communities far from the coast. In its wake, Helene left many communities without power, homes destroyed, and, tragically, lives lost. AIA is actively working with state and local chapters to support impacted communities. See updates on you can help here.

AIA Membership Demographics Report

This report is a benchmark to measure changes in AIA’s member demographics. It includes member-reported data for all AIA membership categories plus demographics for the AIA Board of Directors, AIA Strategic Council, and AIA headquarters staff. View at AIA

Call for Proposals to present at AIA25 closes October 23rd

Submit your proposal for an educational session or architectural tour at AIA25 in Boston! AIA is looking for ahead-of-the-curve educational content from a diversity of voices, career stages, and industries. Start submission here.

Please welcome the newest AIA Colorado Premier Partners, K3 Technology, as we look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

K3 Technology, a Denver based Information Technology Solutions Provider (ITSP/MSP) that was recently named a Colorado Company to Watch and recognized as one of Americas Fastest Growing Companies on the Inc. 5000 list. While many technology providers have a “come one, come all’ approach, we have a dedicated focus on the AECO and Creative industries. Why? Because we don’t think technology should be a bolt-on item to your business, it should be integrated into making you a better, more efficient, more profitable company. The only way to do that is by trying to understand your business as well as you do, and we can’t do that if we spread ourselves across multiple industries. View K3 Technology Website

NanaWall Walking Tour

Join Allied Member NanaWall for a tour of operable glass systems around McGregor Square. Food, networking, and an AIA credit are all a part of this open-house event taking place Tuesday, October th, from 4 – 6pm, at Tom’s Watch Bar in Denver. RSVP here

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Date:

• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.

In this Newsletter:

• Member news: celebrating the 2024 Design + Honor Awards recipients
• Health Horizon 24 half-day symposium
• J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles
• AIA membership dues auto-renewal program
• Practice + Design Conference attendee registration open
• October 17th: emerging professional happy hour
• October 22nd: affordable housing in Denver event
• October 24th: historic preservation tour of Larimer Square
• October 25th: code class
• October 28th: AIA 2030 Commitment session #3
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: AISC

Announcing the 2024 Design + Honor Recipients!

Last week Thursday night, at Mile High Station in Denver, we celebrated 15 Design Award recipients and 8 Honor Awards recipients.

Let’s congratulate the 2024 AIA Colorado Design + Honor Award recipients!

• Architect of the Year: Adam Wagoner, AIA, High, Low, Buffalo.
• Young Architect of the Year: Maura Trumble, AIA, CCY Architects
• Firm of the Year: Arch11
• Young Firm of the Year: Shape Architecture
• President’s Award: Dr. Lydia Prado, PhD, Lifespan Local
• Impact Award: ACE Mentorship Program of Colorado
• 25-Year Award: Coors Field
• Distinguished Achievement and Service Award: Marvin Sparn, FAIA

Watch the Design Awards video to see the recipients of the Awards of Excellence, Awards of Merit, and Honorable Mentions. Read the press release, view photos from the event, and learn more about each of the award winners at aiacolorado.org/awards.

Health Horizons 2024

This October 15th, join the Academy of Architecture for Health and Women in Healthcare for an engaging half-day symposium on the future of healthcare. We will explore emerging industry-wide issues including challenges faced by nurses and clinicians, increasing costs and construction schedules, and technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence. Together, we will discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead, seeking to navigate these changes while prioritizing the human experience.

This event, held at the CSU Spur facility in Denver, is tailored for those in care delivery and healthcare facility design and construction, with continuing education credits provided for a variety of disciplines. The day starts with networking and a light breakfast, followed by guest presentations and a lively panel discussion. After a brief break, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a design thinking workshop and envision the future of healthcare together. More info and register here.

J.E.D.I. seeking neurodiversity member profiles

The J.E.D.I. Committee invites neurodivergent members to share their unique perspectives for an upcoming profile. If you’re neurodivergent experiences have influenced your work in architecture and design, we want to hear your story. Help us raise awareness and inspire positive change within our community! To get involved, please contact AIA Colorado Communications Director, Jon Bell.

