Colorado Architecture News | 02.18.26

In this Newsletter:

• AIA Leadership Summit 2026
• LegaLine: a new AIA Colorado member benefit
• Feb 25: How Architects Can Take Advantage of New Colorado Housing Policies
• Feb 27: Firm Friday at OZ Architecture
• Mar 2: Atelier May lecture at CU Boulder
• Mar 6: EP/YA Virtual Connect
• Mar 10: Business of Architecture: acquiring/merging your business
• Mar 11: South Section happy hour
• Premier Partner spotlight: Architectural Education Foundation (AEF)

AIA Leadership Summit 2026

AIA Leadership Summit 2026 is the premier advocacy and leadership training event for AIA chapter leaders. Held annually in Washington D.C., the event is always one of AIA’s best attended leadership events, offering attendees a unique platform to engage in critical policy discussions with lawmakers while enhancing their leadership skills.

One component of the Leadership Summit experience is Hill Day, providing architect members with a platform to directly advocate for legislation impacting the profession before Members of Congress and Congressional staff. AIA Colorado leaders met with congressional staff from several offices, sharing on the issues affecting the industry today.

Kaylyn Kirby, AIA, represented Colorado at the Young Architects Forum (YAF) Annual Meeting and Mo Zaina, Assoc, AIA, represented Colorado at the National Associates Committee (NAC) Annual Meeting. Read about the experiences of AIA Colorado’s delegation here.

LegaLine: a new AIA Colorado member benefit

As an AIA Colorado member, you have access to LegaLine, a confidential legal information service designed specifically for architects. Whether you’re reviewing a contract, navigating a client issue, thinking about bringing on a partner, or managing a staffing question, LegaLine offers a smart first step. LegaLine can provide guidance on questions such as:

• Negotiating and interpreting contracts
• Navigating disputes with clients, employees, or contractors
• Structuring effective joint ventures
• Evaluating the benefits of incorporating your practice
• Collecting past-due or disputed fees
• Hiring or terminating employees
• Transferring firm ownership
• Determining whether you need to retain an attorney

To learn more and get started, go here.

North members enjoyed a Happy Hour at Social in Fort Collins last night. Cheers to the last group still mingling before heading out, pictured here.

Feb 25 • How Architects Can Take Advantage of New Colorado Housing Policies

Wednesday, February 25th, at Noon, members can join the AIA Colorado Housing Committee for a webinar uncovering ways architects can take advantage of new Colorado housing polices. If your practice is considering taller residential single-stair buildings or any for-sale residential projects with two or more units, there are exciting new opportunities for architects who do this work. These new policies have specific design and contract requirements that must be met though. Submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Feb 27 • Firm Fridays: OZ Architecture

Friday, February 27, from 4:30 – 6pm, join members for an informal open house and happy hour as OZ Architecture opens their doors to AIA Colorado members. You’ll have the opportunity to tour OZ’s office and learn about the projects they are currently working on. Connect with fellow members while enjoying drinks and light refreshments. AIA members can RSVP here.

Mar 2 • Atelier Mey: American Building Spirit | Pioneering Architectures of Place

Monday, March 2, at 5pm, join AIA North members and students for a lecture by the Atelier Mey team in the Environment Design Building at CU Boulder. Learn more about the firm, their principals, and the lecture centered around the firm’s belief that Design is Optimism. More info and RSVP here.

Mar 6 • EP/YA Leadership Council Virtual Connect

Friday, March 6th, Noon to 1pm, join AIA Colorado’s Emerging Professional and Young Architect Leadership Council for a one-hour Virtual Connect. This Zoom session will introduce the EP/YA Leadership Council, including our mission, structure, and how our programs support licensure, leadership development, and community building across Colorado. More info and RSVP here.

Mar 10 • Business of Architecture: Acquiring / Merging Your Business

Tuesday, March 10th, join AIA Colorado’s Business of Architecture Committee for an AIA Colorado members only roundtable discussion regarding acquiring/merging your business. This is a hybrid event, taking place in person and online. More info and RSVP here.

Mar 11 • South Section Happy Hour

Wednesday, March 11th, at 5pm, at 105 West Brewing at Garden of the Gods, join AIA Colorado South members for a happy hour with good company, thoughtful conversation, and a shared appreciation for design. RSVP here.

Ann Adams, FAIA, Principal at Davis Partnership Architects, has been newly elevated to the College of Fellows. AIA is elevating 78 member-architects and 11 non-member-architects to its College of Fellows, an honor awarded to architects who have made significant contributions to the profession. 

