AIA Utah Committees 2026 Spring Update

AIA Utah is grateful for the hard work of our committees! Curious what they've been up to this spring and what they have planned? Read on.

BEC/COTE (Building Enclosure Council/Committee on the Environment)

BEC/COTE hosted their Spring Building Performance Forum on May 6th.  The forum featured discussions on building electrification challenges, high-performance building envelope strategies, energy incentives and code requirements and cutting-edge geothermal energy research underway at Utah FORGE. It was well-attended and offered 3 HSW’s. In addition, they co-hosted the documentary, “Women of Carbon,” along with HKS and EQxD for Earth Day.
 

EQxD (Equity by Design)

EQxD co-hosted the documentary “Women of Carbon” on Earth Day along with HKS and BEC/COTE. Keep an eye out for info on the upcoming Pride Month gathering!
 

Government Affairs

GAC and Membership hosted a legislative recap in early April. Members learned more about what bills GAC followed during the 2026 session and discussed their interim session goals.  GAC meets monthly for the remainder of the year and all are welcome to join the meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 8:00 a.m.  GAC is looking for a committee Chair/Co-Chair so if interested, please contact Shawn Benjamin at shawn@method-studio.com.
 

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards opened the call for entries for the AIA Utah Student Design Awards in April and the call for Architecture & Honors Awards opened in early May. The committee is currently finalizing the search for the 2026 Awards Jury Chair. In addition, they hosted the Pathway to Fellowship lunch in March where qualified members learned more about the process through discussions with our local FAIA experts, Jeanne Jackson, FAIA and RK Stewart, FAIA.
 

Young Architects Forum (YAF)

YAF participated in a productive workshop with NOMA to develop programming for April’s ArchWeek, a national campaign by AIA to engage with K-12 Students. YAF created an architectural scavenger hunt for the Day-Riverside library which over 30 children enjoyed.

The committee explored a re-brand of the YAF committee to be more inclusive for early-career professionals who are not licensed, changing the committee name to YAF (Young Architects Forum) + EP (Emerging Professionals). AIA Utah’s YAF committee functions dually as a young architect and emerging professionals committee so the hope is that a name-change will  encourage more participation from Associate members and increase attendance at events.

Next big event is Fireside with the Fellows on June 18th from 6-9 pm!
 

Membership

The membership committee co-hosted this year’s legislative recap in early April. After focusing on member renewals, the committee is now cleaning up our email lists so that members continue to receive the most recent news from AIA Utah. In addition, they are looking at ways to invest in upcoming events that provide unique value to our members at different stages of their careers.

Utah Center for Architecture

UCFA and AIA Utah hosted the Elizabeth Mitchell Travel Grant Scholarship presentation, “Afterlife of Materials,” on April 16th. Naren Anandh (scholarship recipient) and Thomas Stankowski presented.  UCFA plans to open the travel grant scholarship application in the next few months.

As always, thank you to all our committees for everything they do for AIA Utah and our members. We look forward to seeing what summer will bring!

BEC/COTE is a group of professionals dedicated to raising the quality of building enclosures all over the state, which in turn improves energy performance and sustainability outcomes. We also engage with environmentally-conscious design in general, and seek to share resources for Utah designers to integrate sustainability into their buildings.

We generally accomplish this through events, like the building reuse and deconstruction workshop held earlier this year, or building tours focused on high performance structures. We also contribute to written publications, such as this blog post! With Earth Day happening this month, we’d like to share a few general tips for your building envelope design and some ideas for showing your appreciation for the Earth at work and home alike. 

Building Enclosure Tips

The building enclosure is an essential component of energy efficiency. So essential, in fact, that some of the most rigorous energy efficiency standards in the world focus on it above all else. The Passive House Building Certification, for example, limits energy use for heating and cooling to 4.75 kBtu/ft2 each per year, about 40% of the average US single-family home.

In order to accomplish this, five principles are used to guide the building design: thermal insulation, glazing efficiency, heat recovery, airtightness, and reduction of thermal bridging. Four out of five principles relate directly to the building envelope; the “fabric first” approach holds water and air alike! Here are some things to keep in mind as you design your building enclosure:

• Window-to-Wall Ratio: Targeting a window-to-wall ratio of around 20% helps solidify building efficiency, as even the best-performing window is much weaker thermally than the worst-performing insulation.
  
