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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Beat the fall price hike: Copyright fees are rising [Monday MINUTE]
Published about 16 hours ago • 4 min read
July 20, 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.
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Field Notes
Heads Up: Copyright Fees Are Heading Up This Fall
Thinking about safeguarding your latest residential blueprints? It’s time to act. The U.S. Copyright Office has officially submitted a new fee schedule to Congress, marking the first price hike since 2020.
If you qualify for a Single Application (one work, single author, and not a work-for-hire), the fee is only slightly higher, from $45 to $55. However, if your firm owns the design as a work-for-hire, you’ll have to use the Standard Application, which is jumping from $65 to $85.
Before these changes officially take effect in late 2026, make sure your firm isn't leaving money on the table.
Last Chance to Register for the 2026 AIBD Annual Conference
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
And our exhibitors:
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.
Shelter Costs Cool Down: A Rare Silver Lining in the June CPI Report
The latest inflation numbers are out, and it’s a mixed bag—but with a major headline for residential pros. While overall energy costs took a sharp dive (driving a 0.4% drop in the headline monthly inflation rate), the real story for home designers is hidden in the core data. Shelter costs increased by a mere 0.1% in June, marking the smallest one-month increase for housing and rent since January 2021.
Is the residential building boom cooling off for good?
Single-family homebuilding just fell for the third straight month, and future construction permits have hit a 10-month low.
Focus on patience and agility. With single-family starts stalling while multi-family projects soar (up nearly 20% year-on-year), your immediate opportunities may pivot heavily toward high-density residential design and creative, cost-effective starter-home layouts rather than sprawling custom builds.
Whether clients view it as a sloppy mistake or an intentional design choice, flipped electrical receptacles always raise questions during a walkthrough.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) remains neutral on receptacle orientation. Specifying upside-down outlets on your electrical plans serves as a clean visual indicator for half-hot/switched outlets, giving homeowners an intuitive cue without requiring extra signage or specialty hardware.
Our smooth, quiet, and dependable door and window automation systems are preferred by leading architects, designers, builders, and installers globally.
Click the links to view the topics and add them to your calendar.
July 22 - Western NC (Virtual) - 10:30 am ET - Lessons Learned: 40 Years of Structural Engineering Experience
July 29 - AIBD Compass Club Party (In Person) - 7:00 pm ET - Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH
July 29 - Annual Leadership Meetings: NCBDC (Virtual) 9:00 am ET,College of Fellows (Virtual) 11:00 am, andBoard of Directors (Virtual) 2:00 pm ET - Connect with your leadership and share your insights.
July 21 -High-Performance Homes Team - 2:00 p.m. ET - The Housing for the 21st Century Act and its hidden playbook for the future of residential building science. (1.0 P4 CE)
July 28 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET (30 min) - Build a Stronger, Safer, and Significantly More Energy-Efficient Home (1.0 P4 CE)
August 14 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Collaborating with Interior Designers (1.0 P3 CE)
Traditional Building Conference - November 3-4, 2026 - Charleston, SC
What We're Up to
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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