Colorado Architecture News | 04.16.25

News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 04.16.25

In this Newsletter:

AIA COLORADO NEWS

Architects Worldwide Invited to Reimagine Affordable Housing in Denver’s Design Challenge

The City of Denver, AIA Colorado, and Buildner have launched an international call for ideas to address Denver’s housing needs with a focus on the role of design excellence. The competition anticipates over one hundred entries to be submitted by a local and global audience of architects engaged in addressing affordable housing, providing Denver with a platform of ideas to consider as the region addresses future affordable housing needs.

Through a jury of respected architects, City of Denver representatives and councilmembers, and affordable housing developers, submissions will be reviewed and selected based on creatively addressing design excellence, sustainability, demonstrating how affordability and design can coexist. Winning entries will be rewarded from a pool of $20,000 comprised of contributions from The City of Denver, AIA Colorado, and Buildner and include prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd as well as Student Award and Sustainability Award, plus 6 honorable mentions. 

The competition began April 9th with early bird registration and closes September 11th. Winners will be announced December 10th at a media event open to the public.

Read the press release which includes quotes from Jamie Rife, Executive Director, Denver’s Department of Housing Stability and Mike Waldinger, Hon. AIA, CEO, AIA Colorado, here. See the competition at Buildner and learn about submission guidelines and key dates here.

New AIA Colorado Custom Residential Architecture Network (CRAN)

AIA Colorado is pleased to introduce a new committee focused on Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN)—an initiative dedicated to supporting architects who specialize in custom home design. We are looking for a diverse group of committee members ranging from sole practitioners, members of boutique firms, and leaders of larger teams to help build a statewide platform for knowledge sharing, policy advocacy, and professional connection. If you are passionate about design excellence, eager to mentor or learn, and are ready to elevate the visibility and impact of custom residential design within Colorado, please reach out to Jon Bell, AIA Colorado’s Communications Director here.

Visit the AIA Colorado CRAN webpage to learn more about our annual goals and join Co-Chairs Blake Sullivan, AIA, and Brandon Herbst, Assoc. AIA, at Improper City in Denver for a happy hour May 15th to learn more about the new committee.

AIA Resilience and Disaster Response: Letter from the Chairs

Nikolaus Remus, AIA Colorado’s Advocacy Engagement Director, is Co-Chair of AIA’s Resilience and Disaster Response (RADR) and recently launched a nationwide newsletter to equip architects to advance resilience in the built environment and help communities prepare for and respond to shocks, stresses, and disasters. Learn about the central initiatives for 2025 in the first newsletter here.

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Last week, AIA members enjoyed a tour of the Freyer-Newman Center for Science, Art, and Education at the Denver Botanic Gardens, a 2023 AIA Colorado Design Award of Merit recipient. Many thanks to Patrick Lee, AIA, and Micah Holroyd, AIA, of Davis Partnership Architects, for leading this tour!

On Monday, members in the North enjoyed a presentation illustrating the story of the introduction of modern architecture in Boulder by Leonard Segel, AIA, Executive Director of Historic Boulder.

AIA Colorado Events

April 17 • Empowering Architecture with Passive House

Thursday, April 17th, join AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment for a presentation on the Passive House methodology, combining architectural design and building science to solve climate, energy, and comfort with the architecture. This event has been approved for 1 LU|HSWMore information and RSVP here.

April 17 • Colorado School of Mines tour

Thursday, April 17th, join AIA members for a walking tour of the Colorado School of Mines campus with an emphasis on design for research and innovation facilities, visiting multiple facilities on the R1 research university. This tour has been approved for 1.5 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

April 18 • Code Class: Starting over with the 2024 IECC

Friday, April 18th, attend code class and learn about the updates to IECC that occur every three years. This class has been approved for 7 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

April 23 • CSU Veterinary Health & Education Complex Hard-Hat Tour

Wednesday, April 23rd, join AIA members in the North for a hard-hat tour of the new CSU Veterinary Health & Education Complex in Fort Collins. This 420,000 SF complex is comprised of a primary care clinic, animal specialty hospital, and veterinary education center. Renovations to the existing building allow it to house most of the tertiary care spaces, research laboratories, and building support spaces. The new 208,000 SF addition includes the new primary care clinic and a cutting-edge veterinary education center with wet and dry skills labs, large lecture halls, and active learning classrooms. PPE Required – hard hat, closed toe shoes, high visibility vest. Tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

April 24 • The Amp tour

Thursday, April 24th, join AIA and IIDA members to explore the architecture and interior design of the IIDA BEST Award winning project: The Amp. Tour is only available for AIA and IIDA members and has been submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

April 30 • Art Studios tour

Wednesday, April 30th, join the Denver Local Advisors, JNS Architecture + Interior Design, and Nichols Partnership for an architectural tour of Art Studios, located in Denver. This tour been approved for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

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Member News

Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced the 2025 Mayor’s Design Awards Winners and we congratulate AIA Colorado firms and architects for the awarded projects! View the full list of nominees, honorable mentions, and winners here and learn about this year’s nominated projects here. Congratulations to 4240 Architecture, The Beck Group, Gensler, One Line Studio, OZ Architecture, SAR+ Architects, Semple Brown Design, Shopworks Architecture, Stantec, and Tryba Architects!

