AIA California Calendar

INSTALLATION & LEADERSHIP CELEBRATION
2024-11-08 17:30 - 18:30 UTC | Virtual
Please join us in celebration the installation of the new 2025 AIA CA President and honor members for their achievements.

Credit Cram ZNCD | Shifting the Paradigm to Carbon Neutral Buildings with Equity in Mind
2024-11-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
CREDIT CRAM: ZNCD TRACK
This session qualifies forÂ 1.5 LU/HSW and 1.5hrs of ZNCD mandatory continuing education (live webinar attendees only). Made in partnership with the William J. Worthen Foundation and inspired by the Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.
Don”™t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Tuesday, November 12. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.Â
This session will show practitioners how they can deliver carbon neutral buildings in an equitable manner, and how design professionals and the industry as a whole can take action to bridge the green building sector with equity as a key to meeting decarbonization, resilience, climate and energy democracy goals at pace and scale. Encouraging design of Zero Carbon buildings supports healthy environments, addresses the climate crisis, and additionally incorporating equitable principles throughout the design process upholds communities’ and the public’s health and wellbeing.
Speakers:
Brett Rosenberg, LEED AP | ESG Compliance Manager, Cushman & Wakefield
Alice Sung, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, SEA | Principal, Greenbank Associates, VP, Board of Directors, Worthen Foundation

Moderator:
Steve Guttman, P.E., BCxP, CDP, LEED Fellow | Principal, Guttmann & Blaevoet

Credit Cram ZNCD | Cooking Up Solutions: All- Electric Commercial Kitchens
2024-11-13 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
CREDIT CRAM: ZNCD TRACK
This session qualifies forÂ 1.5 LU/HSW and 1.5hrs of ZNCD mandatory continuing educationÂ (live webinar attendees only). Made in partnership with theÂ William J. Worthen FoundationÂ and inspired by theÂ Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.
Don”™t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Wednesday, November 13. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.Â
Kitchens present superb opportunities for decarbonization. An all-electric kitchen, specifically including induction cooking equipment, is one with no natural gas or other fossil fuel-based energy source. These kitchens reflect the goals of not only decarbonization, but health and safety for users as well. In this session, you will hear from experts in the all-electric kitchen industry on the benefits of all-electric cooking, the most effective technology in the market today, and real-life examples of project teams and clients utilizing all-electric commercial kitchens.
Speakers:

Pauline Souza, FAIA, LEED Fellow | Directly of Sustainability, WRNS Studio

Chef Rachelle BoucherÂ | Senior Lead, Culinary Events and Experiences, Building Decarbonization Coalition

Teresa Jan, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP | Associate Principal and Director of Sustainability, Multistudio

Moderator:
Chef Christopher Galarza | Founder, Forward Dining Solutions and co-founder, EcoChef

Credit Cram ZNCD | Zero Carbon Multifamily Residential Buildings Part 1: Lessons from the Field
2024-11-14 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
CREDIT CRAM: ZNCD TRACK
This session qualifies forÂ 1.5 LU/HSW and 1.5hrs ofÂ ZNCD mandatory continuing educationÂ (live webinar attendees only). Made in partnership with theÂ William J. Worthen FoundationÂ and inspired by theÂ Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.
Don”™t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Thursday, November 14. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.Â
Multi-family residential buildings present significant opportunities for decarbonization. Although not the most energy or carbon-intensive building type overall, the 24 hour/365 day operation of these buildings, coupled with high demand for new housing, have great implications for decarbonization. Part 1 of Zero Carbon Multifamily Residential Buildings will identify various design strategies and considerations to address greenhouse gas emissions in multifamily housing and that promote equity through a community-first approach. The C4GS-ZEDlife Case Study of MountZED Ecovillage (a CEC “EPIC Challenge” winner) will be presented to showcase strategies in practice for delivering affordable, equitable, climate-resilient, cost-competitive, and emissions-free residential construction.
Speakers:

Ladan Ghobad, Ph.D., LEED AP BD+C | CEO, Principal, Building Performance Specialist, ENERlite

Dr. M.A. Greenstein | VP of Knowledge Transfer, C4GS ZEDlife

Bill Dunster, OBE | Co-founder and Environmental Architect, C4GS ZEDlife

Moderator:
Katie Ackerly, AIA | Principal and Sustainable Design Director, David Baker Architects

