The latest news for you - AIA Indiana E-Newsletter

May 2025

2025 AIA Indiana Design and Service Awards - Call for Submissions - CLICK HERE to access the 2025 AIA Indiana Design Awards - Call for Submissions. Design award submissions will be judged by the 2025 AIA Indiana Design Awards Jury, which will be provided by AIA Oklahoma. CLICK HERE to view the winning 2024 submissions.

CLICK HERE to access the 2025 AIA Indiana Service Awards - Call for Submissions. AIA Indiana invites its members to submit nominations/submissions for the following awards: Edward D. Pierre Award; Juliet Peddle Award; Walter S. Blackburn Award; Distinguished Firm Award; Tony Costello Young Architect Award; Next Gen Award; and the Gold Medal Award.

The design and service awards will be presented at the 2025 AIA Kentucky/AIA Indiana Convention presented by JQOL, which is scheduled for September 18 & 19 in Lexington, KY.

The submission deadline for both the 2025 design and service awards is June 19, 2025!

Please note the 2025 AIA Indiana Healthcare Design Awards - Call for Submissions is now open and the submission deadline is June 12, 2025. CLICK HERE to access for the call for submissions. Also, the call for submissions for the first AIA Indiana Committee on the Environment (COTE) Sustainable Design Awards and the AIA Fort Wayne Design Awards will be released later this year.

2025 AIA Indiana Emerging Professional (EP) Friendly/Exemplary Firm Recognition - The AIA Indiana Emerging Professional (EP) Friendly/Exemplary Firm Recognition is an designation approved by the AIA Indiana Board of Directors in 2024. This accolade aims to provide a clearer, more accessible route for individuals pursuing licensure. The goal of the program is to celebrate firms who offer exceptional support and opportunities for their early professionals. Two designations are possible for a firm to receive: the AIA Indiana EP Friendly Firm or the AIA Indiana EP Exemplary Firm designation. EP Friendly and EP Exemplary Firms will be recognized at the 2025 AIA Kentucky/AIA Indiana Convention, which is scheduled for September 18 and 19 in Lexington, KY. Also, EP Friendly and EP Exemplary Firms will be featured on the AIA Indiana Website and may use the EP Friendly Logo or EP Exemplary Logo for marketing purposes in the year shown on the logo. The deadline to submit to be a 2025 AIA Indiana EP Friendly/Exemplary Firm is May 30, 2025. CLICK HERE to learn more.

2025 AIA Kentucky/AIA Indiana Convention - This fall, over 300 Kentucky and Indiana architects are expected to attend the 2025 AIA Kentucky | AIA Indiana Convention in Lexington, KY on September 18 and 19. Convention activities will include keynote presentations, break-out educational sessions, design and service award ceremonies, an opening night Icebreaker and a TRADE SHOW with Exhibit Hall Lunch and Happy Hour. CLICK HERE to learn more about sponsor/exhibitor opportunities. Attendee registration will be opening soon. We hope to see you in September!

2025 AIA Indiana Healthcare Design Symposium - Join us for the 2025 AIA Indiana Healthcare Design Symposium, which is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46202! This exciting event brings together healthcare design professionals from across the region for a day of engaging presentations, thought-provoking panel discussions, and a prestigious design awards program, all aimed at advancing best practices in the field. Stay tuned for the full event agenda. Sponsors and exhibitors will have a unique opportunity to showcase their products and services throughout the day in a dynamic yet relaxed setting. The trade show, held in Cook Theater, features tabletop exhibit spaces designed to foster meaningful interactions with attendees. CLICK HERE to learn more, register, or secure your sponsorship or exhibitor space today!

Also, the 2025 AIA Indiana Healthcare Design Awards - Call for Submissions is now open and the submission deadline is June 12, 2025. The awards will be presented at the symposium. CLICK HERE to access the call for submissions.

AIA Indiana Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) - AIA Indiana’s CKLDP recently concluded its sixth year. Following the final scheduled session, a Closing Ceremony and Reception was held at the Indiana War Memorial. Sponsors, mentors, friends, and family joined the 2024–2025 cohort as they shared reflections on their experiences in the program and received a graduation memento from AIA Indiana.

