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OCTOBER 2025
FALL is finally upon us, along with HALLOWEEN! The entertainment industry has long associated Halloween with very particular styles and eras in architecture. Gothic inspiration, twin spires, haunted stories, and old castles highlight the list of some of the eeriest-feeling buildings in the world. Although some of these can be frightening just to look at, that doesn't stop millions of people from visiting these architect-designed landmark locations each year. Further showcasing how architects lead the charge in shaping our built environments!
While we are coming off of a busy September, October will be full of important events as well.
Scheduled for Friday, October 17, the AIA KY Board will spend a full day setting goals for the coming year, in hopes that it will be as eventful and successful as 2025 has been at our Strategic Planning Retreat. We can't wait to see what the next few months, and the upcoming year have in store!
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2025 AIA KY Annual Meeting
The 2025 AIA Kentucky Annual Meeting will be held virtually on Friday, October 24 at 11:30am. The agenda will include ratifying election results for 2026 officers, reports on the state of the chapter, and discussion about key initiatives for the year ahead. Register to attend.
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2026 AIA KY Allied Members & Sponsors
Help us spread the word to all of your industry partners and colleagues that our 2026 Allied Membership in AIA Kentucky is now available and open to register here.
It is available to non-Architects, including all interested allied design professionals, construction industry representatives, and product / service suppliers.
| | This program includes membership with the state AIA chapter as well as each of our three local components – Central Kentucky, East Kentucky and Northern Kentucky. If they join now in October, they will get (15) months for the price of (12), with the remainder of 2025 FREE! | | | | |
2025 AIA KY Holiday Party - Save the Date
We hope to see everyone at our 2025 AIA KY Holiday Party this year at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles on Thursday, December 18th.
Be sure to mark your calendars and more information and registration will follow next month.
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New AIA National EVP/CEO
The American Institute of Architects Board of Directors has selected Carole Wedge, FAIA, NOMA, LEED AP, as the next AIA Executive Vice President/Chief Executive Officer.
Please join us in welcoming our incoming EVP/CEO and see the full announcement here.
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AIA Leadership Summit Call for Proposals
Shape the conversation at AIA Leadership Summit 2026 - the premier advocacy and leadership training event for AIA Chapter Leaders from February 11–14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. This is your opportunity to showcase your expertise, share innovative ideas and best practices, and strengthen the foundation for chapter success. Submit here by Oct. 4th!
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2025 AIA KY | AIA IN Convention Recap
A huge thank you to our volunteers and attendees for making this year's convention a success! 462 Total Attendees from Kentucky and Indiana descended upon downtown Lexington for an incredible two-day convention filled with (17) Educational Sessions, (7) Off-Site Building Tours, (3) Keynotes, Exhibit Hall Expo, Trade Show, Design Awards, Service Awards, Icebreaker Reception, Luncheon, Pickleball and Fellowship! See more here
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2025-26 Scholars Bootcamp Kickoff
The following sixteen new scholars of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program held their bootcamp kickoff on September 12 and are excited to get underway with another workshop this month! See more here
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Rob Hands, Assoc. AIA - Brandstetter Carroll
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Arein Natour, Assoc. AIA - Champlin | EOP
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Muntaha Imteyaz, Assoc. AIA - CMTA, Inc
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Parisa Mohammadian, AIA - Denham-Blythe
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Seena Jafarpour, AIA - Gray AES
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Amanda Bellamy, AIA - Gray AES
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Allison Schawe, AIA - Gray AES
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Jason Zavala, AIA - Jason Zavala Architecture
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Lucas Wheeler- JRA Architects
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Jason Stewart, AIA - JRA Architects
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Parker Selin, AIA - Morris Workshop Architects
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Mark Manczyk, AIA - Omni Architects
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Faye Bahrami, AIA - RossTarrant Architects
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Chris Gipson, AIA - RossTarrant Architects
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Gabriella Rivera, Assoc. AIA - SCB
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Rebecca Cox, Assoc. AIA - Tate Hill Jacobs
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Kentucky Architecture Foundation (KAF) Presents 2025 Scholarships
The Kentucky Architectural Foundation (KAF) is pleased to announce the following Scholarship and Grant Awards for 2025.
$1000 Scholarships Awarded to:
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ViviAnne Bohannon : UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : Rebecca Cox
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Andrew Lawson: U of L School of Urban Design – Scholarship Sponsor: KAF
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Anne Marie Schroll: UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : KAF
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Blake Shipp: UK COD – Scholarship Sponsor : AIA East Kentucky
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Ethan Smith: UK COD - Scholarship Sponsor : AIA Kentucky
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Evan Wheeler: WKU School of Architectural Technology - Scholarship Sponsor: AIA Central Kentucky
$1000 Grant Awarded to:
- National Organization of Minority Architecture Students Chapter(UKNOMAS) of the University of Kentucky
It has been an exciting first year! The Board of Directors wants to thank our founding partners who have donated money to make these scholarships and grant happen. We continue to see donations to meet our Capital Campaign goals, please visit our website at https://kentuckyarchitecturalfoundation.org.
