AIA Houston

Design the Ride: A skatepark design workshop
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Calling all creative thinkers! Get ready for an action-packed morning with the National Organization of Minority Architects, Houston, and Architecture Center of Houston, where design and skateboarding will collide.
What makes a skatepark unforgettable? Is it the bowls, a challenging stair set, a perfect handrail, or a quarter pipe that keeps riders coming back? In this hands-on workshop, students will explore how skateparks are designed to challenge, inspire, and bring communities together.
Students will work in groups to sketch, design, and build elements for a new community skatepark. At the end of the workshop, students will be able to share their designs and receive feedback from architects and use mini skateboards to experience their parks.
Immersed in the current exhibition at the Architecture Center of Houston, Kinetics of Urban Movement, students will be able to draw inspiration from the photographs, 3D-printed models, and skate park sculptures on display. Shane Yee, Rodrigo Gallardo, and Bobby King with Skate Ecosystems will share their experiences designing and riding skateparks.
Workshop Highlights:

Students will work in teams of 5-6 students.
Each team member will select a different element to add to the skatepark.
Students will draw, build, and sculpt their skatepark elements.
Teams will present their designs to the group, explaining features and design choices.
Architects & designers will be on hand to guide participants, answer questions, and share experiences.

This interactive event is perfect for students aged 7-12 who are excited to explore the world of architecture and unleash their creativity. Through fun activities and teamwork, participants will learn how to design while developing essential skills in problem-solving, collaboration, and skateboarding culture. Whether you’re already a skater or interested in designing and building, this is your chance to shape the future of Houston’s skate scene—one ramp, rail, and bowl at a time.
Design the Ride: A skatepark design workshop is part of the arcHERtecture workshop series, which encourages girls to explore careers in architecture.
This program is in conjunction with The Kinetics of Urban Movement, on view at the Architecture Center Houston from June 18-September 26.
Exhibition Sponsors and Community Partners
Kinetics of Urban Movement is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Cherries Wheels
Honey Skate Club
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston Skate Academy
Select
Skate ECOSYSTEMS
Southside Skatepark

Participatory Environments with Alexis Sablone
2026-08-01 14:00 - 15:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
What can skateboarding teach us about architecture and public space?
Join professional skateboarder, Olympian, architect, designer, and multidisciplinary artist Alexis Sablone for a fascinating conversation on how movement shapes the way we read, use, and reinterpret public space. One of the most influential figures in contemporary skateboarding, Sablone has built a career that bridges elite athletic performance, architecture, and public art—bringing a unique perspective to how cities can encourage creativity, play, and connection.
On Saturday, August 1, Sablone will discuss how the creative appropriation of urban environments can inspire more inclusive, playful, and dynamic cities.
Sablone holds a BA from Barnard College, Columbia University, and a Master of Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where they were both the Ida C. Green Fellow and recipient of the Imre Halasz Thesis Prize. Their work bridges architecture and skateboarding through the design of hybrid playscapes and large-scale interactive sculptures, investigating how public spaces can foster creativity, participation, and community. Skateboarding, they argue, offers designers a compelling model for understanding how shared public spaces can become beloved destinations for people of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
Currently a fellow at the University of Chicago’s Gray Center for Arts and Inquiry, where Sablone co-taught a course on the intersections of skateboarding culture, performance, and urban space, Sablone brings a distinctive interdisciplinary perspective to the future of public design, inviting audiences to rethink how cities can encourage movement, play, and connection.
This program is presented in conjunction with The Kinetics of Urban Movement, on view at the Architecture Center Houston through September 26.
Event is free and open to the community.
Image credit: Alexis Sablone Bobing the Ramp at the Guggenheim (2023). Image courtesy of Alexis Sablone.
Exhibition Sponsors and Community Partners
Kinetics of Urban Movement is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Cherries Wheels
Honey Skate Club
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston Skate Academy
Select
Skate ECOSYSTEMS
Southside Skatepark

HXD Week: Design Connections
2026-08-03 16:30 - 18:30 | 2910 McKinney, 2910 McKinney St., Houston, TX, 77003, United States
Design Connections | “Wired to Belong” The Science and Practice of Connection at Work
In an era where work can happen from anywhere and AI can deliver information instantly, human connection remains one of the most important drivers of professional success. Research shows that our brains are wired for social interaction, and the relationships we build through face-to-face conversations, mentorship, collaboration, and networking often shape our careers as much as our technical skills. Learn from organizational leaders and design industry professionals why being present—in the office, at industry events, and within professional communities—creates opportunities that technology alone cannot. For team leaders and the next generation of leaders, the discussion will highlight how showing up, building relationships, and expanding your network can accelerate growth, strengthen culture, and create lasting career advantages in the future the design industry.
AIA Credit: 1.0 LU
Light bites will be provided.
Parking:
Street parking availabe.

