Experience Architecture 2022
October 7-16
Since its launch, the AIA Central Valley Chapter’s annual public-outreach event has been dedicated to facilitating greater transparency with the public in how architects create our built environment, how architecture impacts their daily lives and to highlight our region’s unique architectural identity.
Over the past decade we’ve held over 140 events including the popular Tour d’Architecture Bike Ride, the Design|Access open project tours, the Arch Obscura Photography Competition and exhibition, incredible panel discussions, an amazing CANstruction event at the SMUD headquarters and countless other events created by our AIACV member and allied volunteers. We’ve had wonderful collaborations with community partners, such as the City of Sacramento, the Crocker Art Museum, Preservation Sacramento, and SacMod, to name just a few.
Experience Architecture persevered during the pandemic, going completely virtual in 2020 and hybrid in 2021. This year the Steering Committee planned a mix of in-person and virtual events centered around our 2022 theme of education and the “why behind design”.
View the Event Guide HERE, and watch this year’s VIRTUAL Experience Architecture events on VIMEO.
2022 Event Line Up
Addressing Homelessness – Let’s Innovate Now!
Presented by the American Planning Association (APA) California Chapter, Sacramento Valley Chapter & AIA Central Valley
Pre-Event | Fri, Sep. 23th | 8:30 – 10:30am
IN-PERSON + VIRTUAL
INFO | REGISTER
Panelists will share their experiences and perspectives regarding challenges faced in addressing homelessness and learn about (and LISTEN to) the many obstacles facing the diverse community of service providers and stakeholders.
This discussion will offer and provide solutions to three unique challenges to addressing the complex issue of homelessness: 1) emergency and immediate shelter, 2) transitional environments and 3) long(er) term environments and permanent supportive housing.
Attendees are encouraged to LISTEN to these experiences as a means to inspire architects and planners to start thinking on how to innovate now and be a part of the solution.
Architectura Obscura Photography Exhibition & Reception
Exhibit | weekdays Oct. 7th-14th Reception | Oct. 14th | 5:30-7:30pm
IN-PERSON | $10, FREE Students
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
Exhibit opens Friday October 7th, runs through October 14th.
Experience architecture through photography! View entries to this year’s public Architectura Obscura Competition, which challenged photographers to submit images that “reveal the process” of design.
Both the exhibit and reception will take place at AIA California, designed by Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture.
The purpose of the competition is to highlight the value and impact of architecture, both globally and within the Sacramento region, through the submission of high quality printed and electronic images.
Design | Access
Open Project Tours
Fri, Oct. 7th | 12 noon – 4 pm
IN-PERSON | FREE
MAP | REGISTER | VIRTUAL TOUR
This year’s featured projects include the new North Natomas Community Center and Aquatics Complex, designed by Studio W, 660 J Street designed by LPA, Inc., Paul’s Place multi-functional housing center, designed by Maria Ogrydziak, AIA, and the SMUD Museum of Science and Curiosity (MoSAC), designed by Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture to name just a few.
Registration is free, and a map and details on all the locations will be provided with registration.
Keynote Presentation: Johnsen Schmaling Architects
Fri, Oct. 7th | 5:30 – 7:30pm
IN-PERSON | $20 / FREE for Students
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
The AIA Central Valley desigNarrative Series is excited to host esteemed architect, Brian Johnsen, AIA, NCARB of Johnsen Schmaling Architects for the opening keynote presentation of Experience Architecture.
Specializing in high-end residential and commercial design, the firm’s two founding principals, Brian Johnsen and Sebastian Schmaling, have been widely recognized as distinctive emerging voices in contemporary American architecture. In 2008, Johnsen Schmaling Architects received the Emerging Voices award from the Architectural League of New York, and Architectural Record featured the office in in its prestigious Design Vanguard issue as “one of ten exceptional global architecture firms to watch.” Residential Architect, published by the American Institute of Architect, selected Johnsen Schmaling for the 2012 Top Firm Award, praising the “stoic brilliance” permeating its work.
