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Committee on the Environment

COTE
For those that want a space to work on issues involving the environment
Connect with the Committee
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Photo Credit © Joseph McCoy

About Us

The Committee on the Environment (COTE) works to advance, disseminate, and advocate design practices that integrate built and natural systems and enhance both the design quality and environmental performance of the built environment.

Our Leadership

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Jin Park, AIA

2026 Co-Chair
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Himanshe Tomar, AIA

2026 Co-Chair

Check Out Latest News

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Photo Credit ©️ Heather Casey, AIA, NCIDQ
04/17/2026

WIA Brings Members Together for a Creative Evening of Crochet

In late March, the AIA Northern Virginia Women in Architecture (WIA) Committee presented a Crochet 101 Workshop to provide attendees an opportunity to learn a new skill and socialize. The idea for the event originated from a conversation between Heather Casey, AIA, NCIDQ and Dani Juarez, Assoc. AIA, both at Summer Consultants, about cross-stitching and other needle arts. Heather wanted
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Photo Credit ©️ Leesa Mayfield, AIA
04/16/2026

Streets, Structures & Sips: AIA NoVA Explores Middleburg & Boxwood Winery

We had a great turnout on Monday, April 13 with 40+ members of AIA Northern Virginia joining us for the Middleburg Architecture & Historic Buildings Walking Tour + Wine Tasting led by AIA NoVA Member and local architect Timothy Clites, AIA — a 20+ year Middleburg resident, small-firm owner, and Chair of the town’s Historic District Review Committee. While Middleburg
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Photo Credit ©️ Roland Lemke, AIA
04/15/2026

Spark Creativity. Inspire Young Designers: Volunteer to Support K-12 Outreach

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