Hello Reader, Congrats on surviving Monday and crushing Tuesday. Now, Wednesday beckons you to take a break and step into a pattern of discovery. Welcome to the Midweek Meander. Did someone forward this to you? Please consider subscribing. Happy 34th Birthday, Selena! Maybe the six degrees of separation will work here, and she'll receive my wish. Selena Marie Gomez (born July 22, 1992) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, businesswoman, and producer. Gomez began her career on the...
3 days ago • 5 min read
Later today, we’re sitting down to unpack a housing bill that could quietly reshape your day‑to‑day work as a residential designer: the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644). Most headlines frame it as a way to “unlock more housing” and “reduce red tape.” Behind that soundbite, though, are shifts that touch how you think about stairs and exits, factory‑built options, and the role of sensors and data in healthy, high‑performance homes. Those shifts will eventually show up in plan...
4 days ago • 1 min read
July 20, 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...
5 days ago • 4 min read
Right now, homeowners and builders across the country are using AIBD’s “Find a Design Professional” directory to choose who they trust with their next project. Every search they run leads them to profiles of AIBD Members and Certified Professional Building Designers (CPBDs)—and those are the designers who get the first calls and emails. We’ve just upgraded this directory with richer, more compelling Member and CPBD profiles. Instead of a simple name in a list, participating designers now...
8 days ago • 2 min read
This summer, building designers from across the country are heading to Cleveland for AIBD’s Annual Conference at the Metropolitan at The 9, July 29 – August 1, 2026. If you’re already registered, consider this your “inside track” guide to making the most of your trip. If you’re still on the fence, this is what you’re about to miss. Why Cleveland is worth the trip Four days, one communityEducation, networking, and recognition in one place—AIBD’s annual gathering is where residential and light...
9 days ago • 2 min read
Hello Reader, Congrats on surviving Monday and crushing Tuesday. Now, Wednesday beckons you to take a break and step into a pattern of discovery. Welcome to the Midweek Meander. Did someone forward this to you? Please consider subscribing. Today is the last day to vote for the AIBD Global Choice Award. As was pointed out last week, it's usually a popularity contest, but this year's competition has been closer than ever before, making it possible for the design community, if it shows up in...
10 days ago • 6 min read
The House just passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), and it’s about to reshape how we think about inventory, density, and how high‑performance homes actually get built. On the surface, it looks like “just another housing bill,” but buried inside are design implications that will land directly on your plans, your details, and your conversations with building officials. If you’re not tracking this now, you could be reacting to it later—on a tight deadline and in front of a...
11 days ago • 2 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...
12 days ago • 6 min read
Global Choice voting for the American Residential Design Awards is still open—and this year, it’s closer than ever. In past years, Global Choice has tended to feel like a popularity contest. This time, the top entries are separated by the slimmest margin we’ve ever seen. If our design community turns out to vote, the result can truly reflect a Designer’s Choice. Here’s why your vote matters right now: The race is extremely tight, so every single vote can make a real difference. Only a limited...
15 days ago • 1 min read