Join DCNOMA for the next installment of our Professional Practice Series, featuring Session 06: Design Walls That Work Smarter—a virtual AIA Continuing Education webinar presented by Fallon Williams, CSI, NOMA, Territory Sales Manager and Building Envelope Specialist.
This session will explore the building science behind effective rainscreen wall systems, including moisture management, air and vapor control, proper detailing, and how WUFI can be used to evaluate wall performance. Whether you're an emerging professional or a seasoned practitioner, this course offers practical knowledge that can be applied to your next project.

Friday, July 31, 2026
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Virtual | Microsoft Teams
Earn 1 AIA LU / HSW

Learning Objectives:
• Understand moisture management in rainscreen wall systems.
• Explore air and vapor control strategies for optimal performance.
• Examine detailing techniques that improve durability.
• Learn how WUFI helps evaluate and optimize wall assemblies.
Registration
Free for DCNOMA Members
Paid registration required for non-members

🔗 Register now —https://lnkd.in/eT5JEyuy

We look forward to seeing you online for another engaging session focused on advancing technical knowledge and professional practice.

Winning architectural projects requires a proactive, strategic approach to building client relationships and a pipeline. While larger firms often rely on specialized departments, smaller practices frequently depend on principals to handle crucial business development and marketing efforts. Hosted by DC NOMA, this interactive workshop pulls back the curtain on successful project pursuit strategies, breaking down the concrete mechanics of RFQs, RFPs, and strategic client cultivation. Whether you are a firm leader, a sole proprietor, or an emerging professional, this session aims to equip you with actionable business development frameworks, pursuit insights, and partnership tools needed to compete effectively and win work.

Guest Speakers:
Linda Cui
Linda Cui is Marketing Manager for the Mid-Atlantic region at Nitsch Engineering, a resilience-focused civil engineering and planning firm, where she leads regional growth strategy and advises on firmwide strategic initiatives.
Linda Nunnelly
As the National Business Development Leader, Linda brings cohesion to the global pursuit of work. She streamlines internal business development and go-to-market strategies while positioning the firm to secure transformational projects across 12 offices nationwide.

Join DCNOMA for an evening of creativity, conversation, and community at our Sip & Sketch Happy Hour. Connect with fellow architects, designers, students, and creative professionals while sketching in a beautifully designed residential setting. Whether you're a seasoned sketcher or just looking to unwind after work, this event offers a relaxed environment to network, create, and be inspired.

Date: Wednesday, July 16
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: 2106 1st Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

What to Expect:

• Networking with DCNOMA members and local design professionals

• Light refreshments and beverages

• Architectural and interior sketching in a unique residential space

• A welcoming environment for all skill levels

• Bring your favorite sketchbook and drawing supplies, or simply come to enjoy the space and connect with the DC design community.

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot today. We look forward to sketching with you!

Register on Eventbrite: https://lnkd.in/eYpvFbZU

Join DCNOMA & Bmore NOMA for a meaningful Juneteenth journey to the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center on June 27, 2026. ✨

Together, we’ll travel to the landscapes that shaped Harriet Tubman’s extraordinary legacy of courage, freedom, and resistance while celebrating community, history, and liberation. Through this shared experience, we hope to reflect on the enduring impact of Black history and the importance of preserving the stories and places that continue to inspire future generations.

Our tour will be led by none other than Chris Elcock. Chris is a Principal at GWWO Architects and led the award-winning Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center. His work focuses on cultural and interpretive projects that integrate architecture, interiors, and storytelling. He holds degrees from Howard University and the University of the West Indies and is actively involved in advancing industry standards, preservation, and mentorship within the architecture community.

🚌 Roundtrip transportation included
🍽️ Lunch will be provided
📍 Departing from New Carrollton, MD
🎟️ Early Bird pricing available through May 29

Spend the day exploring, learning, and connecting with fellow members and supporters in a meaningful celebration of Juneteenth. Space is limited — reserve your seat today!

Join DCNOMA for our June General Body Meeting as we celebrate a strong first half of 2026, share updates on chapter initiatives, and engage in a conversation about the future of Washington, DC.