  
• Glazing: It is important not only to choose the right amount of glazing, but to choose the right type of glazing. You can use energy modeling to determine what U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) balance is best for your building.
  
  
• Thermal Bridging: Keep an eye out for thermal bridges (uninsulated spots in your building envelope) in your details. These often crop up around junctions, window and door frames, balcony connections, rim joists, and balcony connections, and impact energy usage and thermal comfort alike.
  
  
• Commissioning: When your project is big enough, hiring a building commissioner can result and a higher performance heating and cooling system with the benefits of reduced cost and more comfort inside the building.
  
  
• Right-Sized Insulation: This is another place where energy modeling comes in handy, allowing you to assess and install the “Goldilocks Scenario.” This way, your building is thoroughly insulated without wasting money on over-insulating as the return on investment decreases.
  
  
• Moisture and Temperature Management: Use a rainscreen to temper the elements and preserve your exterior materials, allowing them to dry and creating a thermal chimney to evacuate hot air before it affects your building.

There are so many great ways to improve your building.  Do more research on efficiency methodologies and enjoy more efficient and comfortable buildings.

Fostering and Showing Environmental Appreciation

As important as the building enclosure is, building occupants aren’t likely to give it much thought. However, they will pay attention to how they feel inside of the building, and architecture is a wonderful vehicle for introducing new ideas and behaviors to people. Simple prompts built into a design can facilitate more environmentally-conscious thinking and behavior. A few examples of easy ways to prompt environmental considerations are:  

• Right-Sizing Recycling: It is easy for people to get into a habit of throwing things away if the recycling bin is too small and/or always full, or if it’s far away from their ever-convenient trash can. Selecting trash and recycling cans to be the same size and co-locating them prompts increased recycling rates. You might also consider adding explanatory signs near recycling cans, to help people engage in proper recycling practices.  
  
  
• Daylight, Views, and Biophilia: Looking out a window at nature, feeling the sun on their skin, and simply seeing plants encourages people to connect with and appreciate the natural environment. Designing for integration of these elements not only facilitates that appreciation, but contributes to positive health and wellness outcomes!
  
  
• Sensors and Timers: Utilizing daylight and occupancy sensors in your buildings is a great way to reduce energy usage for lights.  Or just be cognizant of the lights you left on and turn them off before you leave for the day.
  
  
• Phantom Loads: These add up! With so many appliances, toys, and other items with screens and dormant electrical load, occupants can learn which ones they don’t use much and unplug them until needed.
  
  
• Commuting: Ensuring that bike racks and lanes are included in the planning of a development will make a difference. Providing people the means to safely ride a bike to work/school and back will encourage their usage as alternative transportation.

Building designers have a lot of potential to have a positive impact for people and planet alike. By implementing a few of these tips, you can help reduce waste and carbon emissions while encouraging wellness and further engagement with nature in your building occupants.

An Invitation

We hope your Earth Day celebrations went well, however you chose to express appreciation for the planet, and we hope you find more opportunities this month to focus on the Earth! We would also like to invite you to our Spring Building Performance Forum, which will be held on May 6 at the University of Utah Roger Bailey Exhibition Hall. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, or if you’d like to join BEC/COTE!

AIA Utah Member Profile: Audra Herriges, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB with Naylor Wentworth Lund Architects

Get to know Audra Herriges, AIA, LEED AP, NCARB, Sr. Project Manager and Sr. Associate at NWL Architects! Through questions on her time at AIA, her influences, and more, we learn more about Audra as an architect, committee member, and individual.

Time is valuable, why AIA?

When I first graduated college, I told myself I was “too busy” to participate in AIA. Between work and exams, I couldn’t see the value. A few years later, one of my mentors, Steve Griffin, told me, “You get from AIA what you put into it.” It took me a while to fully understand what he meant.

I began by attending AIA Middle TN Emerging Professional’s hard hat tours. That enabled me to meet other yet-to-be-licensed interns. We’d share study materials, what we were learning at work, and how our companies operated. It provided balance, by developing relationships outside of the office—something I truly needed.