Credit Cram ZNCD | Zero Carbon Multifamily Residential Buildings Part 2: Lessons from the EPIC Challenge
2024-11-15 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
CREDIT CRAM: ZNCD TRACK
This session qualifies forÂ 1.5 LU/HSW and 1.5hrs ofÂ ZNCD mandatory continuing educationÂ (live webinar attendees only). Made in partnership with theÂ William J. Worthen FoundationÂ and inspired by theÂ Building Decarbonization Practice Guide.
Don”™t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Friday, November 15. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.Â
Multi-family residential buildings present significant opportunities for decarbonization. Although not the most energy or carbon-intensive building type overall, the 24 hour/365 day operation of these buildings, coupled with high demand for new housing, have great implications for decarbonization. Through three case studies (all CEC “EPIC Challenge” winners), Part 2 of Zero Carbon Multifamily Residential Buildings will explore the broader context of decarbonization in multifamily buildings, discussing how to implement and benefit from emerging technologies and walking through methods that can help achieve affordable, equitable, climate-resilient, cost-competitive, and emissions-free residential construction.
Speakers:

Claire McConnell | Associate, Mithun

Sean Armstrong | Managing Principal, Redwood Energy

Mary Telling | Associate Principal, Mithun

Cheryl McMurtry | Business Development Associate, Architectural Nexus

Mihnea Dobre, AIA | Principal, Architectural Nexus

Megan Repka, AIA | Project Architect, Architectural Nexus

Moderator:
Katie Ackerly, AIA | Principal and Sustainable Design Director, David Baker Architects

AIA California 2024 Awards Celebration at Woodbury University
2024-11-15 13:00 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Woodbury University Burbank, California, 7500 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA, 91504, United States
AIA California 2024 Awards Celebration at Woodbury University
November 15, 2024 | 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Woodbury University, Burbank, CA
Join us for the second annual AIA California Awards Celebration, a dynamic in-person event celebrating excellence in architecture! And, connecting renowned architects with students who will be next generation designers.
This year”™s celebration and ceremony promises to be an extraordinary day, spotlighting innovative projects, visionary firms, and outstanding professionals, alongside special participation from students at Woodbury University”™s College of Architecture.
Event Highlights:

1:00P ”“ 3:00P | Woodbury School of Architecture Award Recipient Panels |
Woodbury School of Architecture has arranged a terrific afternoon of panels. Students throughout Los Angeles are welcome. Panels offer HSW units for AIA Members. Open to all (firms + students, region-wide) For details, Click Here.
3:30P ”“ 5:30P | Meet the Firms/Architecture Fair: Renowned Firms + Students | Ahmanson Courtyard
This fair provides a unique opportunity for professionals and students alike to gain insights into the latest trends and exceptional achievements inÂ architecture, and to connect 1:1. Explore the most innovative projects, renowned firms, and outstanding individuals who have received our prestigious awards this year.
4:00P – 5:30P Woodbury University School of Architecture Open House
Open House features the Solar Decathlon Home, a 3-D Printed House featuring first of its kind construction technologies. Open to firms + Students. For more info, Click Here.
6:00P ”“ 7:00P | Award Ceremony | Fletcher Jones AuditoriumÂ
Join us as we honor the best and brightest in the field of architecture. Recognize and celebrate the recipients of this year”™s awards.
7:00P ”“ 9:00P | Reception & Networking | Ahmanson Courtyard
Network with industry professionals, share your ideas, and forge new connections while enjoying a delightful reception.

Ticket Information:

Architecture Students:
Your attendance is free, courtesy of AIA Members. Don”™t miss this opportunity to engage with the broader architecture community.
Award Recipients and Firms:
Ticket cost supports the inclusion of students.

Please note tables at the architecture fair are reserved for AIACA Award Recipients and Platinum Sponsors.
Thank you to our 2024 Award Ceremony Sponsor!

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
2024-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
A firm’s culture can make or break any attempt to change, grow, and evolve. This can be especially true as firms strive for integrated, sustainable, and high-performing design outcomes that span their entire portfolios, not simply a few high-flying projects. This session will take you through some of the common challenges inherent in breaking out of “business as usual” design processes. You’ll also explore examples of strategies that leading firms have used successfully in their quests to meaningfully infuse sustainability throughout their firms and projects.
Speakers:
Keith Hempel, FAIA | President/CDO | LPA Design Studios
Ashley Mulhall, AIA | Senior Associate | Orcutt Winslow
Dan Stine, AIA | Director of Design Technology | Lake Flato
Moderator:
Ellen Mitchell, AIA | Director of Sustainability and Applied Research | LPA Design Studios

Please Note: Registration for this webinar will close at 10:00 am PT on Wednesday, November 20, 2024.