HXD Week: Africatown: Monument and Wound
2026-08-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture & Design, 4200 Elgin St, Houston, TX, 77204
“Africatown: Monument and Wound — Student Proposals for Remembrance and Repair,” would present a curated exhibition and short public talk based on student work from my senior Interior Architecture capstone studio at the University of Houston. The session begins from the premise that Africatown is both a monument to survival and an ongoing site of rupture, where design must engage memory not as a completed narrative, but as an active condition. Founded by survivors of the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to reach American shores, Africatown carries a history shaped by an illegal voyage, deliberate erasure, oral tradition, and ongoing environmental and industrial pressures. The studio, Africatown: Remembrance and Repair, asks students to design a floating interpretive installation that responds to this layered history and contemporary context. For HXD, the session would combine a brief introductory talk with a guided walkthrough of student drawings, models, and visual research. Students would participate as presenters, contributing to a broader conversation about memory, repair, environmental justice, and interior architecture.
AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW
Light bites and beverages will be provided.
Presenter:
Sheryl Tucker de Vazquez
Associate Professor
University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design
Interior Architecture

Sheryl Tucker de Vazquez is an architect, educator, and Associate Professor at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design, where she directs the Interior Architecture program. A licensed architect in Texas, her teaching and research focus on adaptive reuse, cultural memory, material practice, and the role of interior architecture in addressing social and environmental conditions.

She served as an architectural collaborator with artist Rick Lowe in the development of Project Row Houses, a landmark community-based art and architecture initiative in Houston’s Third Ward. Her current research project, The Hair Salon: Black Hair as Architecture, examines Black hair practices as systems of pattern, structure, environmental intelligence, and spatial knowledge, and has received support from the Graham Foundation.

At UH, she teaches studios that ask students to engage history, place, and repair through rigorous design proposals.

Parking: Guests may park in the Elgin Street Garage, 4224 Elgin Street, Houston, TX 77204. Paid visitor parking is available in the garage. The Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design is located nearby at 4200 Elgin Street.

HXD Week: "Beyond the Lease" Panel Discusion + PDR Office Tour
2026-08-04 16:00 - 18:00 | Private: PDR, 927 Studewood St., Floor 2, Houston, TX, 77008, United States
Beyond the Lease: Why Employees Chose Places Not Offices + PDR Office Tour
Join us for a panel discussion exploring how development priorities have evolved, what today’s tenants expect, and how creating an experience-driven workplace can influence leasing decisions, company culture, and employee attraction and retention.
Moderator
Marc Bellamy, RA, NCARB, Fitwel Ambassador
Principal + Owner
PDR
Marc is a Principal and Owner at PDR with 25 years of experience in corporate interiors, base building design and real estate development. Throughout his time with PDR, Marc has worked on numerous projects for ExxonMobil, Jefferies Group, Vitol, and many other varied clients, coordinating ongoing work and delivering high-performance workplace solutions.

Panelists
John Connett
Senior Director
Cushman & Wakefield
I am a commercial real estate and construction management executive with 30 years of end-to-end industry experience, progressing from hands-on field craftsmanship to leading market operations for a global real estate leader. As Senior Director and Market Lead at Cushman & Wakefield, I specialize in scaling business units, building elite project teams, and protecting client capital across multi-million-dollar portfolios. Whether directing a high-end downtown interior buildout, managing an industrial hub, or aligning capital market strategies, I combine a macro-level real estate vision with a common-sense approach to execution. I thrive at the intersection of aggressive market expansion and disciplined financial containment – consistently delivering top-line growth and maximizing operational efficiency.

Philip Croker
Senior Managing Direct
Rockefeller Group Houston
Philip Croker leads Rockefeller Group’s Southwest Region, overseeing acquisitions, development, and operations across Texas and Arizona. With more than two decades of experience in commercial real estate development, he has led many of Houston’s most significant office projects and brings a developer’s perspective on creating workplaces that attract today’s tenants.

Brian Gabbard, RID
Design Director
PDR
Brian Gabbard is the Design Director for PDR – based in the Houston office. With over 25 years of award-winning design experience across the U.S. and internationally, he is known for his client-focused approach and ability to create transformative environments that positively impact users and occupants. As a natural storyteller, Brian develops design solutions built around a narrative unique to each client and project and brings a thoughtful perspective and immersive approach to every space that he helps to shape. Drawing inspiration from his multicultural background and global travels, he pulls from multiple influences to craft sophisticated and impactful design solutions.

Mark Reilly
JLL
Vice President
Mark Reilly is a Vice President with JLL’s Houston occupier advisory team, representing corporate clients in office and industrial real estate strategy. His work spans portfolio optimization, tenant representation, and workplace decision-making, helping organizations align their real estate with changing business and employee expectations.

Light bites and beverages will be provided.
Parking: Free surface lot and street parking available. Parking is limited, rideshare encouraged.

