AIA UK Building Tour Series 2025 - Collège Amadou Hampaté Bá by Article 25
AIA UK Building Tour Series 2025 - Collège Amadou Hampaté Bá by Article 25
Photo credit: Toby Pear
Join AIA UK for an online tour of Collège Amadou Hampaté Bá by Article 25, a winner in the Professional - Medium Projects and Exemplary Performance in Sustainability categories at the 2024 AIA UK Excellence in Design Awards.
When: Thursday 29 May 2025 @ 13:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 18:30 (UK time)
Where: Online
CES Credits - Estimated 1.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members
RIBA Members may count this activity towards their CPD recording requirement.
Speaker
Toby Pear, Senior Architect, Article 25
Description
Article 25’s project for Collège Amadou Hampaté Bá in Niger was conceived as an exemplar school design for the Sahel region. The classroom blocks are built using locally-sourced laterite stone as a beautiful, affordable, low-carbon alternative to the ubiquitous cement blocks. Meanwhile the roof form, which is inspired by Francis Kéré, helps cool the interiors passively to create comfortable environments for teaching and learning in.
The project has recently been recognised with a RIBA International Award for Excellence, and awarded two prizes by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) – Medium Project Winner and Exemplary Performance in Sustainability.
Article 25’s Senior Architect Toby Pear hosts an online ‘building tour’ to present the project’s successes along with some lessons learnt.
AIA Middle East - Drawing Cities with Many Hands: Mixing Skills to Make Places
AIA Middle East - Drawing Cities with Many Hands: Mixing Skills to Make Places
Let’s explore how collaboration shapes our cities!
When: Thursday 29 May 2025 @ 04:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 12:30 (Dubai time)
Where: Online
This event is brought to you by: American University in Dubai.
Speakers
Dr. Maryam Shafiei, Program Director for Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments (MUDDE), American University in Dubai
Dr. Nabyl Chenaf, Professor of Architecture, American University in Dubai
Description
Join us for an inspiring online webinar: Drawing Cities with Many Hands: Mixing Skills to Make Places
This seminar explores how collaborative design approaches and interdisciplinary tools are shaping new directions in urban design practice.
Drawing from recent urban design and research explorations, the lecture showcases student-generated work that applies advanced design tools and technologies to propose more adaptive and inclusive urban environments. The lecture also touches on questions of agency, who contributes to, and who ultimately governs, the shaping of the city.
AIA International Mentorship Series - Meet and Greet
AIA International Mentorship Series - Meet and Greet
The AIA International Global Mentorship Program invites mentors and mentees to join our signature Speed Mentoring session!
When: Wednesday 21 May 2025 @ 09:00 (Eastern US Time)
Where: Online
Description
Join the AIA International Global Mentorship Program’s Speed Mentoring session!
This year’s theme is Creating Value in Your Career. In this session, we will focus on creating the pairings for this year through a virtual meet and greet session. In this session, we will meet in breakout sessions with potential mentors and mentees to shortly share a bit about yourself as well as your goals for this mentorship program. In this way we can facilitate the best pairing for everyone for the 2025 season.
As always, Group sessions are open to all.
If you have questions, please contact Michelle Montgomery at emergingprofessionals@aiainternational.org.
AIA UK Sustainability Series - Circularity in Practice: A Roadmap to Harvesting and Reusing Structural Concrete in London
AIA UK Sustainability Series - Circularity in Practice: A Roadmap to Harvesting and Reusing Structural Concrete in London
Join AIA UK for the latest lunchtime talk in our Sustainability Series, focusing on exciting research into the structural reuse of concrete.
When: Thursday 15 May 2025 @ 07:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 12:30 (UK time)
Where: ONLINE
CES Credits - Estimated 1.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members
RIBA Members may count this activity towards their CPD recording requirement.
Speakers
Adam Ozinsky, Senior Associate at 3XN/GXN
Jack Schroeder, Structural Engineer at Arup
Marc Easton, Associate Structural and Design Engineer at Arup
Description
Structural reuse of sawn in-situ concrete has rarely been conducted anywhere globally, and certainly not in London. GXN’s recent research with British Land, Arup, and the University of Surrey, has the potential to transform how we design and construct our buildings, not just in the UK but worldwide.