AIA membership dues auto-renewal program

Introduced in October 2023, the auto-renewal program offers AIA members a streamlined renewal process and ensures a member will always have an active membership. New and renewing members can enroll in the autorenewal option online before checkout. Members enrolled in autorenewal will have their dues automatically debited on December 31, 2024. The cutoff date for 2025 auto-renewal enrollments is September 30, 2024. Program enrollments occurring between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, will apply to the 2026 renewal year.

Conference registration open

Join us at Keystone Resort for Tech Connect November 13th and GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference November 14 – 15. Stay tuned for upcoming keynote speaker announcements, breakout session details, and Tech Connect event info. Regularly priced registration is open through October 31st.

Emerging Professional AE Happy Hour with SEAC

October 17th, from 5 – 7pm, join emerging professional members from AIA Colorado and Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC) for a happy hour at Wynkoop Brewery.

RSVP here

Affordable Housing in Denver: Tour and Panel Discussion

Tuesday, October 22nd, from 4 – 5:45pm, the AIA Colorado Denver Local Advisors will be hosting a tour and panel discussion on the topic of affordable housing in Denver. The event will offer three 30-minute simultaneous site tours of projects in the Sun Valley neighborhood and be followed by a panel discussion highlighting the opportunities and challenges our community has in setting up affordable projects as we all aim to solve the housing issues in Denver. The panel will focus on how affordable projects come to life and the challenges of making them a reality. A reception and Q&A with the panel and tour hosts will follow. This will be an exclusive event for AIAColorado members and reservations are limited! Event has been approved for 1.5 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Historic Preservation Tour – Larimer Square

Thursday, October 24, at 4pm, join Denver Local Advisors for a tour of the historic preservation and restoration to Denver’s Larimer Square. The tour will look at the $20 million-dollar exterior restoration and preservation improvements of the downtown historic 1400 block of Larimer Street between 14th and 15th Streets. Constructed between 1860 and 1880, the block includes 18 historic building facades, containing over 50,000 sq ft of interior space, and pedestrian streetscape. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.

RSVP here

Code Class: 2021 IBC Multi-Family Construction

Friday, October 25, at 8am, attend an overview of the requirements for multi-family dwellings in the International Building Code. Type V-A construction may be the most difficult type of construction to build a structure by. This seminar discusses the design, construction and inspection of Group R-2 occupancies including, building planning, fire-resistive rated construction, fire protection requirements and means of egress requirements. This full-day program includes lunch. This class has been for approval for 7.0 AIA CES Health, Safety, and Welfare (HSW) learning unit hours.

RSVP here

AIA 2030 Commitment: Breaking Boundaries with Embodied Carbon

Monday, October 28th, 5 – 6:30pm, at The Alliance Center, join the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment (COTE) for the third member education session. 

A few of the topics discussed will include:

• Understanding operational carbon and embodied carbon within the context of building design and construction.
• Identify key tools, benchmarks, and metrics for measuring and tracking embodied carbon in buildings.
• Understanding how to engage your project team in the discussion of carbon reduction strategies.
• Gain insight to the benefits and impacts of reducing embodied, operational, and refrigerant carbon through case study projects.
• Illustrate the benefits of participation in the AIA 2030 Commitment and supporting the effort to reduce emissions and change the practice of architecture.

A Q+A session will follow the presentation. 

RSVP here.

Listen & Learn: Free Mountain Region Net Zero Codes Listen & Learn

Join Walking Mountains, CORE, and CLEER for a series of community discussions on building a sustainable future in Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield counties. These sessions will explore how our rural Colorado mountain communities can achieve net zero buildings, focusing on the future of energy codes, workforce development, and the resources needed to make it happen. At each session, you’ll discover the innovative work underway to:

• Advance net zero construction through evolving energy codes.
• Identify and fill gaps in our local workforce to support energy-efficient retrofits.
• Develop the future CORE Building Hub—a comprehensive resource center for the building industry.

Following a brief presentation, the floor will open to hear from attendees. Organizers want to hear what you need to help our region meet its climate goals and how to work together over the next decade. The full “Listen and Learn” session will be 1 hour, with an optional half hour of networking after. Be part of the conversation that will shape the future of our mountain communities! Here are the remaining events to be held:

• Vail: Thursday, September, 19th
• Glenwood Springs: Tuesday, October 1st
• Carbondale: Wednesday, October 2nd

Learn more and RSVP here.

