Two reasons to be in Florida this winter [Monday Minute]


December 22, 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.

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

Visit The New American Remodel on us.

Orlando, Florida

February 17-19, 2026

This "soft" remodel focuses on updating and revitalizing the home without the major structural changes seen in previous TNAR show homes. Designed by the ARDA-winning firm Phil Kean Designs, the home will be open for free tours during the 2026 International Builders Show. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis each day.

Source: The New American Remodel @IBS

AIBD Connect - Florida

Sanford, Florida

January 16, 2026

This unique one-day workshop is specifically tailored for residential design professionals who are eager to stay ahead of industry trends, gain valuable insights from experts, and collaborate with like-minded peers.

Source: AIBD

The 100 best Latin American houses of 2025.

Each year, the ArchDaily Curatorial team reviews the projects that resonated most with our readers. This year's selection of Best Latin American Houses brings together both renovations and ground-up projects, covering reinterpretations of local construction techniques and innovative architectural responses.

Source: ArchDaily

Why invisible risk will define homebuilding’s 2026 reality

Builders have long relied on the "magical thinking" that external forces—like Fed pivots or structural underbuilding—will eventually save the market. This article argues that homebuilders in 2026 must shift their focus from external market fluctuations to internal operational risks to remain successful.

Source: HousingWire

"Missing Middle" Housing initiatives are moving forward in Arizona

While Arizona state law (HB 2721) requires cities to allow high-density "middle housing" within a mile of central business districts, Tucson chose to expand this rule citywide. Other cities can take inspiration from Tucson's efforts to create more inclusive and adaptable housing inventories.

Source: City of Tucson

Nuts & Bolts

The Thinking Hand: Inside Frank Gehry’s Creative Ferment

What if the secret to some of the world’s most iconic buildings isn't found in a computer, but in a simple "scribble"? Whether you're a designer seeking inspiration or a fan of Gehry's bold, curving forms, this essay offers a rare look at the "dream shapes" of a thinking hand.

Source: MIT Press

Highlights

Welcome New Members

And those returning

Tim Enzweiler, Associates & Enzweiler (KY), Professional Member

Christian Alvarez (KS), Student Member

Please support our sponsor:

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.

January 7 - Board of Directors (Virtual) 4:00 pm ET

NEW! January 13 - North East Ohio Chapter (in Person) - Lunch & Learn - 11:00 am - North Jackson, Ohio

February 17 - National Council of Building Designer Certification (Virtual) 11:00 am ET.

AIBD Webinars

December 30 - CE Watch Party - 2:00 p.m. ET - A Guide to Client Onboarding: Crafting Winning Proposals and Contracts (1.0 P1 CE)

NEW! January 8 - Members Helping Members Roundtable - 3:00 pm ET (1.0 Elective CE)

January 9 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Cost-Effective Build and Design Ideas (1.0 P3 -CE)

January 20 - High-Performance Homes Team - The underlying principles of multi-layered, ventilated walls. - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

Training Events

Hosted By AIBD CE Providers

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

AirVent Attic Ventilation: Ask the Expert™ Seminar Schedule - In-person events - Schedule & Registration

NEW! AIBD Connect - Colorado - May 1, 2026, Castle Rock, CO. Schedule & Registration.

AIBD Connect - Florida - January 16, 2026, Sanford, FL. Schedule & Registration.

Chief Architect Virtual Training- Residential Boot Camp - January 9, 2026

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

What We're Up to

A New Standard Proposed by the SkillsUSA Architectural Drafting Technical Committee

The committee has completed an industry technical standard revamp aimed at transforming the current technical standards into workforce development and competition prep tools (in the past, it was primarily used for the latter).

The AIBD chairs the technical committee and oversees the annual architectural drafting competition at the SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.

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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