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.
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ARDA closes in one week! [Monday MINUTE]
Published about 8 hours ago • 5 min read
June 8, 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
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Let's dive in.
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Field Notes
ARDA closes in one week; get your entries in now!
All residential industry professionals are eligible to enter individual or collaborative projects. Entries previously submitted to ARDA are still eligible, provided they haven’t yet won recognition in the same category. Entries may be entered in multiple categories (e.g., Custom Homes and Green Design), and all completed projects are eligible regardless of completion date.
The Economy Added 172k Jobs in May: What It Means for You
Financial activities dropped by 22,000 jobs this month—continuing a steady downward trend over the past year. For small residential design firms and solo practitioners, tightening in the financial sector often signals stricter lending environments for consumers. If your clients find it harder to secure home improvement loans or construction financing, it could directly impact your pipeline. It’s a great time to focus on cash flow and high-intent clients.
Mobile home building costs could drop $10,000 — and finally ditch the 'trailer' look — if this bipartisan bill passes
Under current HUD code rules, the mandatory steel chassis requires a home to be elevated, usually necessitating skirting to hide the undercarriage. If the chassis is eliminated, these homes can sit directly on a traditional foundation.
Buyers will need design professionals to handle the site-integration phase. This includes designing custom attached garages, wrap-around porches, complex roof line extensions, and architectural foundations
Announcing the winners of the 2026 SkillsUSA Architectural Drafting Competition
Last Thursday afternoon, in Atlanta, BA, 65 students from around the country and Porte Rico submitted their project to over two dozen AIBD volunteer judges. Here are the results:
High School:
GOLD: James Edminsterreater (#1541), New Bedford, MA
Construction Spending Just Ticked Up (But Look Closer...)
Programs like this represent a growing national trend toward "producible housing" initiatives. While it might look like municipal competition on the surface, it’s actually a massive opportunity for savvy residential design professionals.
Because site-specific elements (setbacks, utilities, typography) still require full custom review, and clients always want modifications, your role will pivot from drafting standard construction documents from scratch to providing high-value site adaptation, customization, and local permitting navigation. The volume is there if you know how to position your services around these pre-approved frameworks.
Pre-approved plans are hitting the mainstream (and what it means for your fee structure)
Such programs are part of a growing “producible housing” trend. This isn’t just municipal competition; it’s a huge opportunity for residential design professionals.
Site-specific elements like setbacks and utilities still need a custom review, and clients always want changes. Your role will shift from drafting standard documents to offering high-value services such as site adaptation, customization, and assistance with local permits.
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Traditional Building Conference - June 16-17, 2026 - Cape May, NJ - Register now
What We're Up to
Register for the 2026 AIBD Annual Conference
The American Institute of Building Design's central gathering for building designers, industry professionals, and partners, offering a platform for advocacy, certification, education, networking, and recognition within the field.
The Backbone of Excellence: Join the Certification Council
July 29, 2026 Annual Meeting
Operating an industry-wide certification program is a massive undertaking. To align with international standards, it requires more than just an exam—it demands significant financial investment and specialized man-hours to manage, audit, and promote the integrity of our credentials.
The American Institute of Building Design relies on volunteers to power the committees that keep our certification engine running. We are now seeking leaders to step into the role of Council Members.
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.
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