On Sept. 28, emerging architects and designers with the NoVA YAF (Young Architects Forum) gathered with mentors and sponsors from DBIA, Nira Architects, Cawood Architects, FGMA, HDR, and MTFA Architecture at the Loudon Top Golf for a fun night at the hitting range! Each young professional met with and learned from mentors, who shared their industry and golf knowledge, all while enjoying dinner and a game! Highlights included cheering when AIA NoVA President and HDR Managing Principal, April C. Drake, AIA, hit a perfect hole-in-one; getting professional advice for starting a firm and managing client expectations from Cawood Architecture, PLLC owner, William Cawood at Cawood Architecture, and Nira Architects Owner, Kamyar Khozeimeh; and of course improving our swing strategy with Christopher Kehde, Principal at FGMA and Braden Field, Associate Principal at MTFA Architects. 

Overall, the friendly competition, the chance to get to know new colleagues and mentors across experience levels, and to participate in a beautiful game made for a wonderful night! We’re looking forward to playing again next year!

– Alexandra M. Foster, Assoc. AIA & Elizabeth Parry, AIA, YAF Committee Co-Chairs