All events will take place at the Westin Chattanooga, unless otherwise noted.
Please note: All conference times listed are in Eastern Time Zone and event schedules are subject to change until approximately one month prior to the conference.
Be sure to visit and engage with our conference sponsors throughout the event. Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
Registration is open from 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM in the Valley Room.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Old Gilman Grill
The Past Presidents Lunch is a special opportunity for former AIA Tennessee presidents to gather, reconnect, and continue the conversations and relationships that have helped shape the organization over the years. This luncheon is by invitation only.
12:30 – 12:45 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
Join us as we officially kick off the conference with opening remarks and a welcome from AIA Tennessee leadership. We’ll share a few important conference updates, recognize those who helped make the event possible, and set the stage for the next few days of learning, conversation, and connection.
12:45 – 2:00 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
Founder and design principal of Colloqate Design; 2026 NOMA President
2025 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award Recipient
Drawing from Bryan C. Lee Jr.’s work on projects including Paper Monuments, Claiborne Cultural Futures, and the Design As Protest Collective, this session highlights practical strategies for meaningful community engagement and collaborative design processes. Lee will discuss approaches for incorporating community perspectives into their practice, fostering trust through inclusive participation, and addressing the social and historical context that shapes the built environment.
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Expo Area
Stretch your legs and take a moment to visit with our sponsors — learn more about their work and thank them for supporting this event! Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
How a new breed of high-performing architecture firms integrate profit, design, culture, and personal joy into one operating system.
Join Enoch Sears as he introduces the SMART Practice Operating System, a practical framework for building a stronger, more intentional architecture firm. Drawing on more than a decade of experience working with firm leaders, this session explores strategies for strengthening operations, cultivating healthy teams, and creating a practice that supports both professional success and long-term fulfillment.
This is not another productivity talk. It’s a new way of thinking about what your practice is for.
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
Author of Environmental Design: Architecture, Politics and Science in Postwar America | Professor, Associate Dean for Research at the University of Tennessee (a book signing will be available after the presentation).
Discover how the Tennessee Valley Authority reshaped the region through visionary infrastructure, environmental planning, and architecture that continues to influence communities nearly a century later. Drawing from The Mechanized Landscape, this session uncovers lessons from the past that can inspire more resilient, sustainable, and impactful design for the future.
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Alimentary Outdoor Terrace
Join us at the Alimentary Outdoor Terrace to unwind! Enjoy light refreshments, the opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, and meet fellow attendees. It’s the perfect setting to unwind from the day and kick off the next couple of days of learning, connection and fun.
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Hunter Museum of American Art
Come hang out with us at the Host Chapter Party, hosted by AIA Chattanooga! It’s going to be a fun evening of art, drinks, and good company—and it all supports AIA Chattanooga, so you can feel good about being there too. Tickets are $65 and include: a drink ticket, appetizers, free access to the temporary exhibit Saya Woolfalk: Empathic Universe. A great night at an architecturally stunning venue, Hunter Museum of American Art, with a beautiful bird’s-eye view of the city. Just a heads up: transportation isn’t included, but parking at Bluff View is FREE so plan accordingly!
All events will take place at the Westin Chattanooga, unless otherwise noted.
Please note: All conference times listed are in Eastern Time Zone and event schedules are subject to change until approximately one month prior to the conference.
Be sure to visit and engage with our conference sponsors throughout the event. Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
Registration is open from 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM in the Valley Room.
7:30–9:00 AM
Expo Area
Kick off your morning with fresh coffee, breakfast, and great conversation! Connect with peers and explore the latest products and services from our sponsors.
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
(1.0 LU|HSW)
University of Texas Adjunct Professor & Building Enclosure Expert at Salas O’Brien
Architecture today often mirrors fast fashion – designed quickly, consumed rapidly, and discarded without reflection. In Architecture Out of Balance, architect and professor Keith Simon challenges this cycle, urging a shift toward performance-driven design that prioritizes longevity, sustainability, and human experience. Rather than demolishing and rebuilding at speed, this talk calls for a more thoughtful approach; one that values adaptation, environmental responsibility, and the emotional impact of the space we inhabit. By rethinking what makes architecture meaningful, Keith invites designers to restore balance – creating buildings that not only function efficiently, but also endure, connect, and enrich our lives over time.
