Sponsored by CSI North Coast Chapter

Registration includes: Cost to play, Food (Tailgate package):
Touchdown Dill Dip and Kickin' Popper Dip, Cheesy Macaroni Bites, Spicy Peach Pork Sliders, Wing Trio (bone-in or boneless); 

Fountain Drinks, iced tea, coffee and water.

Direct questions to Brad Saeger at bsaeger@moodynolan.com

Sketch-n-Sip: Exploring Clay in Sculpture and Architecture invites architects and design professionals into the working studio of large-scale ceramic sculptor Alex and his team for an immersive evening exploring the shared language of form, structure, and material between sculpture and architecture.

The program will begin with an introduction to Alex’s practice and artistic philosophy, followed by a discussion of clay as a structural medium, its physical properties, limitations, and the challenges of working at scale.

Trained at Alfred University, Alex and his assistants will explain how large ceramic works are formed, stacked, and assembled, and how gravity, weight, cracking, and firing stresses must be carefully anticipated and managed. These lessons will be directly connected to architectural design principles related to massing, structural integrity, and material behavior.

Participants will then be guided through the studio to observe the sculptural process firsthand, from forming and assembly to kiln firing and finishing. The evening will conclude with a hands-on session in which attendees may sketch a featured large-scale sculpture, dramatically lit to emphasize form, depth, and shadow or experiment with working in clay themselves.

Designed to be both educational and experiential, this Sketch-n-Sip session encourages architects to reconnect with a material-based design process and rediscover clay as a powerful tool for exploring form, structure, and human experience.

Parkitechture will be a new, seasonally driven series of learning sessions where architects, urban planners, and landscape architects explore the shared ground between their disciplines through the lens of public park spaces. Each session will be co-led by a Metroparks naturalist, bringing real-world insight shaped by daily interaction with the buildings, trails, habitats, and visitors who animate these landscapes.

The inaugural session, Parkitechture: Winter Edition, will be held at the Brecksville Reservation Nature Center.

The program will begin with a presentation of the newly constructed restroom facility and Program Center, exploring how these additions integrate with the original WPA-era “trailside museum” and how the site’s architecture and circulation draw visitors toward the surrounding forest and nearby prairie. A guided visit to the historic trailside museum—the last remaining of the original three—will offer insight into its design, construction, and role in early park interpretation. The session will conclude with a beloved Brecksville winter tradition: the opportunity to hand-feed the wild birds that frequent the Nature Center.

Come reflect on the highs and lows of 2025 with this year's final Wellness in Design event!  

Join us as we hit pause with Emily Leu, our fellow designer and yogi, who will lead us through a guided meditation accompanied with some light stretches to loosen up that holiday tension. Afterwards, attendees can work through a personal reflection exercise to help close the curtain on this year & prepare for the next. Drinks and snacks will be provided courtesy of our event sponsors!

This event is open to all, not just AIA members, so bring a friend, co-worker, spouse, etc. We hope to see you there!

If you purchased tickets for the 10/09 event prior to the reschedule, your ticket will still apply for this new date.

Thursday, December 11, 2025 | 5:30 PM

Italian American Museum

Join us for the next lecture in the Body of Work series, featuring the work of acclaimed Cleveland architect Robert Maschke, FAIA.

Maschke will present projects in Gordon Square and Little Italy, exploring how his design process responds to neighborhoods with rich histories and ever-changing character. Following the lecture, guests are invited to a self-guided walking tour of his Little Italy projects.

2 HSW

About Body of Work:

Body of Work: An Architecture Design Lecture Series is a celebration of design as the heart of architecture. The series provides a forum where architects present their work through a purely aesthetic lens, sharing the philosophies, influences, and ideas that shape their creative process.

Each year, the series highlights:

• Historic voices brought to life by historians

• Contemporary architects shaping today’s design culture

• Visual presentations that reveal the beauty and form of architecture

• Dialogue and connection through Q&A, panels, and networking

The mission: to inspire a deeper appreciation of design excellence, showcase Cleveland’s architectural talent, and create a lasting archive—a collective Body of Work—that will enrich and guide future generations of architects.

