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.

AIBD Board Member, Joey Martin, will walk you through each phase of the journey—from initial consultation and design development to budgeting, selections, construction, and project completion.

You'll gain valuable insights into how the design-build approach creates a more streamlined experience, improves communication, helps manage budgets, and delivers better outcomes for homeowners.

Source: AIBD

You have the opportunity to review and vote on incredible residential design entries. All industry professionals are eligible to participate, so don't miss your chance to help recognize design excellence and decide who takes home the honors this year.

Global Choice voting is open through midnight on July 15 (PT).

Sign in with your Google, Facebook, or LinkedIn account to vote.

Source: AIBD

The central focus is on deep exterior retrofits (like panelized insulation and thin triple-pane windows) that don't require tearing apart interior walls. Master these envelope upgrades now, because the market is about to shift heavily toward rapid, non-disruptive residential performance facelifts.

Source: US DOE

What if your next roof design could do more than just shed water? Atlas Pinnacle Impact shingles, which feature 3M™ Smog-Reducing Granules, when activated by the sun, turn smog into water-soluble ions—effectively matching the air-cleaning power of 2 to 3 trees.

Source: Holmes on Homes Podcast

DOE just erased nearly 30 years of federal data showing that modern energy codes save money, replacing it with an unsupported claim that updates since 2006 create "unnecessary construction costs."

Housing affordability is being framed strictly around upfront construction costs rather than life-cycle operating costs. As a residential designer, expect shifting baselines and potential local friction over the future of the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC) frameworks.

Source: ICCsafe.org

Is your website a complete historical archive of every project you’ve ever touched, or is it a targeted sales tool designed to land your next contract?

A brilliant feature that pulls back the curtain on how to curate your digital portfolio to secure the exact work you want. Whether you are an early-stage designer trying to package your potential with clever "Coming Soon" sketches, or a veteran who needs to "kill your darlings" and axe past decorating jobs to focus exclusively on multi-million dollar new builds, this breakdown offers a clear roadmap for every stage of your career.

Source: Business of Home

Michael Ray Shoulders, AICP, Michael Shoulders, Residential Architect (IN), Professional Member

This week's movers and shakers:

Thank you! Chief Architect, for sending us a Professional Member! 🎉🥳

Special congratulations to...

Roger Cerasoli, CPBD | Professional | GA | and
​Mick McGuire | Retired Professional | NE

for celebrating 30 years.

Kimberly Hudson, CPBD | Professional | TX |

for celebrating 20 years.

John R. Esh | Professional | PA |

for celebrating 10 years

and...

DeAnn Payne | Professional | CO | and

Melanie Percival | Professional | NC |

for reaching the five-year mark! 🎉🎊

John Stapakis, CPBD #05-659, Nerja Investments, Long Beach, CA (6/24)

Certification demonstrates a professional's mastery of industry-specific experience and knowledge.

July 15 - Eastern Shore (Virtual) - 3:30 pm ET

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, and Board of Directors (Virtual) 2:00 pm ET - Connect with your leadership and share your insights.

July 30 - AIBD Annual Membership Meeting (Hybrid) - Metropolitan at the 9, Cleveland, OH

August 5 - Board of Directors CANCELED!

August 7 - AIBD Office Hour (Virtual) - 11:00 am ET - 60 minutes (or so) of open discussion and collaboration (Members Only)

July 7 - Design-Build: How Does it Work? - 2:00 p.m. ET - By Joey Martin, Nicholas Design-Build (1.0 P2 CE)

July 10 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Ugliest House Contest: What Were They Thinking? (1.0 P3 CE)

July 21 - ​High-Performance Homes Team​ - 2:00 p.m. ET (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)

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

AIBD Annual Conference - July 29-August 1, 2026 - Tickets on sale​

CEDIA Expo 2026 - September 1-4, 2026 - Denver, CO - Registration is open!​

Chief Architect - Virtual & On-Demand Training

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

SoftPlan - Virtual & On-Demand Training​

Traditional Building Conference - November 3-4, 2026 - Charleston, SC

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.

• July 29 - August 1
• Cleveland, OH

Source: AIBD

​CLICK HERE for helpful local resources from our Ohio Chapters​

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.