AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design™

An embodiment of AIA’s mission & values

The AIA Global Campus for Architecture & Design will embody AIA’s core values—climate action, resilience, and equity—and dramatically transform the user experience for members, visitors, and staff. The substantial renewal of its headquarters on New York Avenue in Washington, D.C. will provide a cost-effective, scalable, replicable approach to decarbonization while serving as a model of stewardship and sustainability and fostering AIA’s connection to the community.

Led by San Francisco-based architecture firm EHDD, with Hood Design Studio, Hartman-Cox Architects, and Point Energy Innovations as consultants, and Turner Construction overseeing construction management, the renovation seeks transform AIA's 1973 Brutalist building into a renewed place of high performance and high impact.

Fully electric & carbon neutral

This project is one of the first fully decarbonized major renovations in the United States—restoring and upgrading the 50-year-old building and its original, antiquated systems to maximize cost-effective energy efficiency and to decarbonize the campus in accordance with the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the AIA 2030 Commitment. When completed, the building will have net-zero emissions—five years ahead of the goals of the AIA 2030 Commitment.

Green power

The Global Campus will be run entirely on certified green power—solar and wind—to reduce our carbon footprint and do our part to support a clean energy future.

Public-private partnership (PPP) solar generation system

The PPP solar system will facilitate the expansion of the community’s renewable energy capacity while deriving clean, pure energy; reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution; improving public health; and creating jobs in clean energy—all at the same cost to AIA as conventional electricity.

Air-to-water heat exchangers

Six air-to-water roof heat pumps will provide all the building’s heat—completely eliminating the use of fossil fuels—while providing maximum energy efficiency and reducing maintenance and costs.

Solar shading facade

Performative solar shades will shade more than half of the building’s facade while generating electricity at the same time. The panels are carefully tuned to the movement of the sun throughout the day and year to maximize heat and cooling efficiency and sun protection.

Low-carbon material selection  

Material reuse and low carbon material selection, including carbon-neutral carpet, FSC certified wood, low-carbon acoustic ceiling tiles, and low-carbon concrete, will help set a new standard for zero-carbon renovations.

Cohesive biophilic experience

The building will prioritize comfort, transparency, and nature through daylighting, thermal comfort, acoustics, ergonomics, indoor plants, outdoor views, and natural materials to enhance collaboration and wellness for members, visitors, and staff. 

A gathering place for all

The renewal leverages forward-looking design to enhance and foster the AIA’s connection to the community and create a flexible and collaborative community destination.

For the first time, AIA headquarters and the historic Octagon Museum will be one property and create a more welcoming street presence for the community. A gradually sloped feature walk will replace the existing compressed stair entry. Non-historic portions of the existing brick walls and fences will be removed to create greater transparency and access for all. A new plaza garden will be layered and activated, offering a range of new visitor experiences.

A community destination

The building will be a new home base for the world’s leading architects—showcasing, advocating, and teaching the value of design. The Global Campus will create learning, meeting, and co-working spaces and provide curated experiences, education, and events that leverage the power of design to foster AIA’s connection to the local community and beyond.

The campus will include a new gallery for curated exhibitions and lectures, a revamped AIA Store with products that celebrate architecture and design, and the Octagon as both a museum and event space.

Additionally, a suite of amenities—including drop-in coworking space, meeting facilities, and VR/media lounges—will be available to members and the public alike in this new model for an energy-efficient, adaptable, workplace and gathering space.