AIA Virginia Newsletter: May 2025

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From the President
Architecture month wasn’t just a celebration of our profession, but a reminder that our work matters most when it is rooted in the people and place to which it belongs.
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AIA Virginia Honors Closes June 13
Do you have a colleague or a friend of the industry who deserves recognition? Is there a firm with a great culture that consistently produces incredible work? Is there a building that has captured your heart? Consider nominating them for an AIA Virginia Honor.
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Resiliency Week 2025 is Next Week
Join AIA Virginia for an exploration of resiliency in the built environment and discover why investing in resilient solutions can help protect us all – on Zoom from Monday, May 19, to Friday, May 23.
Register Today>>

Design Awards Jury Chair Announced
Andrew Chin, Assoc. AIA will serve as the chair of this year’s Design Awards Jury. Submit your entries by June 27, 2025.
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Building Reuse and Decarbonization Webinar Series
The AIA Virginia Historic Resources Committee (HRC) and the AIA Virginia COTE have partnered and created a 4-part webinar series that brings together leading experts in architecture, interior design, sustainability, and electrical engineering.
Register today>>

Historic Tour: Fox Elementary School
Join the AIA Virginia Historic Resources Committee for a construction tour of Fox Elementary School in Richmond, VA.
Register Today>>

Historic Tour: Rosewell Ruins
Join the AIA Virginia Historic Resources Committee for a historic tour of the Rosewell Ruins in Gloucester, VA.
Register Today>>

Mentor With Generosity
Encouragement for all of you to think about how you might offer guidance and encouragement to the next generation of architects. Mentorship can take many forms, and it starts with intention.
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Mid-Year Updates from Committees and Councils
Join us on May 28th to hear updates from the AIA Virginia Advisory Councils and Committees.
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PAC Award Launch
It is time to launch the PAC Award Challenge and celebrate the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC; one of the sharpest tools in our advocacy toolkit.
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Birthday Postcard Design Contest
Here’s your chance to design the next AIA Virginia member birthday postcard! AIA Virginia will feature your design on the front of the birthday postcards sent to all members since 2018.
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ELA Class Profiles
We asked members of the ELA class of 2025 the same five questions. Get to know them better by seeing their inspiring answers.
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PC on the PAC; The Platform from which We Project our Voice
Political contributions play a significant role in lobbying by providing AIA Virginia with access to lawmakers.
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SFx Updates
Resources and information from the Small Firm Exchange (SFx), including the call for volunteers for 2026.
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Welcome These New Members
We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined AIA Virginia.
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An Update on the Alternate Path to Architectural Licensure
The workgroup has convened and has commenced its work to “develop and adopt regulations establishing work and education experience equivalencies.
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Newly Licensed
We all understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure.
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Mark Your Calendars
International Design Competition Launches May 20!
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EDI Resources
AIA National has a clear stance supporting equity and inclusion that our own J.E.D.I. Committee
supports, and we encourage firms to read about this and more on our resources page.
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May is Building Safety Month
Participate in the 45th Annual Building Safety Month (BSM), a worldwide campaign presented by the International Code Council, its members and partners to promote building safety.
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AIA Virginia’s SME Portal
In response to a desire that has been emerging in several pockets of our organization, we are launching a portal through which members can indicate and self-report their interest and expertise in a wide range of subjects.
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Amber Book
Ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia offers Associate AIA members a discounted 60-day Amber Book subscription.
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Updates from the AIA Strategic Council
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Featured Job Listings
RRMM | Senior Project Architect
Smith & Robertson | Architectural Designer

Letter from the President

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April is Architecture Month in Virginia, a time to elevate public awareness, spotlight the power of design, and invite our communities into the conversation. Design shapes how people live, connect, and flourish. And while we as architects bring the expertise and creative vision, it’s the people we serve who breathe life into our work when we are gone. When we open our process to community members, stakeholders, advocates, and clients alike, we expand our impact.

Throughout April, we saw this in action across Virginia through walking tours, public exhibitions, student showcases, and community conversations that highlighted the profound ways architecture intersects with daily life. These weren’t just celebrations of our profession but reminders that our work matters most when it is rooted in the people and place to which it belongs.

As we look ahead, our focus is simple. Keep showing up, listen closely, and work alongside our community leaders to shape policies, programs, and places that reflect the needs and values of the people they serve. We must seize the opportunity to empower community voices and to advocate for policies and programs that prioritize thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable design. The future of architecture doesn’t rely on architects alone, it also depends on the partnerships we build and the communities that champion design excellence along with us.