Because I’ve relocated several times, I learned that serving on AIA committees was the fastest way to build community. Sometimes the place you work cannot offer opportunities to grow specific skills, explore particular passions, or lack people your age/level to talk to. Working with other AIA members on those committees enabled me to build friendships, gain broader perspectives, develop new skillsets, and even pushed me to do things I would normally fear. It led to opportunities like moderating panel discussions, guiding historic tours, speaking to state representatives, and helping organize events that empower young women.

Experiencing COVID in DC was particularly isolating and that sense of community was a lifeline—those committees brought a sense normalcy and hope. Serving in the AIA has been my opportunity to give back to something that has given me so much. It has been a light in dark places, and a reminder that the more you give, the more you receive. 

Favorite Utah space, built or natural:

I fell in love with Utah’s natural beauty, and there are so many places I love going to. But one that holds a special place in my heart is Moe’s Valley/Bearclaw Poppy Trail System here in St. George. It’s arid and full of geologic wonders, cryptobiotic soil, desert tortoises, and the only place in the world where the dwarf poppy blooms. I love being there whether it’s for mountain biking, hiking, or trail running (or taking photos). It’s at risk of development and my hope is that the communities can collaborate to find a way to preserve the land for everyone to fall in love with it. 

Favorite book:

To me, books are like stars—hard to choose just one favorite, so I have favorites by genre. My favorite architecture book would be Life Between Buildings by Jan Ghel. Combining architecture and sociology, it looks at how people interact with and utilize public spaces. The book makes the case for why cities should be designed around human life and interaction, not just buildings.

Mantra

I’ve a few mantras that I keep in my mind throughout life when I need them. My enduring one:

You can achieve anything you set your mind to.

I was fortunate enough to grow up with and still have a family who still tells me this often and is surrounded by living examples. My mom was not only a female pilot, but she became a flight instructor teaching IFR; this helped her discover her love of teaching. My dad grew up very poor and worked hard enough to achieve his dream of graduating from the Air Force Academy and becoming a fighter pilot, which led him to engineering things in space. My nana started as a teacher and worked her way up to becoming principal, leading and guiding others. My granddad grew up in poverty, started as a carpenter, and eventually had his own business as a general contractor, helping design the projects he built. They taught me: Work towards achieving your dream, and along the way you will discover what fulfills your heart. Failure is not in failing, it is in never trying. Believe in yourself, especially when others do not. 

AIA Utah Committees 2025–2026 Winter Update

Our committees have been hard at work this winter. From advocating for architects to arranging educational events, here is a small sample of what they have been up to lately:

BEC/COTE (Building Enclosure Council/Committee on the Environment)

BEC/COTE hosted The ReUse Institute for a Deconstruction Workshop on Feb 11th that offered 6 LU/HSW. They also started work on their ½ day Spring Symposium and are partnering with HKS and EQxD to host a documentary screening for Earth Day.
 

EQxD (Equity by Design)

EQxD hosted a book reading on Feb 27th in celebration of Black History Month. They also are partnering with HKS and BEC/COTE to host the documentary “Women of Carbon” in April.
 

Government Affairs

GAC hosted their annual Legislative Breakfast at the Utah State Capitol on Feb 2nd. In addition, the committee continues to meet weekly with members and lobbyists while the legislature is in session. Members of the committee have met with representatives on issues that affect the profession.
 

Honors & Awards

Honors & Awards is preparing for the 2026 awards program and searching for the 2026 Awards Jury Chair. In addition, they set the date (March 17) for the Pathway to Fellowship lunch where qualified members can meet with our local FAIA experts to learn about the process. 
 

Young Architects Forum (YAF)

YAF had their annual happy hour social at Kiitos brewing in partnership with SEAU. There were about 27 attendees, an even mix of architects and structural engineers, and they raffled off one ARE exam and one engineering exam at the event. The committee is now working on content for ArchWeek and the Fireside with the Fellows event in June.

Central

AIA Utah President Clio Rayner met with several members from the Central region to discuss their goals. Chris Thompson from CORE Architecture agreed to serve as the Central Region Committee Chair. If interested in being a part of this committee, or you want to receive info about their events, please contact Chris at christophert@corearch.com.
 

Sponsorship

AIA Utah still has sponsorship opportunities available for the 2026 year! If you are interested in being a Premier Partner or want to sponsor a specific event, please contact Lori Haglund at lhaglund@resolutgroup.com or Angie Roberts at ahroberts@aiautah.org. 
 