The 2025–2026 AIA Indiana CKLDP Executive Committee will be led by:

Heather Lezon, Assoc. AIA – DCCM
Jack Donahue – Wurster Construction
Victoria Bell, Assoc. AIA – MD Architects
Ellie Watkins – BSA LifeStructures

This group will guide the program through its seventh year.

The application window for Year Seven will open on June 1 and close on June 30. App 101 Sessions will be held each Wednesday in June at 12 p.m. EDT for interested applicants and anyone seeking more information about the program. CLICK HERE for full details and to register for the App 101 Sessions. Registration is required; links to join will be sent the morning of each scheduled session.

For more information about the program, please contact Kim Shelley, AIA Indiana Membership Services Coordinator, at kshelley@aiaindiana.org or 317-370-8479.

AIA Indianapolis Women in Architecture May Program - Come join us on Tuesday, May 20, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. EDT, at Schmidt Associates, 415 Massachusetts Ave. Indianapolis, Indiana 46204, for three PechaKucha styled presentations centered on the improvisational technique of "yes, and" and how it can be applied to many facets of life. Lunch will be provided. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register.

AIA Indianapolis June Program - Architects and Signs: Visual Communication for the Built Environment - Thank you SIGNWORKS for hosting this facility tour and CE presentation. The program is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. EDT, at SIGNWORKS, 370 West 84th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46268. During this event, participants will be able to tour the building and all areas of operations. As part of the tour, various signs are installed throughout the building for nostalgic reasons as well as training. The tour will also cover common materials used in the sign industry, paint methods, digital printing, and vehicular wrapping. This program has been approved for 1.0 AIA LU. Thanks to SIGNWORKS for making this program possible and for their continued support of AIA Indianapolis. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register!

AIA Indianapolis Golf Outing - This year's outing is scheduled for Friday, July 18, at Brookshire Golf Club, 12120 Brookshire Pkwy, Carmel, IN 46033. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register. Questions - contact AIA Indianapolis Golf Committee Chair Steve Savoie, AIA, ssavoie@PerformanceServices.com, 317-819-1369, or AIA Indiana Membership Services Coordinator Kim Shelley, kshelley@aiaindiana.org, 317-370-8479.

YAF Indy Programs & Resources - Interested in signing up for event updates from YAF Indianapolis – Sign up here. Interested in joining the YAF Indianapolis Executive Committee or know someone who might be a good candidate? Fill out this form and we will reach out - YAF Indianapolis - Call for Candidates

ARE and AXP Resources: ARE Study Group - Join the YAF Indy ARE Study Group, an ongoing initiative designed to support emerging architects preparing for the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Date: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month

Time: 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Location: Lancer Associates, 145 N East St, Indianapolis, IN 46204

Virtual: Available via Zoom - Contact Cass Parker, Assoc. AIA, cparker@lancerarchitects.com, or Alejandra Lagunas, Assoc. AIA, alejandra.lagunas@thinkchamplin.com, to request the link.

CA with Chris Harrison, AIA - Join Chris Harrison, AIA, for a casual, open invitation to earn about an hour of AXP CE credit each week through Setting O. Each session will involve observing the Convention Center Expansion project, where Chris Harrison, an Architect with RATIO Design, is working. We’ll meet on the 7th floor of the parking garage north of the site. Feel free to bring your lunch! For more information or to participate, contact Chris Harrison at ckharrison@ckharrison.com.

Contact yafindy@gmail.com for any questions or concerns regarding YAF Indy.

AIA Fort Wayne May Program - Enjoy the spring weather with AIA Fort Wayne’s May program on Tuesday, May 13, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. EDT, at LC Nature Park, 9744 Aboite Road, Roanoke, IN 46783! The event will kick off with a presentation by architect Noah Donica, highlighting the adaptive reuse of a late 1800s bank barn into an Education Center. Afterward, enjoy a guided hike through the beautiful grounds led by LC Nature Park staff and experience the park’s restorative landscape of Indiana’s native flora and fauna, including a bison herd. Attendees will earn 1 AIA LU. CLICK HERE to register!

