January 26, 2026 | AIA Austin Newsletter | | | |
RESCHEDULED! Advocacy Roundtable: Protecting the Profession Amid Political Unpredictability
February 9, 12:00-1:30pm; AIA Austin, 801 West 12th Street, 78701; $5 AIA Members, $20 non-Members; 1.5 LU (pending)
The first AIA Austin Advocacy Roundtable of the year will explore recent regulatory decisions and government actions that significantly impair the ability of architects to fully serve their clients and communities and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of building occupants.In light of the ongoing uncertainty, this Roundtable brings together professionals directly impacted by local, state, and federal actions who will share the background of one issue and the professional and personal impact it has had. Participants will discuss strategies individual professionals, practices, and AIA can take to proactively protect the profession in light of the new modus operandi of the current forces in government.
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
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Honor Awards Deadline Next Month
Nominations for the 2026 AIA Austin Honor Awards are open through February 13!
Learn more here>>
| | 2026 AIA Austin Design Awards submissions open February 2! AIA Austin will be offering a series of workshops to help you craft your best submission before the April 4 deadline: | | |
Design Awards Storytelling Workshop: Telling the Design Story
Feb 10, 5:30-6:30pm; Austin Center for Architecture, 801 W. 12th Street, 78704; free with registration
How do you tell a clear, compelling story about your project? This workshop helps architects craft authentic, persuasive design award submissions. Learn what jurors look for, along with practical tips for shaping strong narratives, effective graphics, and a well-organized presentation that communicates the intent and impact of your work.
LEARN MORE & RSVP>>
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Design Awards Common App Workshop
February 17, 5:30-6:30 pm; Austin Center for Architecture, 801 W. 12th Street, 78704; free with registration
Have questions about the Common App for your 2026 Design Awards submission? Join COTE Committee Chairs Livia Subasic, AIA, and Stephanie Maddamma, AIA for a focused overview of the Common App’s 10 Design Measures, including guidance on requirements, metrics, and best practices.
LEARN MORE & RSVP>>
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Design Awards Architectural Photography Workshop: Preparing for a Successful Shoot
March 3, 5:30-6:30pm; Austin Center for Architecture, 801 W. 12th Street, 78704; free with registration
How do you prepare for a successful architectural photo shoot that supports a strong design award submission? Join architectural photographer Casey Dunn along with Design Award-winning architects for a practical workshop on collaborating effectively with photographers to capture your work at its best.
Participants will learn specific, actionable steps such as defining the project concept and key locations, communicating the intended story and mood, selecting appropriate styling and occupancy, building a thoughtful shot list, and understanding a photographer’s workflow to ensure the shoot runs smoothly and results in compelling, submission-ready imagery.
LEARN MORE & RSVP>>
Image: Casey Dunn
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New members, thank you for joining AIA Austin. Through our Ambassador Program, we can connect you with an existing AIA member to introduce you to the local Austin chapter, share resources on how to get involved, and be a friendly contact. Please visit our JEDI webpage for more information! | | | | |
Deadline Today: Donna D. Carter Scholar Program
Applications are being accepted for the Donna D. Carter AIA Austin Women in Architecture (WiA) and Design Austin (DA) Scholar Program until January 26 at 11:59pm. The mission of the Donna D Carter Scholar Program is to support diversity in the future of the architecture profession within the Austin community.
The funds will be made available to two minority women or minority non-binary students in the undergraduate or graduate professional architecture program at the University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture.
LEARN MORE AND APPLY>>
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Design Austin x UTSOA: Erik L’Heureux, FAIA, PhD
January 28, 5:00-6:00pm; Goldsmith Hall, University of Texas Campus, 310 Inner Campus Dr. (east side of Guadalupe Street between West 22nd and West 24th); free
Design Austin is excited to partner with the University of Texas School of Architecture (UTSOA). Join us for selections from their impeccable speaker series.
Erik L’Heureux, FAIA, PhD presents four equatorial case-study transformations from his practice, Equator Works, that reconsider what architecture can achieve when it aligns with climate rather than resists it. Rideshare is recommended!
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
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Call for Writers: Guide to Austin Architecture
The Guide to Austin Architecture is seeking architects with writing/editing experience to add to our roster of contributors to help continue our work.
Please email ingrid@aiaaustin.org if interested!
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BEC: Austin presents "The Architect’s Building Science Toolkit"
February 4, 12:00-1:00pm; Austin Center for Architecture, 801 W. 12th Street, 78704; 1 LU/HSW (pending); $5 AIA Austin/Allied Members, $20 non-members
WUFI is a hygrothermal modeling software tool used to evaluate how heat, air, and moisture move through building enclosure assemblies, and it can be a powerful addition to an architect’s building science toolkit. This course demystifies hygrothermal analysis and shows how, with a manageable amount of work, architects can integrate it into their design process to evaluate wall and roof assemblies, test common assumptions, and move beyond rules of thumb and “code minimum” thinking – you don’t need a PhD!
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
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NOMA Central Texas: 3rd Annual Empower Design Symposium
February 21, 9:00am-4:00pm; RVK Architecture, San Antonio; $25 professionals, $5 students
The upcoming Symposium will showcase engaging short-format presentations (15-20 minutes) around topics on Architecture, Design, Advocacy, and Justice. The purpose of the Empower Design Symposium is to educate members on issues that impact our local communities and highlight the ways that people are addressing these issues.
Learn more and register here>>
| | Committee and Programs Calendar | | AIA Austin has an online calendar! Please note that meetings may be in-person, on Zoom, or hybrid. See individual notices for information. | | THANK YOU TO OUR 1938 CIRCLE MEMBERS | | Want to learn more about our 1938 Circle Program? Reach out to Erika Wendel at erika@aiaaustin.org. | | | | |