Celebrate the end of the year with AIA Cleveland at this year’s Holiday Mentorship Mixer! This casual event will feature good food, seasonal beverages, and some festive activities! This will also be the kickoff event to next year's mentorship program. If you are not participating in the program, you are still welcome to attend.

If you are interested in participating in the mentorship program as an advisee or advisor, please reach out to the program coordinators (Emily Williams, Kiernan Weese, Maura Flaherty, and Kaitlin Boniecki) no later than November 21st!

Let’s toast to a year of new friends, new projects, and a strong architectural community!

Feeling extra festive? Wear your ugliest holiday sweater!

Attention Last-Minute Learners!

Still scrambling to finish your required HSW credits before license renewal? We’ve got you covered.

Join AIA Cleveland’s End-of-Year Procrastinators CEU Education Blitz on Tuesday, December 9, from 12–3pm. A rapid-fire, three-hour session designed to help you wrap up the year and your credits in one efficient afternoon.

Earn AIA-approved HSW credits while learning from industry experts on:

• Detailing Air Barrier 

• Smoke Containment Strategies for Elevators Hoistways & Lobbies

• Eliminating Concrete Moisture through Sustainable Design

Join us and head into the new year with your requirements done — no stress, no scrambling.

Procrastinators welcome. Productivity guaranteed.

Architecture, design, and construction have long been built on strong foundations—tradition, hierarchy, and time-tested workflows. But a new generation is stepping in with fresh eyes and bold ideas. Gen Z and Millennials are asking different questions: What does meaningful work look like? How can we design with purpose? Where do equity, sustainability, and technology fit into the blueprint?

In this Designalogues session, we’ll be joined by members of the Young Architects Forum (YAF)—Alex Oetzel, Seth Duke, and Abby Benjamin—to hear how emerging professionals are reshaping the industry—from the companies they want to work for, to the projects they want to build. Together, we’ll reflect on how these evolving values differ from the legacy systems many of us were trained in and discuss how we can evolve as a profession to create spaces—and workplaces—that reflect the future we all want to build.

Business of Architecture is intended to help AIA members and the greater Cleveland design community to enhance their business acumen through expert presentations or moderated panel discussion, interactive peer discussions, and the exchange of practical tools, all centered around topic-specific facets of the design practice. 

In the evolving landscape of the AEC industry, the foundation of any thriving design practice is not just creative talent, it’s how we develop our talent through a culture of trust, workplace accountability, legal awareness, and ethical leadership. 

This Business of Architecture (BoA) session brings together a unique panel of legal and HR experts to help professionals understand their rights and responsibilities and the systems that shape firm culture from both employee and employer perspectives. Together, we’ll explore how to build ethical, inclusive, and compliant workplaces through effective policy development, legal knowledge, and transparent communication.

This session is designed for professionals at every stage of their career - whether you're leading a firm, mentoring future architects, or navigating your own path - because understanding the legal frameworks, professional ethics, and codes of conduct that shape our industry is essential to building a responsible and resilient practice.

Join us for this eye-opening conversation that blends legal expertise, human-centered leadership, real-world case studies and practical tools to help you build or contribute to a more transparent, equitable, and legally-sound workplace.

EVENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

1. Attendees will learn practical strategies for fostering a workplace culture rooted in mutual respect and accountability where staff feel empowered to voice concerns and are supported in doing so without fear of retaliation.

2. Firm leaders, managers, and HR professionals will gain a deeper understanding of how to develop and manage workplace policies that are legally compliant, equitable in practice, and reflective of strong ethical leadership.

3. Participants will gain clear, actionable tools for effectively documenting workplace incidents, navigating internal and external reporting procedures, resolving conflicts constructively, and protecting themselves both professionally and legally.

4. Attendees will explore how professional ethics, codes of conduct, and internal power structures impact accountability, mentorship, and career progression within AEC practices and how to address them with transparency and integrity.

