AIA California Calendar

Code Breaker: Energy Code Compliance Forms: A Goldmine of Design Insights!
2025-10-09 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Energy Code, Zero Net Carbon Design (ZNCD), and LEED certification. It also teaches attendees how to identify various compliance pathways and how to verify that design documents align with Certificates of Compliance. Finally, it shows how to employ the Performance Approach to measure a proposed project’s goals around energy usage and operational carbon.
Speaker
Gina Griffiths Rodda | Principal/Owner | Gabel Energy
Earn 1 LU/HSW & 1 hr ZNCD MCE for attending live.
Registration for this FREE webinar, brought to you by Energy Code Ace, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, October 9th.

American Institute of Architects Los Angeles - Immigration Summit
2025-10-17 08:00 - 12:00 | Center for Communities, 4450 West Adams, Los Angeles, CA, 90016, United States
Immigration directly shapes the future of Los Angeles and our industry. Immigrants make up one-third of Angelenos, drive innovation, own nearly 11% of California’s small businesses, and sustain entire sectors like construction—which would see a 16% GDP contraction without them. In architecture and design, their perspectives fuel creativity and ensure projects reflect cultural realities.
The summit will feature two essential panels:
· The Value of International Students in Higher Education – highlighting their role in innovation and global competitiveness.
· Immigration, Skilled Labor, and Creative Outcomes in AEC – showing how diverse perspectives strengthen resilience and enrich creative outcomes.
This isn’t a political conversation—it’s an economic, creative, and civic one. We believe it’s vital for our community to come together around it.

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PPD & PDD
2025-10-20 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-11-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Study Hub is AIA California”™s pathway for emerging professionals to study and pursue licensure. These statewide ARE study sessions and virtual study groups serve as a hub for education, connection, and community. This portal does not replace other study materials or resources, rather it supplements them, serving as a network and allowing for collaboration between EPs and AIA professionals across California.
This year, we’re streamlining your study experience by grouping commonly paired exams together.
Project Planning & Design (PPD)Â focuses onÂ the preliminary design of sites and buildings. You should be able toÂ demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in design concepts, sustainability/environmental design, universal design, and other forms of governing codes and regulations.
Project Development & Documentation (PDD)Â focuses on the integration and documentation of building systems, material selection, and material assemblies into a project. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in integration of civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and specialty systems into overall project design and documentation.
Host: TBA
Interested in joining our hub where you can ask questions, connect with other members and access resources? Click here
Please make sure you registered for the correct session by using the dropdown in the zoom registration page to select the date you wish to register for. By default it will show the immediate upcoming session first.Â

Rewriting the Fee Formula: A Smarter Model for Pricing Your Services
2025-10-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Are you tired of watching your fees shrink as your expertise grows? Does it feel like the better you get at architecture, the less money you make per project? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck.
This webinar challenges the conventional wisdom of hourly and percentage-based fees that most AE firms have been trained to follow. This interactive webinar reveals a more powerful approach to pricing that aligns with the actual value you create for clients, not just the time you spend or the construction costs you influence.
In this 50-minute session, you’ll discover why traditional pricing models punish efficiency and reward inefficiency—and learn a proven framework for breaking free from the “efficiency penalty” that’s keeping your firm trapped in a race to the bottom.
Whether you’re a firm owner looking to improve margins, a principal tired of competing on price, or an architect planning to start your own practice, this webinar will fundamentally change how you think about your value and your fees.
Speaker
Steve Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm
Earn 1 LU for attending live.
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE, will end at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, October 23rd.
Presented by:

Architecture, Belonging, and Connection (ABC) – Bridging Legacy and Leadership: The Future of the Profession
2025-10-27 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
The future of architecture needs the voices of those who have built its foundation. As our profession navigates rapid shifts in technology, climate, and culture, the insight and leadership of experienced architects are more vital than ever. This is your invitation to step forward—to share your perspective, challenge assumptions, and help chart the path ahead. Join this conversation with peers who have shaped architecture’s legacy and care deeply about its future. Together, we’ll explore the challenges and opportunities defining the next era of practice, informed by recent work of the AIA Strategic Council. Let’s connect, reflect, and commit to advancing the profession we’ve devoted our careers to strengthening.
Moderator
Scott Gaudineer, AIA | Managing Principal | Flewelling & Moody, Inc.

