In what has become an annual tradition, AIA Northern Virginia recently participated in the Mt. Vernon Community School Science Fair. Member volunteers provided students with toothpicks, gumdrops, and sample designs to experiment building their own miniature structures. Architecturally focused K–12 programming inspires youth to learn about the power and impact of design, nourishes creativity, and establishes exposure to the profession...

On March 26, we gathered at Bar Bao in Arlington for the latest installment of the AIA Northern Virginia LGBTQIA+ Alliance Outing Supper Club series—an evening of dinner, drinks, and relaxed conversation in a welcoming setting. The Alliance is a committee of AIA Northern Virginia focused on connection, visibility, and support for LGBTQIA+ architects and allies within the Chapter. The...

Perkins Eastman ArchitectsAlexandria, VA Photographs ©  Judy Davis Project Partner: Ehlert Bryan; CMTA, Inc.; Heller & Metzger, Inc. The reimagined Minnie Howard campus of the Alexandria City High School realizes Alexandria City Public Schools’ vision of equity and a dramatically enhanced student experience across its Connected High School Network, offering a wide variety of programming for the city’s nearly 4,000...

By Jonathan C. Shoemaker, Esq.Lee/Shoemaker PLLC For many architecture and engineering firms, professional liability insurance is viewed as a necessary but opaque expense—something to renew annually, negotiate primarily on price, and hope is never needed. From a legal perspective, that mindset leaves firms exposed in ways they often do not discover until a dispute is already underway. There are several...

Are you ready to celebrate the AIA Northern Virginia 2026 Architecture Month with us? From walking tours to panel discussions, social events to family nights, our members have been busy planning programs focused on enriching the community and celebrating the role architects play as a force for positive change. With the goal of activating our membership base across the vast...

2026 Canstruction® Northern Virginia has officially kicked off and registration is now open! We recently held our 2026 Canstruction® Interest Meeting where we reviewed this year’s program partners including Capital Area Food Bank and Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, discussed how to navigate the step-by-step process of Canstruction® now through Build Night and De-Canstruction®, and answered  outstanding questions from prospective...

WDG ArchitectureCollege Park, MD Photographs © Chris Spielmann Atworth, in College Park, MD, was envisioned as a model for the community benefits of transit-oriented multifamily development. The site is located on the east side of the city, an underdeveloped, car-oriented area east of the University of Maryland. When Atworth was proposed, it was clear that embracing the regional Metrorail system...

The AIA NoVA Young Architect’s Forum (YAF) hosted its second annual Mentor Bowling Event last month at Lucky Strike – Crystal City, and it was a huge success! Despite the cold temperatures and the settling ‘snowcrete’ – we had a great turnout! During the event small groups of mentees, mentors, and product reps rotated through short games over the course...

TheThe AIA NoVA Design Awards season is upon us!  The awards promote and celebrate the extraordinary designs created by members of the AIA Northern Virginia Chapter.  Submitting a recent project for consideration offers the opportunity to gain recognition and influence future design and innovation in the field of architecture.  To capture the diversity of outstanding work generated from our chapter,...

Becoming a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA) is one of the highest honors in the profession. It recognizes architects who have made a significant impact on architecture, society, or the profession at a national level. If Fellowship has ever crossed your mind, even as a “someday” goal, now is the time to start planning. AIA Fellowship is...