AIA Phoenix Metro

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Scroll for more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the morning of Thursday, May 14, all are welcome to attend a guided construction tour of the new Sprouts Headquarters campus and office building, designed by RSP Architects.

Presented by the AIA Phoenix Metro Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) committee, this behind-the-scenes experience will offer a firsthand look at the vision, design, and construction of a major corporate campus in progress.

The tour will be led by members of the design-build team, including Luis Cruz-Martinez, AIA, Senior Architect at RSP Architects, alongside partners from Trammell Crow Company and Wespac Construction. Attendees will gain insight into the collaborative process, project goals, and key design and construction strategies shaping the development.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/zycpw5z2

About the project: The new Sprouts Farmers Market Headquarters, is a dynamic mixed-use campus in the heart of north Phoenix. Located within the CityNorth development near 56th Street and the Loop 101, the Sprouts campus will span over 180,000 square feet across seven acres. The centerpiece is a four-story, 144,500-square-foot Class A office building that will become the new home for Sprouts’ growing corporate team. Also included are a 25,000-square-foot flagship Sprouts grocery store, 11,000 square feet of high-end retail and restaurant space, and a three-story parking garage.

**Please note the special morning start time for this tour. Tour begins at 9:00AM.

Attendees will receive 1.0 HSW LU from AIA.

This event is $10 for all AIA members (Architects, Associates and Allied). Non-members can attend for $25. Please register in advance as tour capacity is limited.

PPE is required for this tour. Please wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, sleeved shirts. Bring your own saftey vests, glasses and hard hats.

All are welcome to attend a special webinar at 12 noon on Wednesday, May 13, focused on Camp Naco in southern Arizona near the U.S. border with Mexico. Learn about the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring this culturally significant site.

Presented by the AIA Phoenix Metro’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) committee, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, this will be a meaningful conversation on equity in preservation. Camp Naco is a rare and significant historic site with deep cultural layers—originally established as a military outpost for Buffalo Soldiers, and later shaped by Mexican and Indigenous communities. Today, Camp Naco stands as a powerful symbol of shared history, resilience, and the importance of preserving underrepresented narratives within the built environment.

Highlighting the intersection of historic preservation and social equity, speakers will discuss the challenges and opportunities involved in restoring culturally significant sites, the role of community engagement in preservation work, and how architects and design professionals can advocate for inclusive storytelling through their practices.

Moderated by Taz Khatri, AIA, Chair of the EDIB Committee and Principal at Taz Khatri Studios; and Anisa Hermosillo-Tronstad, Assoc. AIA, Intern

Architect at GH2 Architects, speakers will include:
- R. Brooks Jeffery Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the University of Arizona
- Jim McPherson Board President of the Arizona Preservation Foundation and an Arizona Advisor for the National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Corky Poster Architect + Principal at Poster Mirto McDonald

Attendees will gain insight into how preservation can serve as a tool for honoring diverse histories, fostering belonging, and creating more equitable communities.

RSVP here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_-aem0AMwRmq3F4uDgB9Fng

Join us to celebrate Max Underwood, FAIA, the newest Fellow from AIA Arizona, who is retiring as President's Professor at ASU. We will enjoy a lively reception, followed by an informal talk.

Max will be in conversation about his career with Renee Cheng, FAIA, Dean of the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and Senior Vice Provost at Arizona State University; Philip Weddle, FAIA, who was the sponsor of Underwood’s AIA Fellowship application; and AIA10 member Rachel Okeson, AIA, who had been one of Underwood’s students. Karl Eicher, AIA, who is the AIA10 Director for AIA Phoenix Metro, will introduce the conversation.

Thank you to DLR Group for hosting the event, which is free to attend for all.

RSVP Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aia-arizona-celebrating-max-underwood-faia-tickets-1988945362119

Thursday, June 4
5:30 p.m. Reception
6:00 p.m. In Conversation

DLR Group
6225 N 24th St
Phoenix