Month of Modern 

During the month of September, Boulder will be alive with Month of Modern (MoM). Founded in 2014 as a celebration of architecture, design, lifestyle, art and culture—MoM’s mission is to cultivate a conversation about Colorado modern, and present the Boulder region as one of the nation’s most vibrant hubs of modern design. This year’s MoM kicks off Friday, September 6th, with “Architecture after AI” at Bus Stop Gallery. See all of this month’s MoM events here.

Doors Open Denver Keynote Lecture: Vishaan Chakrabarti

Thursday Sept 26th, at 2pm, author, urban planner, thought leader, and keynote speaker Vishaan Chakrabarti will present on his newest work “Architecture of Urbanity: Designing for Nature, Culture, and Joy”. Tickets include the keynote, and cocktail reception at the DAM to follow where he will sign books. This is the first stop in the US on his new book tour! Tickets available here.

Doors Open Denver Gala

Saturday Sept 28th, at 6pm, join Denver Architecture Foundation for their first ever gala, held at Populus Hotel. Tickets and information here.

Where is Denver’s Chinatown? 

From October 9, 2024 – August 9, 2025, History Colorado Center invites visitors to uncover the history of the neighborhood, discover what happened to it, and help imagine what it might become. Once located in the area known today as Lower Downtown (LoDo), Denver’s Chinatown was one of the largest in the American West during the late 1800s and early 1900s. It provided a welcoming space for Chinese people in Colorado who built a community and celebrated their culture against a backdrop of frequent ignorance, hostility, and violence. The exhibition will invite visitors into this thriving cultural community through historic personal family photographs and objects, artifacts from the museum collection, a portrayal of a typical home, and artistic reimaginings of the neighborhood. More info here.

Mindful Materials Denver Event

October 23rd, come discover new materials, learn about the power of collaboration to scale our individual work to reduce the embodied impacts of the built environment, and learn about Gensler’s Product Sustainability Standards. Event is in-person at Gensler’s Denver office and offers 1 LU|HSW. Register here.

Nominations now open for 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards!

Since 2005, the Mayor’s Design Awards have honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, urban design, and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others for their creative contributions to Denver’s built environment through excellence and innovation. Many different types of projects are eligible. Mayor Mike Johnston and the Department of Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards to be handed out in early 2025. Nominations are due Friday, November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony early next year. Nominate a project here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Project Architect/Manager at The Abo Group
• Project Manager / Job Captain at Land+Shelter
• Architect\Architectural Designer at Architectural Workshop

AIA Trust Week 2024

Back by popular demand, AIA Trust Week is back, September 23 – 27! With a free full week of two daily webinars, take advantage of a total of 10 sessions and 15 learning units!
 

Join AIA to explore what you need in order to start your firm, run your firm, and also – when the time comes – transition your firm to new ownership. This informative week will not only follow information we provide to you for every stage of your career in our guides, but also will feature informative sessions on all of the amazing benefits that are such a great member value you have as an AIA member. Learn from former trustees, plan providers including Victor/CNA, Equitable, Gallagher, LegaLine, and even some guest sessions by our friends at the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and well known firm Lee/Shoemaker. 10 learning sessions, each offering 1.5 AIA CEU, all in one great week. See course descriptions and register here.

Business Conditions Remain Soft at Architecture Firms, ABI data shows

August marked the nineteenth consecutive month of declining billings for architecture firms, according to the latest data from the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI). The pace of decline during August accelerated, posting an ABI score of 45.7, a decrease from 48.2 in July. Read at AIA.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, market development, and advocacy. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry providing timely and reliable information. View AISC website.

The 2025 Forge Prize

This competition, established by The American Institute of Steel Construction in 2018, recognizes visionary emerging architects, architecture faculty, and graduate students for design concepts that embrace innovations in steel as a primary structural component. 

In short: We’re looking for your version of the future. What will people build with, live in, work in, or play in?

The Forge Prize is a unique opportunity to experiment with a conceptual design without limit to scope or complexity–the sky really is the limit here, and the industry is paying attention.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Central on November 22, 2024. Enter here

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Date:

• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.