Contractual Duty to Defend: Are You Managing Your Risk?
2025-10-29 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
This 60-minute program will provide a primer on contractual defense and indemnity and explains how the contractual liability exclusion in a professional liability policy can create an uninsured exposure for design firms. In this program we will examine a variety of contractual indemnity clauses since the 2018 amendments to Civil Code section 2782.8, placing an emphasis on the competing theories governing the duty to defend in design professional contracts. The final portion of this program will focus on AIA California’s new “Duty to Defend” memo, providing members an outline to support negotiation and risk management efforts in avoiding or mitigating the impacts of an uninsurable defense obligation.
This session qualifies for 1 LU (live webinar attendees only).
Speakers:
Laura Knauss, AIA | President, Lionakis
Brett Stewart, Esq. | Manager, Loss Prevention and Education, Design Professional, AXA XL, a division of AXA
David Barker, Esq. | Attorney at Law, Collins + Collins LLP

Running a Practice | Empowering the Future of Architecture & Practice
2025-11-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This session qualifies for 1 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only, pending AIA approval).
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
Architectural practices vary widely in size, approach, and perspective, but what unites successful firms are the core values and principles that guide their decision-making and design processes. These foundational elements shape not only the projects a firm undertakes but also its workplace culture, client relationships, and ultimate impact on the built environment.
In our “Running a Practice” series, AIA California explores how architectural firms are integrating three essential principles into their practice:

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Climate Action
Support for Emerging Professionals

Join us in the third session of this series that will offer insight into how today’s firm leaders are creating opportunities that cultivate tomorrow’s firm leaders within their practice, hear testimonials from emerging professionals who are making a mark with their own practices, and engage with young professionals who are influencing today’s architecture firms.

Speakers:
Yoshi Jimenez, Assoc. AIA, NOMA | Designer & Project Lead, Architects FORA
Andrew Goodwin, AIA, NCARB | Owner and Architect, AGD
Francisco Arias | Design Director, Ware Malcom

AIA CA Governance Events
2025-11-14 10:00 - 21:30
AIA CA will be hosting its annual meeting on Friday, November 14, 2025 at DPR Construction located at 1801 J Street, Sacramento, CA 95811. There will be a total of three (3) categories of sessions taking place, they are:
10:00am – 1:00pmAIA CA Executive Committee In-Person Meeting
2:00pm – 4:30pm AIA CA Board of Directors Virtual Meeting(local members are encouraged to attend in person)
5:00pm – 7:00pm Installation & Celebration Event Please join us in celebrating the installation of the new 2026 AIA CA President, Ginger Thompson, AIA, and honor members for their achievements.(local members are encouraged to attend in person)
A headcount is needed for all sessions. For each session, please identify if you will attend in person, virtually, or not available. Please reach out to Mirna Douet mdouet@aiacalifornia.org if you have any questions.

Credit Cram EDI | Inclusive & Universal Design
2025-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This session explores the evolving standards and cultural context of gender-inclusive and universal restroom design. Led by California State Architect Ida Clair, FAIA, and design leader, Julia Weatherspoon, AIA of Gensler, the session will combine code-based guidance with real-world case studies to illustrate how inclusive design principles are being applied across diverse building types. Participants will gain an understanding of current code developments, design best practices, and the broader national and cultural conversations shaping the future of equitable restroom access. Through this session, attendees will learn how inclusive and universal design can create safer, more welcoming environments for all users while meeting accessibility and compliance standards.

Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Monday, November 17, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.

Moderator:
Ross Stilleson, AIA
Speakers:

Ida Clair, FAIA | State Architect | Division of the State Architect, State of California

Julia Weatherspoon, AIA | Architect | Gensler

Credit Cram ZNCD | Designing for Zero Carbon: All-electric K-12 Schools
2025-11-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Monday, November 17, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
Southern California Edison produced a series of case study books covering an expansive range of building types to support the adoption of sustainable building design practices in California, including all-electric strategies, and provides decision-making insights, detailed performance analysis, key images of building design, and countless indispensable lessons learned.
Join us for this webinar and discover projects featured in the case study book Designing for Zero Carbon: Volume 3, Case Studies of All-Electric K-12 Schools, 2025 as they share insights into all-electric designs, their impacts on this critical building type, and how decarbonization of schools positively impacts students, staff and community.
Moderator:
Ed Dean, FAIA | Principal, BERNHEIM+DEAN
Speaker:
Lauren Maass, AIA | Principal, Multistudio

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: California Supplemental Exam
2025-11-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual
Study Hub is AIA California”™s pathway for emerging professionals to study and pursue licensure. These statewide ARE study sessions and virtual study groups serve as a hub for education, connection, and community. This portal does not replace other study materials or resources, rather it supplements them, serving as a network and allowing for collaboration between EPs and AIA professionals across California.
Host: Ron Culver, AIA
Interested in joining our hub where you can ask questions, connect with other members and access resources? Click here
Please make sure you registered for the correct session by using the dropdown in the zoom registration page to select the date you wish to register for. By default it will show the immediate upcoming session first.Â

Credit Cram ZNCD | Designing for Zero Carbon: All-electric Affordable Housing
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
Equitably decarbonizing our buildings will require expanding efforts in the residential sector beyond our historic emphasis on single-family homes. 42% of California’s low-income residents live in multifamily buildings. Southern California Edison produced a series of case study books covering an expansive range of building types to support the adoption of sustainable building design practices in California, including all-electric strategies, and provides decision-making insights, detailed performance analysis, key images of building design, and countless indispensable lessons learned.
Join us for this webinar and discover projects featured in the case study book Designing for Zero Carbon: Volume 2, Case Studies of All-Electric Multifamily Residential Buildings, 2023 as they share insights into all-electric affordable housing designs and their impact on this building type and its residents through healthier, cleaner and more affordable living.
Moderator:
Ed Dean, FAIA | Principal, BERNHEIM+DEAN
Speaker:
Erin Feeney, AIA | Associate at David Baker Architects

Credit Cram EDI | A Conversation With the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Join AIA California for a lunchtime presentation of world-changing ideas with the 2025 AIA Architecture Firm Award winner: LPA Design Studios. Hosted online and moderated by AIA CA President Carina Mills, the panel will explore how LPA’s integrated teams are cutting carbon and advancing equity on every project, at every scale and budget. Through the lens of recent civic, education and healthcare work in the region, firm leaders will share what it takes to eliminate carbon emissions from buildings — and why an interdisciplinary, no-excuses approach is central to their practice. From net-zero buildings and carbon-sequestering landscapes to meeting the health challenges of underserved communities, LPA is helping shape what’s next in California. Come meet the people behind the work — and be part of the conversation.

Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.

