Architecture, history, and sketching came together once more for the third Annual Walking Sketch Tour in Old Town Alexandria. The event was hosted by the Women in Architecture Committee (WIA), in collaboration with Urban Sketchers Washington DC and the Young Architects Forum (YAF). This year, the rain added a layer of romanticism to the tour. The meeting point was at...

Every year our Honors & Nominations committee seeks to acknowledge members and organizations in one of our six categories: Award of Honor, Outstanding Achievement, Distinguished Leadership, Service to the Chapter and AIA Northern Virginia Chapter Award, as well as suggestions toward our Craftsmanship Award. All selected candidates will be celebrated at our Autumn Social in Fairfax, VA, this October.  We...

Reader & Swartz Architects, P.C.Winchester, VA  A remnant of an old working farm, this silo is now a meaningful feature at the site of the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Built in 1962, the abandoned silo was revived as a new art folly, an extension of the existing garden follies within the Museum’s formal gardens. The silo’s original roof dome...

The AIA Fellowship program was developed to elevate those architects who have made a significant contribution to architecture and society, and who have achieved a standard of excellence in the profession on a national level. This recognition highlights not only the achievements of the architect as an individual, but also honors them before the public and the profession as a...

The success of our AIA Northern Virginia Chapter is built on the active and impassioned involvement of our members and the steady flow of dedicated volunteer leaders that have been willing to invest their time, energy, and passion to serve our profession. In March, we celebrated our decades of strong NoVA Chapter leadership at the Past Presidents Happy Hour +...

In March, the Young Architects Forum (YAF) revived the Napkin Sketching Contest, to showcase the starting point of many architectural marvels — the humble napkin sketch. Designers of all levels, from professionals to beginners, eagerly submitted their napkin sketches for consideration. The entries ranged from playful doodles by aspiring elementary school students to precise drawings by seasoned firm leaders, each...

Wiencek + Associates Architects + PlannersWashington, DC  Photographs © Jeffery Sauers, CPI Productions  Located on the historic St. Elizabeth’s Campus in Washington DC, this new Men’s Shelter was designed to be a “Beacon of Hope” for those in need. The goal was to transform the DC homeless shelter system to ensure that any person experiencing a housing crisis has a safe,...

Northern Virginia as the capital of the world data infrastructure (more than 300 facilities and still growing fast) is the epicenter of the emerging trends related to the expanding footprint of the data center built environments. The need for more space, integration into the surroundings, independent and renewable power sources, a more sustainable life cycle, and flexibility are among the...

By Taylor T. Dolan, Esq. and Nathan B. Greyard, Esq.Lee/Shoemaker PLLC The Corporate Transparency Act (“CTA”), effective January 1, 2024, will impact millions of small businesses in the United States. Enacted to deter and enable enforcement against illicit activity, the CTA requires newly formed and previously created companies to file a Beneficial Ownership Information (“BOI”) Report with the Financial Crimes...

This March, YAF is reviving the AIA NoVA Napkin Sketching Contest. We all know the greatest architectural marvels often start as a humble napkin sketch! It’s the architect’s go-to canvas! Get ready because this March, YAF’s AIA NoVA Napkin Sketch Contest is back, offering you the chance to unleash your creativity and sketch your way to architectural fame. Whether it’s...