Listed here are are local and statewide – and even some federal – programs and organizations and other resources relating to architecture and design.
From educational opportunities to building codes, from museum exhibits to sustainable design and green building, these resources will assist you in further exploring and appreciating the field of architecture.
If you have information about an organization, event, or other resource relating to architecture and the built environment, and would like to see it listed here, please contact the WMAIA web manager with that information.
You can sort the resources by clicking one of the red titles below, such as “Architecture, Design, and Codes.”
Find the next opportunity to jump start your career at the AIA Career Center
Purchase AIA Contract Documents through the Boston Society of Architects.
An experienced group of architects, contractors, lawyers, owners and developers work together on an ongoing basis to ensure AIA Contract Docs represent all parties fairly and meet the building industry’s ever-evolving needs.
Find more information, and to purchase and download AIA Contract Documents online, here.
ABX (formerly known as Build Boston) is the largest regional convention and tradeshow for the design and construction industry. There’s something for everyone at here — building owners/managers, architects, engineers, contractors, interior designers, design and construction firm administrators, landscape architects and all professionals, interns and students with an interest in the built environment.
AIA Communities by Design: There’s a reason you became an architect. It wasn’t just about buildings. It was about people; it was about making communities more livable. We welcome members who are committed to healthy, safe, and sustainable communities.
It is the practice of The American Institute of Architects and its members to comply strictly with all laws, including federal and state antitrust laws, that apply to AIA operations and activities. Visit the below links for information on the AIA’s antitrust procedures & guidelines.
AIA Antitrust Guidelines
AIA Antitrust Statement & Procedures
Get an exclusive look at salary trends in the architecture industry with the 2015 AIA Compensation Report.
Through the Boston Society of Architects, three different ways to purchase contract documents.
The AIA SDAT program helps communities develop a vision for a sustainable future and a realistic, attainable roadmap to get there. We bring teams of experts including architects, urban designers, landscape architects, planners, economists and others to work with community leaders, stakeholders and citizens. The result is a broad assessment that helps to frame future policies and solutions and be proactive about sustainability.
The AIA Trust is a free risk-management resource, offering benefit programs and practice resources for AIA Members.
AIAU is a place for architects to learn and earn continuing education credits.
Based in Washington, D.C., the AIA has been the leading professional membership association for licensed architects, emerging professionals, and allied partners since 1857.
At the Berkshire Museum, there’s something for everyone. We offer a unique blend of exhibitions, galleries, and attractions for families of all ages. See exhibitions, fine art, and sculpture from around the world. Explore our touch tank and aquarium.
The Boston Society of Architects (BSA) is the eastern Massachusetts regional association of the AIA, and consists of 4,000 +/- public, professional and affiliate members. It is the largest branch of the AIA. Affiliate members include engineers, contractors, owners/clients, public officials, other allied professionals, students and others interested in the built environment. The BSA has sister chapters in Central MA and Western MA — the three chapters constitute AIA Massachusetts.
The Building and Construction Technology program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst offers undergraduate and graduate education in construction management, sustainable building planning, engineered wood design, building energy performance evaluation, building products distribution, and research and development.
Building Green is an independent publishing company committed to bringing their members accurate, unbiased, and timely green design information.
The Department of Architecture provides an accessible, intellectually rigorous design education in the art and science of the built environment The interdisciplinary, collaborative department embraces spirited, socially progressive, and environmentally responsive design. It is New England’s first and only public architecture program.
The Center for EcoTechnology helps people and businesses save energy and reduce waste. As a non-profit 501(c)(3), CET works with partners throughout the region to help transform the way we live and work for a better community, economy, and environment – now and for the future.
The Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute is an art museum and a center for research and higher education, dedicated to advancing and extending the public understanding of art. No other institution of its scale and character has such a complex and exhilarating mission.
The Construction Institute/University of Hartford is a non-profit, non-partisan association of diverse professionals working to improve the industry by sharing experiences and knowledge, advancing relationships, and developing business leaders.
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art offers exhibits, workshops, gift shop and more – great for families, kids, and everyone else, too.
The objective of the Five College Architectural Studies program is to cultivate concerned architectural thinkers, writers and designers through a flexible yet rigorous interdisciplinary course of study. This site includes information about courses of study, events, and features showcases of student and professor design work.
Hancock Shaker Village, Inc., is a private, not-for-profit educational organization. Our mission is to bring the Shaker story to life and preserve it for future generations.
Historic Deerfield offers visits to historic early American homes, museum exhibits, tours, library, demonstrations, lectures, and workshops – and more.
Learning By Design in Massachusetts is a statewide K-12 architecture and design education program. Since 1999 over 15,000 children, educators and designers have taken part in LBD:MA architecture and design activities.

The Architectural Access Board (AAB) is a regulatory agency within the Massachusetts Office of Public Safety. Its legislative mandate states that it shall develop and enforce regulations designed to make public buildings accessible to, functional for, and safe for use by persons with disabilities.
At this website you can find links to Building Codes and Authorities Having Jurisdiction for the state of Massachusetts. This information is obtained directly from the source — the city, county and state building departments that issue these codes.
Since opening in 1999, MASS MoCA has become one of the world’s premier centers for making and showing the best art of our time. More than 80 major new works of art and more than 50 performances have been created through fabrication and rehearsal residencies in North Adams, making MASS MoCA perhaps the most fertile site in the country for new art.
Amherst College’s Mead Art Museum makes its 16,000-object collection available and relevant to teaching and research across the disciplines – by offering special exhibitions, events, publications, and class visits. The Museum serves a wider public and the community: always free of charge and in a facility that is fully accessible.
Founded in 1876, the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum was one of the first collegiate museums in the United States—and today is one of the liveliest! It’s a “cultural laboratory” for the campus and is actively used by faculty and students.
Museums 10 is a consortium forged to celebrate the collections and promote the programs of its affiliated museums to local, regional, and national visitors, and to heighten awareness of the offerings of the individual institutions while highlighting the diversity and outstanding educational resource that they collectively represent. Museums10 is facilitated by Five Colleges, Inc.
The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) helps high-performance building and energy efficiency professionals improve their practices by learning from and networking with each other. Founded in 1974, NESEA is today the region’s leading 501(c)(3) organization promoting sustainable energy practices in the built environment.
The Smith College Museum of Art invites groups to reserve guided tours or self-guided visits to the museum. Guided and self-guided tours for K-12 school groups are free of charge. Adult and non-Five College student groups are charged admission and are kindly asked to make an additional donation of $2 per person for a guided tour.
The Springfield Museums, located in the heart of downtown Springfield, Massachusetts, is comprised of five world-class museums, offering everything from art to science and history. The Museums Association is proud to be home to the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.
Know a teen interested in architecture? Check out the UMass Amherst Summer Design Pre-College Academy, which provides an opportunity for high school students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, urban or interior design the opportunity to experience the profession and see firsthand the kinds of activities that take place in a university architectural program.

Since its founding in 1975, the UMass Fine Arts Center has been a central force in the cultural, social and academic life of the University, the Five College campuses, and the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts. The Fine Arts Center offers educational, visual, and performing arts programs.

The Women in Design Group is a social and professional organization for design professionals to meet, spread ideas, network, and create mentoring opportunities. The group meets monthly, at a place published on their Facebook page.