Demystifying Fellowship
2026-05-08 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Chicago) | 902 Commerce, Houston, TX 77002, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Canan Yetmen, author and expert on the AIA fellowship process, will present an overview of the fellowship submittal process and offer tips and strategies for telling your professional story in a way that maximizes focus and impact. This program is a must for those nominated and/or interested in fellowship, but also valuable for those seeking a more powerful portfolio. Program is free. You’re welcome to bring your lunch.
When: May 8 at Noon
Where: Architecture Center Houston
For questions, please contact Aleks Savitski at aleks@aiahouston.org.

Museum District Walking Tour
2026-05-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Cullen Sculpture Garden, Montrose Boulevard at Bissonnet Street Houston, Houston, 77006
The Houston Museum District is one of the few areas in the country with such a dense population of museums, public art, contemporary architecture, and landscape design. On this 2-hour walking tour you will experience the quintessential Modernism of Mies van der Rohe, the structuralist view point of Gunnar Birkerts, the simplicity and craft of Isamu Noguchi, and the first free standing American structure designed by Yoshio Taniguchi. Come explore these and other world class examples of design with ArCH tour guides and trace the chronology of significant cultural shifts from the early twentieth century through today.
Tour meets at the entrance of the Cullen Sculpture Garden, which faces Bissonnet St. and is directly across from the MFAH. Street, lot, and garage parking available.
AIA Credit: 2.0 LU
AIA MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE:
Per AIA National CE Standards, any learning program approved for AIA Learning Units may award CE credit for the approved program for up to (3) years from the date of approval so long as the CES Provider is in good standing. AIA Members may repeat the same course, but no additional credit will be granted or recorded.

Touring The Gessner Center: Building with Nature for Resilience and Renewal
2026-05-09 10:00 - 11:30 | The Gessner Center, Galveston Bay Foundation, 1725 N Hwy 146, Kemah, Texas, 77565
Join us for a tour of the Galveston Bay Foundation’s new home, the Gessner Center. The Center demonstrates how architecture and landscape design can serve as active agents of ecological stewardship, advancing the Foundation’s mission to protect and restore the Gulf Coast environment while fostering meaningful community engagement.
Located in Kemah, the state-of-the-art four-acre headquarters facility, designed by Kirksey, includes event space, laboratories for water quality sampling, a living shoreline, trails, boardwalks, an observation deck, and educational and event spaces integrated within the natural habitats, creating ripple effects of environmental and social benefit that extend far beyond the property line. The Gessner Center embodies the importance of designing with ecological context in mind.
The tour will highlight the project’s pursuit of the Living Building Challenge goals, including net-positive water and energy strategies, material transparency, and habitat restoration, which is the world’s most rigorous green building certification.
Design Team
Architect: Kirksey Architecture
Landscape Architect: TBG Partners
General Contractor: Satterfield & Pontikes
MEP: CMTA
Civil Engineering: Duplantis Design Group
Structural: Pinnacle Structural Engineers
This event is free and open to the community.
AIA 1.5 HSW
ALSA 1 HSW

Urban Art Walking Tour
2026-05-16 09:00 - 11:00 | Market Square Park, 301 Milam St, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
This tour will look at public art, murals, architecture, place making and urban planning in Houston. Tour stops include Market Square Park, Buffalo Bayou, Lynn Wyatt Square and areas west of Main Street. Artists featured on this tour include Mel Chin, Paul Kittelson, Claes Oldenburg and Dean Ruck.
Meets in the NE Corner of Market Square Park. Street, lot and garage parking are available in the area.
Image: Geometric Mouse X by Claes Oldenburg

2026 Houston's Design Gala
2026-05-16 19:00 - 23:30 | TX
Benefitting the Architecture Center Houston

Proceeds from the gala benefit the programs of the Architecture Center Houston (ArCH).
When: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 7PM-Midnight
Where: The Shop Club Houston
Chairs: Catherine and Clayton Callaway
To Reserve Your Table: Complete the RESPONSE FORM and email it to Aleks Savitski at aleks@aiahouston.org
Program includes:

Award Presentation and Recognition of the winners of the Ben Brewer Young Architects Award, the AIA Houston Firm Award, and recognition of new firms designated as Emerging Professionals Friendly Firms.
Seated Dinner
Silent Auction
Networking and Live Music

ABOUT ArCH:
ArCH: Architecture Center Houston is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that cultivates public appreciation for architecture and its effect on the human experience through design-focused programming.
ArCH offers architectural tours, K-12 educational programs, community events, lectures, and exhibitions. The programs address a wide range of audiences and celebrate Houston’s rich architectural and cultural heritage. Each year, ArCH programs benefit over 4,500 individuals and continue to grow in size, diversity and reach.
Over the years, the Architecture Center Houston Foundation has given over $400,000 for community assistance, publications, educational projects, exhibitions, and public service.
Grantees have included:
Blueprint Houston, Buffalo Bayou Partnership, Central Houston, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Greater Houston Preservation Alliance, Houston Arts Alliance, Houston Public Library, Michael G. Meyers High School Design Competition, Project Row Houses, Rice University School of Architecture, Stella Link Redevelopment Association, and UH Gerald D Hines College of Architecture.
Expected Outreach: 800-1000 attendees. The event is publicized widely across the architecture, construction, and engineering community.
Sponsorships for this event are tax deductible as charitable contributions, less fair market value of the dinner.