Membership

The membership committee is contacting non-renewed members and cleaning up our member lists to ensure that all members receive communications from AIA Utah. In addition, they are looking at ways to invest in upcoming events that provide unique value to our members.

Accessible Housing Task Force

The Housing Task Force recently met with architects focused on housing policy issues from Denver, Austin, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia. 

Thank you to our committees for all of their hard work. We look forward to seeing what they have in store for AIA Utah membership as winter comes to a close and the spring season begins.

Advocacy & Policy: How AIA Utah’s Government Affairs Committee Works for You


by Shawn Benjamin, AIA, LEED AP, ICAA | Method Studio

Each year, as lawmakers convene on Utah’s Capitol Hill, literally hundreds (1000 so far this year) of pieces of legislation are introduced that directly and often indirectly impact the practice of architecture. From procurement policy and professional
 licensure to energy codes, housing policy, and liability reform, decisions made during the 45-day session shape how architects design, document, and deliver projects across the state. That’s where AIA Utah’s Government Affairs Committee (GAC) comes in.

So, What Does GAC Do for AIA Members & Utah Architects?

First, it monitors the political zeitgeist (we all love to throw that word into something). It keeps its proverbial ear to the rail.
In an effort to be proactive within the industry and our communities, it’s important to know where society has been
 and where it’s heading, how it might ebb and flow, and when to engage the political process.

As the GAC, in particular, we focus on where public sentiment attempts to congeal into public policy or even formally become new or modified law. It looks for issues that affect the practice of architecture, and adjacent subject matter. Whether it’s land
 use policy/law, water use/protection, environmental concerns or business operations, societal concerns or code changes, we’re looking for the things that architects are often asked to address by clients and our communities. As a group of industry
 professionals, we review language, assess impact, and flag concerns early—hopefully before they become costly problems.

Next, we recognize that we often represent the voice of architects in the public forum. When legislation affects the profession, the GAC:

• Engages directly with bill sponsors and committee members
• Provides technical expertise and industry insight
• Suggests amendments that protect public health, safety & welfare as well as the integrity of the profession
• Coordinates testimony and position statements on behalf of AIA Utah and its members

Architects bring a unique, solutions-oriented perspective and we’ve found that most lawmakers appreciate that expertise when it’s organized and accessible.

Recent efforts have been made to educate representatives on the role of the architect in our state and build relationships with those that call Capitol Hill home for 45 days out of the year.  Effective advocacy is built on trust. The GAC fosters ongoing
 relationships with legislators, state agencies, and allied organizations—not just during the session, but year-round. This consistent presence strives to make architects a part of the conversation early, not just after legislation is proposed or the
 decisions are ‘made’.

The Government Affairs Committee endeavors to keep members informed and engaged.


Throughout the legislative session, the GAC provides:

• Weekly updates and bill summaries
• Calls to action when member outreach matters
• Opportunities to attend events or meet with policymakers
• Guidance on how to engage constructively and professionally

Advocacy is strongest when it reflects the breadth of our membership. Your feedback and insights directly inform our approach to engaging this process.

Why It Matters

Policy shapes practice—sometimes whether we like it or not. Seemingly small statutory changes can influence contract structures, project timelines, sustainability requirements, and client expectations, to name a few. When architects are absent from the
 legislative process, others define the rules under which we work. When we are present, we help ensure:

• Public health, safety, and welfare remain central
• Design excellence is supported—not sidelined
• The profession remains strong and future-focused

How You Can Get Involved

Advocacy isn’t separate from practice—it protects it! Your involvement is meaningful, no matter how, when or where it occurs, but we find these efforts often see the biggest return on investment:

• Attend a GAC meeting during session
• Respond to member action alerts
• Build relationships with your local legislators
• Share real-world project examples that illustrate policy impacts


As the our elected officials continue their work, AIA Utah’s Government Affairs Committee remains committed to representing, protecting, and advancing the interests of architects statewide. Your engagement strengthens that mission—and ensures our collective
 voice continues to help shape Utah’s built environment for the better.

At AIA Utah, our mission is rooted in advancing the architecture profession while serving the broader community. Through education, advocacy, and meaningful engagement, we support architects and allied professionals who are shaping Utah’s built environment—today and for generations to come.