In this Newsletter:

• Design + Honor Awards event Thursday, Sept. 12th
• AIA Colorado opposes Boulder County house site plan review moratorium
• Health Horizon 24 half-day symposium
• Design Like a Girl volunteer opportunities 
• AIA membership dues auto-renewal program
• Practice + Design Conference attendee registration and Expo Hall open
• Wild Bear Nature Center tour Sept. 5th
• West Virtual Connect Sept. 10th
• AIA 2030 Commitment: Implementation & Case Studies Sept 11th
• Member news
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: AISC

2024 Design + Honor Awards Celebration Event

Thursday, September 12th, join AIA Colorado members as we unveil the recipients of the 2024 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects.

We look forward to welcoming you at 5:30pm to Mile High Station where you’ll enjoy delicious food and signature craft cocktails, and an event program beginning right at 7pm. Mile High Soul Club will be spinning vinyl records and photographers will be on hand to capture photos of winners and attendees on the red carpet in front of the photo wall.

Connect with like-minded professionals, forge new relationships, and expand your industry contacts as we celebrate this year’s Award recipients. We sincerely hope that your whole team, clients, friends, and family can join in the celebration. It will be a fantastic event and we’re looking forward to it.

Buy your tickets soon as Late Registration goes into effect August 31st!

AIA Colorado opposes Boulder County house site plan review moratorium

Boulder County is proposing to reduce the maximum allowed size of houses in unincorporated portions of the county. While this policy is being finalized, the County is proposing a moratorium on applications for houses greater than the nearby median home size. AIA Colorado believes a moratorium will do immediate harm to all our members affected. Existing projects not ready to be immediately submitted for review will go on hold and in many cases be cancelled entirely. If the final policy adoption results in widespread inability of property owners to proceed with their preferred house projects, it will result in long-term negative consequences for architects affected.

If your architecture practice does residential work in unincorporated Boulder County, we encourage you to review the proposed changes and public meeting details here, then share how the moratorium will affect you. In person and online testimony on the moratorium (not the final policy details) will be accepted at a September 17th public meeting with the Boulder County Commissioners. You may submit letters to them ahead of time to Ethan Abner, County Planner (longrange@bouldercounty.gov) by 5pm, September 16th.

If you have questions about this effort or are looking for advice on how to effectively participate in the upcoming public meeting, please contact Nikolaus Remus at 303-228-3914 or nikolaus@aiacolorado.org.

Thank you to Board President-Elect Scott Rodwin, AIA for bringing this to AIA Colorado’s attention as an affected architect. Members are also welcome to contact Scott with questions or concerns about this effort.

Design Like a Girl

After a successful program launch last school year, the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. Committee is looking forward to offering the program to students this year and is seeking mentors to participate in the workshops this year. Design Like a Girl introduces a diverse cohort of middle school girls to architecture and allied design professions. Three full-day workshops, on Fridays throughout the 2024-2025 school year, allow students to learn first-hand about these dynamic careers from local professional women and design students. The committee is seeking female-identifying design professionals and students to guide, instruct, and inspire participants throughout each workshop. Multiple volunteer options are available. More info and signup here.

Health Horizons 2024

This October 15th, join the Academy of Architecture for Health and Women in Healthcare for an engaging half-day symposium on the future of healthcare. We will explore emerging industry-wide issues including challenges faced by nurses and clinicians, increasing costs and construction schedules, and technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence. Together, we will discuss both the challenges and opportunities ahead, seeking to navigate these changes while prioritizing the human experience.

This event, held at the CSU Spur facility in Denver, is tailored for those in care delivery and healthcare facility design and construction, with continuing education credits provided for a variety of disciplines. The day starts with networking and a light breakfast, followed by guest presentations and a lively panel discussion. After a brief break, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a design thinking workshop and envision the future of healthcare together. More info and register here.

AIA membership dues auto-renewal program

Introduced in October 2023, the auto-renewal program offers AIA members a streamlined renewal process and ensures a member will always have an active membership. New and renewing members can enroll in the autorenewal option online before checkout. Members enrolled in autorenewal will have their dues automatically debited on December 31, 2024. The cutoff date for 2025 auto-renewal enrollments is September 30, 2024. Program enrollments occurring between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, will apply to the 2026 renewal year.