HXD Week: Power Hour
2026-08-05 08:00 - 10:00 | 20 E. Greenway Plaza, 20 E. Greenway Plaza, Suite 525, Houston, TX, 77046, United States
The Place for Creatives: In an AI Evolving World
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the way we work, the value of distinctly human skills has never been greater. As routine analytical tasks become increasingly automated, creativity, strategic thinking, collaboration, and innovation are emerging as the true drivers of business success.
For the Architecture & Design industry, this shift raises an important question: What does the future look like for the creative worker, and what kind of workplace helps them do their best work?
Join a panel of leading design professionals as they explore how the workplace is evolving beyond a place to complete tasks into an ecosystem that fosters connection, inspires creativity, and accelerates innovation. Together, they’ll discuss how thoughtful workplace design can empower creative talent and support the next generation of work.
Moderator

Steve Kopp, AIA, ACHA
CannonDesign
Steve Kopp brings more than 20 years of expertise to his role as a Design Leader, focusing on the design of pediatric, academic health, and research facilities. He is recognized for leading teams through complex design challenges to deliver innovative, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. A dedicated advocate for evidence-based practice, Steve leverages materiality and strategic planning to improve outcomes for every user group he serves.

Panelists

Necia E. Bonner, RID, NCIDQ, IIDA, CHID, CDF, LEED AP
Principal, Director of Health & Science Interiors
Perkins&Will
Necia Bonner is a Principal and the Director of Health & Science Interiors for Perkins&Will’s Houston studio, where she leads interior design strategy for some of the most complex healthcare, research, and science environments in the country. With more than 25 years of experience dedicated exclusively to high-performance interiors, she has worked across a broad spectrum of specialized facilities, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, behavioral health facilities, public health agencies, private clinics, research laboratories, vivaria, and corporate science campuses.
A Certified Healthcare Interior Designer and Certified Design Futurist, Necia is recognized for her expertise in translating complex clinical, operational, and regulatory requirements into innovative environments that support the future of healthcare delivery and scientific discovery. She is a respected leader within the design profession and a frequent advocate for advancing healthcare and science environments through design leadership, education, and professional service. Necia has served in numerous leadership roles with IIDA, the AIA Committee on Architecture for Health, the Texas Association for Interior Designers, and currently serves on the board of Texas Women in Healthcare.

Megan Funni, RID
Assistant Professor of Practice
Sam Houston State Universty
Megan Funni is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Sam Houston State University, where she teaches across the interior design curriculum. She also does contract furniture and commercial interior design work with Maybe Sometimes Studio. With more than 16 years of commercial design experience, including work with Fortune 500 companies and Class A landlords, Megan brings both professional practice and academic perspective to her work.

MacKenzie Greckel
Balden Contract Group

MacKenzie Greckel is a sales representative with Balden Contract Group (BCG) in Houston’s commercial design community and the artist behind GRECK.
With a background in the fine arts, she brings a creative perspective to every aspect of her work, blending art, design, marketing, and sales. Passionate about building relationships and thinking beyond traditional industry norms, MacKenzie enjoys finding unconventional ways to connect creativity with the commercial design world.

Morgan Dougherty
SHSU Student & McCoy Rockford Design Intern
Morgan is an emerging interior designer from Houston, Texas with a passion for creating innovative spaces that enhance the way people work, live, and connect. While completing her degree in Interior Design at Sam Houston State University

Garth Williams
Technical Director
PDR
As PDR’s Technical Director, Garth and oversees the documentation, permitting and construction observation of all PDR projects in addition to setting the firm’s design technology and project delivery standards. He brings fourteen years of experience in commercial interiors to PDR’s Design + Architecture studio and his industry knowledge and technical background allow him to recognize and resolve efficiency gaps in the design and documentation process and ensure that all aspects of an issue are thoughtfully considered when providing guidance to the studio.
Garth has extensive architectural experience in the legal, financial and oil & gas markets as well as a background in information technology, BIM, sales, and marketing. This varied breadth and depth of experience allows him to recognize architectural, organizational, and technical solutions to a variety of issues.
As Technical Director, Garth guides all project teams in the Design + Architecture studio, reviewing drawings, providing guidance on building codes and accessibility, developing documentation standards and creating new tools and processes. Garth expertly interprets concepts and ideas and implements them in a way that benefits the studio, and ultimately, PDR’s clients.

Parking: Surface lot parking available.
– Located on the east side of the building with entrances on Norfolk St. and Portsmouth St.
– After parking, proceed to check-in with security located in the building lobby.
– Please be ready to provide your driver’s license and vehicle information.
While our physical street address is “20 E Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046”, searching the address will lead to the wrong location.
To avoid routing issues, we recommend searching for “Twenty Greenway Plaza, Houston, TX 77046” rather than entering the street address.
We’ve found that searching the building name generally provides more accurate results across Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Bing Maps.