Our work is guided by a set of core values that inform everything we do:

Design Excellence

We actively pursue design excellence by providing educational opportunities, sharing best practices, and celebrating exceptional work. By fostering innovation and thoughtful design, we help elevate the quality of the built environment across the state.

Stewardship

Architecture plays a vital role in protecting public health, safety, and welfare. AIA Utah is committed to responsible stewardship—advocating for sustainable practices that respect both people and the natural environment we share.

Integrity

We uphold the highest standards of honesty and professional ethics. Integrity is foundational to trust in our profession, and we strive to model ethical leadership in practice, advocacy, and collaboration.

Inclusivity

AIA Utah is a platform for connection. We create space for networking, mentorship, and collaboration while ensuring that diverse voices are welcomed, heard, and valued. A stronger profession is one where everyone has a seat at the table.

Engagement

Through year-round programming, professional development opportunities, and social and collaborative events, we actively engage our members and the greater AEC community—supporting growth, connection, and shared learning.

Why Sponsor AIA Utah?

Sponsoring AIA Utah is more than a partnership—it’s an investment in the future of the built environment.

Community Impact

Aligning your brand with AIA Utah demonstrates a clear commitment to creating healthier, more resilient, and more inspiring places for everyone who lives, works, and plays in Utah.

Brand Exposure

Sponsors gain visibility through event sponsorships, website advertising, Punchlist features, social media, and recognition at AIA Utah events—placing your brand in front of an engaged and influential audience.

Meaningful Connections

Sponsorship provides access to key decision-makers and a robust professional network, creating opportunities for collaboration, relationship-building, and long-term partnerships.

A Statewide Impact

• 800+ AIA Utah members across the state
• 13 committees and 3 task forces delivering year-round education and programming
• 1,200+ attendees annually participating in signature events, tours, advocacy sessions, panels, and networking opportunities

Together, we are building a stronger profession and a better built environment. We invite you to join us in supporting the architects and professionals who are shaping Utah’s future.

by Lori Haglund, Sponsorship Committee

Over the past years AIA Utah has been working hard to reach out to our members and meet them where they are. This year we want to continue this outreach to better understand how our organization can continue to evolve in ways that expand benefits and involvement.   2025 was a successful year resulting in expanded program opportunities and realignment of the AIA Utah structure with the goal to increase support and impact.  This year we hope to continue that work with a focus on participation, representation and partnership.

Participation: AIA Utah is a volunteer organization and the more participation we have from our members the better we become.  Our amazing staff works tirelessly to actualize the vision of our Board and Committees—the vision our volunteer members provide.  The first step to answer the question “What can AIA Utah do for me?” is adding your voice to the discussion.  I encourage all our members to become a part of the conversation by joining our committees and reaching out to other members and staff to explore the opportunities to connect and create.  

Representation: We want our members to see themselves in AIA Utah.  Utah is a large and diverse state, and our charge is to represent different regions, organization types, and career paths as the many parts of a single organization.  We want to reinvigorate participation and activity in all regions, find new ways to support small firms and sole practitioners along with larger firms, and add more voices with varied backgrounds and career pathways.  To do this well we need to understand the challenges our different members face.  This comes back to participation.  If you want to see yourself in AIA Utah, become a part of it.  Representation starts with one.

Partnership: In Utah we are lucky to have multiple organizations that support and promote our profession.   These organizations provide our professional community with many opportunities to participate.  We want to share that success by supporting other organizations and promoting partnerships. AIA Utah should be a connection point that brings together the distinct goals across our profession and creates a resource that serves our members by presenting the multiple opportunities they have to serve others.  

Becoming a part of an organization is one of the best ways to increase your impact.  Here is a list of the AIA Utah committees and task forces that you can join.  You can learn more about these groups and their contact information by visiting our website at https://aiautah.org/page/committees.

• BEC/COTE
• Equity by Design (EQxD)
  
• Government Affairs (GAC)
  
• Honors & Awards
  
• Housing Task Force
  
• Industry Partner Sponsorships
  
• Small Firm Exchange (SFx)
  
• Urban Design
  
• Young Architects Forum (YAF)
  
• Central Utah Committee
  
• Northern Utah Committee
  
• Southern Utah Committee

We are starting an exciting year and are already watching as things develop during the legislative session with the Government Affairs Committee. Join us!

Clio Rayner, AIA LEED AP
2026 AIA Utah President