Conference registration open

Join us at Keystone Resort for Tech Connect November 13th and GENERATE 2024 Practice + Design Conference November 14 – 15. Stay tuned for upcoming keynote speaker announcements, breakout session details, and Tech Connect event info. Early registration is now open through August 31st. If you already know that you’re planning to attend, lock in your registration today and save!

Conference Expo Hall open

Know a company that serves your firm and clients really well? The AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference expo hall is now open and only a few booths remain!

Wild Bear Nature Center Tour

Thursday, September 5th, join AIA members for a tour of the Wild Bear Nature Center led by Arch11. The architecture of Nederland’s Wild Bear Nature Center aligns with the center’s curriculum as a teaching tool revealing phenomena and fostering a sense of wonder about the natural world. The net-positive design weaves together core values of the Institution: Education, Sustainability, Stewardship, and Community. From project siting to the selection and detailing of materials, the design is bound to the situation of place; both natural and human centric. The building, as a living organism, will provide opportunities to teach about the natural, its physical properties and how we inhabit it. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.

RSVP for Sept 5th

West Virtual Connect

Tuesday, September 10th, join West Director Andi Korber, AIA, and connect virtually with other Western Slope members for a time of conversation. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we will gather quarterly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership.

RSVP here.

AIA 2030 Commitment Session #2: Implementation & Case Studies

Wednesday, September 11th, join the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment for Member Education Session #2: Implementation & Case Studies. Don’t worry if you missed Session #1, there will be helpful information and discussion whether you are already participating in the AIA 2030 Commitment or are looking to join. A few of the topics discussed will include: A few of the topics discussed will include:

• An overview of Session #1, including 2030 Commitment current goals and benchmarks.
• Examples case study projects targeting net zero energy and water efficiency.
• Key tools and resources used during project development to support goals for efficiency and meeting AIA 2030 benchmarks.
• Understand how fluctuations in modeling impact and support decision making during the design process.
• The benefits of having an integrated team support the project at all phases of development.

A Q+A session will follow the presentation. This virtual Zoom session has been submitted for 1 LU|HSW. RSVP here.

Month of Modern 

During the month of September, Boulder will be alive with Month of Modern (MoM). Founded in 2014 as a celebration of architecture, design, lifestyle, art and culture—MoM’s mission is to cultivate a conversation about Colorado modern, and present the Boulder region as one of the nation’s most vibrant hubs of modern design. This year’s MoM kicks off Friday, September 6th, with “Architecture after AI” at Bus Stop Gallery. See all of this month’s MoM events here.

Listen & Learn: Free Mountain Region Net Zero Codes Listen & Learn

Join Walking Mountains, CORE, and CLEER for a series of community discussions on building a sustainable future in Eagle, Pitkin, and Garfield counties. These sessions will explore how our rural Colorado mountain communities can achieve net zero buildings, focusing on the future of energy codes, workforce development, and the resources needed to make it happen. At each session, you’ll discover the innovative work underway to:

• Advance net zero construction through evolving energy codes.
• Identify and fill gaps in our local workforce to support energy-efficient retrofits.
• Develop the future CORE Building Hub—a comprehensive resource center for the building industry.

Following a brief presentation, the floor will open to hear from attendees. Organizers want to hear what you need to help our region meet its climate goals and how to work together over the next decade. The full “Listen and Learn” session will be 1 hour, with an optional half hour of networking after. Be part of the conversation that will shape the future of our mountain communities! Events will be held:

• Basalt: Monday, September, 9th
• Gypsum: Wednesday September, 11th
• Vail: Thursday, September, 19th
• Glenwood Springs: Tuesday, October 1st
• Carbondale: Wednesday, October 2nd

Learn more and RSVP here.

Colorado Green Building Guild’s Green Home Tour

Saturday, September 14th, the CGBG Green Home Tour is a self-guided event that features a series of in-person open houses with unique sustainable features. Attendees can look forward to a diverse collection of architectural styles across newly constructed homes, remodels, energy retrofits, multi-family projects, all electric homes, and certified Passive House projects. Previous tours have hosted over 400 attendees including curious college students, industry professionals, and homeowners who are eager to see latest in high performance construction and learn about the techniques that make the magic happen. At the tour you can expect:

• Homes of different sizes and shapes, that strive to be healthier, more energy efficient, and more resilient
• Information about the details that make them successful, and project representatives that can answer questions
• A choose-your-own adventure, visiting homes at your leisure
• A great after-party full of your favorite local CGBG members and friends

Visit the event website here. Buy tickets here.