AIA Fort Wayne Scholarship - AIA Fort Wayne will be awarding its 2025 Scholarships at the upcoming Golf Outing scheduled for June 18. The application deadline has been extended to May 26. Eligible applicants must:

Be a permanent resident of Indiana and have lived or currently reside within the AIA Fort Wayne Section.
Be enrolled in an accredited professional or post-professional architectural degree program.
Have completed at least their second year in the program at the undergraduate level.
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

For the scholarship application and full details, please contact Kim Shelley at kshelley@aiaindiana.org or Eric Till, AIA Fort Wayne Scholarship Chairperson, at etill@designcollaborative.com.

YAF Fort Wayne "Firsty Thursday" - Join YAF Fort Wayne for their recurring “Firsty Thursdays” every first Thursday of the month at Fortezza Coffee, 819 Calhoun St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802, at 7:30 a.m. Contact AIA Fort Wayne YAF Chair Jacob Chavez, Assoc. AIA, jacobchavez@grinsfelderarchitects.com if they have questions or would like to get plugged in!

AIA Fort Wayne Golf Outing - This year's outing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18, at Coyote Creek Golf Course, 4935 Hillegas Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46818. CLICK HERE to learn more. Questions - contact AIA Fort Wayne Golf Committee Chair Eric Till, AIA, etill@designcollaborative.com.Register ASAP because this event will sell out!

Adam James, AIA Named to Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 - Adam James, AIA, CEO and Partner at Design Collaborative, has been named to Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025. Each year, Greater Fort Wayne Business Weekly honors the best and brightest residents under 40 making significant differences in Northeast Indiana. This year, more than 200 nominations were submitted. Congratulations Adam! CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA Northern Indiana May Program - Join fellow members and friends of AIA Northern Indiana on Wednesday, May 21, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. EDT, at the Chicory Event Center, 114 West 1st Street, Mishawaka, IN 46544, for a lunch & learn program presented by Cheri Longerbone of the Longerbone Collective. This one-hour course will answer questions on customizing ventilated shade and screen systems. Attendees will earn 1 AIA HSW LU! CLICK HERE to register.

AIA Northern Indiana Golf Outing - This year's outing is scheduled for Monday, August 11, at Morris Park Country Club, 2200 McKinley Ave, South Bend, IN 46615. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register. Questions - please contact Cassandra Quissell Wright, Assoc. AIA, aia.ni.golf@gmail.com, AIA Northern Indiana Section Golf Outing Chair.

AIA Northern Indiana Scholarship - AIA Northern Indiana will be awarding its 2025 Scholarships at the upcoming Golf Outing scheduled for August 11. The application deadline is June 13. Eligible applicants must:

Be a permanent resident of Indiana and have lived or currently reside within the AIA Northern Indiana Section.
Be enrolled in an accredited professional or post-professional architectural degree program.
Have completed at least their second year in the program at the undergraduate level.
Maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

For the scholarship application and full details, please contact Kim Shelley, kshelley@aiaindiana.org or DJ Charmat, AIA / Northern Indiana Section President, dcharmat@jpr1source.com.

YAF Northern Indiana - Plans are being made for ARE exam presentations. For more information please contact YAF Northern Indiana Co-Chairs Taylor Mathewson, Assoc. AIA, tmathewson@dlz.com, or Kelsey Clady, Assoc. AIA, kclady@dlz.com.

AIA Southern Indiana is scheduling monthly CE luncheons throughout the year that will be held at 12 p.m. CDT, at the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library, on the third Wednesday of each month. To learn more, please contact 2025 AIA Southern Indiana President Dempson Haney, AIA, aiasouthernindiana@gmail.com.

In Memoriam - We are deeply saddened to share the sudden and unexpected passing of Jack P. Morgan, AIA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED Green Associate on April 30. A celebration of Jack’s life will be held at First Baptist Church of Indianapolis, located at 8600 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Visitation will take place on Saturday, May 17, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Indianapolis in support of either the Music Program or the LGBTQ Task Force. For more information, please contact Jack’s sister, Peggy Russell, at 317-902-8807.

