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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Where is the building code falling short for you? [Monday MINUTE]
Published about 3 hours ago • 6 min read
July 13, 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
Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry.
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
Housing Bill Just Became Law (Without a Presidential Signature)
The 21st Century Road to Housing Act officially took effect this weekend, bringing the most sweeping housing affordability legislation in decades. Passed with broad bipartisan support, the law aims to spur aggressive residential construction nationwide.
Join us on Tuesday, July 21, at 2:00 pm ET for the AIBD’s High-Performance Homes Team program, where we will discuss how the act’s provisions can foster sustainability and resilience.
If you haven't already, you have ty 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.
Could "Super Wood" Replace Steel in Residential Construction?
Fast-growing, highly sustainable softwoods like pine or balsa could eventually replace dense, slow-growing hardwoods or even structural steel in residential framing and specialty furniture, dramatically lowering both costs and a project's carbon footprint.
Engineers at the University of Maryland have developed a processing method that makes natural wood 12 times stronger and 10 times tougher than normal, creating a material that is six times lighter than steel but just as strong
The New AIBD Directory: A Better Reflection of You!
Now it's your turn to make a lasting impression.
We are excited to launch a major upgrade to the AIBD membership directory! This enhanced, dynamic platform is designed to better showcase your residential design expertise directly to the public.
To make the most of your new profile, take a quick moment to upload a headshot or logo, add your website URL, and link your social media channels.
The A-Team is currently applying the finishing touches to a few accounts. Keep an eye out for a personal email later this week with custom tips on perfecting your profile and easy ways to connect with us if you need a hand!
Following the close of the online Governmental Consensus Vote on May 22, the ICC is currently finalizing the 2027 code families. Meanwhile, the door opens this November for the 2027–2029 code cycle.
The AIBD Building Codes Committee invests heavy effort into advocating for residential designers during these cycles, ensuring your voice is heard at the voting table. Don't let the next cycle pass you by—contact the committee today to share your ideas and help shape the future of the building code.
Have they created an AI platform that accurately drafts floor plans?
Is AI just for generating pretty pictures, or can it actually speed up your production workflow? A new platform called Illoca is looking to bridge that gap. They are positioning their "Tracing Paper" workspace as a true AI drafting assistant—combining initial sketches, markups, editable 2D drawings, and 3D design studies all in one spot.
Unlike traditional vertical furring strips that limit your siding options, Ventgrid's open, three-dimensional profile allows air and moisture to move in any direction. This means you can specify vertical cladding, horizontal siding, or traditional shingles over the exact same sub-assembly without any special blocking adjustments.
Our smooth, quiet, and dependable door and window automation systems are preferred by leading architects, designers, builders, and installers globally.
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, andBoard of Directors (Virtual) 2:00 pm ET - Connect with your leadership and share your insights.
July 21 -High-Performance Homes Team - 2:00 p.m. ET - The Housing for the 21st Century Act and its hidden playbook for the future of residential building science. (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)
August 14 - Coffee with Bernie - 10:00 a.m. ET - Collaborating with Interior Designers (1.0 P3 CE)
Traditional Building Conference - November 3-4, 2026 - Charleston, SC
What We're Up to
Register for the 2026 AIBD Annual Conference
Contact us if you need a hotel reservation.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
And our exhibitors:
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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