AIA Virginia

09/05/2026

🏛️ An Afternoon at Birdwood: A Private Historic Preservation Tour

Join AIA Virginia for an exclusive afternoon at Birdwood Mansion in Charlottesville on Saturday, September 19, from 1–3 PM.

Explore the rich architectural history of one of Charlottesville’s most significant historic estates with a guided tour led by the mansion’s restoration architect. Discover Birdwood’s evolution from an early 19th-century residence to its recent rehabilitation, including the award-worthy restoration by Glavé & Holmes Architecture.

The tour will explore how the project preserved Birdwood’s Jeffersonian character while thoughtfully adapting the estate for contemporary hospitality, in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

📚 1 AIA LU | HSW (submitted for approval)

Birdwood Mansion | Charlottesville, VA
📅 September 19, 2026 | 1–3 PM

Thank you to our sponsor, Glavé & Holmes Architecture, for supporting this special event!

Please register here:

You'll need to log in to the AIA Virginia website using the same email you use for AIA to connect to your AIA Virginia member benefits.

09/04/2026

Architecture Exchange East 2026 | Registration NOW OPEN! ❇️

Join AIA Virginia November 4–6 in Richmond for three days of thought-provoking keynotes, educational sessions, networking, the Design Expo, tours, roundtables, and experiences throughout Richmond.

🎤 Keynote Speakers:
Todd Sigaty, Chief Officer at SHoP Architects
Megan Anderson, Strategic Foresight Leader at Deloitte Office for the Future

🎟️ Registration is OPEN! Register now at the Early Bird price — rates go up September 18.

Cross the threshold. See you at ArchEx 2026!

09/04/2026

Join us for an introduction to managing the finances affecting daily operations for small-firms. Firm leaders will walk away from this session with a better understanding of cash flow principles and their firm's finances.

Small Firm Webinar: Introduction to Managing Firm Finances
Thursday, Sept. 17 | 12:30pm | Virtual
⭐️ Earn 1 AIA LU

Presented by Alex Helms, AIA, NCARB, IMA

Learn more and register today! 🔗 aiava.org/events/small-firm-webinar-introduction-to-managing-firm-finances

09/02/2026

ELA’s Class Project for 2027 will be in Roanoke, Virginia!

Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA), an Honors Academy of AIA Virginia, developing future leaders in architecture by accelerating the growth of emerging architects through hands-on experiences, expert-led learning, and the guidance of its 200+ alumni! 🚀

The program features monthly, day-long seminars, work sessions, and class project presentations, with sessions rotating among Roanoke, Charlottesville, Richmond, Alexandria, and Norfolk in collaboration with local firms, schools, and AIA components. Many sessions will take place in the Roanoke area in support of the final class project, culminating in a group presentation at Architecture Exchange East in November.

⭐️ Application deadline – November 13, 2026

🔗 Please review the application and program details on our website: aiava.org/emerging-leaders-in-architecture

09/01/2026

🎟️ The wait is over — Registration for Architecture Exchange East 2026 is officially open!

Join AIA Virginia November 4–6 in Richmond for ArchEx: Three days of thought-provoking keynotes, educational sessions, networking, the Design Expo, tours, roundtables, and experiences throughout Richmond.

Architecture stands at a threshold. Firms face an unprecedented transfer of ownership and leadership. Cities are transforming aging infrastructure into a resilient future. Shifts in business, culture, and technology are reshaping how we design, collaborate, and deliver projects. And architects are expanding beyond traditional practice — into entrepreneurship, urban planning, civic leadership, and new territory.

We’re excited to welcome Todd Sigaty, Chief Officer at SHoP Architects, and Megan Anderson, Strategic Foresight Leader at Deloitte’s Office for the Future, to this year’s conference as our Keynote Speakers.

SAVE MONEY! Register now at the Early Bird price. Rates go up on September 18!

❇️ Register today and join us at ArchEx 2026! https://jems.swoogo.com/aiava2026/home

08/31/2026

⏳ The wait is almost over!