Kevin Nguyen, AIA, was recently featured in Colorado Life Magazine sharing about shaping the way Denver dines.

Partner News

Constructing a Career in Architecture: From Prefab to Urban Interventions, and Everything Else in Between

The inaugural Alan Golin Gass, FAIA, Annual Lecture will take place on Wednesday, April 23, and feature Los Angeles-based architect Ron Radziner, FAIA, whose first job for an architectural firm while studying at CU Denver’s College of Architecture and Planning was working for Gass. Ron now leads Marmol Radziner, an award-winning design-build firm that offers architecture, landscape, interior design, and fabrication services. Ron will be in conversation with Adam Wagoner, AIA, AIA Colorado’s 2024 Architect of the Year, Principal of Denver’s High, Low, Buffalo, and host of the podcast Architect-ing. AIA members will receive DAF member rate by selecting that registration type. This session has been approved for 1 LU|HSW. Buy your ticket here.

Best Practices in Parking Management Strategies webinar

Wednesday, April 23rd, from Noon – 1pm, join the State of Colorado for a webinar highlighting the findings from DOLA’s new resource “Best Practices in Parking Management Strategies for Colorado Communities”, which details various strategies to manage parking demand and supply, including several case studies from Colorado and around the country. The session will feature a brief overview of the new minimum parking requirements law (HB24-1304), the parking management report, as well as a panel discussion featuring Colorado communities, affordable housing developers, and parking practitioners sharing their stories and lessons learned from implementing parking management strategies. Register here.

Upcoming CAP Spring lecture

  • Andrew Zitcer and Vincent Russell, Drexel University, Director of the Urban Strategy Graduate Program, and Associate Professor of Arts AdministrationWestern Carolina University, Assistant Professor and the Liberal Studies Program Coordinator in the Department of Communication, April 28, 12:15pm

Lectures are held at the Second Floor Gallery, CU Denver. More info and RSVP here.

NOMA Colorado’s Career Coaching Seminar: Part 2

Tuesday, April 29th, from Noon – 1pm, join NOMA Colorado for the second installment of their Career Coaching Seminar Series, featuring Jeff Visnic. This three-part series is designed to help you navigate your professional journey with confidence and clarity. In Part 2, learn how to ace interviews, build a killer resume, and navigate the job market. Whether you’re a student, emerging professional, or seasoned industry expert, this session will provide valuable insights into aligning your career with your passions and long-term goals. Learn more and RSVP here.

Denver’s new Permitting Office 

Denver has been long overdue for an updated permitting process and Denver Mayor Mike Johnson signed an executive order this week to address this very issue. Under Johnston’s order, the city must approve permit applications within 180 days – and that includes both site plans and building permits, assuming they are submitted at the same time. Read more about the new office at Denverite.

Career Corner

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:

AIA Colorado Job Board

NEWS AT NATIONAL

Young Architects Forum April 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.

Don’t miss AIA25 in Boston, June 4–7! 

More than just a conference, AIA25 is an invitation to inspiration. Across four days of immersive learning, inspiring keynotes, architect-led tours, networking events, and the industry’s largest expo, AIA25 will leave you inspired and equipped with new tools, fresh perspectives, and a renewed sense of purpose to design a better world.

It’s everything you need, in one location. Get your ticket before it’s too late. Register here.

Premier Partner Spotlight

Now Available: Allweather Wood Exterior Class A Fire Retardant Treated Redwood Siding

Enhance your building projects with Allweather Wood’s 1×6 & 1×8 Redwood BEE Siding Profiles, treated with a Clear Exterior Class A Fire Retardant Treatment by Hoover.

This treatment ensures that your siding not only retains the natural beauty of redwood but also offers enhanced safety and fire protection. Designed for exterior applications, this fire-retardant-treated redwood meets the highest standards for durability and performance, especially in wildfire-prone areas. For availability, pricing, or to place an order, contact your Allweather Wood Sales Representative. Learn more here.

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

Humboldt Sawmill Company, LLC manufactures redwood and Douglas-fir dimensional lumber, timbers, and uppers at the company’s sawmill in Scotia, California. Allweather Wood, LLC is the largest waterborne preservative treated lumber and plywood manufacturer in the western United States with six manufacturing facilities, including a facility in Loveland, Colorado.

View AIA Continuing Education Courses offered by Humboldt Sawmill

Looking for Additional Resources?

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View AIA Colorado’s Allied Member Directory.

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