This year’s 2026 AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Gala recognized twenty-three outstanding projects at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Alexandria, Virginia on June 25, 2026. The Committee received nearly 100 entries across ten categories. Awards were given to architects whose projects best demonstrated the design principles of the 21st century as listed in the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. There were three different award...

On June 25, Virginia Tech’s Washington Alexandria Architecture Center (WAAC) hosted its Architecture Career Reflection Spotlight Panel immediately before the AIA Northern Virginia Design Awards Gala. Both events took place in Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus Building One and provided a valuable opportunity for students to connect with architecture and design professionals from across the region. Beginning in January, AIA Northern...

This October, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI) invites the Northern Virginia architecture community to the 40th Anniversary Architecture in Perspective (AIP 40) International Conference at the American Institute of Architects Global Campus in Washington, D.C. We hope it will be an opportunity for attendees from all backgrounds to deepen their relationship with the creative process underlying architectural visual...

One of the ways AIA Northern Virginia supports the future of the profession is by helping students and emerging professionals take advantage of opportunities that broaden their experiences and grow their careers. Whether it’s attending a conference, participating in a leadership program, or pursuing another professional development opportunity, we’re proud to support future architects who are passionate about the profession....

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...

Each year, the Co-Chairs of the Design Awards Committee travel to a different region of the country, partnering with a local AIA component to assemble a jury of architects who bring fresh perspectives to the review process. By engaging professionals from outside our area, the Chapter ensures a thoughtful and impartial evaluation of its Design Awards submissions. This year, the...

Last month, the AIA Northern Virginia Committee on the Environment (COTE) and the Community Service Committee came together to celebrate Earth Day by participating in a clean-up event hosted by the Potomac River Keeper Network.  Inspired by the same desire to care for, protect, and give back to our environment and our community, the group seized this opportunity to collaborate...

The AIA Northern Virginia Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee brought together an inspiring cross-section of the region’s design community for the sold-out Women in Architecture 2026 30×30 Celebration on June 1 at The Locket at The Key in Rosslyn. The evening honored the remarkable women recognized through the committee’s “30 Women in 30 Days” initiative, a program that highlights women...

For two Saturdays in April, the AIA Northern Virginia Custom Residential Architect Network (CRAN) participated in local festivals with an ‘Ask an Architect’ pop-up tent. The booth provided festival goers with the opportunity to ask architects anything they might be curious about as it related to the design and construction process. Attendees also got to learn about the American Institute...