2025 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design - AIA25, which is scheduled for June 4-7 in Boston, is more than just a conference; it’s an invitation to inspiration. Anchored by four days of immersive learning, inspiring keynotes, architect-led tours, networking events, and the industry’s largest expo, AIA25 will spark real-time innovation, discovery, and engagement. CLICK HERE to learn more.

2025 Monumental Awards - The Indy Chamber’s Indy Partnership team is excited to announce that submissions for the 2025 Monumental Awards are now open and for the first time ever, there is early bird pricing on submissions until April 30. The Monumental Awards celebrate contributions to Indianapolis’ economic growth and overall quality of life by recognizing projects that improve our living, working, and recreational spaces. This annual celebration of excellence in architecture, construction, engineering, innovative reuse, interior design, landscape architecture, neighborhood revitalization, public art, and real estate development throughout the Indy Region is scheduled for October 1, 2025. CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA Indiana Disaster Response Team - The Indiana Building Emergency Assessment Monitoring team (I-BEAM) is planning a full-scale two-day Field Exercise on June 17-18, 2025. This mock disaster will deploy our AIA Indiana Disaster Response Roster as part of a disaster response training exercise. This is as close as it gets to the real thing with all of the players involved and working together much as they would do during a response to an actual disaster. The Field Exercise will involve walking around the Indiana State Fairgrounds with a written scenario of the (imagined) damages to the actual buildings on the Fairgrounds campus. The groups performing the building damage assessments will be doing so in teams of 3-4 people. To learn more and to become a member of the AIA Indiana Disaster Response team, please contact AIA Indiana State Disaster Coordinator Steve Alspaugh, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, salspaugh@schmidt-arch.com.

CLICK HERE to learn more and to register. Attendees can earn 1 AIA LU!

Indiana Innovation and High Performance Summit 2025 - This year will mark the 8th annual Indiana Innovation and High Performance Summit, which is scheduled for Thursday, July 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. EDT at the Marriott Indianapolis North, 3645 River Crossing Parkway, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Hear thought leaders in various markets, processes, and technologies share ideas. Join educational institutions, healthcare facilities, corporations and leading organizations that are making high performance systems and energy reductions the cornerstone of their business plan. The summit will offer insights into creating highly automated facilities, reducing energy consumption, increasing occupant comfort and security, and smart building innovations for sustainable facility management. AIA Indiana is a summit partnering organization. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register.

2025 Masonry Days - These free, in-person masonry day programs offer a fantastic opportunity to earn up to 5 AIA HSW Learning Units (LUs) while exploring key topics in masonry design and construction. Complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided. See the upcoming dates/locations listed below.

To reserve your seat or if you have any questions, please contact Stephanie Watkins, 317-504-3593, swatkins@midwestmasonrycouncil.com.

Skyscrapers in Indianapolis - On Tuesday, June 10, at Indiana Landmarks, 1201 Central Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46202, architectural historian Dr. James Glass will trace the development of the skyscraper in Indianapolis from the first tall office buildings of the 1890s to the high rises of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the lecture begins at 6:00 p.m., and book signings will follow at 6:50 p.m. Skyscrapers in Indianapolis is sponsored by Indiana Landmarks. Registration will soon be available online here or by calling 317-639-4534 for in-person and Zoom participation. Admission for Indiana Landmarks members is free. This will also be the launch event for Volume 2 of Architecture in Indianapolis, 1900-1920. Copies of Volume 2 (and Volume 1) may be purchased and signed by the author.

Mid-Century Modern in Fort Wayne - Indiana Modern will host two special events focused on the work of architects Eliel and Eero Saarinen: a free lecture hosted at Concordia Theological Seminary and an exclusive tour and cocktail reception highlighting Saarinen-designed landmarks on Friday, June 6, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. EDT. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register. Also, see five mid-century designs Saturday, June 7, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. EDT, on the 17th annual Back to the Future: A Mid-Century Modern Home Tour, showcasing the open spaces, soaring ceilings, and nature-infused areas popular during the period. CLICK HERE to learn more and to register.