HXD Week: The Power of Brain Health in Workplace Wellbeing
2026-08-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Perkins&Will, 1001 McKinney St, 19th Floor, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
In an era where productivity, innovation, and resilience are the keys to success, the state of our brains, our cognitive function, mental clarity, and emotional well-being play a crucial role in how we perform at work. Yet, in the hustle of deadlines, meetings, and constant digital demands, we often neglect the very organ that drives our success: the brain. What if we told you that small, science-backed changes in your daily routine could boost your focus, reduce stress, and enhance overall job satisfaction? Imagine a workplace where mental fatigue is minimized, creativity flows naturally, and employees thrive, not just survive. This session will dive into a topic that affects every aspect of our professional and personal lives: brain health and workplace wellbeing. Building on the research shared by one of the facilitators at the United Nations European Brain Health Summit, we’ll explore the neuroscience behind optimal brain health, practical strategies to enhance cognitive function, and how organizations can design and foster an environment that supports mental well-being. By the end, the audience will have actionable insights & sited examples to not only improve their own performance but also contribute to a healthier, more productive workplace.
AIA credit: 1.0 HSW/LU
Presenter:
Julie Gauthier, IIDA, RID, LEED AP
Associate Principal, Workplace, Houston
Perkins&Will
Workplace Practice Lead at the Houston Studio of Perkins&Will, Julie embraces beauty and function in all aspects of her role as an interior designer. Every day, she is driven by conceptualizing client-focused, functional, and healthy environments that are built upon communication, strategic programming, and a passion for creating spaces that inspire. Julie also pairs her design practice with advisory services, having championed new initiatives for workplace strategy, design for wellbeing, sustainability tracking, and change management.

Lunch:
Catered lunch will be provided. Please register well in advance before registration closes to secure your lunch. Email Alex Moreno (alexm@aiahouston.org) with any dietary restrictions.
Parking:
Please input the address for 900 Fannin into your GPS and it will take you straight to the parking garage. If you use 1001 McKinney, you will have trouble locating it. You will pull a parking ticket upon entry and use the same ticket to exit. You may park in any unreserved space on the 5th floor and above. Note that our garage is marked for 1001 McKinney at the entrance. We are not at the McKinney Place parking garage. Thank you, and we look forward to your visit at the Perkins&Will Houston Studio! Please bring your parking ticket inside with you for validation. Feel free to call the front desk at 713-366-4000 if you need assistance.

HXD Week: 1929 Allen Parkway Headquarters Tour
2026-08-05 16:00 - 18:00 | Private: 1929 Allen Parkway, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX, 77019, United States
The Confidential Headquarters Project is a new ground-up, Class A Office Building located at 1929 Allen Parkway. The project has 9 occupiable floors and a 5-level podium parking garage. The interiors scope features amenities such as a full-service commercial kitchen & coffee bar, conferencing center, terrace, and fitness center with upscale locker rooms. The 8 workplace floors are dedicated to workstations, private offices, and business support, and an executive suite with a monumental stair. HOK is the building designer with PDR designing interior amenities and workplace. Project completion will be August 2026.
Photography is strictly prohibited.
Light bites and beverages (non-alcoholic) will be provided.
Parking: Validated onsite garage parking available. Tour will begin on Level 06

HXD Week: Tour of IAH Terminal B
2026-08-06 08:30 - 12:00 | Private: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), 15710 JFK Boulevard, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Come experience the Terminal B Transformation at IAH, a landmark project that is setting a new standard for air travel. Discover how United Airlines and the Houston Airport System are creating an innovative, sustainable terminal that celebrates the spirit of Houston while delivering a seamless and elevated passenger experience. The project encompasses one million square feet and features a new terminal lobby, expanded concourses with 22 gates, and the largest airline lounge in North America, which will serve United Airlines.
Firms:
Grimshaw
HarrisonKornberg
PGAL
Rockwell Group
Stantec
United Airlines
SCB
*This event is open only to AIA Houston and IIDA Members*
All attendees are required to wear PPE and boots (steel toe not required). United will be obliged to turn away anyone not in compliance with the required dress code.
Parking: surface lot available; includes validated parking.

HXD Week: Norton Rose Fulbright Lvl. 20 Reception Floor Tour
2026-08-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Norton Rose Fullbright Tower, 1550 Lamar Street, Suite 2000, Houston, TX, 77010, United States
Norton Rose Fulbright is a multi floor law firm located at 1550 Lamar St., Suite 2000. NRF workspace consists of eight (8) practice floors (lvl’s 18, 20 thru 26) including two (2) reception/meeting room floors and a two-floor interconnecting staircase as designed by Rottet Studio and completed June 7th, 2024.

HXD Week: BCG Houston LEED Platinum Tour
2026-08-06 17:00 - 18:00 | Private: BCG Houston, 1550 Lamar St., Suite 1200, Houston, TX, 77010, United States
The tour of the newly certified LEED Platinum BCG Houston office will showcase design and sustainability strategies used to create the new workspace adjacent to Discovery Green. Light bites will be provided as BCG and HOK’s design and sustainability team host the tour and discuss strategies that were used to achieve LEED integration, including optimization for daylight and views, energy and water efficiency, and enhanced waste management. The design team will also walk through the space showcasing how the cohesive material palette tells a story of biophilia, branding, and local BCG culture while playing off the views and nature that the building overlooks.
AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW
Light bites will be provided.
Parking:
Paid street parking and parking garage available; $15 flat fee parking in garage available.