Moderator:
Carina Mills, AIA | Senior Director of Talent Management, Senior Associate | Studio One Eleven

Speakers:

Wendy Rogers, FAIA | CEO/CTO | LPA Design Studios

Keith Hempel, FAIA | President/CDO | LPA Design Studios

Kari Kikuta, PLA, ASLA | Director of Landscape Architecture | LPA Design Studios

Kate Mraw, RID, ALEP | Director of K-12 | LPA Design Studios

Bryan Seamer, SE | Director of Structural Engineering | LPA Design Studios

Credit Cram ZNCD | Clean Science: All-electric Laboratory Solutions
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
Research laboratories can significantly contribute to a building’s overall energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions and may pose safety risks to staff and occupants. To combat this, it is imperative for laboratory facilities to move towards electrifying their systems while also maintaining research performance. Join us for this webinar as we take a deeper dive into all-electric, high performing laboratory projects covering challenges, strategies and lessons learned.
Moderator:
Ismar Enriquez, AIA, LFA, LEED AP | Architect & Sustainability Strategist, Practice
Speakers:
George Reilly | Building Environments West Coast Leader, Buro Happold
Sidney Pilarski, PE | Associate Mechanical Engineer, Buro Happold
Yensi Izquierdo, PE | Associate Principal, Buro Happold

Credit Cram ZNCD | Kitchen Decarbonization: The May Lee State Office Complex Case Study
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
Located in the Sacramento River District, the 1.25 million gross square foot building leads in sustainability features and is named after former DGS employee May Lee, the longest-serving state employee in California state history. This project, coming in at a whopping 1.25 million gross square feet, leads the way in sustainability as one of the largest zero-net carbon facilities and the most extensive all-electric kitchen in the country. Join us as we take a deep dive into this project and it’s groundbreaking all-electric commercial kitchen.
Moderator:
Paul Poirier, AIA | Principal Architect, Owner at Poirier + Associates Architects
Speaker:
Anne Cotter, AIA | Principal, ZGF

Credit Cram EDI | Coalition-Building for Change: Arquitectos Colectivos National and the Power of Collaboration
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This session explores how the National Latinx Architects Coalition (NLAC) is driving leadership, advocacy, and representation within the architectural profession through collaboration between AIA Knowledge Communities and allied organizations. Building on AIA California’s core priorities—leadership, equity, advocacy, and chapter strengthening—the session features a balanced panel of AIA community leaders and external partners who will share replicable, case-based models of impact. Attendees will gain insight into successful initiatives such as LiA SF’s “How to Start a LiA” guide and its national influence, Arquitectos’ mentorship and outreach frameworks, LA.IDEA’s community-based programs in Washington, D.C., and the Immigrant Architects Coalition’s advocacy and leadership work. Additionally, the discussion will highlight NLAC’s collaborative programming at AIA National Conferences since 2023, offering practical strategies to strengthen chapters and foster inclusive leadership across the profession.

Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Thursday, November 20, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.

Moderator:
Daniel Perez, AIA | Principal Architect | Studio Perez
Speakers:

Patricia Alarcón, AIA | Chair | AIA San Francisco LiA Knowledge Community

Graciela Carillo, FAIA | Vice President & Treasurer | Immigrant Architect Coalition

Julia Mosqueda, Assoc. AIA | Arquitectos

Heber Muñoz, AIA | Treasurer | LA.IDEA (AIA DC)

