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American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)

Capturing the outdoor magic in alley-loaded homes [Monday Minute]

Published about 21 hours ago • 3 min read

November 3, 2025, Edition

Ignite your mind and improve the way you are #CreatingWherePeopleLive

This weekly newsletter

is created by and for those designing homes in North America.

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Its editorial staff is the American Institute of Building Design, Inc., the premier association of residential design professionals.

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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.

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Let's dive in.

Email servers may truncate this newsletter because it is too long. Read the complete Monday Minute at AIBD.org/mondayminute.

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Field Notes

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Federal Reserve cuts rates to the lowest level in three years

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Get ready for a major move from the Federal Reserve—despite a government data blackout, the Fed appears poised to cut interest rates for a second time this year. But December “is not a forgone conclusion.”

Source: CNN Business

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A holistic approach to sustainable construction

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Bauer Technologies managing director John Theos offers practical solutions for reducing the environmental impact of construction and ground engineering projects.

Source: Ground Engineering

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Israeli-founded startup raises $10 million seed round to automate U.S. home construction.

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Their AI agents streamline engineering work in construction projects. Integrating seamlessly with architects' existing tools, they intelligently convert 2D drawings into detailed 3D plans. These plans rigorously comply with local structural, electrical, and plumbing standards, and proactively identify potential design conflicts well before submission.

Source: CTECH

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Homebuilders push new frontier for Fannie and Freddie: Construction loans

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Metal roofs are favored for rainwater collection due to their durability, efficiency, and lower risk of contaminant buildup compared to asphalt, slate, or tile roofs.

Source: Politico

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Nuts & Bolts

Capturing the outdoor magic in alley-loaded homes.

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The piece highlights the often-overlooked potential of spaces between alley-loaded garages and homes, arguing that while front porches are public and foster neighborly connections, these backyard areas are private, rejuvenating retreats. Thoughtful design can transform these modest outdoor spaces into personal havens where families can unwind and connect.

Source: Home Design Matters

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Highlights

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Welcome New Members

And those returning

John Hamilton, Professional (FL)

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Member Anniversaries

Congratulations to those celebrating the anniversary of their membership this month.

A special congratulations to...

  • Paul Gonzalez, TX,
    ​John R Wagner, FL, and
    ​William Mark Bostic, SC, for celebrating 20 years!
  • James L Winslow, NC,
    ​James Jeffrey Leitch, MA, and Robert James Faust, CPBD, TX, for all celebrating 10 years!
  • Eric Anderson, AIA, NY, and Andrew W Logan, CPBD, TX, for all reaching the five-year mark! 🎉🎊

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Workshops & Gatherings

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AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils

Click the links to view the topics and add to your calendar.

November 5 - Board of Directors (Virtual) 4:00 pm ET

November 18 - National Council of Building Designer Certification (Virtual) 11:00 am ET.

November 19 - Western North Carolina (Virtual) 10:30 am ET

November 19 - Eastern Shore Chapter (Virtual) 3:30 pm ET.

AIBD Webinars

November 13 - 3:00 pm ET - How leading firms use AEC-specific AI to streamline project work (1.0 P3-CE)

Sponsored by:

November 14 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Are stepped ceilings still a thing? (1.0 P3-CE)

November 18 - High-Performance Homes Team - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

November 25 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET - Scope Creep: Identifying and Reducing this HUGE Project Management Pitfall (1.0 P2 CE)

December 9 - QuickTie Products-High Wind and Seismic Tie Down System - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

Sponsored by:

December 18 - 2:00 pm ET - Building Resilient Residences: The Art and Science of Rain Screens and Continuous Insulation (1.0 P4-CE)

Sponsored by:

Training Events

Hosted By AIBD CE Providers

AEC Daily - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

Chief Architect's Kitchen & Bath Boot Camp - November 7, 2025.

Design+Build Cleveland - July 29-August 1, 2026

Green Home Institute - ​Look for in-person and virtual events.

SoftPlan - Virtual training dates​

SBCA - Components Craft - February 24-25, 2026 - Austin, TX. - Information​

Traditional Building Conference - March 24-25, 2026 - Salem, MA - Registration opens January 6​

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What We're Up to

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Save the Date: July 29-August 1, 2026.

The next Design+Build venue has been chosen!

After an extensive selection process spanning several months, the Conference Committee is pleased to announce that the Metropolitan at the 9 in Cleveland, OH, has been chosen as the host venue for the highly anticipated 2026 Design+Build Summer Conference. This decision comes after numerous rounds of detailed deliberation, meticulous contract negotiations to secure the best possible terms, and multiple comprehensive site visits to evaluate various premier locations.

Questions or comments?

Have a triumphant week.

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Contact us at info@aibd.org, 800.366.2423, or 110 Front Street, Suite #300, Jupiter, FL 33477.

One more thing—we want to lead with transparency. AI was most likely used to complete this post in one way or another. Don't blame the technology if you find a mistake; in most cases, our emails are written by humans and AI-supported. Now and then, they are AI-generated and human-edited. Both humans and AI still make mistakes.

American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)

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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