Colorado Architecture News | 05.07.25


News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 05.07.25

In this Newsletter:

AIA COLORADO NEWS

Introducing the 2025 Design Award Jury

We’re pleased to introduce our esteemed Design Award jury! The jury will be convening in Denver in late-July and we’re looking forward to their careful review of each submission. Learn more about the 2025 Design Award Jury here.

The project categories, eligibility, and submission instructions for the 2025 Design Awards are available here. View the 2025 Honor Awards and submission instructions here.

The submission window for the 2025 Design + Honor Awards is now open and closes Friday, June 20th, at 5pm. Start your submissions here.

Committee On The Environment’s Session 2 “Empowering Architecture with Passive House” is now available to watch

Be sure to RSVP for Session 3 & Session 4 coming up!

SAR+ on ByDesign! 

Episode 2 of this season’s America ByDesign features Meow Wolf’s Convergence Station designed by SAR+, who teamed up with AIA Colorado Premier Partner KL&A and Turner Construction to tell the wild story of designing such a unique space. Watch the episode here!

ByDesign’s production team is filming in Colorado this Spring. If you have a project you’d like to feature on an upcoming episode, let us know right away! See a list of Colorado projects, featuring AIA Colorado Member Architects, that will be featured here.

Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health & Education Complex |
Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health & Education Complex |

AIA Members in the North recently toured Colorado State University’s Veterinary Health & Education Complex. The hard hat tour of the complex comprised of a primary care clinic, animal specialty hospital, and veterinary education center. Many thanks to Casey Roberts, AIA, of Clark & Enersen for leading the tour!

The Amp Tour |
The Amp Tour |

AIA Colorado and IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter partnered to explore the IIDA BEST Award-winning project The Amp. Led by Gensler, members from both organizations enjoyed learning about the project along with time for connection and dialogue.

School of Mines Walking Tour |
School of Mines Walking Tour |

Members recently enjoyed a walking tour of the Colorado School of Mines. Thank you to Jared Minter, AIA, Campus Architect, David Pfeifer, AIA, Anderson Mason Dale Architects, and David Schafer, AIA, OZ Architecture for leading the tour!

AIA Colorado Events

May 8 • MORFEUS: A Norwegian Approach to Landscape and Architecture

Thursday, May 8th, join AIA Members for a special presentation by Caroline Støvring, founder of MORFEUS, a firm internationally known for their thoughtful integration of landscape and architecture. Caroline is visiting us from Oslo, Norway, and will be sharing case studies that offer insights into the firm’s design process and how MORFEUS navigates the intersection of the built form and natural environment. She will share an inspiring selection of work—from road and landscape installations for Norway’s National Scenic Routes, to private residences, a kindergarten, and transformative reuse projects. Through these case studies, she will offer insight into the firm’s design process and how MORFEUS navigates the intersection of built form and natural environment. Light refreshments will be provided. Session hosted by DLR Group, in Denver, and approved for 1.5 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

May 13 • 2025 Awards Information Session

Are you thinking about creating an Awards submission but have never gone through the process? Have a question regarding your submission you need help wtih? Or are you curious if there are any tips that could make your submissions better? If so, join members of AIA Colorado’s awards committee and staff team Tuesday, May 13th, at Noon, for an overview of the Awards program. More information and RSVP here.

May 14 • AWARDED: 1 Line tour

Wednesday, May 14th, join AIA members for a tour of 1 Line, 2024 AIA Colorado Design Award of Excellent and Sustainability Recognition recipient. While integration of mass timber has typically been associated with large buildings, representing 3% of the built environment in the U.S., One Line Studio shifts the focus to the small majority, exploring the innovative use of timber in small structures and emphasizing the creation of durable, low-maintenance buildings that are deeply connected to their surroundings. With a focus upon creative problem solving, this is a discussion of opportunity, strategy, and practicality based upon lessons learned in creating integrated mass timber ecosystems. This tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

May 15 • Embodied Carbon: Regulations, LEED v5, and Contractor’s Role

Thursday, May 15th, join AIA Colorado’s Committee on the Environment for a presentation and discussion on Embodied Carbon: Regulations, LEED v5, and Contractor’s Role. The presentation will cover different regulatory and voluntary programs to reduce embodied carbon and how different approaches will result in different outcomes. It will also explain the LEED v5 requirements related to embodied carbon reductions and how contractors are tracking A4 and A5 emissions at the project site. This event has been approved for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

May 15 • Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN) Happy Hour

Thursday, May 15th, join AIA members for a happy hour at Improper City, in Denver, to meet AIA Colorado’s new Custom Residential Architects Network (CRAN). This is a great opportunity to meet other Colorado CRAN members and impact how this committee will engage with Colorado in the coming years. More information and RSVP here.