Architecture, Belonging, Connection (ABC) - Candid Conversations about: Culture + EDI
2024-11-21 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
How can firms invest in the next generation to ensure the architectural profession remains relevant and impactful for clients and communities? What barriers stand in the way of cultivating a collaborative environment that encourages authenticity and learning? How can we recognize and celebrate the unique strengths of each team member? Join the conversation and commit to the #culturepledge (https://events.aiacalifornia.org/cultureshift/)

Resilience and the Evolving Standard of Care Series Part 2: New Standard of Care Includes Integrated Resilience Design
2025-01-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
This session qualifies for 1.5 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only).
Don’t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Wednesday, January 29. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.
Architects should be aware of changes in the industry standard of care, the role of codes and standards, and how courts view an architect’s responsibility in the context of worsening weather conditions.
If design professionals aren’t considering future climate conditions when designing structures and communities, then who will? “If not you, who” directs attention to the intersection of strategies for mitigation of severe climate occurrences, evolving legal standards, and the shifting industry standard of care. The effects of severe climate events on design professionals, their clients, construction companies, and corporations are drivers of resiliency and risk management strategies to reduce exposure, protect property, and income streams of clients.
In this second installment of the Resilience and the Evolving Standard of Care series, presenters will describe through case studies resilient design strategies employed, discuss the exemplary features of the various projects, and consider problems encountered and lessons learned that can help other practitioners to achieve similar levels of performance in their own projects.
Speakers:

Tim Kohut, AIA | Director of Sustainable Design, National Community Renaissance

Rives T. Taylor, FAIA, LEED Fellow | Principal & Director of Gensler Research Institute Resilience Center

Erin Feeney, AIA, LEED AP | Associate, David Baker Architects

Sammy Shams, AIA NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, LFA | Resilience, Sustainability & Building Performance, HKS

Amanda Barton, AIA, RID, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP | Project Designer & Associate, HKS

Gail Napell, AIA, LEED AP BD+C | Architect and Citizen at Large

Note: Tickets are non-refundable. AIA CA is not accepting American Express at this time.
Click for the Full Presentation

Atomic Habits for Architects: Secrets that Boost Productivity & Profits
2025-01-30 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Earn 1 LU for attendingÂ live.
In the bestselling book Atomic Habits, James Clear illustrates that the key to unlocking significant improvements in our lives lies in small, incremental changes, emphasizing systems over goals for sustained progress. This webinar explores how integrating technologies into our daily routines, guided by Clear’s four laws of behavior change (make it obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying), can transform our work processes and architecture firm”™s culture. By adopting a mindset shift towards seeing ourselves not just as design professionals, but as innovators, we align technology with our identity, ensuring its seamless adoption. Join the founder of The Well-Designed Firm and former Chief Creative Officer of BQE Software, Steven Burns, FAIA, as he shares actionable insights on fostering a culture that embraces experimentation and learning, illustrating how these atomic habits can compound to achieve remarkable growth. Discover how to leverage these principles to propel your firm forward by letting automation and technology handle the heavy lifting, saving you hours per week!
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE Software, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, January 30, 2025.
Presenter: Steve Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

Low Embodied Concrete Strategies
2025-02-05 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
This session qualifies forÂ 1.5 LU/HSW and 1.5hrs ofÂ ZNCD mandatory continuing educationÂ (live webinar attendees only).
Don”™t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Wednesday, February 5. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.Â
Each micro region of California has different materials available and differing weather parameters that effect the placement and curing of concrete. This session will discuss and showcase a variety of strategies for providing and specifying low embodied concrete on architectural projects. An expert panel will provide an overview of successful strategies in California through various case studies.
Speakers:

James Little | Director of Technical Sales, NRMCC
Karin Perissinotto, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP | Sustainability Manager, CalPortland

Note: Tickets are non-refundable. AIA CA is not accepting American Express at this time.

