Giants 400 webinar event
Key Trends in the U.S. Commercial Architecture Market for 2027
Architecture firm leaders discuss emerging trends, innovations, opportunities, and obstacles in the U.S. commercial architecture market. Topics include AI for design, new revenue streams, market expansion opportunities, the future of sustainability, design trends, and more. This live webinar, worth 1.0 AIA HSW learning unit, will take place Thursday, October 29, at 1 pm ET.
Summary
- Thursday, October 29, 2026
- 1:00 PM EST / 12:00 PM CST
- 1 hour
- Submitted for Approval
Join the Building Design+Construction editorial team for this webinar on emerging trends, innovations, opportunities, and obstacles in the U.S. commercial architecture market. This live webinar, worth 1.0 AIA HSW learning unit, will take place Thursday, October 29, at 1 pm ET.
A panel of design industry leaders from Architecture Giant firms will discuss AI tools and techniques for design, emerging trends in sustainability, building design innovation, and new revenue streams and market expansion opportunities for architecture firms.
Meet The Experts
Topic: AI in Design Practice
Brooke Peschel
Chief Information Officer
CannonDesign
For business, for society, for design ingenuity—technology is a remarkable tool. That’s Brooke Peschel’s philosophy, and she works to manifest it in our work each day. One of the most proven and dynamic leaders in the design technology profession, Brooke ensures CannonDesign’s technology infrastructure and knowledge are best-in-class and differentiate the firm’s ability to empower clients. She leads CannonDesign’s teams as they develop, enhance and implement multi-platforms solutions that connect built and virtual environments in profound ways. A catalyst for change, Brooke is deeply engaged in leading the design industry forward and keeps herself and those she works with at the leading-edge of technological possibilities. She’s continually pushing what’s possible with the Internet of Things, automation through machine learning and artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, data-informed practices and visualization and application development. She also loves mentoring others and regularly speaks on tech, mentorship, and career development.
Emerging Trends in Sustainability
Chris Flint Chatto, AIA, LEED AP BD+C
Principal, ZGF Architects
For nearly two decades, Chris Chatto has been a leading force in sustainable design at ZGF, integrating design excellence, analytical rigor, and human-centered thinking to create transformational projects. His portfolio includes groundbreaking work such as the PAE Living Building, the Rocky Mountain Institute Innovation Center, Federal Center South, and Stanford’s Central Energy Facility. With a background in environmental policy and a business degree from the Wharton School, Chris brings a triple-bottom-line perspective that aligns environmental, social, and economic goals with his clients’ missions. Outside of ZGF, Chris shares his expertise in integrated net zero design through teaching and design studios at the University of Washington, the University of Oregon, and Portland State University.
Topic: Building Design Trends and Innovations
Anthony Montalto, AIA, LFA
Chief Design Officer, Executive Vice President, Partner, HKS
Anthony Montalto is Chief Design Officer at HKS, guiding the firm’s global design vision, culture, and creative standards across disciplines. With extensive experience in architecture, urban design, and strategic innovation, he is known for translating big ideas into built work that is rigorous, expressive, and human-centered. At HKS, Anthony champions a design culture that balances creativity with performance, emphasizing research, collaboration, and clarity of intent. His leadership focuses on shaping places that respond to context, elevate everyday experience, and create lasting value for communities and clients alike.
Moderator
David Barista
Editorial Director ,Building Design+Construction, Multifamily Pro+
David Barista has covered the U.S. construction industry for more than 25 years, including multiple editorial roles at Building Design+Construction magazine, where he currently serves as Editorial Director. Previously, David was Editor-in-Chief of Professional Builder, Custom Builder, and ProBuilder.com, properties that combined reach more than 200,000 residential design and construction professionals. He is a seven-time Jesse H. Neal Award winner and an eight-time finalist, recognizing excellence in business journalism.
Supported By
This webinar is made possible thanks to our supporting Architecture Giants sponsor: Vitro Architectural Glass.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore planning strategies and design methods for meeting the performance requirements for Passive House, all-electric design, low-carbon design, and other advanced sustainability and green building approaches.
- Discuss design strategies for integrating wellness, sustainability, resilience, smart building technology, and enhanced security and safety into modern building developments.
- Discover how architects are using advanced tools like AI to enhance the planning and design of buildings, including measures to support the health, wellness, and safety of building occupants.
- Review project case studies that demonstrate emerging design trends and innovations in commercial, institutional, and multifamily building projects, including resiliency, all-electric design, low-carbon design, placemaking, offsite/prefab/modular methods, and trauma-informed design.
HSW justification
Most of the topics addressed in this webinar—including sustainability, green building, net-zero/positive energy buildings, passive design, embodied carbon, electrification, building design innovation, AI tools for architectural design—cover current and emerging health, safety, and welfare issues related to building occupants and visitors.
Education Level: Intermediate
Registration
Credits: Submitted for Approval
Instructional Delivery Method: Live Online
Prerequisites: None
Program Level: Intermediate
Advance learner preparation: N/A
AIA CES Provider statement: Endeavor Business Media is a registered provider of AIA-approved continuing education under Provider Number 10084542. All registered AIA CES Providers must comply with the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs. Any questions or concerns about this provider or this learning program may be sent to AIA CES (cessupport@aia.org or (800) AIA 3837, Option 3). This learning program is registered with AIA CES for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product. AIA continuing education credit has been reviewed and approved by AIA CES. Learners must complete the entire learning program to receive continuing education credit. AIA continuing education Learning Units earned upon completion of this course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members are available upon request.
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