AIA Austin Calendar

WiA Book Club 02 // The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton
2025-05-01 10:00 - 10:45 (America/Chicago) | https://calendar.aiaaustin.org/event/wia-book-club-02-the-architecture-of-happiness-by-alain-de-botton/2025-05-01/
Join Us for AIA Austin WiA’s Book Club!
AIA Austin WiA second read will be The Architecture of Happiness a thought-provoking book by Alain de Botton that examines how our surroundings influence our emotions and well-being. De Botton delves into the philosophy of architecture, illustrating how design shapes our experiences and aspirations. Book club led by Leslie Jordan & Christina Alley.
We’ll meet every other Thursday via Zoom for ~45 minutes to chat and share insights.
• Our first session will kick off on Thursday, April 17 at 10am, and continue biweekly.
📖 April 17 – Chapters 1 & 2
📖 May 1 – Chapter 3 & 4 (Nominate the next book!)
📖 May 15 – Chapter 5 & 6 (Pick the next leader/book!) Summer break and will resume the book club in August

🔗Interested? Fill out our Google form to join and receive the Zoom link!

WiA Motherhood Panel // The Juggling Act
2025-05-02 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
The juggling act is one every mom knows all too well. Join us for an honest conversation about balance and how we manage.
Featuring Christine Sheng, Assoc AIA; Maggie Wylie, AIA; and Nhasala Manandhar. Moderated by Chin Chin Yao.
Zoom meeting – register to receive link in an email.
Moderator
Chin Chin Yao, AIA

Bio coming soon
Panelists
Christine Sheng, Assoc AIA

Christine Sheng is a proud mom to two children. She brings her architecture and construction expertise to her role as Client Director at RO, where she serves the Austin and San Antonio regions. Known for her strategic approach to logistics, pricing, and team collaboration, Christine is passionate about delivering successful, client-centered projects. Outside of her professional accomplishments, Christine is deeply committed to mentorship through her work with the ACE Mentor Program of Austin, where she currently serves on the advisory board after years as Co-Founder and Chairwoman. Christine’s journey into motherhood has been one of resilience and transformation.. She continues to advocate for open conversations about motherhood and career, believing both can coexist with strength and intention.
Nhasala Manandhar, PLA, ASLA

Bio coming soon
Maggie Wylie, AIA

Bio coming soon

WiA Book Club 02 // The Architecture of Happiness by Alain de Botton
2025-05-15 10:00 - 10:45 | https://calendar.aiaaustin.org/event/wia-book-club-02-the-architecture-of-happiness-by-alain-de-botton/2025-05-15/

Women in Architecture Committee Meeting
2025-05-16 08:30 - 09:30
Join the Women in Architecture group for their monthly meetings on the third Friday of each month. All meetings will be virtual via Zoom unless otherwise noted. Sign up for our mailing list here to receive the Zoom invite!
Learn more about WiA >>>
2025 Chair: Alexandra Chaves, Assoc. AIA
2025 Chair-Elect: Danielle Smith, AIA
AIA Austin staff liaison: Julia Brown

AIA Austin WiA Present: Breakfast with the TxA President-Elect
2025-05-22 08:30 - 09:30 | AIA Austin, 801 W 12th St, Austin, TX, 78701
Join us for breakfast and conversations with TxA President-Elect Krystyn Haecker, AIA as she shares her vision for the future.

Krystyn Haecker, AIA
Krystyn Haecker, AIA, LEED AP BD+C is a Partner at Mirador Group, where she leads Urban Multi-Family and Mixed-Use Commercial projects. She also serves as the firm’s Integrator, overseeing Recruitment and Professional Development. Active in the profession, Krystyn is the 2025 President-Elect for the Texas Society of Architects (TxA) and has held key roles, including Vice President of Professional Development and Conference Committee Co-Chair. She was instrumental in founding Women in Architecture (WiA) Houston, serving as its 2018 Chair, during which the group earned the TxA Mentorship Award. A licensed architect in Texas, Krystyn holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from Texas A&M and a Master of Architecture from Virginia Tech. In 2024, she was honored as a Houston Business Journal Women Who Mean Business award recipient.

WiA Site Tour // Let's Walk and Roll: An Urban Accessibility Audit
2025-05-29 16:00 - 18:00 | AIA Austin, 801 W 12th St, Austin, TX, 78701
AIA Austin WiA Present: Site Tour // Let’s Walk and Roll: An Urban Accessibility Audit // Contour Collective
CEU Credits 1.5 LU/HSW, ADA
NO PPE Required

But do bring comfortable shoes and a hat or an umbrella since we will be outside.

Urban Accessibility Audit Summary
This tour will include review of existing conditions of the AIA building and surrounding buildings for ADA and TAS compliance. The tour is led by two accessibility specialists who will point out areas of non-compliance and also areas with compliant features. We will discuss how some of these errors could be avoided or remedied. The tour will include a route around the neighborhood including along several businesses on Lamar and return to the AIA building. The tour will showcase various elements that architects design every day and present real-world examples of what to do (and often not to do) when designing accessible and inclusive spaces for all.
The tour will end with a happy hour at the AIA Austin Center where the RAS’s will be available for any Q & A! Light bites and wine/beer will be available.
Accessible Elements of Note:
Parking
Accessible Routes
Doors
Restrooms
Dining Surfaces
Restaurants and more

WiA Site Tour Sub-Committee Chair

Michelle Weinfield, PE, AIA
Michelle is an Architect and Project Manager at the Planning Design and Construction for the University of Texas in Austin and thrilled to be the WiA’s Site Tour sub-committee Chair. A native Texan and long term Austin resident, she is active in AIA Austin and other local organizations whose mission is to improve the built or natural environment. She is on the hunt for fantastic new projects designed or built by women to schedule a tour. Please reach out with any leads.
Presenters

Elaine Andersen, RAS, ADAC, APAC-BE // Co-Founder, Contour Collective
Elaine Andersen holds three national accessibility certifications and brings deep expertise in all things Accessibility including ADA, TAS, FHA, ANSI and more. As co-founder of Contour Collective, Elaine brings 25 years experience in the built environment, with the last 15 dedicated to accessibility. With a background in architecture, she’s consulted on over 1,000 projects across more than a dozen states—helping teams translate complex regulations into actionable design solutions. Elaine is also a U.S. Navy veteran, known for her precision, collaborative spirit, and unwavering belief that accessibility is fundamental to good design.

Andrea LaCour, RAS, ADAC, APAC-BE // Co-Founder, Contour Collective
Andrea LaCour is an award-winning accessibility consultant and co-founder of Contour Collective, where she works at the intersection of design and inclusion. She has consulted on more than 1,000 projects across the nation, always with the goal of making spaces not just compliant, but truly welcoming. Andrea holds three national accessibility certifications and was honored with the 2024 Austin Under 40 Award for her leadership in the field. Her work champions Universal Design and helps project teams see accessibility as an opportunity—not just a checklist.
