The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design

Nick and Paul are back from the 2026 AIA National Conference in San Diego with a full debrief. They start with the keynotes that stood out: a celebrated culinary host on design as a curated experience, Charlene Li on winning with AI as a leadership and culture challenge rather than a magic button, and the World Bank's Sameh Wahba on designing for a changing climate - building for the next century, not just the next code cycle. From there they get into the Small Firm Exchange and what accessible technology means for smaller practices, the expo floor and an unexpected Columbus connection, and a Kent State alumni reception. Two building tours anchor the back half: Treehouse, a thoughtful multifamily project, and Snapdragon Stadium, a study in designing tiered experiences. They close on what they're taking home - embracing new tools, educating clients on resilience and long-term value, and the wide-open opportunity facing a profession that needs its next generation to step up.