NEXT-GEN LEADERSHIP: Essential Training for Architecture Firm Growth
2025-02-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Developing the next generation of leaders is essential for every architecture firm’s long-term success and sustainability, whether you’re a solo practitioner or amongst the largest firms in the world. Leadership development is not just about succession””it’s a critical investment in building firm value, motivating employees, increasing retention, and ensuring profitability. Firms that embed leadership training into their culture earn the trust and loyalty of their employees and clients while positioning themselves as industry leaders. This 1-hour webinar provides practical, scalable strategies to create a leadership pipeline tailored to firms of all sizes. Building on the principles of succession planning, this session demonstrates how leadership development drives innovation, strengthens business resilience, and secures your firm”™s future.
Earn 1 LU for attending live.
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE Software, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
Presenter:
Steve Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

Resilience and the Evolving Standard of Care Part 3: Legal Perspectives
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down to view the webinar video.
This session qualifies for 1.5 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only).
Don’t miss your chance to attend! Registration closes at 10am, Wednesday, February 19. You should receive your Zoom confirmation link no later than 10:30am the day of.
Architects should be aware of changes in the industry standard of care, the role of codes and standards, and how courts view an architect’s responsibility in the context of worsening weather conditions.
If design professionals aren’t considering future climate conditions when designing structures and communities, then who will? “If not you, who” directs attention to the intersection of strategies for mitigation of severe climate occurrences, evolving legal standards, and the shifting industry standard of care. The effects of severe climate events on design professionals, their clients, construction companies, and corporations are drivers of resiliency and risk management strategies to reduce exposure, protect property, and income streams of clients.
In the final installment of the Resilience and the Evolving Standard of Care series, an expert panel will begin with a review of projections for future climate conditions, followed by consideration of how these are shaping the evolving industry standard of care. Next will be a review of past U.S. case law regarding the standard of care and the implications of each case. This will be followed by an examination of California specific case law, discussion of how these cases have shaped liability for practitioners in the state, and examples of good contract language and protections to manage risk. The program will conclude with examples from an architectural firm on how its practice integrated resilience design, how to discuss climate risks with clients, and how to manages risk in contract language.
Speakers:

Sammy Shams, AIA NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, LFA | Resilience, Sustainability & Building Performance, HKS

Amanda Barton, AIA, RID, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP | Project Designer & Associate, HKS

Yvonne Castillo, Esq. | Senior Vice President of Risk Management at Victor US

Brian K. Stewart, Esq. | Managing Partner, Collins + Collins, LLP

Jessica Mead, Esq. | Attorney, Collins + Collins, LLP

Note: Tickets are non-refundable. AIA CA is not accepting American Express at this time.
Click for the Full Presentation

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PcM & PjM
2025-03-04 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Please note this session is taking place on a Tuesday
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 ManagementÂ (PcM)Â focuses on the management of architectural practice, including professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and the regulations governing the practice of architecture.
Project Management (PjM)Â 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.
Host: Mike Riscica – Founder of ARE Bootcamp
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

The Future of Work with AI
2025-03-06 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
AIA California and Microsoft invite you to discover how AI can revolutionize your daily workflow —
This informative session will introduce architects to M365 Copilot, showcasing how this powerful tool can enhance productivity, creativity, and collaboration. Attendees will learn how to integrate M365 Copilot into their daily tasks, from drafting reports and managing schedules to generating design ideas and automating routine processes. This course is perfect for architects looking to stay ahead in the industry by leveraging AI to streamline their work and improve efficiency.
Speaker:Â Justin Preston – Sr. Director Modern Work Solutions, Microsoft

FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by Microsoft, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

Fire Response Session 1 | Rebuilding & Recovery: Los Angeles County Status Update
2025-03-13 11:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down for video of this webinar.
This session qualifies for 1.5 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only).
FREE registration for this webinar will close at 11:30am PT on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
The AIA in CALIFORNIA is responding to the recent southern California fires with a unified plan for response, recovery and rebuilding for communities that were devastated by the disaster. This series of sessions will help the architectural profession understand the rapidly changing landscape, the local issues facing communities, and strategies for resilient design and disaster response; the AIA in California is connecting policy makers, government officials, and practitioners uniting architects in building a more just, equitable, and resilient future.
This introductory session will serve as an opportunity for architects, engineers, landscape architects, contractors, civic leaders, and community members to hear a status update of the County of Los Angeles’ rebuilding and recovery processes, procedures, anticipated timelines, and current standards and regulations as a result of the LA fires, along with additional resources and the efforts of the AIA in California.
Speakers :
Ciara Barnett, P.E. | Co-Chair, LA County Rebuilding Program
Mitch Glaser, AICP | Assistant Deputy Director, LA County Regional Planning
Carina Mills, AIA | 2025 President, AIA California
Chava Danielson, AIA | 2025 President, AIA Los Angeles
Jodie Mendelson, AIA | Ask an Architect Program, AIA Pasadena & Foothill
Jonathan Gilliam, AIA | President of AIA San Fernando Valley
Greg Kochanowski, AIA, ASLA | Design Principal, PracticeÂ &Â Founder, The Wild: A Research Lab
Mohamed Sharif, AIA, RIBA | Partner, Sharif, Lynch, ArchitectureÂ &Â Director, Undergraduate Program in Architectural Studies and Graduate Program Design Faculty, UCLA Architecture and Urban Design
Click for the Full Presentation