Masonry Workshop
2026-05-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Restoration Services, Inc., 9810 Fairbanks North Houston Rd, Houston, 77064, United States
Masonry walls are not all the same! What repair methods are appropriate for the masonry wall system on your building?

Join AIA Houston’s Historic Resource Committee (HRC) for a masonry repair workshop to learn more about masonry wall systems, and appropriate repair methods. Nick Floyd and Glynnis Flaum from SGH will provide a short presentation to discuss the fundamentals of masonry systems (including differences between mass masonry, transitional masonry, and veneer/cavity wall systems common today), performance expectations and repair guidance for each, and some repair example case studies. Following the presentation, Restoration Services, Inc. (RSI) will lead hands-on workshop stations for some common masonry repairs like repointing, patching repairs, and remedial structural anchors.

Get ready to have fun and get your hands dirty!
AIA Credit: 2.0 HSW
Presentation Sponsors:
.

Additional Information:

Workshop stations will include some cutting/grinding and cementitious materials. Please dress in “construction appropriate” clothes – you may get dirty!
If you can, please bring your own safety glasses, gloves, and dust masks. RSI will supply PPE for those who do not have their own.
Parking is available in RSI surface lot – come though gate (look for RSI sign) and park along north fence.
A minimum of 5 days’ notice is required to receive a full refund if you need to cancel your reservation.

ARE Study Group - All Sections
2026-05-20 17:30 - 19:00 | 902 Commerce, Houston, TX 77002, 902 Commerce, Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce
Presented in partnership with the Women in Architecture, Emerging Professionals, and Latinos in Architecture committees.
Join us for the New ARE Study Group session to build your momentum in studying for the ARE. Held in a new mentorship-style format, the session will offer an opportunity to focus on all sections of A.R.E. Bring your questions, your notes, your laptops, and your favorite personal study materials to compare with colleagues!
Additionally, we will discuss study materials and subscriptions available on the market, answer attendee questions, and offer a strategy for approaching and scheduling your exams.
This session will be held at Architecture Center Houston. Light bites and drinks will be provided.
See you there soon!

Coastal Resilience Lunch and Learn
2026-06-02 11:30 - 13:00 | Marmo, 2121 Market Street, Galveston, TX, United States
Join Vision Galveston for Coastal Resilience Lunch’N’Learn, presented by Dr. Jennifer Languell, Resilience Engineer for Babcock Ranch in Florida, on June 2 from 11:30 am – 1 pm at the Marmo.
As climate change intensifies, Babcock Ranch approaches resilience by working with the natural environment as a form of protection. Join Vision Galveston for a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Languell, sustainability engineer who was part of the team that created “the most resilient and sustainable community in Florida”.
As president and founder of Trifecta Construction Solutions, the award-winning Dr. Languell has championed the integration of “green” building principles and sustainable design for more than 24 years, offering cost effective solutions for informed decisions about green building and implementing environmental sustainability.
The event is free and includes lunch, but registration is required: https://forms.gle/rEAQzYmjqQr9zvvZ8

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) Info Session (2026-2027)
2026-06-03 17:00 - 18:00 | TX
Interested in spending meaningful time with fellow architects, industry and community leaders? The AIAH Emerging Professionals is preparing for the 2026-2027 class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program. The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals from Houston. The curriculum focuses on core skills such as entrepreneurship and firm management, the art of negotiation, bringing in new clients, community leadership, industry culture, and developing one’s future within the practice. The program will begin in September 2026.
Come join this diverse and passionate group of practice professionals. Get those letters of recommendation ready!
The official Call for Applications opens on Monday, May 18, and closes on Monday, June 29.
RSVP for an information session below:
Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00pm via Zoom
Thursday, June 11 at noon via Zoom
For more information about CKLDP visit here.
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) was founded in 2013 by the Emerging Architects Committee as part of the AIA|DC Chapter. Since its founding, the CKLDP has been established in Washington DC, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Georgia and Houston, and strives to carry forward Christopher’s legacy by actively training and nurturing the next generation of leaders within the architectural profession.
Zoom link will be sent a few days before the info session.

