This year's AIA Conference on Architecture offers an amazing expo with many things to see and do. While you are on the show floor, stop by booth #5532 to catch live sessions from industry experts on future trends, technologies and project best practices, hosted by AIA+ARCHITECT.

Thursday, June 6

10:30am
A+ Session: Welcome & Kickoff with Robert Ivy, featuring Deltek+Avitru
Join us for a kickoff event and special celebration highlighting the new AIA and Deltek relationship, the 50th anniversary of AIA’s MasterSpec, and a reveal of the new MasterSpec brand.
Robert Ivy, FAIA, EVP/chief executive officer, AIA

10:50am A+ Session: Zero-emission, Zero-energy Building
The director of SOM’s MEP + Sustainable Engineering Studio, Luke Leung, will present a zero-emission, zero-energy concept project that consumes 64% less energy than a comparable baseline.
Luke Leung, director, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill

11:10am A+ Session: Marvin Windows

11:30am A+Session: A+ Session: Design for an Aging Population
Globally the population is shifting, powered by more access to the right resources and education on health and well-being. This aging population requires a different approach to design, from where they live, work and play. Dan Swift from BSB Design presents innovative solutions that offer comfort, safety and community.
Dan Swift, AIA, chairman and president, BSB Design

11:50am A+ Session: Conquering the Architect’s Data Deficit with Deltek+Avitru
The AEC community does not collect or analyze the amounts of data found in other industries, yet the construction market it feeds is more than $1.2 billion in the US alone. Architects and the AEC industry in general can benefit greatly from gathering a little data to greatly improve process and profits.
Marc Chavez, AIA, RELiAP, FCSI, CCS, CCCA

12:10pm A+ Session: Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges Today - 10 Critical Strategies For Your Business
Industry economist Kermit Baker will share the top 10 factors influencing the built environment, which also serve as triggers for a successful business strategy to navigate architecture practices into the future.
Kermit Baker, chief economist, AIA

12:30pm A+ Session: Social Justice & Affordability
Affordable housing is one of the most pressing issues in the US. Affordable housing expert David Baker will share his vision for how design can create more attainable options for the future.
David Baker, FAIA, David Baker Architects

12:50pm A+ Session: How Design-Assist is Changing the Construction Industry
Join a diverse panel representing a leading architectural designer, general contractor, subcontractor, and product manufacturer to explore the future of design-assist and its effect on everything from product specification and selection to the bottom line. Review design-assist expectations and obligations from the experts themselves to ensure that each system is designed to meet the intent of your next project.
Paul Collyer, Vice President - Business Development, CENTRIA
William Koonz, Project Manager, Klai Juba Wald Architects
Tim Del Monte, Business Development Manager, CENTRIA
Ralph Bertram, Product Applications Manager, CENTRIA

1:10pm
A+ Session: Canstruction’s 2018 International Competition Award Ceremony
Celebrate the winners of the 2018 International Citywide Competition and their amazing designs at this awards ceremony.
Carrie Kirk, president, Canstruction

1:30pm
A+ Session: Breaking the Mold
Competing for new projects isn’t easy. Hear how architecture firm WZMH rethought their approach and differentiated themeselves in an increasingly competitive market. Zenon Radewych will share the insights that helped WZMH fill a void in product innovation and gain a competitive edge.
Zenon Radewych, principal, WZMH

2 to 4pm AIA Member Reception

4pm A+ Session: The Future Impact of 3D Printing
3D printing is redefining the future of construction, removing complexities and changing the role of architects. Terry Beaubois, an expert in the building process, will offer key insights on how this game-changing technology can help reimagine our landscapes.
Terry Beaubois, CEO, Building Knowledge Systems

4:20pm A+ Session: Design Must Break Biases
Native Syrian Ayla Abiad understands the challenges and complicated adjustment process facing immigrants entering the US. She founded the Build a Bridge foundation to help ease that process. Hear Ayla’s advice on how architects can change the story line and use the power of design to erase preconceptions.
Ayla Abiad, designer, AE7

