Colorado Architecture News | 01.08.25

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.

Learning From Leaders conference session featured on Architect-ing podcast

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.

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.