Designing for Fire Resilience, a Reimagine Buildings Conference
2025-03-14 08:30 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
We know that climate change threatens us with frequent and devastating fires, so how do we create fire-resilient buildings that don’t make the climate problem worse? How do we build safer buildings that are also part of the climate solution? To find out, join us online forÂ Designing for Fire Resilience.
Learn from the best minds in the industry:Â Hear from leading experts who are on the cutting edge of fire resilience, building design, and sustainability.
Go beyond surface level discussions and uncover real solutions:Â Dive deep into the key issues and actionable strategies that impact fire resilience in today”™s built environment.
Get an insider”™s view on the future of fire-resilient building practices:Â Understand what top experts believe the future of fire-safe, sustainable architecture looks like 50 years from now””and the steps they”™re taking to get there.
Connect with top professionals:Â Network with peers, share insights, and explore new opportunities for collaboration to drive positive change in the field of fire resilience.
Join us to gain the actionable insights and connections you need to create buildings that make a difference.

Half of ticket proceeds will be donated to theÂ California Community Foundation Wildfire Relief and Recovery Fund

Questions? Please reach out to: info@passivehouseaccelerator.com

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PcM & PjM
2025-03-17 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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 ManagementÂ (PcM)Â focuses on the management of architectural practice, including professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and the regulations governing the practice of architecture.
Project Management (PjM)Â 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.
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

DESIGN: Safe & Compliant Automated Gate Systems
2025-03-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Join us to learn the key standards and practices that when followed, result in a compliant and SAFER automated vehicular gate system. This course will train architects, engineers, designers, specifiers & owners on the UL 3.25 and ASTM F2200 safety standards related to design, construction and installation methods of automated vehicular access points.
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by HySecurity, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
Speaker: Brad Richards, CGAD | Specification Sales Engineer | HySecurity
Earn: 1 LU/HSW for attending live.
Brad Richards, CGAD | Specification Sales Engineer | HySecurity

Fire Response Session 2 | Home Hardening Techniques: Fire Resistant & Cost Effective
2025-03-26 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down for video of this webinar.
This session qualifies for 1.5 LU/HSW (currently pending approval; live webinar attendees only).
FREE registration for this webinar will close at 12pm PT on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
The AIA in CALIFORNIA is responding to the recent southern California fires with a unified plan for response, recovery and rebuilding for communities that were devastated by the disaster. This series of sessions will help the architectural profession understand the rapidly changing landscape, the local issues facing communities, and strategies for resilient design and disaster response; the AIA in California is connecting policy makers, government officials, and practitioners uniting architects in building a more just, equitable, and resilient future.
The swift and equitable rebuilding of homes, businesses, and public infrastructure is paramount while simultaneously ensuring the safety, resilience, and long-term sustainability of our communities. This second session will serve as an opportunity to provide architects with practical knowledge of fire-resistant building techniques and cost-effective strategies for home hardening.
Speakers:
Frank L. Frievalt | Director, Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Institute at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
Cameron Chorney, PE | Associate/ Senior Engineer, RDH Los Angeles
Nate Wittasek, P.E., C.F.E.I., LEED AP | Principal, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH)

Click for the_Full Presentation

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PcM & PjM
2025-04-07 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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 ManagementÂ (PcM)Â focuses on the management of architectural practice, including professional ethics, fiduciary responsibilities, and the regulations governing the practice of architecture.
Project Management (PjM)Â 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.
Host: Amanda Wynne, Assoc. 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

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Fire Response Session 3 | Landscape & Defensible Space: Designing for Fire Safety
2025-04-09 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down for video of this webinar.
This session qualifies for 1.5 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only).
FREE registration for this webinar will close at 12pm PT on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.
TheÂ AIA in CALIFORNIAÂ is responding to the recent southern California fires with a unified plan for response, recovery and rebuilding for communities that were devastated by the disaster. This series of sessions will help the architectural profession understand the rapidly changing landscape, the local issues facing communities, and strategies for resilient design and disaster response; the AIA in California is connecting policy makers, government officials, and practitioners uniting architects in building a more just, equitable, and resilient future.
This program will serve as an opportunity to educateÂ architects on the critical role of landscape design and defensible space in creating fire-resistant properties.

