The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design® 2026 (AIA26) in San Diego brought together over 12,000 architects for four immersive days of learning, networking, and celebration. President Illya Azaroff, FAIA welcomed delegates, announced Chapter Sustainability Funds for 25 years and $2 million in Activation Funds to support local initiatives like the Women’s Leadership Summit. Azaroff emphasized priorities in AI use, regenerative design, disaster risk reduction, and climate action, with plans to partner with the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The AIA26 Awards Gala honored over 100 winners across 10 project categories, including housing, interior architecture, regional/urban design, and small projects. The conference featured high-profile speakers such as Charlene Li on AI and transformation, Padma Lakshmi on food and architecture, Sameh Wahba on sustainable development, and Shigeru Ban on humanity and the future of architecture.
With 100+ events and parties, including the Opening Night Party with the San Diego Bay backdrop, attendees built connections across the AEC industry. AIA26 was a celebration of the profession, blending innovation, sustainability, and community, while reinforcing AIA’s role as a leader in shaping the future of architecture.
The Pan American Federation of Architect’s Associations (FPAA) actively participated at AIA26 June 9 – 13th, at the San Diego Convention Center. Representing the Federation was executive secretary, Arch. Tania Salgado, FAIA, who joined for international exchange alongside colleagues from across the continent. FPAA celebrates and promotes international initiatives like this, which strengthen ties between professionals from the Americas and around the world.
Tania met with delegates from various international organizations, to find opportunities to create strategic alliances, share program activities and align organizational initiatives and objectives with FPAA, and member countries. She participated at the International President’s Forum, focused on Round Table discussions focused on Regenerative Design in Architecture, Generative Artificial Intelligence, and Next Steps for Collaboration between countries. Tania met with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to find opportunities for collaboration, support architects working overseas, and finding ways to integrate British islands into FPAA. Tania hosted a FPAA North Region meeting, with AIA, RAIC, and FCARM in attendance, to share recent FPAA activities and upcoming key activities.