Doors open Denver

Denver Architecture Foundation’s signature event is exactly as it sounds – an opportunity to open the doors to the places and spaces that make the Mile High City such a special city in which to live, work, study and play. This year, we will explore Denver’s past, present, and future with our theme Denver Through Time September 26-29. Learn more here.

Nominations now open for 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards!

Since 2005, the Mayor’s Design Awards have honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, urban design, and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others for their creative contributions to Denver’s built environment through excellence and innovation. Many different types of projects are eligible. Mayor Mike Johnston and the Department of Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards to be handed out in early 2025. Nominations are due Friday, November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony early next year. Nominate a project here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Architect / Project Architect at MA Studios
• Architect at MHK Architecture
• Project Manager at MOA Architecture

AIA Trust Week 2024: September 23-27

Back by popular demand, AIA Trust Week is back! With a free full week of two daily webinars, take advantage of a total of 10 sessions and 15 learning units!
 

Join AIA to explore what you need in order to Start your firm, Run your firm, and also – when the time comes – transition your firm to new ownership. This informative week will not only follow information we provide to you for every stage of your career in our guides, but also will feature informative sessions on all of the amazing benefits that are such a great member value you have as an AIA member. Learn from former Trustees, plan providers including Victor/CNA, Equitable, Gallagher, LegaLine and even some guest sessions by our friends at the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and well known firm Lee/Shoemaker – 10 learning sessions, each offering 1.5 AIA CEU, one great week. See course descriptions and register here.

Young Architects Forum August newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. Read here.

Submissions are open for variety of 2025 awards

Submissions are currently open for the 2025 AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Architectural Education, Architecture Firm Award, Edward C. Kemper Award, Fellowship, Gold Medal, Honorary Fellowship, and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award. Begin your submissions here.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), headquartered in Chicago, is a non-partisan, not-for-profit technical institute and trade association established in 1921 to serve the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities, including specification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, market development, and advocacy. AISC has a long tradition of service to the steel construction industry providing timely and reliable information. View AISC website.

The 2025 Forge Prize

This competition, established by The American Institute of Steel Construction in 2018, recognizes visionary emerging architects, architecture faculty, and graduate students for design concepts that embrace innovations in steel as a primary structural component. 

In short: We’re looking for your version of the future. What will people build with, live in, work in, or play in?

The Forge Prize is a unique opportunity to experiment with a conceptual design without limit to scope or complexity–the sky really is the limit here, and the industry is paying attention.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. Central on November 22, 2024. Enter here

Friday, September 6th, Living Design Studios (LDSI) is hosting “Metalpalooza”, a metalworking event that will include demos, competitions, networking, a sculpture unveiling, festivities for kids of all ages, dinner, and music to mark the 30th anniversary of the company. Part of the event includes a two hour class covering project talks, a tour, blacksmithing demo, a patina demo, and a panel on architecture and technology (2 AIA CES). Learn more about Metalpalooze and RSVP here.

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2024 Design + Honor Awards Event will be held September 12, 2024 at Mile High Station. View awards event sponsorship opportunities.
• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.

In this Newsletter:

• Design + Honor Awards event Thursday, Sept. 12th
• Early registration for attendees and expo hall
• Design Like a Girl volunteer opportunities 
• Watch Academy of Architecture for Heath Knowledge Community event on YouTube
• Wild Bear Nature Center tour August 22nd and Sept. 5th
• Business of Architecture Roundtable: Practice Structure + Organization Sept. 3rd
• West Virtual Connect Sept. 10th
• AIA 2030 Commitment: Implementation & Case Studies Sept 11th
• Member news
• Partner news
• National news
• Premier Partner spotlight: JVA Consulting Engineers

2024 Design + Honor Awards Celebration Event

Thursday, September 12th, join AIA Colorado members as we unveil the recipients of the 2024 Design + Honor Awards and celebrate the exemplary work of Colorado architects.

We look forward to welcoming you at 5:30pm to Mile High Station where you’ll enjoy delicious food and signature craft cocktails, and an event program beginning right at 7pm. Mile High Soul Club will be spinning vinyl records and photographers will be on hand to capture photos of winners and attendees on the red carpet in front of the photo wall.