9:00 – 10:15 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Design is often shaped by competing priorities, yet the best solutions emerge when teams embrace complexity instead of choosing sides. Through stories from LPA’s journey in sustainable design, integrated practice, and culture, this keynote explores how trust, shared values, and courageous leadership transform tension into stronger teams, better projects, and more resilient organizations.
10:15 – 10:30 AM
Take a moment to visit with our sponsors and thank them for supporting this event! Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
10:30 – 11:30 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Step into a dynamic storytelling session where emerging professionals and seasoned architects come together to share honest, powerful moments from their personal journeys. More details coming soon.
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
Take a break, grab lunch, and spend time connecting with the individuals who help make the AIA Tennessee Conference on Architecture possible. The lunch will offer attendees an opportunity to recharge and network with our sponsors and premier partners in a relaxed setting.
Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
1:00 – 2:15 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
AIA National 2026 President, COP 30 Delegation Chair | Architect, Geographer and Educator | Founder + lab architect – Regenerative Design
As communities face increasingly complex challenges, architects have an opportunity to lead through regenerative design that strengthens communities, restores ecosystems, and creates lasting value. Drawing on global experience and emerging trends, this keynote explores how the profession can expand its impact through resilience, climate adaptation, advocacy, and community-centered practice.
2:15 PM
Afternoon Sessions ARE included in your registration fee Tours run concurrently and are available as an add-on option. Tours ARE NOT included in the registration fee. Limited capacity. First-come, first-served purchase.
Afternoon Sessions
(1.0 LU|HSW)
Scott Rose, AIA and Virgina Byers, AIA | HOK
Location: River Room
Location: River Room
Architects have a critical role in shaping the policies, building codes, and regulations that protect the public’s health, safety, and welfare. Join architect and AIA member Matt Lyle, AIA, for a panel discussion featuring leaders from Tennessee’s building codes department and members of the state legislative branch as they explore how public policy influences architectural practice, project delivery, and the safety and resilience of the built environment.
Tours
Tours run concurrently from 2:15 – 4:30 PM. Tours ARE NOT included in the registration fee. Limited capacity. First-come, first-served purchase.
The Chattanooga Bank Building, constructed in 1929 and designed by R.H. Hunt, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
After sitting vacant since 2014, the structure has been revitalized through a historic rehabilitation that transformed the former bank and office building into the Waymark Hotel.
The project includes a rooftop bar, Iris, and a hidden speakeasy, The Vault, tucked inside the original bank vault. Historic tax credits supported the careful repair and restoration of character-defining features throughout.
Note: This is a walking tour. Please wear comfortable shoes.
This tour is sponsored by Homechoice with MARVIN Windows
MBI, Franklin Architects, DHW, and Tinker Ma will provide a campus tour of UT Chattanooga and highlight several recent and ongoing projects encompassing athletic, residence hall, and academic buildings. Please note that closed-toe shoes are required for this tour. A hard hat and safety glasses will be provided.
This tour is sponsored by Targetti USA
A panel discussion and tour inside the renovated historic James A. Henry school to learn the history of the building and the West Side and the story of the project and the community-centered approach.
This tour is sponsored by Hoar Construction
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Expo Area / Kincaid Ballroom
Join us for Wine, Beer & Cheers, a brief pre-awards gathering to unwind, reconnect, and raise a glass before the celebration begins. Enjoy wine, beer, and a signature drink.
5:30 – 6:45 PM
Kincaid Ballroom
Join us as we honor and applaud the achievements of individuals and firms that have left a mark on the profession and the built environment. One ticket is included with 3-day registration. Additional tickets may be purchased.
6:45 – 8:00 PM
Outside (weather permitting) Lawn Area
Keep the night going after the awards with drinks, heavy appetizers, and a laid-back party on the lawn. It’s a chance to hang out, catch up with friends and colleagues, and celebrate a great evening together.
All events will take place at the Westin Chattanooga, unless otherwise noted.
Please note: All conference times listed are in Eastern Time Zone and event schedules are subject to change until approximately one month prior to the conference.