Design Awards Presentation
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Join us for the 2026 AIA Houston Design Awards Presentation to celebrate excellence in architecture by Houston-based firms and projects!
The AIA Houston Design Awards program recognizes design excellence in:

Architecture greater than 50,000 SF
Architecture less than 50,000 SF
Residential architecture
Interior architecture
Restoration/renovation
Divine detail
Urban design
On the boards
Conceptual

Criteria to be used by the jury include quality of design, resolution of the program idea, sustainable responsibility, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique.
Learn about the 2026 jury here.

Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) Info Session (2026-2027)
2026-06-11 12:00 - 13:00 | TX
Interested in spending meaningful time with fellow architects, industry and community leaders? The AIAH Emerging Professionals is preparing for the 2025-2026 class of the Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program.
The year-long program consists of nine individual half-day sessions attended by a competitively selected group of 16 emerging professionals from Houston. The curriculum focuses on core skills such as entrepreneurship and firm management, the art of negotiation, bringing in new clients, community leadership, industry culture, and developing one’s future within the practice. The program will begin in September 2026.
Come join this diverse and passionate group of practice professionals. Get those letters of recommendation ready!
The official Call for Applications opens on Monday, May 18, and closes on Monday, June 29.
RSVP for an information session below:
Wednesday, June 3 at 5:00pm via Zoom
Thursday, June 11 at noon via Zoom
For more information about CKLDP visit here.
The Christopher Kelley Leadership Development Program (CKLDP) was founded in 2013 by the Emerging Architects Committee as part of the AIA|DC Chapter. Since its founding, the CKLDP has been established in Washington DC, Denver, Detroit, Miami, Georgia and Houston, and strives to carry forward Christopher’s legacy by actively training and nurturing the next generation of leaders within the architectural profession.
Zoom link will be sent a few days before the info session.

EP University: Documentation Planning and Scheduling
2026-06-17 11:30 - 13:30 | Powers Brown Architecture, MKT- 600 N Shepherd, Building 3, Suite 300, Houston, TX, 77007, United States
Join us for the kickoff session of the EP University Lecture Series. This first lecture, Documentation Planning and Scheduling, will explore the different phases of design delivery and create an alignment on what the documentation deliverables should be at each phase to create a true development timeline.
This session will help you:

Learn better processes
Improve confidence
Accelerate your learning to advance in the field more quickly
Become skilled at analyzing project risks

Presented by the subject matter expert, 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: Friday, June 12 at 2PM.

Kinetics of Urban Movement
2026-06-18 17:30 - 19:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
Architecture Center Houston is proud to announce their upcoming exhibition Kinetics of Urban Movement, opening Thursday, June 18, 5:30-7:30pm, curated by Rodrigo Gallardo, Bobby King and Shane Yee.
Skateboarding is not merely a subculture reacting against the built environment, but a distinct way of perceiving architecture and space.
Through their movement, skateboarders activate qualities already embedded in the built environment: geometry, material behavior, slope, continuity, friction, rhythm, and spatial sequence. Architectural elements often treated as background or residue of a design process (handrails, parking curbs, benches) become legible as primary moments. Empty swimming pools and deserted drainage ditches are radically reinhabited- becoming sites of engagement and gathering.
Seen this way, skateboarding does not merely occupy architecture differently but unlocks latent physical and spatial capacities that often exist beyond original design intention or prescribed function.
The exhibition traces how skateboarding reorders architectural value, elevating overlooked forms and explaining how these discoveries gave rise to the field of skatepark design.
Rather than asking what architecture was meant to do, skateboarding asks what architecture makes possible.
Event is free and open to the community.

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

Youth Novice Skateboarding Clinic with Cherries Wheels
2026-06-20 09:00 - 11:00 | The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, 103 Sabine Street, Houston, Texas, 77007
Join ArCH and Houston Parks and Recreation Department on Saturday, June 20, for an introductory clinic designed to teach youth participants the proper technique of skateboarding and to enhance their overall experience at the skatepark. Cherries Wheels (Austin), Honey Stake Club (Houston), and Houston Skate Academy will be on site to lead participants through foundational skills in a fun and supportive environment. With guided instruction and free-skate time, kids can develop coordination and enjoy the excitement of skateboarding at their own pace.
Learning objectives include balance, pushing, rolling in, dropping in, park etiquette, safety, how to fall, and flexibility. Clinic is limited to 30 participants on a “first-come, first-served” basis. (onsite registration only).
Participants will need to bring their own skateboard, helmet, and water bottle. Refreshment provided.
Event Details:

Age: 6-17 years old.
Location: The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark, 103 Sabine Street, 77007
Date: Saturday, June 20, 9am-11am.
Cost: Free

