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...

The elevation of AIA Northern Virginia member, Dennis Findley, to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects recognizes a career that has expanded the very definition of architectural impact. Over nearly four decades, Dennis has applied the tools of architecture—clear thinking, systems analysis, and visual logic—not only to buildings, but to policies, communities, and lives. Colleagues first...

MODE4 ArchitectureAlexandria, VA Photographs © Anice Hoachlander Project Partners: GN Contracting Corporation, Inc.United Structural Engineers, Inc.Arcill Engineering, LLCDominion Surveyors, Inc. Red Oak (Data HQ) transforms a once-utilitarian warehouse and adjoining brick house into a dynamic, light-filled headquarters for a software firm. Embracing the raw, industrial character of the original structure, the design features exposed wood and metal elements paired with...

Becoming a licensed architect is a significant milestone in any architect’s career, but the path to licensure may appear daunting. One of the required steps is passing the Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®). The ARE® is designed to assess the skills and knowledge required for the practice of architecture, and with the rigorous nature of the exams, preparation can be key....

I remember getting involved with my local AIA chapter fresh out of graduate school. At the time, my motivation was simple: free access to licensure study materials – an invaluable resource that ultimately helped me pass the exams. It didn’t take long to realize, however, that my AIA membership offered far more than just support in preparing for exams. Being...

Every January, we all make plans for the year ahead—projects to land, skills to sharpen, goals to hit. This year, I’d argue there’s one more thing worth putting on your calendar: the AIA Northern Virginia Volunteer Fair. If you care about architecture, community, and people (and if you’re reading this, you probably do), this event is for you. Who Should...