As we move into May, carry the spirit of Architecture Month forward. Step into conversations beyond the office and your current work. Look to partner with those clients and communities who share your values. Invite others into the process. When we design with instead of just for, we build something much greater than buildings. We build trust, shared purpose, and a better future for all.

Meagan W Jancy, AIA, LEED AP bd+c
President
AIA Virginia

Small Firm Exchange Updates

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Recent resources released:

With the 2026 call for volunteers open, SFx is hosting a Zoom on May 27 for anyone interested in learning more about the Member Group and/or volunteering for 2026. Register>>

The Small Firm Exchange (SFx) seeks to advance the mutual interests of architects practicing in small firms. They advocate for small firms within AIA and outside organizations and agencies, promote leadership in small firm professional development and practice, and facilitate and support the local component roundtables and small firm networks. The SFX consists of a board and 53 state representatives.

Apply to SFX board through this annual call for volunteers. See the current SFX board and full position description on aia.org/sfx. (Apply to be a state representative via your state component in the fall (see current list here).

Time commitment:  Board terms are three (3) years with two (2) hour-long monthly conference calls. Expect to dedicate five (5) hours per month to this role. State Representative terms are two (2) years with one (1) hour-long monthly call. (Note: The SFX chair currently has registration and travel reimbursed for the AIA Leadership Summit.)  

Happening on the local front:

  • The SFx Central Virginia is conducting a speed mentoring event with AIA CV Emerging Professionals on May 29 from 5:30-6:30 at Alloy Workshop.
  • The newly formed SFx Central Virginia will host the Workshop for members in Charlottesville on June 20, 2025. More details to follow, but all are welcome. 


Mentor With Generosity

Posted on by cguske

May always feels like a moment of transition. The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and within our profession, this season marks a meaningful turning point: graduation ceremonies, the start of summer internships, and the arrival of recent architecture graduates into our firms and studios.

For those of us already rooted in practice, it’s a timely reminder that we each play a role in shaping the pipeline of the profession. A one-on-one coffee break, a bit of feedback on a design exercise, or even just making space at the table can leave a lasting impact on a young designer’s sense of belonging—and their belief in what’s possible.

Whether you are hosting interns, onboarding emerging professionals, or simply sharing what you’ve learned along the way of your own journey, this is the season to show up generously. These early experiences can set the tone for a career. They also reflect who we are as a profession and who we hope to become.

As we move into summer, I encourage all of you to think about how we might offer guidance, encouragement, for the next generation of architects. Mentorship can take many forms, and it starts with intention.

To that end, I’d like to share a thoughtful piece written by a friend and colleague (Jack Whalen, Delaware Young Architect Representative), on the different types of mentorship—and how we can all show up to the season of opportunity for interns and recent graduates: https://www.aia.org/aia-architect/article/how-be-exemplary-mentor

Erin Agdinaoay, AIA, NOMA
Young Architects Representative

Design Awards Jury Chair Announced

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Andrew Chin, Assoc. AIA will serve as the chair of this year’s Design Awards Jury. Andrew is Dean of the School of Architecture & Engineering Technology (SAET) at Florida A&M University (FAMU).

He holds a Bachelor of Design and a Master of Architecture from the University of Florida and a Master of Science in Urban & Regional Planning from Florida State University. Since 1991, he has taught design studios, urban design, and thesis research at the University of Florida, Georgia Institute of Technology, and FAMU.

Chin’s scholarship focuses on the intersection of race and urban form in North Florida communities and has attracted over $2 million in external funding from federal, state, and foundation sources. His contributions to architectural education have been recognized by organizations such as the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) and the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), reflecting a sustained commitment to equity, design justice, and community engagement.

Andrew will be inviting professionals and academics to join him on the jury. We look forward to celebrating these achievements at our annual Visions for Architecture Gala on Thursday, November 6, 2025, during Architecture Exchange East.

Entries for the 2025 Design Awards are open until June 27, 2025. For more information and to submit>>

PAC Award Launch

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It is time to launch the PAC Award Challenge and celebrate the engagement and commitment of a local AIA component that supports the advancement and mission of the PAC; one of the sharpest tools in our advocacy toolkit.