Connect with like-minded professionals, forge new relationships, and expand your industry contacts as we celebrate this year’s Award recipients. We sincerely hope that your whole team, clients, friends, and family can join in the celebration. It will be a fantastic event and we’re looking forward to it.

Buy your tickets soon as Late Registration goes into effect August 31st!

Design Like a Girl

After a successful program launch last school year, the AIA Colorado J.E.D.I. Committee is looking forward to offering the program to students this year and is seeking mentors to participate in the workshops this year. Design Like a Girl introduces a diverse cohort of middle school girls to architecture and allied design professions. Three full-day workshops, on Fridays throughout the 2024-2025 school year, allow students to learn first-hand about these dynamic careers from local professional women and design students. The committee is seeking female-identifying design professionals and students to guide, instruct, and inspire participants throughout each workshop. Multiple volunteer options are available. More info and signup here.

Wild Bear Nature Center Tour

Thursday, August 22nd, or Thursday, September 5th, join AIA members for a tour of the Wild Bear Nature Center led by Arch11. The architecture of Nederland’s Wild Bear Nature Center aligns with the center’s curriculum as a teaching tool revealing phenomena and fostering a sense of wonder about the natural world. The net-positive design weaves together core values of the Institution: Education, Sustainability, Stewardship, and Community. From project siting to the selection and detailing of materials, the design is bound to the situation of place; both natural and human centric. The building, as a living organism, will provide opportunities to teach about the natural, its physical properties and how we inhabit it. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW.

Join August 22nd Waitlist | RSVP for Sept 5th

Business of Architecture Roundtable: Practice Structure + Organization

Tuesday, September 3rd, join the AIA Colorado Business of Architecture Committee for a discussion of practice structure + organization. Topics to be discussed include:

• Starting a firm. How to decide whether to be a sole proprietor, LLC or Corporation
• Firm organization – roles, responsibilities
• Managing a remote workforce

RSVP here

West Virtual Connect

Tuesday, September 10th, join West Director Andi Korber, AIA, and connect virtually with other Western Slope members for a time of conversation. Many of us are facing the same challenges day after day and we will gather quarterly to share concerns, goals, and ideas for Western Colorado AIA membership.

RSVP here.

AIA 2030 Commitment: Implementation & Case Studies

Wednesday, September 11th, join the AIA Colorado Committee on the Environment for Member Education Session #2: Implementation & Case Studies. Don’t worry if you missed Session #1, there will be helpful information and discussion whether you are already participating in the AIA 2030 Commitment or are looking to join. A few of the topics discussed will include: A few of the topics discussed will include:

• An overview of Session #1, including 2030 Commitment current goals and benchmarks.
• Examples case study projects targeting net zero energy and water efficiency.
• Key tools and resources used during project development to support goals for efficiency and meeting AIA 2030 benchmarks.
• Understand how fluctuations in modeling impact and support decision making during the design process.
• The benefits of having an integrated team support the project at all phases of development.

A Q+A session will follow the presentation. This virtual Zoom session has been submitted for 1 LU|HSW. RSVP here.

Huili Feng, AIA, founder of Tumu Studio, was featured in the July/August 2024 edition of Luxe Interiors + Design Magazine. The article, dedicated to showcasing influential women in the design industry, provides a brief look at Huili’s journey as an architect. Read it here.

Holt Watters Field Camp, a project lead by Rick Sommerfeld, AIA, Colorado Building Workshop, and University of Colorado Denver was featured in Architizer as they ask “Building on the Edge: Can Antarctic Architecture Guide Global Sustainable Design? How do you build in the world’s coldest and harshest environment?” Read it here.

Colorado Green Building Guild’s Green Home Tour

Saturday, September 14th, the CGBG Green Home Tour is a self-guided event that features a series of in-person open houses with unique sustainable features. Attendees can look forward to a diverse collection of architectural styles across newly constructed homes, remodels, energy retrofits, multi-family projects, all electric homes, and certified Passive House projects. Previous tours have hosted over 400 attendees including curious college students, industry professionals, and homeowners who are eager to see latest in high performance construction and learn about the techniques that make the magic happen. At the tour you can expect:

• Homes of different sizes and shapes, that strive to be healthier, more energy efficient, and more resilient
• Information about the details that make them successful, and project representatives that can answer questions
• A choose-your-own adventure, visiting homes at your leisure
• A great after-party full of your favorite local CGBG members and friends

Visit the event website here. Buy tickets here.