Registration for Architecture Exchange East 2026 opens tomorrow, September 1!

Join AIA Virginia November 4–6 in Richmond for three days of thought-provoking keynotes, educational sessions, networking, the Design Expo, tours, roundtables, and experiences throughout Richmond.

Architecture stands at a threshold — and this year’s ArchEx explores how our profession is responding to unprecedented shifts in leadership, infrastructure, business, culture, technology, and practice.

🎟️ Mark your calendar and get ready to register tomorrow!

08/31/2026

OTJ has announced their third annual Licensure Scholarship, designed to support and increase representation of Black/African American architects and interior designers. 💡

🌱 Diverse perspectives strengthen design outcomes, drive innovation, and better reflect the communities we serve. However, barriers to licensure (financial, structural, and access-related) have disproportionately impacted underrepresented professionals in architecture and interior design.

📚 Achieving licensure represents a critical milestone in career advancement and leadership development within our profession. This scholarship is designed to support and increase representation of Black/African American architects and interior designers by helping remove barriers on the path to licensure. Applicants who identify as Black/African American are strongly encouraged to apply.

Architecture: One candidate will receive $1,600 for the ARE + access to prep materials.
Interior Design: One candidate will receive $1,400 for the NCIDQ + access to prep materials.

Submission deadline: September 25, 2026
Recipients announced: October 15, 2026

APPLY HERE: surveymonkey.com/r/6YC3CQ7

08/28/2026

⭐️ Call for Applications for the 2027 Class of Emerging Leaders in Architecture ⭐️

🚀 The Emerging Leaders in Architecture (ELA): An Honors Academy of the American Institute of Architects Virginia (AIA Virginia), develops future leaders in architecture firms, communities, and the profession. The goal is to accelerate the growth of emerging architects and provide the tools and experiences needed to advance their careers and serve society as leaders in the community. The program is fully executed by alumni of the program (over 200 total!), with leading experts in the indicated educational topics.

✨ The program consists of monthly, day-long seminars, work sessions, and class project presentations, ending with a group presentation at Architecture Exchange East in November.

✨ The class project for 2027 will be in Roanoke, Virginia, so many sessions and the project workdays will be located in the Roanoke area.

✨ Our committee seeks applicants from 3 categories
1. Component Nominees (check your local chapter for their deadline)
2. Student Nominees
3. Open Applications

⭐️ Application deadline – November 13th, 2026 ⭐️

📍 Please review the application and program details on our website: https://www.aiava.org/emerging-leaders-in-architecture

08/27/2026

Architecture stands at a threshold — firms face an unprecedented transfer of ownership and leadership. Cities are transforming aging infrastructure for a more resilient future. Shifts in business, culture, and technology are reshaping how we design, collaborate, and deliver projects. Architects are expanding beyond traditional practice — into entrepreneurship, urban planning, civic leadership, and new territory.

ArchEx 2026 will explore how we navigate these transitions: preserving wisdom while embracing change, maintaining our core focus while expanding our impact, and honoring the past while building what comes next. 🌐

From thought-provoking keynotes and educational sessions to networking, the Design Expo, tours, roundtables, and experiences throughout Richmond, ArchEx offers three days to learn, connect, and look ahead.

📅 November 4–6, 2026
📍 Richmond, VA

❇️ Cross the threshold. See you at ArchEx.
Registration opens September 1, 2026: aiava.org

08/25/2026

Tomorrow! 💡 Join us for our Career Stage roundtables to discuss issues that are important to you.

AIA Virginia's Career Stage roundtables connect you with peers at similar points in their professional journeys to share experiences, exchange practical advice, and build meaningful relationships. Whether you're just beginning your career, growing into leadership, or preparing the next generation, these discussions provide relevant insights, trusted connections, and support for every stage of your architectural career.

🔹 Wednesday, August 26th | Noon - 1pm | Zoom
🔹 Earns 1 LU | Elective
🔹 FREE for members - Register for the Zoom meeting information.

🔗 Register here: aiava.org/events/career-stage-member-roundtables