May 16 • Sketching Tour and Rodwin Architecture Firm Visit

Join the AIA Board of Directors and North Section sections for a fun afternoon of sketching, conversation, followed by a happy hour and firm tour at Rodwin Architecture. We’ll meet in front of the Boulder County Courthouse and proceed down the Mall, making our way to Rodwin Architecture’s new offices. Our intentionally slow procession will allow for ample time to sketch and engage with fellow architects as we take in the details of the Mall and enjoy time to sketch. Bring your sketchbook, pens, watercolors, and artistic eye! Food and drink, and a firm tour, provided. RSVP here.

May 22 • Happy Hour in Colorado Springs

Thursday, May 22nd, from 5 – 7pm, join AIA South members for a happy hour in Colorado Springs at Avenue 19. RSVP  here.

May 29 • GSA-National Science Foundation Ice Core Facility tour (re-scheduled)

Join the Denver Local Advisors Thursday, May 29th for a tour of a very unique property! Located within a large existing building on the Denver Federal Center campus, the GSA-National Science Foundation (NSF) Ice Core Facility supports the storage and climate-change research of some 30,000 ice cores from the Arctic and Antarctic. The design team from OZ Architecture will lead a tour of both the existing aging facility and the construction progress of its replacement. Tour has been approved for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

June 5 • Colorado Night at AIA25

Are you attending AIA25? If so, join us and connect with fellow AIA Colorado members and University of Colorado alumni during the AIA25. Light appetizers and drinks will be provided. Learn more and RSVP here.

Member News

ULI’s 2025 Spring Meeting is taking place in Denver May 12 – 14. If you’re attending, be sure to check out presentations by AIA Colorado members Gosia Kung, AIA, Denver Housing Authority, Harsh Parikh, AIA, Santulan Architecture, and Christopher Carvell, AIA, Carvell Archtiects, Inc. Additionally, Laura Rossbert will be presenting on behalf of AIA Colorado member firm Shopworks.

Partner News

Architecture Program at CEC End-of-the-Year Exhibition

Wednesday, May 21st, from 5:30 – 7:30pm, attend an exhibition showcasing students’ work from a full year in the program. Featuring a series of working models, freehand sketches, computerized renderings, and construction documents, guests will explore the concept of problem-solving through a variety of design skills. Students are celebrated for developing the ability to communicate their ideas clearly and intuitively, while creating thoughtful, creative, and purposeful design solutions. This exhibition highlights the potential of an architectural problem-solving mindset. Enjoy an evening immersed in the world of architecture at the Career Education Center Early College (CEC), 2650 Eliot St, Denver CO, 80211. Free parking available.

Colorado Building Symposium West

Join Colorado’s building community September 4th and 5th for the 1st Annual Colorado Building Symposium West. This event will be held at Glenwood Springs Branch Library and 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.

Canstruction Call for Entries

Only 5 spots remain for this year’s Canstruction event taking place this Fall. Sign up your team today and look forward to a great competition ahead. More info here.

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:

NEWS AT NATIONAL

National volunteer opportunities are available 

Explore AIA volunteer opportunities—a great way to support the work and shape the future of the architecture profession, develop and grow leadership skills, and help advance AIA’s mission. AIA encourages participation from members who bring varied perspectives—across career stages, firm sizes, geographic regions, cultural backgrounds, and practice areas. We believe that diverse voices help ensure that our programs, policies, and initiatives reflect the evolving needs of the profession and the communities we serve. 

AIA Resources for navigating economic uncertainty

AIA and its 200 chapters are here to support you during the current economic uncertainties with curated tools, resources, and connections designed to help you adapt, grow, and succeed. Whether you’re seeking guidance on business strategy, career planning, or personal wellbeing, we’ve gathered what you need to take the next steps with confidence. View resources at AIA

Architecture billings downward trajectory continues

March brought continued challenges for architecture firms, as the AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) recorded a score of 44.1, indicating that many firms are still experiencing declining billings. Read at AIA

Uncertainty from Trump tariffs ripple through industry

Dezeen’s editorial director Max Fraser went to Milan design week to speak to industry insiders about how architects and designers are dealing with Trump’s international trade policies roller coaster. Many spoke about shaken confidence and bleak futures, but there remained a commitment to doing quality work, despite the circumstances. Read at Dezeen

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

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

Colorado-owned and -operated, Ascent Contracting specializes in guiding clients through the building process—from the initial concept to the final detail. Each member of our team delivers personalized service, careful and intentional planning, and high-quality craftsmanship, and believes in the value of close collaboration with our clients and with design professionals.

Visit Ascent Contacting’s 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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