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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Tiny home, big opportunity, shining a light on the trades [Monday MINUTE]
Published about 10 hours ago • 5 min read
June 15, 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.
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
Tiny home, big opportunity, shining a light on the trades
(Courtesy of Columbia-Greene Community College)
As anxiety over AI disrupting the job market grows, the trades are becoming an increasingly lucrative and secure haven. The industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled labor, and programs like this are a direct answer to the post-pandemic renovation and housing boom.
You will be in great company if you enter ARDA today!
If history repeats itself, there will be around 30 new ARDA entries registered in the next 21 hours.
All residential industry professionals are eligible.
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, and all completed projects are eligible regardless of completion date.
Inflation Hit 4.2%: What May’s CPI means for small design firms
With shelter costs up 3.4% and energy commodities skyrocketing, overhead is creeping up while clients' discretionary budgets face a tighter squeeze. For a boutique firm, you can't absorb these hits through volume. Use this data as immediate justification to audit your rehandling fees, mileage reimbursements, and contract escalation clauses to ensure your overhead isn't eating your profit.
Builders, industry group share what encourages new home building
In a quick 3-minute read, this recent Spectrum News feature highlights how a shift toward smaller-footprint housing is gaining traction. While luxury starts remain steady, the real news is the legislative push to incentivize smaller "workforce" housing and compact lot development.
You don't need a massive team to capitalize on this. You can leverage this data to position your firm as the go-to expert for high-density, small-lot residential design.
For fun: Lego launches its largest set ever, featuring 12,000 pieces
Lego announced its largest set ever: a 12,060-piece replica of Barcelona's iconic Sagrada Família basilica. Released to commemorate the 100th anniversary of architect Antoni Gaudí's death, the massive build stands over 24 inches tall.
The set will go on sale globally on Nov. 1, retailing for $799.99. It is available for pre-order on Lego's site.
Why the preservation of old homes matter now more than ever.
In her latest piece for Fine Homebuilding, Patricia Poore (editor emeritus of Old-House Journal) makes a compelling, practical case for pressing pause on the sledgehammer. She breaks down the vital vocabulary of classic American home styles—from Carpenter Gothic to the American Foursquare—and defines the exact line between sensitive rehabilitation and total remodeling.
Our smooth, quiet, and dependable door and window automation systems are preferred by leading architects, designers, builders, and installers globally.
Traditional Building Conference - June 16-17, 2026 - Cape May, NJ - Registration still open
What We're Up to
Register for the 2026 AIBD Annual Conference
Hotel room block closes July 8.
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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The entry window for the American Residential Design Awards (ARDA) is closing soon, but there is still a fast, low-friction way to get your work in front of the judges: enter the Working Drawings category. If you already have a solid set of construction documents, you’re closer to “ARDA-ready” than you think. In fact, this is the one category where you don’t have to chase down new photography or create marketing copy from scratch—you can submit the drawings you’re already using in the field....
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