Career and the profession
Days 3 and 4 of AIA26: Duvall Decker Architects, the Hip-Hop Architect, Charlene Li and Sameh Wahba, and more
AIA26’s final two days brought recognition for award winners, a pair of keynote speeches, and a continuing sense of community for the architecture profession.
On Friday and Saturday of AIA26, Duvall Decker Architects received recognition for winning 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 from across the industry, and Charlene Li and Sameh Wahba addressed large audiences during informative and inspiring keynotes. Check out the highlights in this photo gallery!
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During Friday’s general 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, addressed 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. -
This puppy made 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, Hon. FAIA, 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 general session. This was one of the many roles AIA staff and other volunteers filled throughout the conference.
