AIA Sub-Saharan Africa – In the Making of Meaningful Things with Earthworld Architects

When: Thursday 20 November 2025 @ 11:00 (Eastern US time)/ 18:00 (Central Africa time)
Where: NUST Mining Auditorium, Windhoek, Namibia/ ONLINE

CES: Estimated 1 LU for AIA Members

Description

This lecture explores the architectural journey of Earthworld over the past 25 years. Beginning in the early 2000s with modest brick constructions, the practice has continually evolved in both materiality and methodology. The timeline of their work reflects progression from: 

• Brick structures in the early years, 

• To concrete and steel buildings, 

• To hybrid constructions combining brick, concrete, and steel, 

• And most recently, to timber-based architecture. 

Over the last decade, Earthworld has focused on the design and construction of modular buildings, embracing advanced technologies such as precast concrete and CNC-cut plywood. These innovations enable components to be fabricated off-site and rapidly assembled on location, reflecting a shift toward efficiency, sustainability, and precision in contemporary architecture. 

To attend IN PERSON - please RSVP to admin@nia.org.na by 14 November 2025.

To attend ONLINE - register via the link below.

AIA Taipei - International Lecture: KINGDOM Development x Department of Architecture Ming Chuan University

When: Thursday 20 November 2025 @ 06:00 (Eastern US time)/ 19:00 (Taipei Time)
Where: Ming Chuan University, Taipei/ ONLINE CES: Estimated 2 LU/HSW for AIA Members

Speaker

Roberto Bannura, Steven Holl Architects I Partner

Event Description

This lecture, presented by Roberto Bannura of Steven Holl Architects, explores the firm’s distinctive design philosophy and its translation into built works across the world. Through an in-depth presentation of selected projects, Bannura will discuss how conceptual thinking, material experimentation, and spatial experience shape Steven Holl’s architectural language.

The event also highlights the collaboration with KINGDOM Development and Ming Chuan University, reflecting the intersection of professional practice, academic exploration, and development innovation in contemporary architecture.

AIA Sub-Saharan Africa - World Cities Day: People Centred Smart Cities

When: Friday 31 October 2025 @ 12:00 (Eastern US time)/ 18:00 (South Africa time)
Where: ONLINE

Speakers

George Asamani, MD, PMI Sub-Saharan Africa

Innocent Musonda, Founder & Director Centre for Applied Research and Innovation in the Built Environment (CARINBE), University Of Johannesburg

Enahoro Zedomi, Managing Partner, Consultants Collaborative Partnership

Kendall Wilson, Founder & CEO, DigitAIchemy

Norman Moyo, Co-founder & CEO, GridAfrica

Mish-al Booley, Head Individual Competence Unit, City of Cape Town

Ricardo McKlmon, Strategic Manager, Construction Project Management Institute

Moderator

Kimberly Dowdell, Principal HOK

Description

By 2050, Africa’s population is projected to soar from 1.5 to 2.5 billion, with 80% of that growth concentrated in cities. Urbanisation is accelerating rapidly — over 700 million Africans already live in urban areas, a figure expected to double within the next three decades. More than 60 African cities now exceed one million residents, and by mid-century, over 150 cities will reach this milestone, reshaping the continent’s economic, social, and environmental future.

However, urbanisation alone does not guarantee prosperity — projects do. Every bridge, school, transport network, and digital system represents a project that drives employment, fosters enterprise, and strengthens urban economies.

Africa’s next urban transformation must go beyond infrastructure to embrace intelligence, inclusivity, and connection. The vision of People-Centred Smart Cities, the theme of this year’s World Cities Day, calls for cities that combine smart technology with human development — ensuring growth that is not only fast, but fair and inclusive.

Across the continent, cities are beginning to leverage data, digital platforms, and AI to improve services, from traffic management and waste systems to public safety and governance. Yet true smartness lies in people — not just in technology.

Join AIA Sub-Saharan Africa for an inspiring webinar in partnership with The Project Management Institute (PMI SSA), titled People-Centred Smart Cities: Building Africa’s Urban Future Through Projects That Matter. Discover how project management can turn Africa’s urban growth into a sustainable opportunity.

