AIA Conference on Architecture & Design

Join us at the AIA Conference on Architecture and Design 2026 

Join us at this year’s AIA Conference on Architecture & Design, where leaders from across the industry unite to share timely and impactful insights about the current industry landscape and its future direction. With four speakers and additional attendees from around the globe, including AIA Award for Excellence in Public Architecture recipient Kate Diamond, we are excited to connect with and learn from our peers and collaborators, as well as share our ideas on the opportunities and challenges our industry faces.

Thursday, June 11

The Net-Zero Energy Rollercoaster: Hold on Tight 

As net-positive design becomes imperative, how do we achieve positive outcomes with the many roadblocks in our way? Drawing on a collection of net-zero energy projects, this session will highlight failures and breakthroughs alike that can best be described as a "rollercoaster ride." Through a review of public and private case studies ranging from big to small and covering multiple typologies and climate zones, you'll gain practical insights into net-positive energy design, embodied carbon reduction and resilient systems integration.

• Time/Location: 2:30-3:30 p.m., San Diego Convention Center Meeting Room 23
• Speakers: Colin Rohlfing, director of sustainable design, HDR; Heather Holdridge, sustainability director, Lake Flato Architects

Friday, June 12

Building New Horizons: Advocating for Women and Diverse Leadership 

Women and immigrant architects face barriers to advancement and recognition in a male-dominated profession, with their intersecting identities amplifying the challenges. This session will feature prominent female leaders who have grown inclusion and diversity by fostering equal opportunities and breaking barriers. Through personal stories and professional insights, the speakers will inspire you to set career goals, build your network and seek mentorship. They will also provide actionable guidance and resources for propelling career advancement, empowering the next generation of women architects to pursue leadership roles with confidence and resilience.

• Time/Location: 2:30-4 p.m., San Diego Convention Center Ballroom 20D
• Speakers: Gozde Yildirim, project architect, HDR; Graciela Carrillo, senior manager at Nassau BOCES; Danei Wallen, senior project manager/owner’s representative at Group PMX; Taruna Gupta, senior associate, HGA 

Saturday, June 13

The Next Decade of Data-Driven Design: Reflections and Projections 

The explosion of digital tools and project data is transforming design, and the next decade will belong to those who turn data into design intelligence. Data-driven design is no longer an empty buzzword; it's a methodology that empowers architects to make smarter, faster, more impactful decisions at every scale. In this session, leaders from our data-driven design team will discuss their decade-long effort to implement data-driven design across some of the world's most complex projects. 

• Time/Location: 10:30-11:30 a.m., San Diego Convention Center Meeting Room 33
• HDR Speakers: Matt Goldsberry, computational design principal; Jeremy Graham, computational design director