AIA California 2025 Awards Celebration at University of California Berkeley
2025-11-21 15:00 - 19:30 | UC Berkeley Department of Architecture, Bauer Wurster Hall, Berkeley, CA, 94720, United States
Join us for the 2025 AIA California Awards Celebration, a dynamic in-person event that celebrates excellence in architecture. And, connects renowned architects with students who will be next generation designers.
This year’s celebration comes with new features that deliver special insights into awarded projects, visionary firms, and outstanding professionals, alongside special participation from students of the Department of Architecture, University of California Berkeley.
Event Highlights:
12:00P – 1:00P | Hard Hat Tour of UCB Gateway (Limited tickets, FREE)
Join us for an exclusive hard hat tour of the UCB Gateway project at 12PM on November 21st, led by Wendy Hilles, Campus Architect, in collaboration with the AIA CA Awards Celebration at UC Berkeley. This unique opportunity allows architecture and construction enthusiasts to experience firsthand the innovative design and construction excellence of this remarkable structure located at in Berkeley.
Don’t miss this rare chance to walk through an active construction site and celebrate architectural excellence with the UC Berkeley community—space is limited and safety waivers will be required for all attendees.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE HARD HAT TOUR »
3:00P – 4:30P | (Stand on) Ceremony, The Inside Stories of the 2025 AIA California Award Recipients | Bauer Wurster Hall Room 112
An awards ceremony with a special touch. Each recipient will share a brief inside story, not readily available in project descriptions, about the celebrated work—including Design Award, Urban Design Award, and Residential Design Award recipients. The program also honors individuals and firms celebrated through California and Maybeck Awards.
Open to all (firms + students, region-wide) For details, Click Here.
4:30P – 6:00P | Meet the Firms, An Opportunity for Students and Firms to Connect | Bauer Wurster Hall First Floor
A unique opportunity for professionals and students to connect 1:1. Explore the innovative projects, see renderings and models, and meet the renowned firms.
6:15P – 7:30P | Reception | Bauer Wurster Hall First Floor
Celebrate together. Relax among friends, colleagues, and peers. Enjoy tasty treats and refreshments. Open to students, of course, for free.
Partners:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Hosted By

Supported By

The 60-Minute MBA for Architects
2025-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Being a brilliant architect rarely translates into having a successful business. With all the years of education and training to make us experts in our profession, the skills needed to have a successful business were conveniently overlooked. This webinar will fill the void and provide you with the business management highlights that every firm needs to apply to achieve their full potential.
In this session, we will learn the fundamentals of all successful AE firms and provide the basis for making well-grounded business decisions. We will learn how firms can transition from being professionals providing services, to highly tuned businesses that can identify the needs of the marketplace and create services and products that are appropriately priced and yield consistent and greater profits.
Rather than seeking out new projects that merely build upon your current skills, you will start from a business-thinking mindset, where processes that are critical to building a thriving firm are examined and constituted in your firm. We will explore the importance of data within an architect firm and demonstrate how careful collection and interpretation can lead your firm into more exciting and profitable territory.
Join us for an engaging, live webinar presented by Steven Burns, FAIA, as he shares lessons learned over 35 years working with over 1,300 architecture firms.
Speaker:
Steven Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE, will end at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, December 4th.

From Policy to Practice - Understanding the 2025 CA WUI Code Provisions and Wildfire Zone 0
2025-12-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
This session qualifies for 1 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only, pending AIA approval).
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, December 10, 2025. Registrants will receive their Zoom link no later than 10:30am PT the day of.
2025 WUI updates and revisions have been adopted but are subject to the standard 6-month delay in activation. These revisions include a reorganization of information, helping to clarify provisions that were previously scattered in different places and difficult to follow.
In this webinar, our panelists will review these changes, providing an overview of the newly established 2025 California Wildland-Urban Interface (CWUI) Code, now Part 7 of Title 24. This summary will show how the CWUI Code consolidates wildland-urban interface requirements from three separate California codes into a single, comprehensive document for clarity and consistency. This important webinar will also cover potential future developments to continue to support building design, construction, and code enforcement, addressing broader wildfire risk reduction goals in California.
Speakers:
Pamela Brief, PLA, ASLA | President Pamela Studios & Instructor at UCLA Extension
Paul Armstrong, PE, CBO | Regional Manager, American Wood Council

2025 Code Breaker: Nonresidential Overview of Energy Code Changes
2025-12-11 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
In this course, we will review the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code) Mandatory and Prescriptive requirements for nonresidential envelope, mechanical, covered process, photovoltaic, and battery storage systems, in addition to the new electric-ready and performance compliance metrics introduced in the 2025 Energy Code.
Earn 1 LU/HSW for attending live.
Registration for this FREE webinar, brought to you by Energy Code Ace, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, December 11th.
Speaker:
Gina Griffiths Rodda, CEA, LEED AP
Principal/Owner, Gabel Energy

