AIA East Kentucky

Great turnout at the 2nd Annual SEAoK + AIA Kentucky Pickleball Tournament at PKL Lex! 🏓

Over 40 architects, engineers, students, and industry professionals came together for an afternoon of competition, networking, and fun. Congratulations to Leo Biagi and Nick Abend of Omni Architects on taking home the championship!

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped organize another great event for Kentucky’s design community.

Read more here from SEAoK: https://www.ncsea.com/news-post/2026-2nd-annual-seaok-aia-kentucky-pickleball-tournament/

Design Slam Highlights! 🎉

What a great night of creativity, collaboration, and fast-paced design thinking at our latest Design Slam!

Teams took on the challenge and delivered impressive ideas under pressure. Congratulations to our winners:

1st Place – GRW / RTA
2nd Place – Anderson Rogers Construction
3rd Place – GRAY AES

Thank you to everyone who participated, supported, and came out to make the event a success. We love seeing the design community come together to connect, compete, and have fun.

Already looking forward to the next one!

DESIGN SLAM – Tonight!

Come out and join us for a fast-paced, one-hour design challenge. Bring a friend, grab a drink, and be part of the fun—teams of 2+ will compete, and the audience will vote for the winners.

🗓 Tuesday, April 21
📍 Mirror Twin Annex
⏰ 5:30 PM

DESIGN SLAM!

Ready to think fast and design even faster?

Join us for a one-hour design challenge where teams will create a Museum of Mixed Media Art Installations right here in Lexington. Bring your creativity—hand sketches, digital ideas, or scale models—and be ready for a surprise twist revealed on-site.

🗓 Tuesday, April 21
📍 Mirror Twin Annex
⏰ 5:30 PM

Teams of 2 or more will compete, and the audience will vote for the winners.

Plan your concept, adapt to the challenge, and present your vision.

Reminder! We are a week away for the SEAOK + AIA EKY Pickleball Tournament!

Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
Time: 1:30 – 4:00 PM
Location: PKL Lex, 223 Owens St, Lexington, KY
Doubles tournament
Free entry
Prizes for winners

Architects and engineers are encouraged to team up and join in.

You DO NOT have to play to come! Everyone is welcome to stop by, network, and hang out.

Check out the link below or the QR code to sign up to play!

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSdy9ihJj3H3hYsDuv_dtB7G7IZA-9gFeza0w5s9elr1Ncu85A/viewform?usp=header&pli=1&authuser=0

It’s Architecture Week!

It’s never too early to start thinking like an architect! Architecture Week is a nationwide celebration recognizing the power of good design, with a goal of inspiring hopeful architecture and design professionals and K-12 students.

Gather your students and join architecture and design children's book authors throughout Architecture Week for a virtual read-aloud followed by Q&A here:

https://www.aia.org/community/events/architecture-week-2026

All times noted are Eastern Standard Time. Click the book image in the link register for your favorite session(s). Groups are welcome.



AIA Kentucky The American Institute of Architects

📣Reminder! A lecture by Carol Ross Barney, FAIA will be held this Wednesday, April 15th, 5:00 PM, at the David Biagi Forum in the Gray Design Building.

COLLEGE OF DESIGN LECTURE SERIES
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA

Apr 15, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
The David Biagi Forum | 111 Gray Design

Public spaces and places are essential and shape the livability and vibrancy of our cities. They embody our history, reflect our values, and inspire our future aspirations. Serving as communal hubs, these areas bring together diverse cultures and backgrounds while celebrating shared principles. Thoughtful design unlocks the full potential of public spaces, with architects playing a crucial role in fostering community and driving societal progress. Design is our superpower.

Join 2023 AIA Gold Medal Recipient Carol Ross Barney, founder and design principal of Ross Barney Architects, for a lecture that explores how even the unassuming designs for public spaces require the integration of architecture and multiple disciplines, all guided with sustainability in mind. Participants will learn about the complex delivery and construction models used to develop public buildings and infrastructure, and how well-designed public spaces can enhance quality of life. Outstanding public areas strengthen community bonds, promote diversity, address climate challenges through sustainable practices, and foster unity through shared culture and values. Achieving design excellence in public projects relies on strong advocacy from clients, users, and design teams alike.

Will your team choose hand sketching, physical models, digital presentations or legos with toy dinosaurs? The creativity is endless with Design Slam!

4.21.26 @ Mirror Twin Annex | Competition begins at 5:30

COLLEGE OF DESIGN LECTURE SERIES
Carol Ross Barney, FAIA

Apr 15, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 PM
The David Biagi Forum | 111 Gray Design

Public spaces and places are essential and shape the livability and vibrancy of our cities. They embody our history, reflect our values, and inspire our future aspirations. Serving as communal hubs, these areas bring together diverse cultures and backgrounds while celebrating shared principles. Thoughtful design unlocks the full potential of public spaces, with architects playing a crucial role in fostering community and driving societal progress. Design is our superpower.

Join 2023 AIA Gold Medal Recipient Carol Ross Barney, founder and design principal of Ross Barney Architects, for a lecture that explores how even the unassuming designs for public spaces require the integration of architecture and multiple disciplines, all guided with sustainability in mind. Participants will learn about the complex delivery and construction models used to develop public buildings and infrastructure, and how well-designed public spaces can enhance quality of life. Outstanding public areas strengthen community bonds, promote diversity, address climate challenges through sustainable practices, and foster unity through shared culture and values. Achieving design excellence in public projects relies on strong advocacy from clients, users, and design teams alike.

New year. NEW RULES. Only in-person attendees can vote, donations for additional votes are eliminated—so bring your A-game and let your design do the talking.

Tuesday Evening, April 21st.
Mirror Twin Annex

Start organizing your team now!

Contact Holly Wood for the pre-design info.
[email protected]