Tour d’ Architecture
Bike Ride
Sat, Oct. 8th | 10 am – 2pm
IN-PERSON |$20
INFO | REGISTER | MAP
Hop on your bike for an approximately 6.5-mile ride that includes secret tours and insider views of exciting new projects in midtown and downtown Sacramento.
There are 12 featured projects including: a new rooftop penthouse at Weinstock’s, designed by Ron Vrilakis, AIA, Sonrisa Microunit affordable Housing, designed by Williams + Paddon / 19-6 Architects, and the expansion of historic SMUD sub-station A, designed by Alicia Moniz, AIA — to name just a few. Several stops will feature speakers.
This event typically sells out, please register early!
SolarPunk Walking Tour
Sun, Oct. 9th | 2 – 4:30pm
IN-PERSON | $10
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
Walking tour, led by Preservation Sacramento, that explores and explains 20th century climate features on downtown Sacramento buildings.
If you’ve ever seen design “ornaments” on buildings and thought they were just aesthetic decoration—think again! This walking tour will expose attendees to buildings in downtown Sacramento from architects Sim van der Ryn, Peter Calthorpe and others from the 1970’s and early 1980’s era that were designed as early responses to the energy crisis and utilized aspects of environmental design.
Led by energetic and encyclopedic tour guide William Burg has over a decade of experience in research and rehabilitation of historic buildings, and has written seven books about Sacramento’s history.
Paul’s Place Homeless Housing: Panel Discussion & Tour
Mon, Oct. 10th | 4:30 – 6 pm
IN-PERSON | $10
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
Paul’s Place, a project designed by Maria Ogrydziak, AIA for Davis Community Meals and Housing (DCMH), is a beautiful, new, multi-functional, four-story build-ing designed to serve the most vulnerable individuals living homeless in Davis by providing housing and wraparound services.
Paul’s Place is an innovative, one-of-a-kind structure that includes key support services on each level, to serve individuals at all levels of need–from crisis to transition to permanent supportive housing.
This event provides a unique opportunity to see the entire facility before it is occupied, and to learn about the vision and collaboration behind its design–in which the architect, along with elected officials, business executives, nonprofit leaders, the faith community, service providers and members of the community, took action and together built housing for the chronically homeless.
A Bite of Design: Franquette
Tue, Oct. 11th | 4 – 5:30 pm
IN-PERSON | $15
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
Bite of Design brings together designers, owners, and chefs to share the inspiration behind their restaurants. We are excited to feature Franquette, a French-inspired wine bar and cafe brought to you by the team behind Michelin-rated restaurant, Canon. Franquette’s culinary program is led by Chefs Elena Winks and Brad Cecchi. The inspiration for the space was brought to life by owner Clay Nutting and interior designer Matthew Lechowick.
See the new café, sample small bites and learn about The Block, the 52-unit apartment building development with ground floor retail, where Franquette is housed, with Niche Sunseri of Sunseri Construction.
Equity in Healthcare Design: How Equity in the Design of Healthcare Facilities Can Improve Access to Quality Healthcare
Presented by AIA Central Valley’s Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) & Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committees
Wed, Oct 12th | 12 – 1:30pm
VIRTUAL | FREE
INFO | REGISTER | VIDEO
This community-focused event features panelists from UC Davis Health, Kaiser Permanente and Sutter Health. Panelists will share how design standards, whether formal or informal, affects patient outcomes and access to quality healthcare for everyone in our community.
Architects from the Chapter’s healthcare and equity diversity & inclusion committees will ask questions that focus on approaches and solutions that can remediate and improve community health in our region.
Coming Soon to A Store Near You! Solving California’s Housing Crisis by Re-inventing the Strip
Presented by AIA Central Valley’s Civic Engagement Team / Housing Task Force & CivicWell
Wed, Oct. 12th | 5 – 7:00 pm
VIRTUAL | FREE
INFO | REGISTER | VIDEO
The strip was once the glue that held the post World War II suburban dream together, but no more. Building inward, rather than out – a concept long championed by CivicWell is now popular, but too much infill housing is un-affordable and it’s not happening at the scale needed.