4:40pm
A+ Session: A+ Session: Innovation in Safe and Sustainable Building Design
Architects are challenged with balancing the need for innovation in design, more sustainable product attributes and maintaining or improving the performance of the building. The panel of experts will share insights behind the latest building-science driven solutions to help commercial architects optimally create systems that work together to drive better performance and meet building codes. They will discuss how integrating sustainable practices is critical without compromising the performance of the systems and the safety of the occupants. Attendees will leave this session with the ability to apply real-world examples of product applications and support available to be able to design safe, sustainable and better performing buildings.
Julian Francis, president, Insulation, Owens Corning
Angela Ogino, technical services leader, Owens Corning
Marcus V.A. Bianchi, senior building science program leader, Owens Corning

Friday, June 7

10:30am A+ Session: Future Floating Cities
Future climate changes are challenging how we think about design. Solutions, such as Floating Cities, are gaining consideration and feasibility with advances in design and construction capabilities. Kai-Uwe Bergmann, FAIA and partner at Bjarke Ingels Group, shares insights from this project as well as other resiliency and social infrastructure projects, including BIG U, Urban Rigger, and more.
Kai-Uwe Bergmann, FAIA, partner, Bjarke Ingels Group

10:50am A+ Session: The Quest to Neutralize Embodied Carbon
More than 230 billion square meters of new building will happen over the next 40 years, which is equal to adding an entire New York City to the planet every 34 days for 40 years. Join this session to explore the role design plays in reducing negative impacts, along with other critical factors.
Carl Elefante, FAIA, principal, Quinn Evans Architecture
Wanda Lau, editor, technology and practice, ARCHITECT

11:10am A+ Session: Google’s Future Thinking on the Built Environment
As one of the world’s big four technology companies, Google is constantly evolving our expectations. Learn how Google’s products and infrastructure will play an integral role in how architects design projects tomorrow and into the future from senior director Michele Turner.
Michele Turner, senior director, Google

11:30am A+ Session: Densification, an Urgent Urban Approach
Over the next few decades, urban areas are going to experience phenomenal growth. Founding partners from architecture firm MVRDV will share best practices in planning strong, affordable, sustainable communities.
Nathalie de Vries, FAIA, & Jacob van Rijs, FAIA, founding partners, MVRDV

11:50am
A+ Session: Creating a Valuable, Dynamic Online Engagement
Online platforms and marketing techniques are constantly evolving, Your firm needs to be flexible to respond to where your clients are in their firm selection journey. Bill Rossiter shares techniques to do that – how to create the right organizational structure that can be agile and what tools to use.
Bill Rossiter, author, Diverge and Creating a Killer CX; CEO, Interrupt

12:10pm A+ Session: Social Connectivity Through Design
Strategic collaboration with local jurisdictions, thoughtful designers, and the right developers can help reimagine the purpose of common space. Ceara O’Leary will discuss best practices for supporting social connectivity and better individual and large-scale economic futures.
Ceara O’Leary, AIA, senior designer and project director, Detroit Collaborative Design Center; director, Master of Community Development Program, University of Detroit Mercy

12:30pm A+ Session: Ned Cramer with Special Guest Roman Mars, Host & Creator of 99% Invisible
Ned Cramer, editor-in-chief, vice president, ARCHITECT
Roman Mars, host & creator, 99% Invisible

12:50pm A+ Session: The Revitalization of Downtown Vegas
Las Vegas continues to grow with entertainment and hospitality venues, drawing in more than 42 million visitors and $10 billion in gaming revenue every year. At the same time, the population is exploding, making it a top 30 market in the US. Architect and professor Eric Strain will discuss designing Las Vegas’ new downtown and creating a new, strong community.
Eric Strain, AIA, associate professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

1:10 pmA+ Session: Adaptive Reuse: Create Place, Build Community.
How do adaptive reuse projects engender social equity? What role can these transformations play in the revitalization of urban communities? In this session, we’ll explore how adaptive reuse projects can transform more than just old buildings, and how they might offer our underserved communities a chance to thrive.
Diane Jacobs, AIA, founder principal, Holly Street Studio