Kentucky Architectural Foundation is a public charitable organization under section 501c3 of the internal Revenue Code. Donors can deduct contributions made to KAF under IRC section 170.
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Photo credits Benjamin Norton Photography LLC, Left to Right:
Teddi Hibberd, KAF treasurer presenting KAF grant to Emily Hernandez-Pachon, UKNOMAS
KAF scholarship presenters, KAF board members and scholarship recipients
KAF Donor, Rebecca Cox presenting KAF scholarship to ViviAnne Bohannon
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Membership Updates
Member Benefit Spotlight: LegaLine
AIA Kentucky is still offering member firms FREE access to legal professional who can help you with practice-related risk-management questions. Get the details here and email Kelly Ives for more info.
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Access to AIA MyAccount at me.aia.org - Access your AIA membership anytime through AIA MyAccount at me.aia.org—the self-service portal where members can easily manage their AIA experience. In MyAccount, you can update your contact and professional information, download receipts, request a chapter transfer, change your membership status (such as upgrading to Architect after licensure), adjust communication preferences, choose paperless renewals, opt out of auto-renewal, and join Knowledge Communities.
Opportunities
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Women in AEC Meetup: monthly meeting opportunities with Morgan Chawaga, AIA of The Healthy Architect, LLC. Learn more and register here.
Individual & Firm News
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One of the valued team members at Gray AES recently suffered a violent attack, resulting in serious injuries and an extended recovery period. YOU can donate to aid in this fellow AIA member’s recovery! GoFundMe
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Tyler Wilson, PE is celebrating 25 Years at Shrout Tate Wilson Consulting Engineers.
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CMTA celebrated Legence being Nasdaq Listed this past month - see more here
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Clyde R. Carpenter, FAIA (class of '59) has been posthumously inducted into the University of Kentucky - Hall of Distinguished Alumni for the 2025. See more here
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Omni Architects is excited to announce the promotion of Erin Ruhl, AIA, to Senior Associate. Congratulations and see more here.
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Omni Architects is pleased to announce the promotion of Mark Manczyk, AIA, to Senior Associate. Congratulations and see more here.
- Congratulations to Tate Hill Jacobs on celebrating 50 years this month!
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Schmidt Associates has named Ben Simmons, AIA as Principal. Congratulations and see more here.
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Schmidt Associates has named Veena Reddy, AIA as Principal. Congratulations and see more here.
Newly Licensed
We are pleased to congratulate the following member, who recently completed the A.R.E. and received their license in the state of Kentucky:
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Dylan Brewer, Miranda Construction, Louisville
Welcome New and Returning Members
(Joined or Reinstated since September 2025)
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Adams Photo | Video, New Allied Sponsor
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Christian Hines, Assoc. AIA, Louisville
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Paul Isaacs, Assoc. AIA, Joseph & Joseph Architects, Louisville
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Sheyda Maadelat, Assoc. AIA, Lexington
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Allied Benefactor Spotlight:
Paladin, Inc.
https://paladinengineers.com/
Paladin, Inc. is a woman-owned commissioning, direct-for-owner engineering, and sustainability consulting firm. Not satisfied with the status quo, we support achievement of project goals resulting in more efficient operations.
Read more here...
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Calendar of Events:
AIA Kentucky and local chapter events are consolidated on a single calendar accessible via the AIA Kentucky Website. We'll post information about conferences, chapter events and other "happenings" of interest to the architectural community.
A sampling of upcoming items on the calendar:
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View the last edition of the AIA CKC E-news for more information about the following:
- Continuing Education Programming
- CKC 2025 Home Tours
- Fall Talks by Steve Wiser, FAIA
| | For additional information on AIA Central Kentucky Chapter events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow CKC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. | | |
View the latest edition of the AIA EKC E-news for more information about the following:
- LSC Stadium Tour & Game
- Barkitecture in October
- 3rd Tuesdays Pinball Social Hour at The Burl
For information on AIA East Kentucky events and other regional architecture-related activities, Follow EKC on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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Free workshop & construction tour of Home2suites in Newport Downtown River Area
Thursday, October 16
The workshop, including breakfast and lunch, is just across the street from the hotel site at the Syndicate. Kentucky is a national leader in this technology. Currently KY has schools, gymnasiums, hotels, quik marts and student residence halls going up using this high performance disaster resilient building envelope. We think you will find this session and speakers very educational and interesting. Often ICF walls are first cost even or better to other types. KB Walker is a national leader in ICF buildings of various types around the nation including hotels, schools, multifamily, Aviation Hangars, cold storage, etc. Register here.