Be sure to visit and engage with our conference sponsors throughout the event. Attendees who participate with sponsors will be entered for chances to win cash prizes and other fun giveaway items generously donated by our sponsors. Winners will be announced on Friday at the conclusion of the conference.
Registration opens at 7:30 AM in the Valley Room.
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Start the day with a full breakfast buffet featuring a variety of morning favorites, fresh coffee, and time to connect with fellow attendees before sessions begin. The buffet will be in the River Room, and dining will be held in the Kincaid Ballroom.
8:00 – 8:30 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Members will hear a brief update from the AIA TN president, Chad Polk, to gain a deeper understanding of the association’s priorities and strategic plan. The 2027 officers will also be elected at this meeting.
8:30 – 9:45 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Design rarely occurs without tension—between budget and performance, vision and regulation, or competing disciplinary priorities. This keynote reframes those tensions as opportunities for architectural leadership, examining when architects act as subtle influencers versus direct drivers in complex collaborations. Drawing on interdisciplinary project experience, the session highlights strategies for navigating competing priorities while advancing solutions that improve resilience, reduce risk, and expand public benefit at multiple scales.
10:00 – 11:15 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Our closing speaker, Edwin Harris, AIA, explores how architecture and the built environment can empower people, strengthen communities, and inspire meaningful change. Connecting directly to the conference theme, Design in Tension, Edwin examines how architects navigate the space between aspiration and constraint, empathy and rigor, and people and place to create projects with lasting impact.
11:15 – 11:30 AM
Kincaid Ballroom
Take a moment to hear a final remarks, announcements of sponsor prize winners, and a thank you to everyone who helped make the event a success.
Optional Affinity Group Dine Arounds: 12:00 PM
Keep the conversations going before heading home by joining one of our Affinity Group Dine Arounds. A dine around is an informal group dinner where attendees gather at local restaurants to connect and network from the conference. These optional lunches are a great opportunity to spend time with colleagues who share similar interests, experiences, or professional perspectives while also enjoying Chattanooga’s local dining scene.
Choose from Small Firm Exchange at Old Gilman Grill, JE+DI at Community Pie, Early Career Professionals (ECP) at Spice Trail, or COTE at Mayan Kitchen.
Please note that these dinners are not included in conference registration, and attendees will be responsible for purchasing their own meals and beverages.
Optional Afternoon Tours: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Tours are available as an add-on option. Tours ARE NOT included in the registration fee. Limited capacity. First-come, first-served purchase.
Erlanger Park is the Chattanooga Lookouts new MLB Stadium in the heart of the new South Broad District.
The new stadium incorporates two existing buildings that were part of the foundry that had been on this site for more than 100 years. The stadium has a seating capacity of 8,032 people, and has a large variety of social experiences, family friendly spaces, and is integrated with the Tennessee Riverwalk greenway.
This tour is sponsored by JDH Roofing Company
Explore two distinct expressions of modern living in one exclusive tour. Experience a newly completed mixed-use urban community featuring 32 condominiums, retail and restaurant spaces, and rooftop amenities, alongside a stunning 4,000 SF private residence showcasing elevated design, luxury finishes, and refined living.
This tour is sponsored by Homechoice with MARVIN Windows
A tour of Little Coyote, a transformed former casual eatery is now an elevated yet relaxed St. Elmo restaurant inspired by Southwest and Caribbean design.
The renovation expanded indoor-outdoor dining and connects guests to Lookout Mountain views and Chattanooga sunsets.
Recently, Little Coyote was named a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant in the Michelin Guide for the Southeast, which recognize excellence in both design and food and beverage.
Located on the industrial edge of Chattanooga’s Southside, Taqueria Jalisco Ania blends indoor and outdoor dining with flexible seating and open air garage doors. A spacious modern kitchen supports the restaurant’s bustling atmosphere.
This tour is sponsored by Tinker Ma
Continuing Education Credit: Speakers, educational sessions and conference tours will be submitted for AIA Continuing Education (CE) credit. Receptions, awards celebrations, networking events, and food-related functions without a designated speaker or educational component are not eligible for CE credit. The conference schedule will be updated as approvals are received from AIA CES.