Contribute to the PAC

Points are accrued in three areas: local component Board participation, the percentage of local component’s membership who have invested in the PAC, and the total amount of money invested by the members of the local component. Points are allocated as follows:

  1. Local component Board participation
    a. Did 100% of the Board of Directors invest in the AIA Virginia PAC?
    i. Yes = 20 points
    ii. No = 0 points
  2. Percentage of local component members who have invested in the AIA Virginia PAC
    i. Component with highest % = 40 points
    ii. Component with second highest % = 20 points
    iii. Component with third highest % = 10 points
  3. Average investment per member from the total local component membership
    i. Component with highest average investment/member = 40 points
    ii. Component with second highest average investment/member = 30 points
    iii. Component with third highest average investment/member = 20 points
    iv. Component with fourth highest average investment/member = 10 points
    v. Component with fifth highest average investment/member = 0 points

Current Leaderboard:
AIA Blue Ridge – 0 points
AIA Central Virginia – 70 points
AIA Coastal Virginia – 0 points
AIA Richmond – 30 points
AIA Northern Virginia – 60 points

Scoring will be closed on Friday, October 10, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. EST. The winning component goes home with $1,000 cash for Architecture Week/Month and the award trophy at Architecture Exchange East in November. AIA Central Virginia is the reigning champ, but it’s a new competition – we’ll see who prevails. And if you need additional inspiration, in this same issue of the newsletter, Patrick Cushing, our retained lobbyist, shares his perspective on the importance of the PAC.

An Update on the Alternate Path to Architectural Licensure

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The workgroup has convened and has commenced its work; to “develop and adopt regulations establishing work and education experience equivalencies that provide an alternative to the requirement of a professional degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB)”. The scope involves establishing specific requirements, revising language in existing forms and guidance documents, and having all of those proposed revisions approved and integrated into the APELSCIDLA processes. The hope is that a process will be available to applicants/candidates in May or June 2026. We will keep you posted.

PC on the PAC; The Platform from which We Project our Voice

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Political contributions play a significant role in lobbying by providing AIA Virginia with access to lawmakers. Through contributions from our nonpartisan PAC AIA Virginia is able to attend a wide variety of political fundraisers. Attendance at these events strengthens our relationships with legislators and allows us to educate lawmakers on how architects are licensed, the role architecture plays in our society, and how architectural services are procured.

Political contributions are also a signal to lawmakers conveying the strength and seriousness of our commitment to the profession and the public policy making process. In the early days of my lobbying career one of my mentors, former Delegate Bill Axselle, told me the following: “Before they listen to you they need to trust you. Before they trust you, they need to get to know you.” The AIA Virginia PAC is a critical tool that helps us “get to know” lawmakers and gives them the opportunity to “get to know” AIA Virginia. Thank you all for your dedication to your profession and continued support of the AIA Virginia PAC.

Patrick Cushing
Principal, Fall Line Strategies

Contribute to the PAC

Newly Licensed

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We understand the dedication and effort required to study for and pass the ARE. Congratulations to the following members for passing their exams and gaining licensure. This is great news that thrills all of us and we are so proud to call you an architect!

Zachary Britton, AIA (Blue Ridge)
Caitlin A. Caum, AIA (Central Virginia)

Have you recently passed the ARE? Upgrade your membership to Architect using this AIA form. or send an email to your Member Services Director, Cathy Guske, cguske@aiava.org

Are you ready to get licensed? AIA Virginia has discounted 60-day Amber Book subscriptions. Read more about it here>>

Support our Associate members on their path to licensure with your support of the discounted Amber Book subscription. Donate to the AIA Virginia Foundation

Have questions about licensure? Contact AIA Virginia’s State Licensing Advisor, Gina Robinson, AIA, at gina.robinson@hdrinc.com

New Members

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We are always excited to welcome new members to Virginia. The following members recently joined the ranks of AIA Virginia.

New Architect Members
Gwenedd Murray, AIA (Central Virginia)
Emily Wright, AIA (Northern Virginia)

New Associate Members
Scott Cowell, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Faye Davies, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Rezaul Khan, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)
Yichun Xu, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia)

Transfers into AIA Virginia
Mehedi Hasan Bappi, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Maryland
Scott Cowell, Assoc. AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Maryland
Spencer S. Sear, AIA (Northern Virginia) from AIA Washington DC

New/Renewed Allied Members
View all of the AIA Virginia Allied members