AIA Redwood Empire

08/14/2026

NEW DATE (postponed to OCT 2)

Join AIA Redwood Empire and the California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) program for a tour of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Forsyth Hall renovation and the Lindley Center for STEM Education.

Explore the sustainable design strategies, advanced HVAC systems, and building improvements that support energy efficiency and long-term building performance.

Friday, October 2, 2026
⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM
SRJC

Register now: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/theamericaninstituteofarchitectsredwoodempirechapter/2141109

CEDA DesignTour

07/27/2026

Join AIA Redwood Empire and the California Energy Design Assistance (CEDA) program for a tour of Santa Rosa Junior College’s Forsyth Hall renovation and the Lindley Center for STEM Education.

Explore the sustainable design strategies, advanced HVAC systems, and building improvements that support energy efficiency and long-term building performance.

📅 August 14, 2026 
⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM 
📍 SRJC

For closest parking to Forsyth Hall-
1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Parking Permit machines are located in each lot.

🔗 Register now:  https://aiare.org/events/srjc-decarb-rehab-tour-of-stem-building-forsyth-hall-ceda-project/

CEDA DesignTour

07/24/2026

🍻 Join us next Friday for BARchitecture at Russian River Brewing Company in Windsor!
BARchitecture began during the pandemic as a way to keep our design community connected when we couldn't gather in offices or at events. What started as a simple happy hour has grown into one of our favorite monthly traditions. It's a chance for architects, engineers, contractors, students, and friends of the profession to reconnect, build new relationships, and enjoy good conversation.
This month, we're gathering at Russian River Brewing Company's Windsor campus. It's a destination made possible through the collaboration of local architects, engineers, and builders, making it the perfect place to celebrate the people who shape our communities.

🍺 Your first beverage is on us! To help us plan, please register in advance using the link in our bio (under events on the website) to reserve your complimentary drink.

Whether you're a longtime AIA Redwood Empire member or just looking to connect with the local design community, we'd love to see you there. Bring a colleague, bring a friend, and join us for a relaxed evening of great company.

📅 Next Friday 7/31/2026

📍 Russian River Brewing Company – Windsor

See you there!

07/22/2026

Meet the 2026 Design Awards Jury

We're excited to introduce the outstanding jury who will be reviewing submissions for the 2026 AIA Redwood Empire Design Awards.

A special thank you to AIA Southwest Washington for partnering with us and assembling such an accomplished panel of design professionals.

Head Juror
• Matias Bervejillo - Design Lead, Ferguson Architecture

Jurors
• Brockett Davidson - Associate, LSW Architects
• Melissa Nordquist - Senior Project Designer, Ferguson Architecture
• Bassim Kreem - Project Manager, Helix Design
• Ko S. Wibowo - Principal, Architecture for Everyone

Alternate Juror
• Richard Byfield

We're grateful for the time, expertise, and thoughtful perspectives each juror brings to this year's awards. We can't wait to see the incredible work they'll be evaluating.

Thank you again to AIA Southwest Washington for your collaboration!

aiare.org/design-awards

07/10/2026

🏆 2026 AIA Redwood Empire Design Awards submissions are OPEN!

📅 Submit July 1–31, 2026

A few important reminders before you hit submit:

✨ No Common App this year. All entries are submitted directly through our online portal.

✨ Projects that fit multiple categories may be submitted to each eligible category.

✨ Prepare your project narrative and team information before starting. The online form is best completed in one sitting.

✨ Upload 1 featured image + up to 9 additional images (.jpg/.jpeg only, max 2MB each). Be sure your file names contain *no spaces* Use only letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores.

✨ Every entry requires two presentation boards:
• Digital (anonymous) for the jury
• Physical (with firm identification) for the Awards Gala

✨ Don't forget to opt into the COTE Award if your project demonstrates sustainable and resilient design.

📣 Know a firm, engineer, landscape architect, or design team with an outstanding project completed within the last five years? Encourage them to submit! Let's make this year's awards our most diverse and inspiring showcase yet.

Visit the "How to Submit"page for a step-by-step visual guide, or download the complete submission guidelines.

🔗 Submit your project and view project guidlelines at AIARE.org

06/30/2026

🏖️ Architects, designers, engineers, makers, and beach lovers! The Coastal Foundations Sandcastle Classic!

Join AIA Redwood Empire for the Coastal Foundations Sandcastle Classic at Doran Beach on Saturday, July 18 | 11–5 PM. The competition is from 12-4pm.

Bring your creativity, teamwork, and maybe a healthy competitive spirit. Whether you're sketching towers or sculpting moats, this is a chance to spend an afternoon outside with the design community.

🍻 After the competition, stick around for a casual potluck and adult beverages to celebrate everyone's creations and enjoy the coast together.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 While this event is family-friendly (and open to K–12 students), it's designed with our professional community in mind, so come solo, bring your office, your friends, or the whole family.

📍 Doran Beach, Sonoma County Regional Park
🗓️ Saturday, July 18 | 12–4 PM

Visit aiare.org / events to register your team!

05/06/2026

08/18/2025

Course Title: Designing Low Slope Roofing for Climate Change

Date: Wednesday, August 20, 2025 | 12:00 – 1:00 PM (BYOL)

Location: Sonoma Clean Power Customer Center 741 4th St. Santa Rosa, CA

REGISTER: https://aiare.org/events/aiare-cote-presents-designing-low-slope-roofing-for-climate-change/

Presenters: Robert Hemphill, RBEC, RRC, RWC, REWC and Kimberly Fajardo, RRO
Salas O’ Brien Engineers

Abstract:
Architects, Consultants, and Engineers continue to use specifications and details that are not keeping up with climate changes and additionally, do not meet current building codes. This presentation will focus on detail and specification solutions that roofing design professionals should use to prepare for climate changes. Case studies of roofing disasters that could have been avoided, if proper detailing was used, will be explained and how roofing designers can avoid a disaster caused by climate change.

Learning Objectives:
1) Identify deficient specifications and details used for roofing projects.
2) Explain what building codes need to be updated for climate change.
3) Evaluate solutions to prepare for climate change.
4) Review examples of roof failures due to extreme weather events.

07/22/2025

TOMORROW! Join the AIA Redwood Empire and a panel of local jurisdiction building officials for a summit of the minds. This course will focus on the permit process, identify pinch points and possible solutions to streamlining.

When: Wednesday, July 23 | 3:00 – 5:30 PM

Where: Sonoma Clean Power Customer Center

Cost: AIA Members (AIA, Assoc. AIA, Allied, Students) & Building Officials/Jurisdiction Reps Free | Non-Members $20 plus ticketing fee

Pending AIA CES Course Approval

REGISTER

06/13/2025

AIARE AUSTRALIA HOUSE TOUR & HAPPY HOUR

When: Friday, June 20

Time: 3:00 – 7:30 PM

Where: Glen Ellen, CA – Address/location provided after ticket purchase

Pricing:
AIA Redwood Empire Member + their guests: $50 per person / $45 per person if you purchase 2+ tickets

AIA Member + their guests: $55 per person / $50 per person if you purchase 2+ tickets

Non-Member $60 per person / $55 per person if you purchase 2+ tickets

https://aiare.org/events/australia-house-tour-happy-hour/