AIA International Mentorship Series - Beyond the Blueprint: Building a Sustainable and Resilient World

When: Thursday 18 September 2025 @ 09:00 (Eastern US Time)
Where: Online

CES: Estimated 1.0 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speaker

Vessela Valtcheva-McGee, GBCI Europe

Description

Join the AIA International Global Mentorship Program’s September session!

This year’s theme is Creating Value in Your Career. The upcoming session titled “Beyond the Blueprint: Building a Sustainable and Resilient World” will feature Vessela Valtcheva-McGee, from GBCI Europe. 

We will discuss how Green Building Certification maintains quality control throughout all phases of the project as well as building performance and business practices. This drives measurable benefits to enhance health, equity, resilience, sustainability, prosperity, and environmental well-being for all. 

As always, Group sessions are open to all.

If you have questions, please contact Michelle Montgomery at emergingprofessionals@aiainternational.org.

AIA Sub-Saharan Africa - Una Ferreira: Architecture Built on Solid Rock

When: Thursday 8 May 2025 @ 12:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 18:00 (Namibia Time)
Where: The Mining Auditorium, Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), Wagner Street, Windhoek, Namibia

Description

This talk focuses on the work and design philosophy of Una Ferreira.

Una Ferreira completed her Bachelor of Architecture in 2005 at the University of the Free State. She drawsdeep inspiration from her upbringing in Katutura, a township in Windhoek, Namibia, which ignited her passion for community service and human-centred design. Through her firm Una Stuurmann Architects and Social Enterprise Bold Creations, she embodies a profound architectural philosophy - anchored in the human vector in architecture - where each project is a heartfelt response to the people who will inhabit and experience spaces.

Her work is steeped in empathy and storyteIIing, as she strives to create emotionally resonant buildings that do more than just serve functional purposes; they care for the emotional and psychological well- being of the occupants. This approach, which she calls empathy layering architecture, involves a deep discernment of the social and physical needs of the community. Through this lens, she ensures that her designs are not just visually appealing, but also rich in physio- sociological architecture - spaces that address both the physiological and sociological dimensions of human life.

Her work extends beyond architecture into the realm of sustainable, community-driven creations. Bold Creations show cases Namibian talent through recycled and handcrafted furniture, art, and sculpture, emphasising her belief that architecture and design are powerful tools to foster both community pride and environmental stewardship. With every project, Una embodies innovation, care, and a commitment to the sustainable growth of her community, proving that architecture can be a force for social change.

AIA UK - Understanding the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

Join AIA UK for the latest lunchtime talk in our Sustainability Series - a guide to using the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.

When: Monday 31 March 2025 @ 07:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 12:30 (UK time)
Where: ONLINE
CES Credits - Estimated 1.0 LU/ HSW for AIA Members

Speaker

Jess Hrivnak, RIBA Lead on Sustainability

Moderator: Mark Breeze, AIA UK Sustainability chair

Description

Discover the essential elements of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), launched in September 2024 to unify the approach to net zero carbon in the built environment. Join us to understand how to leverage this comprehensive and collaborative standard to design, verify, and future-proof your projects, and dispel any greenwash claims. The Standard, created for the industry by the industry, provides robust, transparent guidelines to achieve Net Zero Carbon Aligned Buildings, and addresses upfront carbon, operational efficiency, and performance alignment with UK carbon reduction targets.

Jess Hrivnak will share how to use this free-to-access framework to initiate impactful change.

Speaker Bio

Jess Hrivnak is the RIBA’s Lead on Sustainability, and member of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard’s Technical Steering Group since its inception. She heads up the Institute’s work on the UKNZCBS Standard, and is responsible for the RIBA’s 2030 Climate Challenge guidance and the RIBA’s Chartered Practice Sustainable Development Toolkit. She works collaboratively within the Institute and with partner organisations to improve climate literacy, align design targets, strategies and processes. She is passionate about bridging gaps between sectors and disciplines to enable better guidance and action to improve planetary and human health outcomes.