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UK College of Design News
UK Design Alum, Clyde R. Carpenter, FAIA inducted into the 2025 UK Hall of Distinguished Alum: see full article
Two CoD Students Named to the 2025-26 Sustainability Internship Cohort: see full article
Heinrichs Named Director of International Studies for UK CoD: see full article
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Managing Mass Timber: Exhibition & Seminars on Tuesday, October 7
The Kentucky Mass Timber Collaborative (KMTC) has partnered with ThinkWood, WoodWorks, and the Ohio Valley Lumber Drying Association (OVLDA) to host Managing Mass Timber: From Forest to Future, with Dr's Mirando and Onsarigo from Kent State.
Tuesday, October 7th 5:30 pm- 7:00 pm we will be hosting a reception at the mass timber exhibit and a lecture in the UK Gray Design Building. Parking is available right outside the building and there will be drinks and appetizers at the reception! More info.
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NCARB and Early Professionals News
NCARB is expecting to launch minor updates to the ARE in April 2026. The changes will focus on minor adjustments to a small subset of the exam objectives, to align them with the NCARB Competency Standard for Architects.
Learn more about these changes, as well as changes to the Architectural Experience Program® (AXP®).
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Young Architects Forum
The AIA Young Architects Forum addresses issues of particular importance to recently licensed architects, providing resources on leadership, mentorship, and fellowship useful to those launching their careers.
Find more updates on what's happening with Emerging Professionals in Kentucky and beyond with the following reports:
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National Architecture Billings Index
August 2025 ABI: Business at firms remains soft.
Learn more about the ABI here and join the 'Economic Updated: Q4 2025 ABI Insights' on Thursday, November 20, at 2:00pm ET by registering here
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AIA National News
Small Firm Exchange (SFx): read the latest newsletter and opportunities here.
Are You Making the Most of Your AIA Designation? The AIA member designation tells the world you’re part of the AIA community—the largest, most influential network of architecture professionals who share a passion for design and a commitment to the highest standards of practice - see here
AIA Compensation & Benefits Report: members can purchae the full report at a discounted rate here or see the free highlights summary here. Try the salary calculator with 2025 date for free here
AIA Opposes Federal Architecture Executive Order: learn more about this issue here
Women's Leadership Summit 2025 - Registration Now Open: click here to learn more and register for the WLS 2025 happening in Atlanta, November 3 - 5, 2025.
AIA Releases 2030 Commitment By the Numbers report. Read more.
More AIA Products & Resources:
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AIA Career Center - Search open jobs, post your resume and set up job alerts.
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AIA Contract Documents - Choose from 180+ industry standard contracts and forms
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Business Intelligence - Navigate current business conditions, make smarter decisions, and prep for the future with AIA's business intelligence.
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The AIA Trust - Resources to protect your practice and plan for your future.
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AIAU - 300+ instructors bring the industry's best learning to you.
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Knowledge Communities - CE opportunities, discussion forums and research libraries on specific areas of practice that interest you. See all KC events.
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We had such a great time at our AIA KY | AIA IN Convention here in Lexington last month. The inspiring content of our sessions was greatly enhanced by the lively atmosphere throughout the city, and it was great to connect with Kentucky and Indiana members. Coming off of the event has us energized for future planning efforts and ways to strengthen our chapter.
A HUGE congratulations to all of our 2025 AIA KY Service Award and Design Award winners that were announced at the award ceremonies at the convention! The Design Award Publications have been mailed out to all members and we will be showcasing the award winners over the next few months. As we did last year, we intend to set up our AIA KY Design Award Pop-up Banners across public libraries throughout Kentucky for the public and our communities to learn more about the AIA and value of architects.
It may seem crazy to be thinking that far ahead but, when it comes to your AIA Kentucky board and staff, the preparation for a new year has already begun! We’ll start by hosting our AIA KY Strategic Planning Retreat on October 16 & 17 - then confirm the election and appointment of new officers and directors at our annual membership meeting on October 24. I hope you will join us for a report of the many successes we’ve seen in 2025 and a preview of priorities for the upcoming 2026 year.
There is still so much to look forward to in what has already been a wonderful year. We are blessed to serve the best members in the AIA and are very excited about all that we will be offering in the months ahead. We look forward to seeing you all soon!
Cheers,
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Kelly E. Ives, AIA, CAE, LEED AP
Executive Vice President
859.223.8201
| | | Thank You to the Allied Members of AIA Kentucky! | | | Allied Membership is recognized by all three local components, with a portion of dues supporting local programs. Learn More
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AIA Kentucky | aia.org/kentucky
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