HXD Week: Beyond the Buzz
2026-08-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Beyond the Buzz: What Design Week Reveals About the Future of Interior Architecture
Every year, Chicago Design Days and NeoCon introduce hundreds of new furniture products, materials, finishes, and workplace design concepts. But which innovations represent meaningful shifts in interior architecture—and which are simply this year’s aesthetic trends? This session examines key observations from Chicago Design Week through three lenses: ephemeral trends, enduring shifts, and emerging innovations. Participants will explore how circular design principles are reshaping furniture planning and specification, how neuroinclusive design is influencing occupant well-being, and how manufacturers are responding to evolving expectations around sustainability, flexibility, material transparency, and human-centered design. Rather than showcasing the latest products, this course provides architects and designers with a practical framework for evaluating furniture and interior design innovations, helping them distinguish what’s new from what’s next—and determine which ideas will have lasting impact on the health, safety, welfare, and performance of the built environment.
AIA Credit: 1.0 LU|HSW
About the presenters:

Caryn Ogier, AIA, RID, LEED AP, PMP
Kimiko Designs
Director of Furniture Planning
is the Director of Furniture Planning at Kimiko Designs, where she helps clients align furniture strategy with business goals, user needs, and long-term sustainability. With more than 25 years of experience in architecture, interiors, and project management, Caryn specializes in furniture planning, circular design,and lifecycle stewardship for workplace and healthcare environments.
A lifelong learner and self-proclaimed furniture woobie, Caryn is passionate about translating emerging ideas into practical project outcomes. She has helped shape Kimiko’s circularity movement and brings a unique perspective that connects design, project management, and implementation, helping owners, architects, and designers turn good ideas into spaces that perform better over time.

Necia E. Bonner, RID, NCIDQ, IIDA, CHID, CDF, LEED AP
Perkins&Will
Principal and Director of Health & Science Interiors
Necia Bonner is a Principal and the Director of Health & Science Interiors for Perkins&Will’s Houston studio, where she leads interior design strategy for some of the most complex healthcare, research, and science environments in the country. With more than 25 years of experience dedicated exclusively to high-performance interiors, she has worked across a broad spectrum of specialized facilities, including academic medical centers, community hospitals, behavioral health facilities, public health agencies, private clinics, research laboratories, vivaria, and corporate science campuses.
A Certified Healthcare Interior Designer and Certified Design Futurist, Necia is recognized for her expertise in translating complex clinical, operational, and regulatory requirements into innovative environments that support the future of healthcare delivery and scientific discovery. She is a respected leader within the design profession and a frequent advocate for advancing healthcare and science environments through design leadership, education, and professional service. Necia has served in numerous leadership roles with IIDA, the AIA Committee on Architecture for Health, the Texas Association for Interior Designers, and currently serves on the board of Texas Women in Healthcare.

Catered lunch will be provided.
Street parking and surface lot parking available around the Architecture Center.

HXD Week: Electrolit U.S. Headquarters Tour
2026-08-07 14:00 - 15:30 | Private: Electrolit U.S. Headquarters, 3201 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX, 77010, United States
A collaborative team of architects based in Guadalajara and Houston has designed the U.S. headquarters of Mexican beverage brand Electrolit.
The structure they chose to begin their journey in Houston—a low-slung, formerly industrial Spanish Revival slab located on the banks of Buffalo Bayou—resonated with the ethos and cultural identity of the company. The objective from the outset was to create a contemporary workspace imbued with the sophistication and relaxed character of residential architecture, balancing the industrial nature of the existing building with a warm palette of natural materials reminiscent of Mexican living. With this ambition in mind, the architects stripped the existing concrete structure down to its bones, correcting and repairing some of the abuses that it had undergone during its many lives. The proposal consists of a series of volumetric, light wooden boxes that house smaller programs and inhabit the industrial space as sculptures, creating and lending proportion to the spaces around them. The main entry leads into a foyer bounded on one side by a monumental wood-clad staircase. Past this stair, the space opens into a double-height lounge and flexible workspace. The stair leads to a mezzanine where the CEO’s office and a meeting room overlook the office. Throughout, diffused natural light emitted by glass-block windows is supplemented by existing skylights. The team worked to deploy warm tones and raw materials in order to strike a balance between the rough and the delicate. The result, aided by the thoughtful use of natural light, is a relaxed and subdued atmosphere that stands in opposition to the stridence of contemporary corporate vernacular.
Through its careful consideration of existing conditions and its balance between the industrial and the intimate, the project also manages to strike a different balance, between the company’s origins in Mexico and its new location in Houston.
Winner of the 2026 AIA Houston Design Award for Interior Architecture. Learn more here!