The team set out to innovate. They prototyped a method of extracting disused concrete slabs and testing them with the aim of reusing them in another structural application. To their knowledge, this is the first time this has been tested at scale in the UK. In doing so, the aim is to demonstrate to the industry what is possible and uncover the barriers to more mainstream adoption of circularity practices so that we can collaboratively begin to solve them.
Join us for our next sustainability lecture as we hear about this important and ground-breaking work from Adam Ozinsky, Senior Associate at 3XN/GXN, Jack Schroeder, Structural Engineer at Arup, and Marc Easton, Associate Structural and Design Engineer at Arup.

AIA Sub-Saharan Africa - Una Ferreira: Architecture Built on Solid Rock
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 International Mentorship Series - More than a Network: Discover the Value of Mentorship
AIA International Mentorship Series - More than a Network: Discover the Value of Mentorship
The AIA International Global Mentorship Program invites everyone to join our 2025 Kickoff Session on April 28 - More than a Network: Discover the Value of Mentorship.
When: Monday 28 April 2025 @ 10:00 (Eastern US Time)
Where: Online
Speakers
Yew Kee Cheong, President, AIA International
Eleni Stefania Kalapoda, AIA Associate, LEED Green Associate, ENVSP
Paula Cano, AIA Associate, LEED Green Associate
Description
Join the AIA International Global Mentorship Program’s first group session!
This year’s theme is Creating Value in Your Career. In this first session, we will introduce new mentors and mentees, outline the program format, and hear from AIA International President, Yew Kee Cheong. Additionally, special guests, Paula Cano and Eleni Stefania Kalapoda, will share their experiences of successful mentor-mentee relationships.
Group sessions are open to all.
If you have questions, please contact Michelle Montgomery at emergingprofessionals@aiainternational.org.
AIA Sub-Saharan Africa/ PE Lifts - Smart Home Elevators - The Future of Home Mobility
AIA Sub-Saharan Africa/ PE Lifts - Smart Home Elevators - The Future of Home Mobility
AIA Sub-Saharan Africa is excited to support this event by PE Lifts, all about the future of home mobility. Limited slots available!
When: Thursday 24 April 2025 @ 05:00 (Eastern US Time)/ 10:00 (West Africa Time)
Where: Online
Description
This engaging and insightful webinar delves into the transformative role that smart home elevators are playing in today’s residential spaces. As modern homes evolve to become more connected, efficient, and user-centric, elevators are no longer just functional elements—they are becoming intelligent systems that enhance accessibility, safety, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal.
Join industry-leading experts as they explore the latest innovations in smart home elevator technology. Discover how these systems integrate seamlessly with smart home ecosystems, offering homeowners not just convenience, but also improved mobility, long-term value, and peace of mind.
Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how elevator technology is evolving to meet the demands of modern living, and how these systems are being designed to align with today’s architectural trends and sustainability goals.
AIA UK Sustainability Series - Pioneering Low Carbon Facades
AIA UK Sustainability Series - Pioneering Low Carbon Facades
Photo credit: Yu Zhi Lin
Join AIA UK for the latest online talk in our Sustainability Series, looking at the importance of facade design for carbon reduction.
When: Wednesday 23 April 2025 @ 07:30 (Eastern US Time)/ 12:30 (UK time)
Where: Online
CES Credits - Estimated 1.0 LU/HSW for AIA Members
RIBA Members may count this activity towards their CPD recording requirement.
Speakers
Andrea Zani, Innovation Manager & Sustainability Lead, Permasteelisa North America
Anna Foden, Head of Sustainability, Permasteelisa Group
Description
Join us for an insightful event, Pioneering Low Carbon Facades, where Anna Foden and Andrea Zani of the Permasteelisa Group will delve into the critical role of facade design in achieving ever-decreasing embodied carbon targets as we strive towards net zero carbon buildings. Facades present a significant opportunity to minimize environmental impact while enhancing performance and aesthetics and we will explore forward-thinking design strategies that can drive low-carbon solutions as Anna and Andrea share their expertise, insights, and real-world examples.

AIA UK – Understanding the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
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.