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

New Building Tour: HCU's Smith Engineering, Science and Nursing Building
2026-06-25 15:30 - 17:30 | HCU, 7502 Fondren Rd., Houston, TX, 77074
Emerging Professional Committee invites you to tour HCU’s new Smith Engineering, Science and Nursing Building.
Houston Christian University partnered with Kirksey to design the 71,000-square-foot Smith Engineering, Science, and Nursing Building to expand its STEM and nursing programs and support future enrollment growth. Located on the east side of campus, the building blends modern elements like a glass curtain wall and cantilevered lab spaces with the university’s traditional architectural style. The ground floor is dedicated to engineering, the second floor to nursing with simulation labs, and the top floor to advanced science labs. Designed through a collaborative process, the facility also incorporates energy-efficient features and allows for future campus expansion.
Address:
7502 Fondren Rd.
Houston, TX 77074
This is a hard hat tour and PPE is required, Kirksey will provide if needed.
NOTE: If you need any physical accommodations, please get in touch with AIA Houston staff ahead of the tour.
Registration is required. Free to AIA members.

Full Day Continuing Education
2026-07-15 08:30 - 14:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
We cordially invite you to attend a full day of Continuing Education

8:30-9:00am Breakfast and Registration
9:00-10:00am
Energy Performance with Modern Glazing – 1.0 AIA HSW
Presented by Channing Wilson, Sierra Pacific Windows
10:00-11:00am
Generative Interiors: The Future of Architecture and Design – 1.0 AIA LU
Presented by Erick Calderon, La Nova Tile
11:00-Noon
Architectural Concrete Finishes for Interiors 2 – 1.0 AIA HSW
Presented by David Miller, Dungan Miller Design | Concrete Finishes
12:00-12:30pm
Break for Lunch
12:30-1:30pm
Texas Accessibility: From CAD to TABS – 1.0 AIA LU & Barrier Free
Presented by Meghan Simecek, Texas Accessibility Group
1:30-2:30pm
ADA Entrance Accessibility- 1.0 AIA HSW
Presented by Mark LeCrone & Amy Salmeron, Allegion Services Group, Greater Houston

Total AIA Learning Units: 5.0 LUs (3 HSW & 2 LU) Barrier Free included

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 Friday, July 10

Day of registration is available (breakfast and lunch is NOT included)

EP University: Communication Basics
2026-07-15 11:30 - 13:30 | Powers Brown Architecture, MKT- 600 N Shepherd, Building 3, Suite 300, Houston, TX, 77007, United States
Join us for the second session of the EP University Lecture Series – Communication Basics.
Communication is a fundamental skill required to be successful in the field of architecture. This course reviews communication requirements and skills – from client interface and interaction to internal and external communication among all other team members. Using clear communication facilitates efficient decision-making, minimizes misunderstandings, and prevents conflicts.

Understand the basic types of communication — verbal, non-verbal, written, and visual — in order to determine the proper ways to apply and respond to each type
Review communication preferences by each generation to know how to be the most successful in properly getting needed information to complete projects
Review strategies for successful communication – including understanding team member roles, respecting others, and communicating with clients – with examples
Provide strategies for conflict resolution when disagreements do arise within project teams – with clients, internal team members, or external consultants

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, July 13 at 5PM.

Navigating the Ropes: Syncing Skills and Strategy
2026-07-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Architecture Center Houston, 902 Commerce St., Houston, TX, 77002, United States
AIA Houston Emerging Professionals and Women in Architecture committees are partnering for an exciting mentorship event for young professionals in the AEC community. Join us for a panel with speakers from the industry with insight into early career experience and guidance on designing career paths.

2026 – Navigating the Ropes: Syncing Skills and Strategy
As you build your career in architecture, you’ll pick up skills, shift roles, and pursue credentials; slowly shaping the kind of professional you want to be. But growth takes more than technical expertise. It’s developed over time, through trial, feedback, and the occasional wrong turn; it takes intention.
This panel explores how to build that skill set on purpose. Through personal experience and practical advice, panelists will share how they defined their goals, advocated for themselves, and grew from where they started to where they are now.
Whether you’re weighing your next role or setting up your career, this session offers practical insight for growing both personally and professionally.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Panelists:

Michael Gonzales, AIA – Protolab
Catherine Callaway, AIA, LFA, LEED AP – Kirksey Architecture
Emily Winters, AIA, LEED GA – DLR Group
John Clegg, AIA – Stantec

Moderator:

Stephanie Pedigo, AIA, LEED AP – GSMArchitects

Time:

5:30pm, Networking
6:00-7:30 Program

Cost:

$10 General Admission
$5 Student

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR!

Design the Ride: A skatepark design workshop
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.