Lunchtime Learning (Virtual)
2026-08-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Virtual Lunchtime Learning sponsored by the Committee on the Environment (COTE)

First Safe, then Circular: optimizing material health with Cradle to Cradle Certified®
If you are being asked to evaluate the material health of products and aren’t sure where to start, this session is for you! We’ll dive into the basics of material health for designers, including major classes of chemicals of concern, chemical assessments, and how designers can use certifications as they evaluate products. This presentation details the methodology and requirements for the Cradle to Cradle Certified® products program and how designers can use it to specify materials that are healthy in a project and across a supply chain. We’ll explore how Cradle to Cradle Certified®, as a fully digitized program, makes it easy for designers to find reliable material health information to deliver meaningful sustainability benefits on every project.

Speaker: Ren DeCherney, Director of Built Environment

Ren is a licensed interior designer who uses her first-hand experience of the complexities of the building industry to help designers and manufacturers translate their sustainability pledges into reality.
Prior to joining the Institute as Director of Built Environment, she worked in Portland as a designer, where she took her firm PVC-free, making them the first firm in Portland to make such a commitment. She was then the Director of Industry Transparency at Source, a digital materials platform, where she synthesized design team needs and industry trends to integrate sustainability seamlessly into the design process. This included building various user tools, growing strategic partnerships, and developing all of the sustainability filters on the platform.
She then worked at the International Living Future Institute, overseeing the Declare and Living Product Challenge programs. There she worked with both designers and manufacturers to understand the current market incentives for sustainable practices and how to implement sustainability strategy into everyday practices.

AIA Credit: 1.0 HSW
GBCI Credit: self-report

Everyday Self-Defense: Building Confidence Through Boundaries & De-escalation
2026-08-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Third Ward Jiu-Jitsu, 2016 Emancipation Ave, Houston, TX, 77003, United States
In this self-defense session, the instructor, Sarah Degar, Jiu Jitsu black belt, and architect at GSMA, will share her unique approach to personal safety, focusing on two key objectives: setting boundaries and de-escalating potential uncomfortable situations. After demonstrating key techniques, attendees will partner up to practice, with the instructor offering guidance to each group.
The first part of the session will teach participants how to navigate unwanted physical contact in everyday situations, particularly with people they know. In professional and social contexts, it can be challenging to assert boundaries—especially for many women who already worry about being perceived as “unreasonable.” The instructor will address simple strategies to divert this contact to maintain comfort and autonomy. For example, a colleague approaches for a hug or puts an arm around the waist to pose for a photo. Attendees will be empowered to practice subtle yet effective ways to establish personal space without confrontation.
The second part of the session will address more serious scenarios, where the potential for physical harm exists. Whether the concern comes from someone familiar or not, de-escalation is crucial. Participants will learn techniques to create and maintain a safe distance, keep a steady stance to avoid being easily pushed or pulled, and how to break free from various types of holds. The session will wrap up with interactive games designed to reinforce the skills learned, making it fun and memorable while encouraging participants to continue practicing on their own.

Doors Open 5p
Class 5:30p – 6:30p
Social to follow

Advanced Registration Required.

The SWAP: Trade Notes. Make Connections
2026-08-13 18:30 - 20:30 | Perkins & Will, 1001 McKinney St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Do you have study materials collecting dust? A study strategy that’s helped you succeed? Are you looking for an accountability partner or extra motivation on your licensure journey?

Join HNOMA for The Swap, an interactive event designed to connect aspiring architects, exam candidates, and recently licensed professionals. Exchange study materials, share test-taking strategies, and build a supportive community of peers navigating the A.R.E. process.

The Houston Chapter of NOMA and LeaderFlow are partnering to host this two-part experience. The evening will begin with a fireside-style panel discussion moderated by LeaderFlow, featuring professionals who will share insights, lessons learned, and practical advice from their licensure journeys. Attendees will then break into smaller groups for facilitated discussions, providing an opportunity to ask questions, exchange resources, and connect with others at various stages of the A.R.E. process.

Whether you’re exploring licensure for the first time, actively studying for exams, or recently licensed and looking to give back, we encourage you to join us.

There’s something valuable for everyone at The Swap.

Panelists
Shreya Patel, Harrison Kornberg
Tim Uzoigwe, Perkins & Will
Janiece Williams, Leaderflow
Javier E. Guerrero, Martinez Architects
Fallon Barrett, City of Houston

Register here

EP University: Project Delivery
2026-08-19 11:30 - 13:30 | Powers Brown Architecture, MKT 600 N Shepherd, Building 3, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77007, 600 N Shepherd, Building 3, Ste 300, Houston, TX, 77007
Join us for the third session of the EP University Lecture Series: Project Delivery.
All architecture projects have fundamentally followed the same processes from programming, to design, to documentation and construction. This course reveals the step-by-step process in delivering a project from conception to reality.