EVENT DATE: Tuesday, November 11th, 2025

EVENT LOCATION: 

VOCON

3142 Prospect Ave. Cleveland, 44115

EVENT TIME:

5:00 pm | Doors Open, Check-In, (light hors d'oeuvres, beer/wine)

5:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Panel Discussion (including Q&A)

6:30 pm - 7:00 pm | Group Round Table Discussion 

EVENT TICKET PRICES:

$7 | AIA, AIA Assoc., NOMA, AIA Cleveland Allied Professional Members

$12 | Non-AIA Members

FREE | Students with valid student ID

PANELISTS:

Kami D. Brauer, Partner at Employment Law Partners, LLC

Carrie Valdez, Partner at Baker & Hostetler LLP

Miranda Sharpnack, Owner, SHARP HR Consulting

MODERATOR: 

Nora Hoxha, LEED AP, Assoc. AIA,

Founder, HOXHA, LLC - Design Studio & Consulting

Each year, AIA Cleveland recognizes excellence in design by inviting local firms to submit their best work to be reviewed by nationally renowned juries from all over the country. With recent programs having between 400 attendees, this event is one of the largest to recognize architectural and interior design excellence in Cleveland and northeast Ohio. This year’s Design Awards will be held on Friday, November 7th, 2025, at Hotel Cleveland on Public Square.

We are pleased to announce that this year’s Keynote and Jury Chair is Brian MacKay-Lyons, CM, FRAIC, RCA, (Hon.Int) FAIA, (Hon.Int) FRIBA from the Internationally recognized architecture firm MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple Architects.

About Brian MacKay-Lyons:
Brian has developed a leading global practice from Nova Scotia that has been honoured with over 170 design awards, including the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Gold Medal to Brian in 2015, the top award in Canada for lifetime contribution in architecture, and the RAIC Firm Award in 2014; eight Governor General Medals, the most prestigious Canadian award that celebrates outstanding design in recently built projects; seven American Institute of Architects (AIA) National and International Honor Awards of Architecture; eighteen Lieutenant Governor’s Medals of Excellence; nine Canadian Architect Awards; four Architectural Record Houses Awards; and fourteen North American Wood Design & Building Awards.

A fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (FRAIC), and the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts (RCA), Brian MacKay-Lyons was named Honorary International Fellow of the American Institute of Architects (Hon. Int. FAIA) in 2001 and in 2016 was made an Honorary International Fellow by the Royal Institute of British Architects (Hon. Int. FRIBA) in London. In 2022, Brian was appointed to the Order of Canada for his contribution to Canadian culture. Brian was a full professor and faculty member at Dalhousie University for 37 years and has held 18 endowed academic chairs or visiting professorships at leading universities worldwide, such as: The Peter Behrens School of Architecture, Washington University in St. Louis, Harvard University, and University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design. In 2024, Brian was awarded an Honorary Doctorate - Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, from Dalhousie University.

For more information about Design Awards, visit our website.

Call for Entries (due Friday, September 26th at 5:00 p.m.)

Enjoy the sight and smell of the changing leaves with AIA Cleveland at this month's Wellness in Design event!

We will take a brisk walk through the Rocky River Reservation, starting at the Nature Center. Afterwards, we will share snacks and beverages together (along with some tarot readings, if you're interested!)

All are welcome at this FREE event so bring a friend, partner, kid, or dog!

It’s baaaack….!

Will you survive our gauntlet of questions ranging from paranormal encounters, haunted buildings, horror films, and the ever-dreaded AREs? Teams of 4 to 6 will compete for prizes (but most importantly, bragging rights!) at this classic AIA Trivia event with a spooky twist.

This event will feature frightfully good food and a cash bar. All are welcome to take on the challenge, so register your team today! Want to come as a lone wolf? No problem - we will place you on a team when you arrive.

Team costumes are optional, although STRONGLY encouraged! Just like last year, there will be a prize in it for you!

Please note: only one team member has to complete the registration process. Just select the “‘Team” option and find up to 5 other people to join your crew.

This art show is open to all AIA members to showcase your creative endeavors outside of the field of Architecture. This could include drawing, painting, sculpture, pottery, weaving, furniture design, lighting design, just to name a few.

In conjunction with the Art Show, we would also like to invite everyone to participate in our Napkin Sketch Exhibition. Please scan your napkin sketches and email them to wiacleveland@gmail.com. We will be displaying all original napkin sketches as one of the exhibits at the Art Show.

Submissions will be accepted until October 9th.

You may register for the event even if you do not plan on submitting any work.

We are looking forward to hearing from all of you and showcasing your creativity!