Facades+ Presented by The Architect's Newspaper
2026-01-22 08:00 - 17:00
Attend Facades+ for a full day of stimulating presentations and panels
Examine the fast-paced evolution of facade technology, address new perspectives on building skins, and explore innovative, sustainable design practices.
AIA California members take advantage of a 20% discount. Please select “AEC Professional” under “Registration Type” and input the following code in the “Discount Code” Section: AIACA

Your Next Hire Might Not Be Human: How AI and Outsourcing Are Rewriting the Rules
2026-01-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
In an era where AI can draft proposals, automate invoicing, and even generate design options, the question facing firm leaders isn’t who to hire; it’s whether to hire at all. Traditional staffing models are being challenged by automation, global talent marketplaces, and an urgent need for agility. At the same time, the human dimension of business, culture, creativity, and trust is more important than ever.
This webinar will challenge long-held assumptions about what a team should look like. We’ll explore when it makes sense to invest in a full-time hire, when outsourcing or automation delivers better ROI, and how to build a firm that clients trust, even when your “team” looks very different from what they expect.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner, scaling your staff, or leading a larger practice, this session will help you rethink growth with clarity and confidence.
Registration for this FREE webinar, brought to you by BQE will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Speaker:
Steven Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

Architecture, Belonging, and Connection (ABC) – Candid Conversation About Showing Up for the Next Generation of Architects: Internships, Mentorship, and capX
2026-01-26 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
The future of architecture is strengthened when firms actively engage students and emerging professionals early in their journey. Internships and meaningful exposure to practice play a critical role in developing talent, expanding access, and sustaining the profession. Access to internships and early professional experience remains uneven, shaped by geography, educational pathways, socioeconomic realities, and the capacity of architecture firms. Community colleges and rural programs are critical access points but not fully connected to practice. At the same time, small and mid-size firms, a majority in California, are often challenged by lack of time and infrastructure to participate in traditional internship models. The result is a continuing gap between education and practice, and also a pull of talent away from the profession.
This candid conversation is an opportunity to share insight into what is working and how engagement can be expanded in ways that are practical and mutually beneficial. Together, we will explore how tools like capX (California Architectural Practice Experience) can support firms and emerging professionals through flexible models that evolve with the needs of our community. Join your peers to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and help shape solutions that AIA CA and the California Architectural Foundation can develop and support to strengthen the profession’s future.
Moderators
Amy Eliot, AIA and Jason Oliver, AIA

Monument Bus Tour and Dinner @ Leadership Summit
2026-02-11 18:30 - 22:00 | KTGY Architecture + Planning, Alexander Court, 2001 K Street, Washington, DC, 2001 K Street, Washington DC, United States
AIA CA will be hosting its annual dinner at the AIA Leadership Summit. This exciting rooftop setting brings California members together with AIA leaders to connect, collaborate, and trade ides that help your component thrive.
This year, we are planning something special – getting out of the hotel to see the city! We’ve arranged for a coach to whisk us away for “monuments in the moonlight” tour followed by a rooftop gathering. When you purchase your ticket for the dinner, you will have the option to join the party bus at no extra charge. Please ensure you let us know if you can join us on the party bus.
The event schedule is as follows:

6:15pm – Meet up at the Marriott Marquis Hotel for the party bus
Please only RSVP for the bus if you can participate
6:30pm – Monument Tour commences and will stop at:
• Jefferson Memorial
• MLK Memorial
• Lincoln Memorial, includes Vietnam Memorial and others

8:00pm – Party Bus will end at the Dinner Event
10:00pm – Free bus ride back to the Marriott Marquis

Purchase your ticket(s) now as there are only 40 tickets available.
Please note, due to dinner venue security demands, no tickets will be sold the day of the event. Please purchase your ticket in advance.