We are excited to welcome Valecia Wilson, Associate Director of Urban Design with the DC Office of Planning, as our special guest. Valecia and her team will provide an overview of the DC Office of Planning's DC 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update, discuss opportunities for community engagement, and share how architects, designers, planners, and emerging professionals can help shape the future of the District.

Prior to the meeting, DCNOMA members will have the opportunity to submit questions that will be shared with the Office of Planning team in advance to support a meaningful and productive discussion.



Sloan CEU: Considerations for Accessible and Inclusive Design in Commercial Restrooms

This course reviews restroom design trends for commercial buildings by focusing on sink/lavatory system technology and the sustainability and accessibility trends surrounding them. We will discuss the expanding role architects and designers play in accessible designs – striking a balance between hand washing needs and design flexibility

 

Credits: AIA/HSW, IDCEC/HSW, ASPE, GBCI

 

Learning objectives:

• Examine the history of ADA and inclusive design, including the evolution of design awareness in the commercial restroom space.

• Review implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act on commercial restroom design and plumbing product specification.

• Explore innovations that enable ADA compliance and inclusive design in commercial restrooms.

• Understand simple ways to retrofit existing restrooms for ADA compliance and inclusive design.

Join us for AANHPI Diaspora in Architecture, an evening of conversation, culture, and connection exploring how AAPI designers are shaping identity and the future of the built environment.

This special event will bring together architects, designers, creatives, and allied professionals for an engaging and meaningful experience celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The evening will feature:

• A dynamic panel discussion with Asian designers and architects sharing their professional journeys, experiences, and perspectives within the industry

• Cultural performances by the Cambodian Buddhist Society, Inc.

• Food representing a variety of Asian cuisines

• Networking and community building with professionals across architecture, design, and allied industries

Ticket Pricing

• $10 for NOMA and AIA Members

• $20 for Non-Members

We hope you’ll join us for this exciting evening celebrating culture, representation, and the voices shaping the future of design.

Join DC mayoral candidates as they chat about the future of transportation and land use in the city!

Join us for a discussion about the future of transportation and land use in the city at the May 21st Mayoral Candidates Forum Co-hosted by DC Sustainable Transportation (DCST) and AIA|DC. This is your chance to hear directly from Mayoral candidates who will shape DC's streets, transit, and urban spaces if elected to office. Don't miss out on the opportunity to listen and learn as Sarah Holder, co-host of Bloomberg's "Big Take" podcast and a contributor to Bloomberg CityLab brings these questions to this lively discussion on May 21st. RSVP today to get your spot!

Invited Democrat Candidate Frontrunners for DC Mayor 2026:

• Janeese Lewis George

• Gary Goodweather

• Kenyan McDuffie

• Vincent Orange
   

Moderator: Sarah Holder, co-host of Bloomberg's "Big Take" podcast and a contributor to Bloomberg CityLab

Understanding Carbon Sequestration in Dry-Cast Concrete Masonry

As the design industry continues to prioritize carbon-conscious construction, understanding material impact is more important than ever.

This session introduces the fundamentals of embodied carbon in concrete masonry, with a focus on how dry-cast CMU differs from traditional wet-cast concrete. Participants will explore how CMU contributes to lower embodied carbon and accelerated carbon sequestration, supported by recent research and testing.

The course also examines the geologic and concrete carbon cycles, providing a clear framework for how masonry systems contribute to climate-responsive design strategies.

Understanding ADA Standards and User-Centered Design

Designing accessible restrooms requires an understanding of why such standards exist. By becoming familiar with the unique needs of various users, architects and designers can better design restrooms that satisfy ADA standards for toilet compartments, lavatories, accessory operability and beyond. When requirements for clearances, mounting heights, protrusion and turning radiuses are satisfied—and the appropriate products are used in doing so—the result is a compliant, user-friendly restroom that supports the building owner’s goals. This course reviews relevant requirements, strategies and

solutions for achieving accessible, and in some cases, universal, design.

Join us for an inspiring evening of connection, reflection, and storytelling at NOMAS Legacy Night 2026, hosted by the Catholic University of America NOMAS chapter in collaboration with UMD, UDC, Howard, and Morgan State.

This annual inter-chapter event celebrates the legacy of NOMAS by bringing together students, alumni, and professionals in architecture and design. Through meaningful conversations and shared experiences, Legacy Night creates a space to honor the journeys of minority architects while fostering mentorship and community across generations.