Review the phases of design – Programming, Site Planning, Schematic Design, and Design Development – to understand the processes and deliverables for each phase
Understand the project team member roles – internal and external – and how projects move from person to person and phase to phase
Understand the process of developing construction documents to execute the design vision – from cartoon set, to establishing what to draw, why to draw it, and what team members are responsible for confirming constructability and details
Review the process of formally issuing drawings including sealing documents, labelling drawings, permitting documents, transmitting drawings and handling drawing revisions

Presented by Jeanette Shaw of Powers Brown Architecture, this session offers 1LU CE credit.
Lunch is provided.
Location: Powers Brown Architecture, MKT 600 N Shepherd, Building 3, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77007
Advanced registration is required. Deadline: Monday, August 17 at 5PM.

Concrete Cosmos: Composing Skate Architecture
2026-08-19 12:00 - 13:00 | TX
In Concrete Cosmos: Composing Skate Architecture, Shane Yee presents skate architecture qua architecture, framing the skatepark as a paradigmatic yet unacknowledged achievement of the contemporary moment, characterized by adaptive reuse, the blurring of public and private space, an emphasis on lifestyle recreation, and the ascent of subcultural practices into mainstream culture. Skate spaces manifest in fluid, naturalistic configurations, converging with land art and anticipating parametric/ digital aesthetics; yet despite this sophistication, the language and principles of the discipline remain largely unarticulated.
Drawing on a half-century history of skatepark design (1976-2026) and his own work at Skate Ecosystems, Yee offers a chronological series of architectural close readings, examining design intentions, ordering logics, and formal arrangements. The lecture establishes skate architecture as an emergent field with significant cultural, spatial, and spiritual implications, capable of producing elevated human experiences.

About Shane Yee
Shane Yee earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from NewSchool of Architecture & Design in San Diego, California. Mr. Yee has a broad range of experiences and capabilities in all phases of project planning, design and construction- from acquisition through operations and maintenance. He has designed award-winning projects including residential, multifamily, civic, religious, master planning, and of course, skate spaces. As an officer in the United States Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Mr. Yee expertly designed & managed DOD projects with a total value of 100+ million to include Design-Build, DBB, and MILCON construction. Mr. Yee is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Society of American Military Engineers, and US Green Building Council.

This program is in conjunction with Kinetics of Urban Movement, on view at the Architecture Center Houston from June 18-September 26.
Exhibition Sponsors and Community Partners
Kinetics of Urban Movement is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Cherries Wheels
Honey Skate Club
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston Skate Academy
Select
Skate ECOSYSTEMS
Southside Skatepark

HTC 101: The Beginner’s Guide to Historic Tax Credits
2026-08-20 17:30 - 19:00 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Each historic tax credit (HTC) rehabilitation project is unique and has inherent challenges. Learn how to anticipate if a rehabilitation is feasible. Our presentation will consider how to analyze, evaluate, and apply HTC principles in real-world projects through examples, while understanding the collaboration required between preservation professionals, architects, and developers to achieve both regulatory compliance and financial success. Examples will be pulled from several projects in Texas.
Presented by: William R. Franks Consulting and Ryan Historic Advisors
Hosted by: AIAH Historic Resources Committee
AIA Credit: 1.0 LU
Schedule:

5:30pm Social
6:00pm – 7:00pm Presentation

Full Day Continuing Education
2026-08-25 09:00 - 15:15 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Urbanism Continuum CE day

9:00-9:30am Breakfast and Registration
9:30-10:45am / Presentation
Building Bridges: Collaborative Placemaking in the Bayou City – 1.25 AIA HSW
Presented by Michael Robinson, PLA, ASLA, Principal, SWA Group
Michael is a landscape architect focused on the intersection of infrastructure and public space. He leads the design and implementation of complex park, trail, and civic landscape projects, connecting regional systems into cohesive, accessible environments. His work spans planning through realization, coordinating multidisciplinary teams and public agencies to deliver resilient, buildable solutions. With a background in both architecture and landscape architecture, he brings a systems-based approach that integrates environmental performance, mobility, and user experience into high-performing public landscapes.
11:00-12:00pm / Presentation
Universal Design: Building Accessible and Healthy Spaces – 1.00 AIA HSW (Barrier Free)
Presented by Kyle J. Mutz, Director, University of Houston / Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center
Kyle is the Director of the Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center at the University of Houston, where he champions accessibility, inclusion, and student success. Drawing from both his professional expertise and lived experience growing up with a disability, Kyle is committed to creating equitable opportunities for all. A former U.S. wheelchair racing athlete, he brings a unique perspective on disability advocacy and is dedicated to advancing the legacy of Justin Dart Jr. through education and empowerment.

