AIA California’s biennial Monterey Design Conference reconvenes at the Julia Morgan–designed Asilomar Conference Grounds for three days of talks, CE sessions, and new programming focused on materials, decarbonization, wildfire resilience, and social-justice architecture.
Confirmed headliners include Ma Yansong, Billie Tsien, Marina Tabassum, Lisa Iwamoto and Craig Scott, and Duvall Decker principals.
New “Innovators” program spotlights regenerative materials, building and urban decarbonization, wildfire resilience, and architecture of social justice.
Conference (MDC), organized by AIA California, returns for its 2026 edition on October 23–25 at the Asilomar Conference Grounds. The conference has used Asilomar as its home since the mid-1980s. This year's event will again deploy the site's coastal setting and historic buildings, with Merrill Hall—designed by Julia Morgan—serving as the anchor venue.
Confirmed speakers and contributors
Other confirmed presenters include architect-attorney Gerald Gamliel Weisbach and interdisciplinary artist-educator Allan Wexler.
The conference is led by co-chairs Bill Leddy and Doris Sung. Asilomar Conference Grounds are a National Historic Landmark and include buildings by Julia Morgan and John Carl Warnecke. Lodging on the Asilomar grounds is already full, but other nearby accommodations are available. Architectural Record is listed as a media sponsor.
MDC traditionally blends design talks with the in-person experience of the Asilomar campus. Expect sessions addressing practice trends, technical continuing-education topics, and conversations that bring international and U.S.-based approaches into contact. The new Innovators track narrows attention on climate-related materials and performance issues, wildfire resilience, and equity-focused design work.
Organizers had not published the full schedule at the time of the announcement. Session times, detailed CE offerings, and the complete list of presenters and topics will appear when the agenda is released.
The most clearly marked additions for 2026 are the Innovators program and the emphasis on regenerative materials, decarbonization, wildfire resilience, and architecture of social justice. The roster pairs established international architects with U.S.-based practitioners and specialized speakers in policy, materials, and resilience.
If you plan to attend, check AIA California's event pages for the agenda and registration links. Book local lodging early and consider virtual attendance if on-site accommodation is not available.
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