This year’s theme, “Finding Your Voice in Architecture,” invites attendees to explore how identity, experience, and perspective shape design and professional paths. Hear directly from alumni and practitioners as they reflect on their careers, challenges, and the ways they have carved out their voices within the field.

Whether you are a student seeking guidance, a young professional navigating your path, or an alum looking to reconnect, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage, learn, and build lasting connections.

Join DCNOMA for an immersive, hands-on workshop that explores the powerful connection between family history, place, and the built environment.

Tracing Our Roots: Mapping Ancestry Through Place and Story invites participants to build upon discoveries from our March session and begin transforming their research into a visual, interactive StoryMap.

This is more than a genealogy workshop—it’s an opportunity to become a history detective, uncovering where your family lived, worked, and moved over time, and connecting those stories to broader cultural and spatial narratives.

Through guided instruction and live demonstration, participants will learn how to translate historical records into a compelling visual story that maps their lineage across time and place.

During this workshop, participants will:

• Share discoveries about their family’s history and migration patterns

• Learn how to map locations using census data, city directories, and historical records

• Create a digital StoryMap that visually represents their ancestral journey

• Explore how to incorporate images and storytelling into their narrative

• Engage in a live StoryMaps tutorial and collaborative sharing session

By the end of the workshop, each participant will walk away with a visual representation of their family history, rooted in both personal narrative and geographic context.

Curtain Walls, Window Walls and Storefronts - Use cases and differences

Presented by Gutmann North America - 1 LU/HSW This course provides an in-depth examination of glazed wall systems, focusing on the distinctions between curtainwalls, window walls, and storefront systems. Participants will gain insights into structural considerations, wind load management, water infiltration strategies,and system selection criteria based on project needs. The course will also cover installation methods, performance characteristics, and advancements in unitizedcurtain wall systems, helping architects make informed decisions when specifying these façade solutions.

In collaboration with the Family History Center team, join us as they share their journeys in conducting public genealogy at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

This program will explore the tools for tracing your family tree, highlight case studies in African American genealogy, and test your knowledge with trivia. This session will end with a live Q + A.

This is a free, member exclusive event and requires a promo code to participate. Register on Eventbrite, Link in Bio.

DCNOMA is excited to introduce a new chapter initiative launching this year: the DCNOMA Professional Practice Series—a monthly CEU program created by and for our members.

This series is one of several updates coming from the DCNOMA Professional Practice Committee, a growing group of DCNOMA members focused on strengthening technical knowledge, professional growth, and practice-based resources across the chapter.

Our first session, presented by Pella Mid-Atlantic Windows & Doors, will explore how architects evaluate windows in existing buildings—when to repair, rehabilitate, or replace—while balancing preservation, performance, and modernization.

This initiative reflects DCNOMA’s continued commitment to:

• Supporting licensure and continuing education

• Expanding member-exclusive professional resources

• Strengthening partnerships with aligned industry organizations

• Growing collaboration with NOMA chapters and partners, including BMORE NOMA

🎟 Free for DCNOMA Members
🎟 Paid registration required for non-members

Join Howard University for their First Lecture of Spring 2026 featuring Brian Ward & Michael Solomon

DCNOMA is proud to share that Anna McCorvey, our newly appointed Director of Advocacy, will join Mayor Alyia Gaskins and author Sam J. Miller for a timely conversation on how policy, design, and imagination can help build healthier, more equitable cities.

Anna brings her advocacy and community-centered design experience from the 11th Street Bridge Park, where she works to ensure longtime residents can thrive in place—values that directly align with DCNOMA’s advocacy priorities.

Attendees may receive a free copy of Blackfish City (while supplies last).
Doors open at 5:30 PM | Program begins at 6:00 PM | Light reception to follow

We encourage DCNOMA members to attend and show support for Anna and DCNOMA leadership.

The new Executive DCNOMA Board will meet in person to discuss the year ahead, bond and finalize DCNOMA strategic action plan.

Monthly on the last Monday, until Dec 2, 2025.

Virtual link is emailed out to DCNOMA members. If you want to join the group and need the link please email Mika Yamaguchi at mikaymgch@gmail.com