New Fellows will be honored at the AIA Conference on Architecture & Design (AIA26) in San Diego. Congratulations, Ann!

Learn more about Ann’s elevation and Fellowship here.

MOA Architecture was recently featured in USA Today for their expansion of the iconic Stanley Hotel.

2025’s AIA Colorado Architect of the Year Kevin Nguyen, AIA, keeps the conversation going as a guest on a recent podcast with City Cast Denver. You can listen to the episode titled “Meet the Ambiance Architect of Denver’s Coolest Restaurants” here.

David Zack on Architect-ing

David Zach, professional futurist and founder of FutureWorks, joins Adam Wagoner, AIA, for a wide-ranging and thought-provoking conversation about architecture, technology, beauty, and the accelerating pace of change. Recorded live at the 2025 AIA Colorado Practice + Design Conference, David brings decades of experience studying the future to a discussion that challenges architects to think more deeply about creativity, community, and what cannot be automated. Watch the conversation on Youtube or listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Pandora or wherever you get podcasts!

CAP Spring Lecture Series

All events are free, open to the public, and will be recorded unless otherwise specified. All lectures, unless specified, will start at 12 p.m. and be held on the Second Floor Gallery of CU Building, 1250 14th St, Denver, CO. View the full Spring schedule here.

• Thursday, February 19: Laura Brudzynski. CEO, Archway Communities. RSVP here
• Monday, March 9: Jason Hercules. Senior Partner, Ascent Cities. Principal, Herculean Feats. RSVP here
• Thursday, March 19: Anya Moryoussef. Founder, Anya Moryoussef Architect. RSVP here

Building on the Edge

ColoradoBuildingWorkshop’s project designed for NOAA’s Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division, a 2024 AIA Colorado Design Award of Merit recipient, is the subject of a new feature length documentary. Having recently screened in NY, LA, Vancouver, and Toronto as part of the Architecture and Design Film Festival and won Best Feature Documentary at the Coronado Island Film Festival, see it at the Colorado Environmental Film Festival Saturday, February 21st, at 1pm at Bunker Auditorium on the Colorado School of Mines campus. More information about the film can be found here and tickets to see it are available 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 Coordinator at GEM Studio Architecture Inc.
• Project Architect/Project Manager at Treanor, Inc.
• Job Captain at CCY Architects

AIA Task Force

The AIA AI Task Force is leading efforts to address the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence in architecture. By developing resources, guidance, and educational programming, the task force ensures architects can adopt AI responsibly, ethically, and innovatively while advancing the profession. Read at AIA.

Young Architects Forum (YAF) January Newsletter

A newsletter from the AIA Young Architects Forum (YAF). Look out for important news, AIA updates, and ways to engage, no biggie. In this newsletter, check out the call for submissions for articles, editorials, project profiles, interviews/spotlights, and other design content. Also, watch “It Takes a Village: A Guide to Parents and Caregivers in Architecture,” moderated by Colorado’s own Kaylyn Kirby, AIA! Find the newsletter here.

We’re proud to highlight one of AIA Colorado’s Premier Partners, Architectural Education Foundation (AEF). 

The Architectural Education Foundation, in partnership with AIA Colorado, offers traveling and professional development scholarships to support your educational endeavors and gain more experience. Since 1961, they have awarded more than $1 million to more than 250 students, architects, and teachers. Thanks to their support, we’re pleased to share the availability of academic and travel scholarships for 2026. 

2026 Architectural Education Foundation Traveling and Professional Development Scholarships are open! Learn more about each available scholarship, application requirements, and apply 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.

Helpful Links:

• Contact AIA Colorado Staff
• RSVP to Events
• AIA Colorado News and Articles

AIA Colorado Firm Directory

• Add your firm to the directory here.

Save the Dates:

• 2026 Awards Celebration: 
  • Mile High Station, Denver, CO
  • Thursday, September 17
• 2026 Practice + Design Conference: 
  • Keystone Conference Center, Keystone, CO
  • November 11 – 13

Calls for Proposals:

• AEF Traveling Scholarships
  • Submission window closes March 31
• Design + Honor Awards
  • Submission window closes June 26
• Conference Call for Presentations
  • Submission window closes July 31

Have news to share? If you or your firm have been featured in the media, published in a design outlet, received an award, or announced a major promotion, email AIA Colorado’s Communications Director Jon Bell.