Black History Month 2026: Where Are We, Where Do We Need to Go
2026-02-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Virtual
For hundreds of years, architects who are Black or African American have faced persistent barriers: to entry into the profession, to advancement within firms, and to access to clients and leadership opportunities. Over time, AIA, often in partnership with NOMA, has launched multiple waves of initiatives aimed at expanding career pathways, increasing recognition, and reducing structural barriers. Most recently, this work has included the development of new strategies, tools, and programs beginning in 2016.
So where are we now, at this critical moment in history? Where are you?
This Architecture, Belonging, and Connection (ABC) discussion is intended to be an open, honest, and candid conversation among members of the profession. This is a space to share experiences, observations, questions, and reflections—without judgment and without recording—so that voices can be heard authentically.
We look forward to learning from one another and holding space for dialogue that reflects both where we’ve been and where we still need to go.
Co-moderators:
Julia Weatherspoon, AIA, NOMA – Gensler, California Architectural Foundation
Craig Atkinson, AIA, NOMA – Director of Higher Education, Carrier Johnson + Culture
Click the photos to read the bios.

Craig Atkinson, AIA, NOMA, DBIA, LEED AP

Craig Atkinson, AIA, NOMA, DBIA, LEED APManaging Director LA Office | Director of Higher EducationCarrier Johnson + Culture
Craig Atkinson is the Managing Director of the Los Angeles Office and Director of Higher Education at Carrier Johnson + Culture, where he leads the development of growth in the higher education sector in Southern California and Seattle. With 35+ years of experience delivering complex public-sector and institutional projects, Craig brings a deep understanding of how architecture intersects with policy, organizational culture, and access.
Craig currently serves as West Region Vice President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). In this role, he partners with ten chapters across the West Region to support leadership development, chapter sustainability, and regional growth consistent with NOMA’s mission to champion diversity and inclusion in the architecture profession, its vision of a profession that fully reflects the communities it serves, and its values of equity, advocacy, leadership, and collective responsibility. His work focuses on strengthening inter-chapter collaboration, advancing advocacy, and expanding pathways into the profession for underrepresented communities.
Previously, Craig served as President of SoCal NOMA, where he helped expand the chapter’s geographic reach, elevate its advocacy voice, and establish long-range strategic planning efforts. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles at BFGC and IBI Group (now Arcadis), where he led the California Public Practice and served as an executive sponsor for firmwide Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives.
Craig is known for convening thoughtful, candid conversations grounded in lived experience, professional accountability, and mutual respect. He approaches dialogue not as debate, but as shared inquiry—centered on listening, reflection, and collective responsibility at a critical moment for the profession.
Craig Atkinson, AIA, NOMA, DBIA, LEED AP

Julia Weatherspoon, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP

Julia Weatherspoon, AIA, NOMA, LEED APAssociate, Gensler; Regent, California Architectural Foundation
Julia Weatherspoon is a licensed architect and associate at Gensler San Francisco dedicated to crafting spaces that not only creatively address design challenges, but also inspire, resonate, and build connections among people.
She brings experience across a range of architecture projects at multiple scales, project deliveries, and building typologies from workplace, aviation, civic design, and most recently academic higher education projects that focus on elevating experience through living and learning communities. Throughout her career, she has championed sustainable design, weaving environmental consciousness and equitable design solutions into the fabric of her projects.
When she’s not working, Julia continues to invest her time in creating broader impact beyond the project.
She currently serves as Secretary on the National Board of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and brings over a decade of deep commitment to the organization. She previously served as President of SFNOMA from 2021–2024, as well as SFNOMA Project Pipeline Camp Director for three years, advancing early exposure to architecture and design. She is also a Co-Chair of the NOMA Conference Seminar Selection Committee, serves on the Board of Directors for AIA San Francisco, serves as a Board Regent and Programs Chair for the California Architecture Foundation, and volunteers on the AIA National Secretary Advisory Committee.
As one of only roughly 600 Black women architects in the U.S., her leadership is rooted in mentorship, inclusion, and design excellence.
She challenges people to look at design holistically and through an equity lens. Her inspiration is driven by the belief that architecture and design can do more for all of us. Her passion has brought her to moderate and speak at several institutions and events including Smithsonian Affiliate Rockwell Museum, Archi + City Fest, IIDA Northern California, SPUR, UC Berkeley, San Francisco Design Week, and AIGA Pasadena.
When she is not serving her community Julia likes traveling, running, and walking around Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA.