1:30 pm A+ Session: Transforming Parking Into Community Value
Traditional urban parking requirements have created a sea of parking in areas where land is in critical need for new construction. John Thatch, senior principal and director of design for Dahlin Partners, shares his recent work on projects that transform parking into valuable urban oases that boost local economics, including downtown Kenmore and Marina Plaza, California.
John M. Thatch, senior principal, design director, Dahlin Group Architecutre Planning

1:50pm
A+ Session: Frank Gehry’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health
The Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health is a unique and exciting concept in medicine, and a monument of architectural gravitas in a city predicated on spectacle. The lead architect on the project, Brian Zamora, will take the audience on a virtual tour, uncovering the hidden gems of this distinctive building.
Brian Zamora, senior associate, Gehry Partners

2:10pm A+ Session: 20th Anniversary of the Rose Fellowship
Rose Fellow Katie Swenson has recruited and mentored 52 fellows who represent the next generation of leaders in architecture and community development. She shares the dramatic results Rose Fellows have achieved in neighborhoods across the U.S.
Katie Swenson, vice president, national initiatives, Enterprise Community Partners

2:30pm A+ Session: The Virtual Experience in Project Development
New technologies are allowing architects to create experiences for customers before construction even begins. Virtual reality is laying the foundation for huge efficiencies in the design and development process and creating the potential for additional innovation in design.
Brian Derrick, AIA, associate, FFKR Architects

2:50 pm A+ Session: Future of the Sharing Economy
With doubling revenue, it’s no doubt that WeWork is a viable business model at the forefront of a shift in design and real estate. A WeWork designer shares insights on the sharing economy that will influence concepts for every type of community.
Christi Farrell, regional spatial experience director, WeWork

3:10 pm A+ Session: The Future of Living – Design By the Square Foot
Bruce Thompson shares his process of collaboration with industrial designers, engineers, builders and suppliers to create compact, flexible homes. Foot by foot, he analyzes useful living space to be more efficient, effective and valuable in residences of less than 1,500 square feet.
Bruce Thompson, founder and CEO, Urbaneer

3:30pm A+ Session: Next Generation Sustainable Design from 2018 Solar Decathlon Winner
What does it take to be net zero in the desert in a decade? The Virginia Tech team’s design for the 2018 Solar Decathlon placed first among 60 entries with its modular construction technique and superior sustainability performance.
Joe Wheeler, AIA, co-director; Center for Design Research, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

3:50pm A+ Session: The Bottom Line of Climate Risk
Climate change is an impeding threat to how architects approach design of homes, offices, and larger scale communities and infrastructure. Expert Josh Sawislak presents on disaster resilience and sustainable development, examining policy, implementation, and financial issues around building sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
Josh Sawislak, strategic advisor, Four Twenty Seven

4:10pm A+ Session: Future Workforce of Professional Practice & Productivity
This unique session dives into some of the most important discoveries made during the research phase of AIA’s new Guides for Equitable Practice. In particular, you’ll hear insights about how strong collaborations can provide solutions for equity challenges.
Ned Cramer, editor-in-chief and vice president, ARCHITECT
Renée Cheng, FAIA, dean, College of Built Environments, University of Washington

4:30pm A+ Session: Enhancing Design Through Robotic Fabrication
Participating in the development of the fabrication tool enables architects to introduce a more generative and integrative design process than ever before. Zhoufan Chen shares how to leverage the strengths of robotic fabrication, along with how it will impact design in the future.
Zhoufan Chen, Perkins + Will

4:50pm A+ Session: Robotic Fabrication
Curious about robotic fabrication? Hakim Hasan, architect and roboticist at Perkins+Will’s Building Technology Lab will talk about robot prototypes, how they perform, and how this innovation in building efficiency will be a catalyst to change construction.
Hakim Hasan, architect, roboticist, researcher, Perkins+Will