AIA Phoenix Metro

Are you interested in sustainable architecture and design, and looking to drive meaningful change? Attend the AIA Arizona Committee on the Environment (COTE) meeting for an open discussion of idea generating, and to share insights and suggestions for forthcoming COTE programming and events! RSVP here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uckncrBVSX-6dsvdpmLFWA

Thursday, July 30
12:00PM
Online via ZOOM

This meeting is open to members at any level (Architect, Associate or Allied).

Non-members may RSVP to attend this session, and are encouraged to join AIA to continue to be involved with AIA Arizona COTE.

All are welcome for a storytelling event, presented by the AIA Phoenix Metro Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) Committee, featuring a series of visually driven presentations from multiple AIA members who will share personal narratives about how their lived experiences—across cultures, geographies, and identities—have shaped their perspectives on architecture and influenced their career paths.

Featured presenters include:
▪️Jason Danielak, AIA, Founder & Architect at JAD Design Services
▪️Carlos A Murrieta, AIA, Co-Founder & Principal at Merge Architectural Group
▪️Sarah Potzler, AIA, Senior Architect at Shepley Bulfinch
▪️James Trahan, AIA, Partner & President at 180 Degrees Design + Build

Through stories of travel, migration, community, and connection, the presenters will explore:
✨How different ways of living inform the spaces we design?
✨How cultural identity and travel shape design thinking?
✨How architects create environments that foster belonging for diverse communities?

Thursday, July 16
5:30PM - Networking reception
6:00PM - Presentations + Q&A

All are welcome. Please register in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ways-of-living-travel-belonging-an-edib-committee-storytelling-event-tickets-1991577926189?aff=oddtdtcreator

Free for AIA Members (Architect, Associate, Allied). $10 for Non-members.

On June 4, a large number of AIA Arizona members and friends gathered to celebrate Max Underwood, FAIA, who is the newest Fellow from AIA Arizona while also retiring as President’s Professor at ASU. Thank you to DLR Group for hosting this event in its Phoenix office for AIA Arizona and AIA Phoenix Metro. Swipe to see photos from the event.

01- Max Underwood, FAIA (center) with Renee Cheng, FAIA, and Phil Weddle, FAIA
02- Underwood speaking during a lively reception
03- Just a few of the Fellows of AIA Arizona who attended, from left: James Richärd, FAIA, Wendell Burnette, FAIA, Jason Boyer, FAIA, Mark Ryan, FAIA, Arlen Solochek, FAIA, and Eddie Jones, FAIA
04 to 06- guests enjoyed a reception before remarks
07- AIA Arizona Executive Director John Czarnecki welcomed the audience
08- AIA Phoenix Metro AIA10 Director Karl Eicher, AIA, introduced Max and the three architects who were in conversation with him
09 to 15- Max Underwood was in conversation about his career as an educator with Phil Weddle, FAIA, Renee Cheng, FAIA, and Rachel Okeson, AIA

All are welcome to an evening reception for alumni of all Arizona schools of architecture as well as Arizona-based architecture professionals. Connect and network with your Arizona peers on the first night of AIA26 in San Diego.

Thank you to the Design School at ASU and University of Arizona CAPLA for co-hosting this reception! AIA Arizona is pleased to sponsor.

When: Wednesday, June 10 from 5pm to 7pm
Where: Knotty Barrel, 844 Market Street, San Diego

The reception is free to attend, but advance registration is requested for all attendees. RSVP here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arizona-alumni-and-professional-reception-at-aia26-tickets-1986784125803

Highlights from the 2026 Architectural Archives Event at Papago Golf Club!

This year’s program explored Mill Avenue: Development to Revitalization Over the Decades, featuring a thoughtful panel discussion on the district’s evolution—balancing preservation, growth, and the stories that continue to shape its identity.

Moderated by Vic Linoff, panelists Bob Hershberger, FAIA, Stu Seifer, and Mark Vinson, FAIA, shared insights on the pressures for change and the enduring character of this iconic corridor.

Hosted by AIA Arizona and the Arizona Architecture Foundation Architectural Archives Committee.

Scroll for more.