Julia Weatherspoon, AIA, NOMA, LEED AP

ARE/CSE Study Hub - PjM/PcM - Business Operations
2026-03-02 17:30 - 18:30 | Virtual
Study Hub is AIA California’s pathway for emerging professionals to study and pursue licensure. These statewide ARE study sessions and virtual study groups serve as a hub for education, connection, and community. This portal does not replace other study materials or resources, rather it supplements them, serving as a network and allowing for collaboration between EPs and AIA professionals across California.
This year, we’re streamlining your study experience by grouping commonly paired exams together.
Practice Management(PcM) focuses on the management of architectural practice, including professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and the regulations governing the practice of architecture.
Project Management(PjM) focuses on the management of architectural projects, including organizing principles, contract management, and consultant management. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in quality control, project team configuration, and project scheduling.
Session Topic: Business Operations
Host: Amanda Wynne, AIA

Your Office is Leaking Money: How to Identify Losses and Plug the Holes
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Most firms look at profitability as a bottom-line metric. They use this as a gauge to determine if the firm is financially healthy. However, every firm is composed of countless independent elements: employees, clients, projects, phases, consultants, and a myriad of expenses.
What does a firm do when they aren’t achieving the profit margins they desire or experiencing losses? Knowing the answer to this question is the purpose of this webinar.
In this webinar, we will explore:

The best practices for monitoring the various profit-centers of your firm.
The means and methods that will not only alert you to problems but discuss how to resolve them.

Most A&E firms don’t apply the same rigor, discipline, and consistency that they use when executing their projects. We will show how easy it is for your firm to be well-organized, efficient, and profitable by applying best practices and utilizing modern, effortless, affordable computing technologies.
Join us for an engaging, live webinar presented by Steven Burns, FAIA, as he shares lessons learned over 35 years working with over 1,000 A&E firms.
Registration for this FREE webinar, brought to you by BQE will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, March 5, 2026.
Speaker:
Steven Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

Presented by:

2025 Code Breaker: Multifamily Ventilation
2026-03-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is an important part of supporting health and safety for multifamily dwelling units, and the 2025 California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6 or Energy Code) establishes new Mandatory requirements for IAQ ventilation in multifamily buildings. Additional prescriptive standards now also apply to multifamily IAQ in support of energy efficiency and health and safety.
Join us for this one-hour session in which we will dive into the equipment and testing requirements for a multifamily dwelling unit’s IAQ and local exhaust systems (such as kitchen range hoods).
Speaker:
Nick Brown, CEA | Principal | Build Smart Group
Presented by:

ARE/CSE Study Hub - PjM/PcM - Finances, Risk, & Development of Practice
2026-03-16 17:30 | Virtual
Study Hub is AIA California’s pathway for emerging professionals to study and pursue licensure. These statewide ARE study sessions and virtual study groups serve as a hub for education, connection, and community. This portal does not replace other study materials or resources, rather it supplements them, serving as a network and allowing for collaboration between EPs and AIA professionals across California.
This year, we’re streamlining your study experience by grouping commonly paired exams together.
Practice Management(PcM) focuses on the management of architectural practice, including professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and the regulations governing the practice of architecture.
Project Management(PjM) focuses on the management of architectural projects, including organizing principles, contract management, and consultant management. You should be able to demonstrate an understanding of and abilities in quality control, project team configuration, and project scheduling.
Session Topic: Finances, Risk, & Development of Practice
Host: Bryn Young, AIA
