Facades+ Presented by The Architect's Newspaper
2026-01-22 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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
