Colorado Architecture News | 10.01.25

News from the Colorado Chapter of The American Institute of Architects | 10.01.25

In this Newsletter:

AIA COLORADO NEWS

AIA Colorado celebrates award winners

The evening of September 18th was a big night of celebration for this year’s Design Award winners and Honor Award recipients, recognizing the best of Colorado architecture. Winners were announced at the historic Tivoli Turnalle on the Auraria campus in downtown Denver.

Congratulations to the 2025 Honor Award recipients!

Congratulations to the 2025 Design Award recipients!

18 projects by Colorado architects were recognized in categories of Excellence, Merit, and Honorable Mention, including 4 projects awarded with additional Sustainability Recognition.

All Awards coverage, including project features, event photos, and Honor Award recipient articles can be found here.

Thank you to every architect who submitted work this year! Your ideas, creativity, and commitment are what move the profession forward.

2025 AIA Colorado Design + Honor Awards

Modern In Denver

The new Fall issue features the recent Design Award recipients with an 9 page spread, as well as a cover story with E.J. Meade, AIA, principal at Arch11. View the Design Awards spreads here.

Call for Nominations | 2026 AIA Colorado Board of Directors and AIA National Councils

We are seeking AIA Colorado members to serve on the AIA Colorado Board of Directorsand 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.

Learn more about the upcoming vacancies and being your application here.

Get ready for the Practice + Design Conference! 

We’re thrilled to announce our complete keynote lineup: 

Start your conference with Tech Connect, Wednesday, November 12. Keynotes take place Thursday, November 13, and Friday, November 14. Alongside these inspiring talks, you’ll find a full slate of engaging breakout sessions. View the full conference schedule, session details, and presenters here.

Opportunities are filling quickly: 

Don’t miss out! Secure your spot today and start planning your conference experience by registering here!

Conference Schedule

Health Horizons Symposium

October 16th, from 1 – 5pm, at CSU Spur – Hydro Building, in Denver, AIA Colorado’s Academy of Architecture for Health Knowledge Community (AAH) and Women in Healthcare (WIH) present an interactive half-day event themed Reimagined Care. Oriented to both AEC & healthcare professionals, don’t miss this chance to connect with peers, share ideas, and envision the future of healthcare. More information and RSVP here.

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AIA Colorado & NOMA Colorado Host “State of DEI” Roundtable

AIA Colorado’s J.E.D.I. Committee and NOMA Colorado recently hosted The State of DEI in Colorado: What’s Next for the Architecture Profession? The roundtable gathered architects, students, firm leaders, and community members to discuss the future of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession. Panelists and participants explored challenges, shared strategies, and emphasized the importance of mentorship, inclusive design, and collaborative partnerships to sustain DEI efforts in architecture. Read about the event here.

Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center, awarded a 2025 Design Award of Merit with Sustainability Recognition, is featured on the latest episode of America ByDesign. Watch the segment here.

Have a project that you’d like to see in a future America ByDesign episode? The show’s producers are looking for Colorado projects! Information about the show and next steps can be found here.

Is Your AIA Record Up to Date?

Colorado architects must renew their state license by the end of October. As part of that process, you’ll need to confirm that you’ve completed the continuing education requirements:

Now is a great time to review your AIA transcript and make sure your credits are recorded. It’s also a great time to register for the Practice + Design Conference to earn HSW credits. When you renew your license, you will be asked to certify that you’ve met the requirements for both 2024 and 2025. Don’t wait until the last minute, check your record today.

AIA Colorado Events

Oct 3 • Code Class: 2024 IRC Update

Friday, October 3rd, learn up-to-date residential construction code addressing the design and construction of one- and two-family dwellings. This seminar covers the critical changes within the 2024 International Residential Code. Changes to building requirements are discussed. This full-day program includes lunch and has been approved for 7.0 AIA CES HSW learning unit hours. Register here

Oct 9 • Nest56 tour

Thursday, October 9th, join AIA members for a tour of Nest56, a 56-unit affordable housing project in the RiNo neighborhood of Denver with wrap-around supportive services that provide youth with a stepping-stone to a thriving, independent life. SAR+ Architects will conduct a 20-minute introduction and overview then the tour will commence from the sidewalk at 2700 Wewatta Way highlighting several project spaces, including the residential lobby, service provider offices, resident floors, common areas, and a ground floor exhibition space operated by Redline Contemporary Art Center. Tour approved for 1 LU|HSW. Learn more and RSVP here.

Oct 14 • West Virtual Connect: Designing for wildfire, beyond code minimums

Tuesday, October 14th, at Noon, connect virtually with Western Slope AIA members for a discussion about fire resistive construction focusing on the issue specifically for western Colorado. There will be a brief presentation to get the conversation started, following by Q+A and discussion. View the panelists and RSVP here.

Oct 15 • Denargo Market tour

Wednesday, October 15th, join AIA members for a rescheduled tour of Denargo Market, the largest mix-use development under construction in the City of Denver right now. The riverfront development will soon host over 3M square feet of new development including thousands of new residential units. The master plan lays out a public realm framework that repositions the site with the river as a front door, with retail and food and beverage spilling out onto a new extension of the RiNo promenade. The first phase of construction includes over 4-acres of new public space including streets, plazas, and parks. Tour approved for 1 LU|HSW. More info and RSVP here.

