Career and the profession

Days 3 and 4 of AIA26: Duvall Decker Architects, the Hip-Hop Architect, Charlene Li and Sameh Wahba, and more

The final two days of AIA26 brought recognition for Firm Award winners Duvall Decker and Whitney M. Young Jr. Award winner Michael Ford, keynotes from Charlene Li and Sameh Wahba, networking and fellowship at the Women's Leadership Luncheon, and more.

June 15, 2026

By AIA Staff

On Friday and Saturday of AIA26, Duvall Decker Architects were recognized as winners of the 2026 Architecture Firm Award and Michael Ford, FAIA, NOMA, was recognized as the winner of the Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, the Women's Leadership Luncheon brought together women leaders across the industry, and Charlene Li and Sameh Wahba addressed the audience during informative and inspiring keynotes. Check out the highlights in this photo gallery!

During Friday’s mainstage session, employees from Duvall Decker Architects came onstage to receive the 2026 AIA Architecture Firm Award as a team.
Michael Ford, FAIA, NOMA, also known as the Hip-Hop Architect, was recognized as the winner of the 2026 Whitney M. Young Jr. Award during Friday's general session.
2026 AIA president Illya Azaroff, FAIA, addresses the crowd during Friday's general session, one of AIA26’s well-attended mainstage events.
Following his Saturday keynote address, Sameh Wahba (right) received a commendation from Azaroff.
A puppy makes a new friend at the SYNLawn Puppy Park, where rescued puppies interacted with potential adopters throughout the conference.
Attendees of the Women's Leadership Luncheon made meaningful connections with other women architects and leaders.
Carole Wedge, FAIA, AIA's EVP/CEO, addressed attendees at the Women's Leadership Luncheon.
Katie Swenson, Assoc. AIA, senior principal at MASS Design Group, served as the moderator of ArchiTalks conversations with Shigeru Ban and Duvall Decker.
Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA, and Roy Decker, FAIA, spoke about their ethos of architecture as an act of public service during Friday's ArchiTalk.
Thought leader Charlene Li spoke about how architects can harness the power of AI during Friday's general session.
AIA National staff members guided attendees to open seats for Friday’s mainstage session. This was one of the many roles AIA staff and other volunteers filled throughout the conference.