Hello Reader, The construction industry is experiencing a mass timber revolution – and you're invited to be part of it. On Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at 2:00 PM EDT, Simpson Strong-Tie Branch Engineer Daniel Hesington, PE will reveal the cutting-edge mass timber solutions that are transforming how we build stronger, faster, and more sustainably. Why This Webinar Is Critical for Your Projects Mass timber construction isn't just a trend – it's reshaping the industry with compelling advantages: 25%...
about 21 hours ago • 3 min read
June 30, 2025, Edition Ignite your mind and improve the way you are #CreatingWherePeopleLive The Monday Minute 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: Industry News Announcements Events & Training Recent Committee Activities Amazing sponsors who help keep this newsletter free for the industry. Let's...
2 days ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader, Imagine transforming every sketch into a spellbinding story—captivating clients, colleagues, and critics from the very first stroke. At AIBD Design & Build Asheville, David Drazil, author of Sketch Like an Architect, will show you exactly how. Why This Session Changes Everything Forget dry CAD demos and pixel-perfect presentations that bore more than they build excitement. In “Inspiring Awe: How to Add Magic to Your Design Presentations,” David Drazil reveals the digital...
5 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, What if your next cup of coffee could lay the foundation for America’s future skylines? Every year, tens of thousands of ambitious students turn to trade schools for fast-track, high-earning careers. In fact, two-year construction program enrollment jumped nearly 20% between spring 2021 and spring 2022, driven by rising college costs and a booming demand for skilled professionals. Behind every CAD drawing and blueprint is a budding designer—young talent sharpening their skills...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hello Reader, Congrats on surviving Monday and crushing Tuesday. Now Wednesday beckons you to take a break and celebrate this week's Midweek Vibe! Developer Joseph Eichler was born 125 years ago today. If you're unfamiliar with Eichler, you might recognize the style of his hugely popular mid-century modern homes built between 1949 and 1966. As a visionary developer, Eichler championed modernist design, making it accessible to the middle class, and left an indelible mark on mid-century modern...
7 days ago • 5 min read
Hello Reader, Are you tired of staring at a client’s rough sketch, wondering how to turn it into a professional plan set without spending your entire weekend wrestling with Chief Architect templates? You’re not alone. Most designers struggle with this exact challenge – and it’s costing you time, money, and client satisfaction. The Hidden Cost of Trial and Error Right now, you’re probably doing one of three things when a client hands you a sketch: Wasting precious hours figuring out template...
8 days ago • 3 min read
Hello Reader, Something extraordinary is happening in the building design world, and it’s about to change everything you think you know about energy efficiency. While most designers are still designing buildings that waste 90% of their heating and cooling energy, a small group of visionaries has quietly mastered a German-engineered standard that eliminates this waste almost entirely. These aren’t experimental concepts or theoretical frameworks – they’re proven systems already transforming how...
13 days ago • 4 min read
Hello Reader, Congrats on surviving Monday and crushing Tuesday. Now Wednesday beckons you to take a break and celebrate this week's Midweek Vibe! On this day in 1931, the Big Duck opened. This funky kiosk was the brainchild of duck farmer Martin Maurer, who thought a giant reinforced concrete building shaped like a duck was just the thing to advertise and sell his ducks and duck eggs, which was at the time a big thing for roadside retail. What you’re about to read might feel like a scattered...
14 days ago • 5 min read
The Challenge Hello Reader, Building truly sustainable, resilient homes is tough—especially when working alone. Without a network of peers, you miss the latest innovations reshaping residential architecture. The construction industry drives 39% of global carbon emissions, making high-performance design essential. Green roofs can reduce urban temperatures by 3°C and cut cooling demand by 10-30%. High-performance homes reduce carbon footprints by up to 50%. Today's Opportunity - Designing...
15 days ago • 3 min read