Join us on October 9th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Holy Rosary Church in Little Italy for a special design lecture with Robert Maschke, FAIA—founder and principal of robert maschke ARCHITECTS.

Maschke will present projects in Gordon Square and Little Italy, exploring how his design process responds to neighborhoods with rich histories and ever-changing character. Following the lecture, guests are invited to a self-guided walking tour of his Little Italy projects.

About Body of Work

Body of Work: An Architecture Design Lecture Series is a celebration of design as the heart of architecture. The series provides a forum where architects present their work through a purely aesthetic lens, sharing the philosophies, influences, and ideas that shape their creative process.

Each year, the series highlights:

• Historic voices brought to life by historians

• Contemporary architects shaping today’s design culture

• Visual presentations that reveal the beauty and form of architecture

• Dialogue and connection through Q&A, panels, and networking

The mission: to inspire a deeper appreciation of design excellence, showcase Cleveland’s architectural talent, and create a lasting archive—a collective Body of Work—that will enrich and guide future generations of architects.

Step into the heart of one of Cleveland’s most iconic cultural landmarks as it undergoes a transformative $135 million expansion. This in-person guided hard hat tour takes you behind the scenes of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, offering an insider’s look at the design, construction, and civic vision shaping this once-in-a-generation project.

Led by the project’s architects, engineers, and construction managers, the tour will explore:

• The architectural vision redefining the Rock Hall’s presence on the lakefront

• Sustainability strategies and innovative design approaches

• The structural and technical challenges of large-scale cultural construction

• How design intent and construction execution align in real time

This is more than a site walk—it’s an immersive opportunity to engage directly with the professionals driving the project, understand the complexities of civic landmark development, and witness how bold architectural ideas are translated into built form.

This new series is designed to connect emerging professionals with architects at different stages of their careers through candid conversations.

Each session will feature a moderated panel of professionals—from early-career team members to firm leadership—sharing honest perspectives on career growth, firm culture, and the realities of practice.

Location: 2019 Center St #500, Cleveland, OH 44113
Date: Tuesday, September 30th, 2025
Time: 5:00pm-6:30pm

Doors open at 4:30pm

Join us every Sunday through the end of September for AIA’s Look Up: Architecture Tours, presented in partnership with Historic Gateway as part of their Summer Series.

These walking tours have been a popular way to engage the public in our shared love of buildings and the stories they tell.

The first chapter, running through July, looks at the economic and technological innovations that contributed to the evolution of the skyscraper. The second chapter, launching in August, explores gleaming modernist skyscrapers along East 9th and 12th streets to the Post-Modern era.

It's basically spooky season... which means your chance to attend an outdoor yoga session with AIA Cleveland is disappearing! Join us on our last outdoor session of the year as we meet down in gorgeous Rivergate Park for an hour of all-levels yoga followed by a Happy Hour at Merwin's Wharf (with drinks/appetizers courtesy of our event sponsors!)

All are welcome at this fun (and totally not spooky) event. The cost to attend is just $5, so what are you waiting for? Sign up today!

Join us every Sunday through the end of September for AIA’s Look Up: Architecture Tours, presented in partnership with Historic Gateway as part of their Summer Series.

These walking tours have been a popular way to engage the public in our shared love of buildings and the stories they tell.

The first chapter, running through July, looks at the economic and technological innovations that contributed to the evolution of the skyscraper. The second chapter, launching in August, explores gleaming modernist skyscrapers along East 9th and 12th streets to the Post-Modern era.

Join us for a special Hard Hat tour of the City of Parma's new Ridgewood Golf Course Clubhouse and Event Center. Attendees will tour this new 11,400-square-foot facility that is scheduled to be completed in October 2025. Designed by American Structurepoint with construction managed by Higley Co., the $14-million facility includes a new event center with a grill and bar/lounge area capable of hosting 180 people, a patio, six golf simulator bays, a pro shop and a pavilion.

Attendees are required to bring their own PPE. The following PPE is required to tour the site: hard hats, gloves, glasses, safety vest, long pants, close-toed & hard soled shoes or boots. 

Color Theory & Mental Health: How color impacts mood, well-being, & productivity

The research behind this CEU dives deep into the importance of color theory in design, color and its tie to productivity in the workplace, and color theory in relation to mental health.

How will color theory affect your future designs?