Melanie Buffa, ASLA |Â President-Elect, SoCal ASLA
Stephanie Landregan, FASLA |Â Director, Landscape Architecture, UCLA Extension
Elisa Read Pappaterra, ASLA |Â Founder, Studio Pappaterra
Clark Stevens, NCARB |Â Director of Resource Design, Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains (RCDSMM)

Moderated by:

Greg Kochanowski, AIA, ASLA |Â Design Principal, PracticeÂ &Â Founder, The Wild: A Research Lab
Mohamed Sharif, AIA, RIBA |Â Partner, Sharif, Lynch: ArchitectureÂ &Â Director, Undergraduate Program in Architectural Studies and Graduate Program Design Faculty, UCLA Architecture and Urban Design

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PcM & PjM
2025-04-21 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.
Host: Diane Zoura, 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.

Seven Pillars of Highly Successful Architecture Firms
2025-04-22 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down to see the video.
Culled from experiences working with more than 3,000 AE firms over 25 years, this session will examine the seven common denominators of every successful firm. Success comes in many flavors. For some, it’s money; for others, it is peer recognition, awards, or fame; for most of us, it’s having access to challenging or exciting projects.
Regardless of how you measure success, by adopting these Seven Pillars you will create the framework from which you and every member of your firm can achieve their professional goals.

Earn 1 AIA LU for attending live.
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE Software, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
PRESENTER:
Steve Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

Fire Response Session 4 | “Nothing About Us, Without Us, Is for Us” - Altadena, from the Ground Up.
2025-04-23 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down to view the video.
This session qualifies for 1 LU/HSW (live webinar attendees only)
FREE registration for this webinar will close at 12pm PT on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
The AIA in CALIFORNIA is responding to the recent southern California fires with a unified plan for response, recovery and rebuilding for communities that were devastated by the disaster. This series of sessions will help the architectural profession understand the rapidly changing landscape, the local issues facing communities, and strategies for resilient design and disaster response; the AIA in California is connecting policy makers, government officials, and practitioners uniting architects in building a more just, equitable, and resilient future.
R. Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC in conversation with Charles T. Bryant, AIA, NOMA, a Past President of AIA Pasadena & Foothill.

Since the first days of the disastrous fires, Southern Californians have advocated that recovery and rebuild efforts respect the historically Black neighborhood of Altadena. This conversation is an opportunity to hear perspectives and experience directly from two prominent Altadena architects–one who lost his home in the fire, one whose home remains.
Architects are passionate about supporting residents of Altadena–where, in 2023, home ownership among Black Residents was nearly double the national average–but how should they approach fire-recovery in historically Black neighborhoods?
“Don’t come with the answer, lead with the question and then… listen,” says Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC.
Lewis has achieved national prominence by entwining three critical areas of practice. He co-owned the architecture firm, RAW International and since leaving after 20 years, he has gone on to hold leadership positions at a number of successful firms; he is a tireless advocate for justice and equity for people and communities of color; and, his achievements include having served as National President of NOMA, received the prestigious Whitney M. Young, Jr. service award from the AIA, and served Detroit residents as the Urban Design Director within the City’s planning & development department.
This conversation sees Lewis return to his own neighborhood, Altadena, bringing with him the words spoken in solidarity with community members in Detroit: “Nothing without us, about us, is for us” and seeking counsel, expertise, and the thoughts of a fellow prominent Altadena architect Charles T. Bryant, AIA, NOMA.
A former President of AIA Pasadena & Foothill, Bryant co-owns Masbuild Design Solutions, Inc., an award winning architecture, interiors and planning firm, established in 1996. His more than forty years of experience in the design and construction industry includes Principal Architect for institutional, multi-family residential and commercial projects for the HUD, the Navy and the Air Force; internationally for the US State Department; and for school districts throughout the nation. Prior to co-founding Masbuild Design Solutions, he led the award-winning firm Charles T. Bryant & Associates. Mr. Bryant has long provided services to underserved and marginalized communities, including communities of color, senior citizens, veterans, and those facing housing insecurity.
Steven Lewis, FAIA, NOMAC
Charles T. Bryant, AIA, NOMA

