Join the Board of Directors of the AIA Potomac Valley chapter for our Annual Membership Meeting with networking, followed by a tour of The Pearl. This is a free event for members of the AIA Potomac Valley Chapter. Other AIA chapter members and non-members are welcome to participate in the tour only according to their preference.

6:00 – 6:45 PM  Networking (Light refreshments will be served.)

6:45 – 7:30 PM  Annual Membership Meeting including presentation of the 2025 Budget, elections of officers and directors, networking with our Annual Partners, and recognition of scholarship recipients

7:30 – 8:30 PM  Tour of The Pearl conducted by Design Collective and Tower Companies. (1 LU|HSW)
Tour Guides: Fiver Soraruf, AIA, LEED AP, Senior Associate – Design Collective; Luke Lanciano, CEM, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED AP O+M, Director of Sustainability – Tower Companies

Parking: Attendees are encouraged to use Metro (Silver Spring station), or to utilize street parking or parking in the Giant lot (avoid spots labeled as Reserved). 

Building Entrance: Attendees should enter through the front of the building.

Tour: Tour participants must complete/sign the sign-in sheet and attend the entire tour to receive continuing education credit.

Please consider donating to the
Potomac Valley Architecture Foundation (PVAF):

Photo: © Tom Holdsworth Photography

Course Description:

The Pearl, a multifamily building by The Tower Companies in Silver Spring, MD, exemplifies sustainable, health-focused design. LEED Gold-certified with 284 units, it integrates energy-efficient features, including a 3.4 kW solar PV system and a 1,250 sq ft green roof for stormwater management. Efficient lighting, Nest thermostats, EV charging, and drip irrigation reduce water use by 60%. As the world’s first Fitwel-certified building, it emphasizes wellness with over 30,000 sq ft of green space, a two-acre park, urban farm, and daylight-optimized spaces. Part of a 20-year redevelopment plan, this tour will highlight all of the features that illustrate The Pearl's “Live Wisely” principles.

1 LU|HSW

Learning Objectives:

1. Appreciate the importance of health-focused features and policies that made this project, an integral part of the historic Blairs redevelopment project in Silver Spring, MD, the first residential building, globally to receive Fitwel certification, underscoring its health-centered design.

2. Learn about energy generation and conservation solutions incorporated, including a 3.4 kW solar system on 1,250 sq. ft. green roof, the first of its kind in the DC Metro area, along with efficient lighting and HVAC systems and controls.

3. Learn about unique water conservation strategies, recycling, composting, and zero waste features contributing to impactful sustainability and conservation results.

4. Learn about Resident-Focused Policies including energy-efficient practices and utility data sharing, annual air quality assessments, green cleaning policies, and integrated pest management.

Free for AIAPV Members – Registration is Required.