1. Panelists from left: Stu Seifer, Mark Vinson, FAIA, and Bob Hershberger, FAIA.
2. Attendees at the 2026 Architectural Archives Event at Papago Golf Club.
3. Bob Hershberger, FAIA, introduces the event.
4. Attendees at the 2026 Architectural Archives Event at Papago Golf Club.
5. Panelists from left: Stu Seifer, Mark Vinson, FAIA, and Bob Hershberger, FAIA.
6. From left: AIA Arizona Executive Director John Czarnecki; Patrick Panetta, FAIA; Michael Jacobs, AIA; John Kane, FAIA; and Jeremy Gustafson.
7. From left: Haley Allen, AIA; Diane Jacobs, FAIA; and Elaine Becherer, Assoc. AIA.
8. From left: Rob Burgheimer, AIA; Sue Gray, AIA; and Nelson Gray, Assoc. AIA.
9. Anissa Rasheta and Arizona Architecture Foundation President Caroline Lobo, AIA. (right)

On Wednesday afternoon, members and guests attended an exclusive tour of the newly renovated Peoria City Council Chamber! Thank you to MOR Studio, the City of Peoria, and Haydon Construction for showcasing a brighter, more accessible, and future-ready civic space designed to support community connection and engagement.

In this special webinar on June 16, learn from the architects of three recent winners of the SRP (Salt River Project) Sustainable Design Award presented by AIA Arizona. Each will describe how they applied principles of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. Projects range from the Sonoran Desert Passive House in Tucson by David Brubaker, AIA, to the TSG Foundation Center for Spiritual Development by Grace Design Studios and the University of Arizona Applied Research Building by SmithGroup.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_LN3QS-ffTfyWYWLK-M6TmQ #/registration

The session will be recorded for viewing later at any time. Viewers of the live webinar will earn 1.0 HSW LU from AIA.

AIA Arizona is pleased to launch its architecture firm directory, with more than 100 firms statewide! Check it out at the following link, and see that each firm has its own directory web page: https://aia-arizona.org/architect/

Firms are listed alphabetically, and viewers can search for firms by location, project typologies, and keywords (such as firm names). Being listed in this directory is a benefit of AIA Architect membership in Arizona. On the directory home page, the public is made aware that “No matter the firm size, each firm in the directory has at least one AIA-member licensed architect.”

For more details, please visit the AIA Arizona website: https://aia-arizona.org/aia-arizona-launches-architecture-firm-directory/

Entries are now accepted for all categories of the 2026 AIA Arizona Design Awards! The early bird deadline is Tuesday, July 14. The final extended deadline for all categories is Tuesday, July 21.

Visit the awards entry portal here to begin your entry: https://arizonaaia.submittable.com/submit
To learn more about each category, you may access and download the awards guide PDF here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/zic3tlohkdnzb5in4lamr/pdf2026V1.pdf?rlkey=j6s5jol0tha92g6zm8271nm6h&e=1&st=thlzkaih&dl=0

Entrants from the Southern Arizona (Tucson-area) chapter in the following four categories—Distinguished Architecture, Interior Architecture, Component Design, and Unbuilt—will enter their projects through this site for consideration in both the AIA Arizona (state) Design Awards and the AIA Southern Arizona (chapter) Design Awards.

Entrants in the following three categories: Distinguished Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Unbuilt will be required to include project information for at least three of the 10 principles of the AIA Framework for Design Excellence. The Framework questions are integrated within this entry site.

Winners will be notified by mid-September, and will be honored at the AIA Arizona Awards Gala at the Heard Museum on Saturday, November 14, 2026.

Information on sponsorship opportunities for both the awards gala (Nov. 14) and the state conference (Oct. 23) is seen here: https://aia-arizona.org/sponsor/ -gala
Sponsors can make their commitments at any time.

Questions on the award submittal process and this platform? Contact AIA Arizona Executive Director John Czarnecki, at [email protected].

View all winners in Project categories from the past four years here: https://aia-arizona.org/awards/

View the recent winners of the Practice categories here: https://aia-arizona.org/practice-awards/

All are welcome for a happy hour connector event on Thursday, May 14 at the Churchill in Phoenix. This informal gathering will bring together individuals who are passionate about sustainability and community impact.

Hosted by AIA Arizona Committee on the Environment (COTE), AIA Arizona Government Affairs Committee, and AIA Phoenix Metro AIA10 this relaxed meetup creates space for open conversation, connection, and knowledge-sharing among people who have ideas and energy—but may be looking for clearer pathways to put them into action. Whether you’re deeply involved or just beginning to explore where you can make a difference, this is an opportunity to engage with others who share your interest in creating meaningful change.

RSVP here: https://tinyurl.com/2z9y4ebk

Members of COTE will help guide casual conversations around sustainable design strategies and share insights on how to translate ideas into impactful, climate-focused action within the built environment. Members of the Government Affairs committee will help ground the conversation by offering insight into practical avenues for advocacy and how to translate ideas into real progress. Additionally, AIA10 will be part of the dialogue as an emerging group eager to connect, contribute, and grow their impact within the broader community.

Together, we’ll foster connections across experience levels, encourage mentorship, and build momentum.

Free for all AIA members (Architect, Associate and Allied). $10 for Non-members.