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American Institute of Building Design (AIBD)

Why Roman Concrete Has Survived For Nearly 2,000 Years [Monday Minute]

Published 4 months ago • 3 min read

December 15, 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

Designing a High-Performing Outdoor Space

Stop building a deck you'll never use. We spoke to 4 pros about the three essential planning steps that turn an outdoor space into a true extension of your home.

Source: The Journal of Light Construction

90s kitchens are back, and designers are here for it

If modern, sleek designs feel too cold, it's time to borrow from the '90s. We asked two top designers what they love about the trend, including the return of bold tile patterns and postmodern architectural elements. Plus, one expert shares a simple trick for a '90s vibe using peel-and-stick tiles!

Source: The Spruce

Legislative bills we are watching

This week's Legislative Watch covers changes to accessory dwelling units (ADUs), residential building codes, and interior designer licensing.

Source: AIBD

We Finally Know Why Roman Concrete Has Survived For Nearly 2,000 Years

The Pantheon's dome is unreinforced and still standing. Scientists just uncovered the simple, self-healing technique the Ancient Romans used. (Hint: It involves hot-mixing.)

Source: Science Alert

Nuts & Bolts

Adding Curves to a Redwood Trellis

Have you ever considered designing a curved beam? This article will equip you with the insights to reassure your client's builder that incorporating a curved beam is far simpler than it might appear.

Source: The Journal of Light Construction

Highlights

Welcome New Members

And those returning

Ky Baney, Blue House Designs, LLC (PA)

Thanks for Referring AIBD

This week's movers and shakers:

Congrats! Lori Williams (WA) for recruiting a Professional member and joining the Compass Club! 🎉🥳

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 for more information.

Workshops & Gatherings

AIBD Chapters, Boards, and Councils

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

December 17 - Eastern Shore Chapter (Virtual) 3:30 pm ET - Discussion: Best practices for taking architectural photos and video

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

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

AIBD Webinars

December 12 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Navigating Retirement: Planning for Your Future in Residential Design (1.0 P2-CE)

December 16 - High-Performance Homes Team - Are appraisers recognizing the value of sustainable features? - 2:00 p.m. ET (1.0 P4 CE)

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:

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

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

Chief Architect Virtual Training- January 7-16, 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​

What We're Up to

A recent building code victory

The Florida Building Commission has accepted the Code Administration TAC’s recommendation and approved AIBD's proposed code modification for the 2026 edition of the Florida Building Code. The next step is to publish the new (draft) edition of the Code for public comment and final adoption by May 2026 for a December 31, 2026, effective date.

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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