Highlighting Our 2025 Laura Shinn Scholarship Co-Winners, AIA26 and more!

Highlighting Our 2025 Laura Shinn Scholarship Co-Winners!

Dear AIA San Diego Members,

Applications are open and underway for our Laura Shinn Diversity Scholarship, and we wanted to take the opportunity to celebrate our co-winners of 2025: Austin Wiggins and Manuel Arellano!

Austin, a San Diego native with a passion for people‑centered design and commitment to inclusivity. From his roots in construction to inspiring local 3rd graders with hands‑on design activities, Austin is already shaping the future of our built environment with humility, curiosity, and heart.

Manuel’s dedication to community‑centered design, his drive to expand representation in the profession, and his thoughtful approach to the built environment reflect the values at the heart of this award.

Explore more about Austin & Manuel’s story on the blog to see how they are carrying forward Laura Shinn’s legacy through creativity, purpose, and a deep commitment to shaping more inclusive spaces.

The Laura Shinn Diversity Scholarship honors the legacy of Laura Shinn by supporting students like Manuel and Austin—future leaders who reflect the diversity, creativity, and empathy our profession needs. The scholarship is open to high school seniors and college students in San Diego County who are interested in architecture and design. Award recipients will receive financial support toward their education, along with mentorship and networking opportunities through AIA San Diego. More details, including eligibility requirements and the application process, can be found here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact scholarships@aiasandiego.org

APPLY HERE ►

AIA26 registration is now open!

Join us June 10–13, for four days of immersive learning, inspiring keynotes, architect-led tours, networking events, and the industry’s largest expo!

Save hundreds with early bird rates now through April 10!

Thinking of bringing a friend or 10? Group pricing tier discounts are available:

20% off full price for groups of 10-14
30% off full price for groups of 15-19
40% off full price for groups of 20+

The AIA Conference on Architecture & Design is more than a conference—it’s where the people behind the $700 billion AEC industry come to understand what’s happening now and shape what’s next. We can’t wait to see you there!

REGISTER NOW►

New AIA California members get a special perk this year: FREE registration to the AIA26 Conference on Architecture & Design in San Diego! This special offer is worth up to $1,499 per member!
Your free registration gives you full access to:

Visionary keynotes and nationally recognized speakers to inspire your work
Industry-best CE, including the opportunity to earn your HSWs for the year!
Exclusive architect-led tours featuring San Diego’s top architecture and firms
Unparalleled networking with peers, firm leaders, and industry partners
The industry’s largest expo, featuring hundreds of leading AEC brandsArchitect, Associate, Associate New Graduate, and International Associate members are eligible.

BECOME A MEMBER AND GET FREE AIA26 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

CRAN is back and looking for new leadership! If you're passionate about high-quality residential design and want to connect with peers, share best practices, and shape programming for AIA San Diego, we invite you to get involved.

Interested in running this committee or helping guide its direction?
Fill out the interest form on the linked page below and let us know how you'd like to participate—whether you're ready to lead or support behind the scenes.

LEARN MORE ►

RDAC Monthly Meeting

Join the Regional Design Advocacy Council for their upcoming monthly meeting! This will be a planning and interest meeting, sharing plans for the coming year and discussing potential issues and topics for RDAC to focus on.

February 25, 2026 Virtual

LEARN MORE ►

THANK YOU TO OUR GOLD SPONSORS!

Comply with Me: Ace the New Energy Code

Two days of thought leadership, case studies, in-depth training opportunities, and networking events that will help you glide through the updates to the 2025 Energy Code.

March 4 – 5, 2026 Irwindale, California

READ MORE ►

THANK YOU TO OUR SILVER SPONSORS!

THANK YOU TO OUR BRONZE SPONSORS!

Learn how you can become a sponsor HERE

Celebrating Design Excellence since 1928.

The mission of AIA San Diego is to promote the profession of architecture in the region and to support architects and designers in professional excellence.

AIA San Diego’s regular eNewsletter keeps you in the loop with the latest events, news, and opportunities from our local design community. If you have updates you’d like to share with our community, please email us at director@aiasandiego.org.