Mentor students interested in architecture – deadline to apply extended to August 31st

Northeast Early College is seeking mentors for its students interested in engineering and allied professions like architecture. East High School is also seeking mentors for its Women in STEAM program. Mentoring is an excellent opportunity to impact the lives of high school students who might otherwise not consider architecture a career pathway. The commitment is once per month for 2.5 hours from September through April. If you’re interested, start by reviewing the mentor job description and submit an application. For cohort preference in the application, select any of the following: NEC (Northeast Early College) Engineering Group-Coach, or East High School Women in STEAM Program – 2024-2025 (Note: in the cohort options list, this cohort is labeled CU Boulder Chemical and  Biological  Engineering) or select another mentoring cohort listed here.

The application deadline has been extended to August 9th. Once applied, you will be required to complete a background check and then attend a 2-hour coach-mentor training session taking place later in August. Questions? Contact sarah@sarahgoldblatt.com.

Nominations now open for 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards!

Since 2005, the Mayor’s Design Awards have honored projects throughout the city for excellence in architecture, urban design, and place-making. The awards are presented to Denver homeowners, business owners, nonprofits, artists, and others for their creative contributions to Denver’s built environment through excellence and innovation. Many different types of projects are eligible. Mayor Mike Johnston and the Department of Community Planning and Development are seeking nominations for the Mayor’s Design Awards to be handed out in early 2025. Nominations are due Friday, November 1, 2024. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony early next year. Nominate a project here.

The AIA Colorado Job Board is updated daily. Job hunting? Take a peek to discover new opportunities. Hiring? Post your single job for 30 days. Connect with qualified candidates. Here are a few featured job openings:

• Project Manager at MOA Architecture
• Project Manager/Architectural Associate at Pel-Ona Architects & Urbanists
• Designer at Ferguson Pyatt Architects, Inc.

Submissions are open for variety of 2025 awards

Submissions are currently open for the 2025 AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Architectural Education, Architecture Firm Award, Edward C. Kemper Award, Fellowship, Gold Medal, Honorary Fellowship, and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Award. Begin your submissions here.

2025 AIA/ACSA Intersections Research Conference call for submissions

AIA and ACSA are currently accepting papers for the 2025 Intersections Research Conference: New Housing Paradigms to be held in Austin, Texas January 9-11, 2025 in partnership with University of Texas at Austin. Submissions are due September 4th, 2024. Apply here

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, JVA, Incorporated, and look forward to their ongoing support and involvement serving Colorado’s architecture community.

JVA, Incorporated is a consulting engineering firm with offices in Boulder, Fort Collins, Winter Park, Glenwood Springs, and Denver, Colorado. Since 1956, JVA has provided engineering services to architects, owners, building departments, and general contractors in Colorado and nationwide. Our Structural, Civil, and Environmental engineering departments offer highly skilled engineers who complement your experience to fully meet your design and construction needs. We take pride in our commitment to provide excellent service.

Learn More About JVA, Incorporated.

Friday, September 6th, Living Design Studios (LDSI) is hosting “Metalpalooza”, a metalworking event that will include demos, competitions, networking, a sculpture unveiling, festivities for kids of all ages, dinner, and music to mark the 30th anniversary of the company. Part of the event includes a two hour class covering project talks, a tour, blacksmithing demo, a patina demo, and a panel on architecture and technology (2 AIA CES). Learn more about Metalpalooze and RSVP here.

Looking for Additional Resources?

Allied Members are better known as trusted industry colleagues and members of AIA Colorado—they’re the interior designers, the kitchen specialists, the engineering partners, and more who make up our AEC community in Colorado.
View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• AIA Colorado Calendar
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

Save the Dates:

• 2024 Design + Honor Awards Event will be held September 12, 2024 at Mile High Station. View awards event sponsorship opportunities.
• 2024 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference will take place November 13-15, 2024 at Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO. View conference sponsorship opportunities.