Women in Architecture: A Discussion on Impact, Influence and Perseverance
2025-04-28 15:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Women’s roles and influence on the profession elevates design, diversity, practice, the built environment, and our communities. While the total number of women architects was 27% according to NCARB’s 2024 By the Numbers Report, the profession is seeing an increase 43% of new architects in 2024 were women. In this session, we are looking to celebrate and explore the diverse approaches, perspectives, and stories women in the architecture profession provide and experience day to day. Join us as we engage in discussions centered on:

Balancing Act: Navigating Career and Motherhood in Architecture
Breaking Barriers: Pay Equity, Transparency and Opportunities in Architecture
Building the Pipeline: Empowering Women in Architecture and STEAM

Speakers:

Carina Mills, AIA | AIA CA President, 2025

Rona Rothenberg, FAIA | AIA CA Past President, 2022

Debra Gerod, FAIA | AIA CA Past President, 2020

Britt Lindberg, FAIA | AIA CA Past President, 2018

Pam Touschner, FAIA | AIA CA Past President, 2007

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: California Supplemental Exam
2025-04-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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: Matias Santini, 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.

Act Now - Permit Streamlining: Resources and Strategy to Advocate for Local Reform
2025-04-30 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
This is an AIA members only session.
Qualifies for 1.5 LU (currently pending approval; live webinar attendees only).
Registration for this webinar will close at 10am PT on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Zoom registration links will be sent no later than 10:30am the day of the webinar.
With project delivery increasing in complexity, everyone in the design and construction industry is seeking greater efficiency and predictability. This need for streamlining has increasingly focused on the permitting process, where unnecessary and unexpected delays can have a huge impact on costs, timeline, and project outcomes.
While there are many opportunities for improvement and examples of effective streamlining, the nuances of circumstances such as jurisdiction, project type, project constraints and the many other variables can make progress in permit streamlining daunting. Where there is agreement is that current systemic conditions must improve.
Changes in the permitting process require focus, persistence, and a collaborative approach, and it’s usually very helpful to know that those changes do not have to start from scratch. With basic principles and steps forward clearly outlined and supported by case studies and illustrative examples of successful initiatives from throughout the country, this session will give you and your local AIA component a potential roadmap to navigate change in your community. It will also help debunk myths about permit streamlining that often create barriers to getting started, as well as offer resources that can help in assembling an effective team to plan and advocate for meaningful progress.
Speakers:
Michael Malinowski, FAIA | Code and Regulatory Consultant with AIA CA, President: Applied Architecture Inc and Streamline Institute Inc

Video access available to AIA members only.

The Architecture Firm Maturity Index: A Roadmap to Sustainable Growth
2025-05-01 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Virtual
Scroll down to view the video.
Is your architecture firm operating at peak efficiency, or are you constantly putting out fires? Many firms struggle with inconsistent business development, project bottlenecks, financial uncertainty, and disorganized operations—often without realizing the root cause is a lack of business maturity.
In this 60-minute webinar, Founder of The Well-Designed Firm Steve Burns, FAIA, will walk you through a structured Maturity Index to help you assess your firm’s strengths and weaknesses across six critical areas: Winning Work, Project Management, Client Experience, Finances, Billing, and Operations. You’ll gain a clear understanding of where your firm stands today and, more importantly, the specific steps you can take to level up your business processes, improve efficiency, and drive sustainable profitability.
We’ll explore practical, real-world strategies for moving from reactive to proactive firm management, ensuring you’re not just delivering great designs, but also running a thriving, resilient business. Whether you’re a principal, partner, or senior leader in an architecture firm, this session will equip you with the actionable insights needed to build a more predictable, scalable, and profitable practice.
FREE registration for this webinar, brought to you by BQE Software, will close at 12:00 pm PT on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
PRESENTER:
Steve Burns, FAIA | Founder | The Well-Designed Firm

ARE/CSE Statewide Study Hub: PcM & PjM
2025-05-05 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | 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.
Host: Kevin Griendling / AIA East Bay
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.
