Reader & Swartz ArchitectsBerkeley Springs, WV Photographs ©  Nathan Webb, Reader & Swartz Architects This project involved working with an 1801 log cabin in rural West Virginia. A second floor was added to the cabin around 1875. It then had been clumsily added to and renovated in the 1990’s. The goal of the project was to take the existing structures...

Supporting the next generation of architects and expanding opportunities for professional growth Every architect’s career takes a different path. For some, the next milestone is completing the Architectural Registration Examination (ARE) and earning licensure. For others, it is developing the skills, relationships, and confidence to lead a firm, guide a team, or make a broader impact on the profession. Beginning...

Annually each September, the DMV schools of architecture descend upon the National Building Museum (NBM) for an 8-hour design charrette. Organized by AIA Northern Virginia, AIA Potomac Valley, AIA DC and AIA Baltimore, the 2026 Interschool Student Design Competition (ISDC) was held on Sunday, September 20. The event was truly a collaborative effort between not only the AIA chapters but...

With the end of the year just around the corner, it’s easy to get caught up in project deadlines, holiday plans, and everything else on your to-do list. Before the end-of-year chaos sets in, take a moment to consult your Member Portal to make sure you’re on track with the credits you need for maintaining both your AIA membership and...

By Daniel M. Eggleston, Esq. and S. Addison Day, Esq.Lee/Shoemaker PLLC Consequential damages can expose design professionals to “bet the company” claims. While reducing risk from direct damages–those that flow naturally from an error or omission–is often the primary focus for design professionals when negotiating agreements, prudent design professionals should also restrict the recovery of damages for the “ripple effects”...

Welcome to the AIA Northern Virginia Newsroom! We love celebrating the people and projects that make our communities thrive. Our press releases share stories from across our Chapter—from local events that bring neighbors together to the talented designers and teams recognized for their outstanding work. Explore our latest announcements to stay connected with the architects, projects, and ideas making a...

Professional awards and scholarships play a vital role in recognizing excellence, supporting emerging talent, and advancing the future of architecture. From honoring innovative design and leadership to providing critical financial support for students and early-career professionals, these opportunities help shape meaningful careers and elevate the profession as a whole. Below is a curated list of architecture awards and scholarship opportunities...

Anne Decker ArchitectsBethesda, MD Photographs ©  Jennifer Hughes Project Partner: Snaidero The design of this house plays with a dynamic juxtaposition of opposites: heavy and light, shiny and dull, solid and void. A weightless glass corner counters the weight of the building’s grounded stone structure. Window and door openings kiss the edges, blurring inside and out. The rhythm of windows...

AIA Northern Virginia’s Committee on the Environment (COTE) recently hosted a Dialogue Series that brought the design community together for an engaging conversation on LEED v5 and the future of sustainable design. Launched in April of 2025, LEED v5 is the latest version of the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system and serves...

This September, the AIA Northern Virginia Board of Directors traded the usual conference room for the historic streets of Old Town Alexandria, gathering for their monthly Board meeting followed by a happy hour hosted by Winstanley Architects & Planners at the firm’s centrally located office on King Street. Winstanley’s office is itself an architectural gem: a converted brick rowhouse tucked...