12:00-12:30pm – Break for Lunch

12:30-1:45pm / Presentation
From Paint to Policy: How Tactical Urbanism Became a Capital Project – 1.25 AIA HSW & 1.25 LA/CES HSW
Presented by Ed Pettitt, MPH – President of Columbia Tap and Urban Planner with Asakura Robinson
Ed is an urban planner and One Health specialist whose academic path spans human biology at Cornell University, global health and healthcare management at the University of Texas School of Public Health, and doctoral studies in Urban Planning and Environmental Policy at Texas Southern University. In addition, Ed is also the President of the Columbia Tap Trail. He provides organizational leadership by guiding the board, strengthening partnerships, advancing strategic initiatives, and overseeing programs that support equitable community development along the Columbia Tap Trail.
2:00-3:15pm / Presentation + Tour
Reclaiming Main Street: Designing a Lasting Legacy in the Public Realm – 1.25 AIA HSW & 1.25 LA/CES HSW
Presented by Alex Ramirez, PLA & Sarah Smith, PLA, CDT, Design Workshop
Alex is a Principal in the Houston studio at Design Workshop, with expertise as both a landscape architect and urban designer. His diverse experience spans across the private and public sectors, involving every phase of the design process—from conceptual planning and site analysis to construction documentation and detailed observation. Alex is dedicated to delivering top-tier work by crafting innovative design solutions for plazas, streetscapes, parks, and open spaces. His approach integrates social, cultural, economic, and environmental considerations, ensuring that each project enhances the surrounding neighborhoods and communities in meaningful ways.
Sarah is a landscape architect in our Houston studio with a passion for the outdoors, thoughtful design, and creating meaningful places. From concept through construction, she brings creativity, attention to detail, and a collaborative approach to projects ranging from parks and corporate campuses to urban streetscapes. Sarah earned her Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Louisiana State University and is an active member of ULI, Central Houston, and ASLA.

Continuing Education Credits:

AIA = 4.75 HSW
LA/CES = 3.75 HSW

Individual classes are not available for the event.
Pre-registered pricing includes breakfast and lunch.
Parking is not included.
A minimum of 3 business days’ notice is required to receive a full refund if you need to cancel your reservation.
Online registration will close Thursday, August 20
Onsite registration is available for day of (breakfast and lunch is NOT included)

Women in Architecture’s Professional Development Fund Q&A
2026-09-09 12:30 - 13:00 | https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82247850007?pwd=[REDACTED]
Join us for a virtual Q&A session about Women in Architecture’s Professional Development Fund application process. We’ll cover the ins and outs of applications for the Licensure Scholarship and Professional Development Grant, then open the floor to questions.
The application will open September 1st.

Zoom login link:
AIA Houston is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: WiA PD Fund Q&A
Time: Sep 9, 2026 12:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82247850007?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 822 4785 0007
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Galveston Sandcastle Festival
2026-09-19 10:00 - 2026-09-20 21:00 | East Beach, 1923 Boddeker Rd, Galveston, TX, 77550, United States
Click here to be redirected to the Galveston Sandcastle Festival site.

The Architectural History of Houston Street Skating
2026-09-26 09:00 - 11:00 | Tranquility Park, 400 Rusk, Houston, Texas, 77002
Join lifelong skateboarder and architectural historian Ted Barrow on a walking tour of the highlights of Houston’s Modernist and Late-Modernist architecture through a skateboarder’s perspective. The tour will cover key plazas and buildings which became local, state-wide, and eventually global skateboarding destinations from the late 1980’s to today.

About Ted Barrow
Theodore (Ted) Barrow is an art historian, writer, curator, and lecturer whose work bridges academic scholarship and contemporary currents. Born in Bolinas, California, he holds a Ph.D. in art history from the Graduate Center, CUNY, where he explored the Florida paintings of Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent through an ecocritical lens. Barrow has taught at Barnard College, Baruch College, City College of New York, and the University of San Francisco. Outside of art and academia, he is a distinctive voice in skateboarding culture, known for This Old Ledge, a video series that investigates the cultural and architectural significance of global skate spots.”

This program is in conjunction with The Kinetics of Urban Movement, on view at the Architecture Center Houston from June 18-September 26.

Exhibition Sponsors and Community Partners
Kinetics of Urban Movement is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance

Cherries Wheels
Honey Skate Club
Houston Parks and Recreation Department
Houston Skate Academy
Select
Skate ECOSYSTEMS
Southside Skatepark

Home Tour
2026-11-07 18:00 - 2026-11-08 18:00 | TX
The AIA Houston Home Tour is a 2-day, self-guided tour featuring custom homes in the Houston area designed by licensed architects.
Join us to experience some of the best new residential architecture by AIA members in a variety of architectural styles, featuring new construction, renovations, and additions.
Learn more about the tour and preview each home HERE.
Tickets purchased online may be picked up at any one of the featured homes on the days of the tour. Additionally, Full-Tour and Single Home Tickets may be purchased at any of the featured homes on the days of the tour.
This is a rain or shine event. All sales are final.