Small Firm Exchange (SFX) Call for Volunteers - Interest Call - There are many opportunities to volunteer with the AIA. This interest call, which is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, at 12 p.m. EDT, is tailored to Small Firm members. (Small firms are defined by AIA as having less than 10 full-time employees. They make up 74% of all firms, 11.5% of the staff and 7.40% of the billings in the architecture profession. SFX estimates small firm owners and employees make up 30% of AIA membership and program engagement.) On the call items to be discussed include the governance structure of AIA National, the timeline for the Call for Volunteers (including SFX leadership and 70+ other committees), the required information for the applications, tips for navigating the opportunities to serve, and norms for serving as a national volunteer. The presenters will be Darguin Fortuna, AIA, 2026 SFX Chair, and Kathleen McCormick, SFX Staff Liaison. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Do Architects Always Need to Wear Black? - Style as a Business Asset - CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA Young Architects Forum - YAF Connection Q1 Issue: Accelerating Leadership - Young architects and professionals in the field must work and climb the ladder to the top of the field. See how to navigate the profession, excel in leadership positions and further your career with anecdotes and advice from practicing young professionals. CLICK HERE to learn more.

CLICK HERE to view the April issue of the AIA YAF's Now YA Know.

2025 U.S. Green Building Council First Friday Webinar Series - AIA members are invited to attend this monthly webinar series, held on the first Friday of each month from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET, featuring leading-edge education on green building practices. CLICK HERE to learn more.

USGBC Indiana Women in Green - After 14 years of powerful storytelling and community-building, Women in Green is evolving. In 2025, we're crowdsourcing voices for our panel and creating space for honest dialogue, connection and co-creation. Join USGBC at Women in Green to share your story, spark new ideas, and help shape the future of this extraordinary movement. Nominate a speaker before May 12. Registration will open soon! CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA National News & Misc.

ABI March 2025 - Business conditions at architecture firms soften further. CLICK HERE to learn more.

Access to AIA MyAccount at me.aia.org - The self-service portal where you can easily manage your AIA Membership. What can members do in MyAccount - see below.

Update contact and professional information
Download receipts
Request a chapter transfer
Request a status change to Architect (e.g., recently licensed)
Adjust communication preferences
Choose paperless renewals
Elect to opt out of autorenewal
Join Knowledge Communities

CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA National Call for Volunteers - 2026 AIA National Call for Volunteers applications will be accepted May 1 through June 16. Members are able to express interest in 70+ different volunteer opportunities including positions on the AIA Board of Directors, Strategic Council, Board-level advisory committees, national award juries, Knowledge-based committees, peer reviewers, micro volunteering opportunities and more. will be accepted May 1 through June 16. Members are able to express interest in 70+ different volunteer opportunities including positions on the AIA Board of Directors, Strategic Council, Board-level advisory committees, national award juries, Knowledge-based committees, peer reviewers, micro volunteering opportunities and more. CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA Spring Into Action Campaign - Architecture is about stability, innovation, and resilience, but right now, uncertainty in government policies and funding decisions is threatening the profession, our firms, and the communities we serve. Architects cannot afford to wait and watch. Throughout spring, AIA members will engage with legislators at the federal, state, and local levels to advocate for policies that protect and promote architectural businesses, design excellence, sustainable and resilient communities, and access to housing. Your voice matters. Take action now. CLICK HERE to learn more.

AIA College of Fellows Latrobe Prize - Submissions are Now Open - With Architecture’s Contributions to Human Health as the focus of the 2025 Latrobe Prize, the prize is awarded to a research proposal that has the long-range potential to advance solutions to one or more significant architectural and built environment challenges. The recipient(s) receive $150,000 to support a two-year program of research. The College of Fellows invites individuals and teams to submit proposals for the 2025 Latrobe Prize. CLICK HERE to learn more.

2025 AIA Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) - The next Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) is happening in Atlanta November 3-5, 2025. WLS isn’t just a conference—it's a movement driving leadership, equity, and opportunity for women and allies in the AEC industry. It’s powered by the AIA community—the AEC industry’s largest network of women—who support gender equity and truly want to help women succeed. Registration opens summer 2025, but don’t wait—save the date now for this transformative experience where you’ll connect with a vibrant, diverse community of accomplished women leaders. CLICK HERE to see the highlights of the 2024 WLS.

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