The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of excellence in residential building design.
AIBD offers a variety of resources to its members, including continuing education, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance.
AIBD is a valuable resource for anyone interested in a career in residential building design. If you want to improve your skills, network with other professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, AIBD is the perfect organization for you.
Share
Housing Starts, New AI Tools, and $300 for Your Expertise [Monday Minute]
Published about 5 hours ago • 5 min read
February 9, 2026, Edition
#CreatingWherePeopleLive
This weekly newsletter
is created by and for those designing homes in North America.
Its editorial staff is the American Institute of Building Design, Inc., the premier association of residential design professionals.
Here's what you get:
Field Notes
Nuts & Bolts
Highlights
Workshops & Gatherings
What We're Up To
Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.
Let's dive in.
Email servers may truncate this newsletter because it is too long. Read the complete Monday Minute at AIBD.org/mondayminute.
If you received this as a forward, become one of our many delighted subscribers. Get insider access by signing up!
Please support our sponsor:
Field Notes
Paid focus group opportunity for IBS Orlando
And beyond
Home Innovations Research Labs is currently recruiting residential designers and architects for paid focus groups at the upcoming International Builders Show in Orlando.
Even if you aren't attending the show, you can still apply to join their 2026 research database for future opportunities to earn up to $300 per session for your feedback on building materials.
While total housing starts are expected to dip slightly by 1% in 2026, the real story is the shift in what is being built: single-family starts have dropped by 7%, while multi-family projects have surged by nearly 18%.
How To Determine How Many LED Lumens You'll Need To Properly Light Your Space
Brightness is measured in lumens, not watts. To find the perfect light level, multiply the room's square footage by its "foot-candle" requirement (e.g., a 100 sq. ft. living room typically needs 1,000–2,000 lumens).
Why Louis Kahn's Most Powerful House Is Also One of His Smallest
Proof That Size Doesn't Matter.
Can a 2,000-square-foot home be more "monumental" than a skyscraper? Aaron Betsky explores why Louis Kahn's Fisher House remains one of the most potent examples of midcentury residential design.
isn'tMonumentality isn’t about square footage; it's about the "kissing corner"—the masterful geometric connection between social and private blocks that creates a timeless sense of place.
Our ED discovered a new AI rendering software thatlaunched this past week. Rendershop offers an AI-powered platform that helps designers iterate faster without the technical overhead.
There's a free version that allows four renders per month. In addition to rendering, it offers dynamic editing, virtual staging, enhancement tools, and cinematic walkthroughs for both exteriors and interiors.
Steve is eager to experiment with that last feature.
How to stay focused when everything looks interesting.
"As a solopreneur, the freedom to make your own decisions is a superpower—but it can also lead to""shiny object syndrome". Whether it's a new design tool or a different business strategy, ask yourself four questions before chasing every trend that can pull you away from the work that actually pays the bills.
Wall Bracing for Hurricane, High Wind, and Seismic Resistance
Designing for coastal or high-seismic regions? This Wall Bracing Guide from the Building America Solution Center provides a practical checklist to ensure your structures can withstand pressure.
Murus high-performance building enclosures simplify designing sustainable, energy-efficient, and net-zero residential and light commercial buildings. For more information, call 570-549-2100 or visit www.murus.com.
Workshops & Gatherings
AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils
Click the links to view the topics and add to your calendar.
Traditional Building Conference - March 24-25, 2026 - Salem, MA - Registration Is Open
What We're Up to
New additions to the Designer Docs library
AIBD has just released a new series of "professional cheat sheets" in partnership with Andersen Windows & Doors to eliminate the guesswork from your next project.
You can now access authoritative Pattern Books for iconic styles like French Eclectic and Prairie, and more, designed to cut your research time by over 60% and ensure undeniable architectural authenticity.
The AIBD Board of Directors held its monthly meeting on February 4, 2026, to review financial and operational staff reports alongside a comprehensive list of committee updates. The session featured a "Members First" forum for external feedback and a technical presentation titled "Building Codes to Courtrooms". Key business items included approval of a new Memorandum of Understanding with the SBCA and removal of a member for ethical violations.
The American Institute of Building Design (AIBD) is a professional association that promotes the highest standards of excellence in residential building design.
AIBD offers a variety of resources to its members, including continuing education, networking opportunities, and marketing assistance.
AIBD is a valuable resource for anyone interested in a career in residential building design. If you want to improve your skills, network with other professionals, and stay up-to-date on the latest trends, AIBD is the perfect organization for you.
Read more from American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)
Wanted to get this to AIBD members before these spots fill up! Yesterday, I received a phone call from one of our industry partners, Home Innovations Research Labs, who are looking for industry professionals to participate in focus groups while they are at the International Builders Show in Orlando. Even if you're not attending the show, there may be opportunities for you throughout 2026 (They usually pay their focus group participants). Below is the email invite they’ve asked me to forward...
Join us for our annual pizza party – a great opportunity to network with fellow AIBD members in a relaxed setting! This is one of the best parts of attending the International Builder Show (IMHO). When: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 – 5:00 PM until 8:30 PM (or so) Where: Four Points by Sheraton Orlando Convention Center 6435 Westwood Blvd, Orlando, FL 32821 Please RSVP for the pizza party: https://aibd.org/event/pizza-party/ The venue is within walking distance of the convention centers. We'll...
You're a skilled residential designer. You know proportions, you understand materials, and you've mastered code. Yet every time you work on a new style, whether it's French Eclectic, Mission Revival, or Prairie, you find yourself hunting for the same answers: What's the correct window-to-wall ratio for this architecture? Which grille patterns are authentic to this era? What trim details should define this style's character? Where can I find authoritative design specs I can trust? Minutes turn...