Join us for a lively discussion with CivicWell, local government leaders, architects and other experts to find out how we can expedite the re-invention of our commercial strips to help solve our housing crisis.
Architecture Firm Open House Night
Thu, Oct. 13th | 5:30 – 7:30pm
IN-PERSON | FREE
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
Interested in a career in architecture or curious about the places and spaces where architects design their projects?
Join us for Architecture Firm Open Houses—an evening to meet architects, see displays of their work, learn about the history of their firm and enjoy light refreshments. Each location will be unique in their approach.
Hands-On Architecture: Learn, Build, Sketch & Color for Kids
Sat. Oct 15th | 12 – 1:30 pm
IN-PERSON | FREE
INFO | REGISTER | DONATE
A family-friendly activity designed to help children 12 and under learn about architecture through children’s books on architecture and hands-on activities including building, sketching and coloring. The event will have three stations: a book reading and hands-on activity from the Chapter’s Architecture by the Book program; a kid’s drawing activity; and a coloring station.
Activities are led by architect volunteers, and are designed for kids up to middle-school age, who must come with a parent or guardian. All materials, a light snack and water will be provided.
Giving Sunday: In support of River City Food Bank
Sun, Oct. 16th | All-day
INFO | DONATE
Each year as part of Experience Architecture, AIA Central Valley selects a local non-profit to center a community service day and donation drive. This year we have selected River City Food Bank (RCFB).
RCFB’s mission is to alleviate hunger in Sacramento County by providing healthy, emergency food and other assistance, offering referrals and promoting self-sufficiency through a variety of support services. Last year alone, they served more than 2.2 million pounds of food to 206,523 people facing hunger.
AIACV invites you to donate and support the important work of River City Food Bank as part of Experience Architecture!
Event Sponsors
Experience Architecture is supported by generous sponsors, many who have been with us since the inaugural event.
Join our list of esteemed sponsors! Click here for the 2022 Sponsorship Guide.
To advertise in Comstock’s Magazine Event Guide, click here.
This event would not be possible without the support of our generous sponsors – THANK YOU!
Media Sponsors
Patron Sponsors
Signature Event Sponsors
- DLR Group
- Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture
- Maria Ogrydziak Architecture
- Nacht & Lewis Architects
- Turley & Associates Mechanical Engineering Group, Inc.
- Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners
Standard Event Sponsors
- Buehler Engineering, Inc.
- Capital Engineering Consultants
- Hoshida & Reyes Architects
- LPA Inc.
- PBK Architects
- RGA+HMC
- Studio W Architects
- Wood Rodgers, Inc.
Sustaining Partners
PLATINUM PARTNERS
SILVER PARTNERS
BRONZE PARTNERS
Arch Nexus
Assured Partners
Brailsford & Dunlavey
California Energy Design Assistance Program (CEDA)
Corporate Design Group, Inc.
Cunningham Engineering
The HLA Group Landscape Architects and Planners, Inc.
Kraft Insurance Brokerage
Street Consulting
Williams + Paddon Architects + Planners, Inc.
IRON PARTNERS
The Boldt Company
Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI)
LP Consulting Engineers, Inc.
MTW Group
PZSE Structural Engineers
Quadriga Landscape Architecture & Planning, Inc.
Response Structural Engineers
Experience Architecture is a public-outreach event designed to facilitate greater transparency with the public in how architects create our built environment and how it impacts their daily lives; to create an ongoing dialogue to inform a distinct, regional, architectural identity; and to highlight existing relationships between the region and its architecture. We celebrated our 10th event in 2021. Visit the links below to see events and sponsors for some of our past events:
Experience Architecture 2021
Experience Architecture 2020
Experience Architecture 2019
Experience Architecture 2018
Experience Architecture 2017
Experience Architecture 2016