Oct 17 • Happy Hour in Colorado Springs

Friday, October 17th, join the AIA Colorado Board of Directors and design industry professionals for a casual social event in Colorado Springs at COATI. Food and will be drink available for purchase. RSVP here.

Oct 21 • AIA in conversation with Denver’s new Interim Planning Director

Tuesday, October 21st, 3:30 – 5pm, at the Alliance Center. Denver’s new Interim Planning Director, Brad Buchanan, FAIA, is committed to dramatically improving the Development approvals process. Brad’s recent appointment, background, and interest in hearing from AIA members provides us with a real opportunity to understand his plan, share ideas, and help shape a better path forward for development in Denver. This event is intended for firm leaders and decision makers in the greater Denver area, and an active AIA member number is required with RSVP. More info and RSVP here.

Oct 22 • Drawing on Life: 50 Years with Barrett Studio

Wednesday, October 22nd, join AIA members as we celebrate 50 years of Barrett Studio Architects at one of their most recent projects—Groundworks Art Lab in Boulder. The event will feature a presentation by David Barrett, a tour of Groundworks’ unique facility, and an exhibition of Barrett’s work spanning five decades of Living Design. More information and RSVP here.

Oct 22 • Emerging Professionals and Young Architects (EP/YA) Happy Hour

Wednesday, October 22nd, at Improper City, join AIA Colorado’s Emerging Professionals and Young Architects (EP/YA) Leadership Council members, other EP/YA’s, network, and share your ideas on programming or resources that you would be interested in, or simply chat. RSVP here.

Oct 23 • The Burrell Tour

Thursday, October 23rd, Studio Completiva will conduct a 20-minute overview and a 40-minute tour of the workforce housing development located at 3575 Chestnut Place in Denver’s River North Arts District (RiNo) and Five Points neighborhoods. It is a key example of a public-private partnership aimed at creating affordable homeownership opportunities for middle-income residents. Tour submitted for 1 LU|HSW. More information and RSVP here.

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PARTNER NEWS

Upcoming CAP Lectures

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 lecture and exhibition series website with full series listings here.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Giraffe Exhibit Construction Tour and Networking

Thursday, October 23, from 5 – 6:30pm, grab your hard hats and join SMPS Colorado for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s exciting new Giraffe Exhibit! This isn’t your average construction site visit—led by the General Contractor, Architect, and key trade partners, you’ll get an insider look at the $40 million expansion that’s transforming how guests and giraffes connect. From the towering new giraffe barn to the expanded outdoor habitat and interactive feeding zones, you’ll see how this project is raising the bar for animal care and guest experience. Use diccount code “GiraffeAIA” to get $50 SMPS member pricing. More information and RSVP 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:

AIA Colorado Job Board

NEWS AT NATIONAL

2025 AIA Compensation & Benefits Report

Compensation is one of the most critical—and most sensitive—topics in architecture. That’s why AIA collects and analyzes data from hundreds of architecture firms to produce the industry’s most comprehensive, trusted, and current report on salary and benefits. The 2025 edition delivers a clear picture of how firms structure salaries, benefits, professional development, and workplace practices. For firms, it’s an indispensable resource for recruitment, retention, and equity. For individuals, it offers the insights you need to make informed career decisions and evaluate opportunities with confidence. Learn more and purchase the report here. 

AIA Colorado has copies of the 2025 report available for members to view at AIA Colorado’s offices at the Alliance Center. If you’d like to schedule a time to view the report, please inquire here.

AIA selects new EVP/CEO

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Board of Directors voted unanimously to select Carole Wedge, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, as the next AIA Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer. Wedge brings experience and vision that align directly with AIA’s mission: to empower and inspire architects to improve society and transform the world. The 2020 recipient of the AIA Edward C. Kemper Award, Wedge played a pivotal role in founding the AIA Women’s Leadership Summit. Under her leadership, AIA will continue to advocate for architects and support their efforts to design a better world. This includes fostering equitable, resilient communities and advancing public health, safety, and welfare through the transformative power of design. Read more here.

Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS)

Experience the AEC industry’s premier event dedicated to accelerating women into leadership positions in architecture, design, and the allied building industries in Atlanta, November 3–5, 2025! WLS 2025 is three days of networking, education, community, and inspiration designed to create gender equity for women in AEC and change their workplace opportunities and experience. More information and registration here.

Business conditions for architecture firms continue to be weak, AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index Reports

The AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) continues to weaken posting a score of 46.2 for July, down from 46.8 in June, indicating that a majority of firms are still experiencing declining firm billings. Read more at AIA.

Premier Partner Spotlight

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 IMEG intentionally localized a focus to serve carefully chosen regions and markets, allowing them to put relationships and communities first, without sacrificing expertise. 

IMEG’s specialties are high-performing building systems, infrastructure, program management and construction-related services, but the secret to the success is found in a deep bench of 1,600 team members. For IMEG, people-centered engineering is about more than the people served — it’s representative of the engaged employee culture they’ve worked hard to create. IMEG believes in investing in their people and their professional futures through continuous training, community involvement and the ability to develop a niche specialty.

See IMEG’s AIA Continuing Education Courses

View IMEG’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.

Become an Allied member

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