Ask anyone who’s been to the Monterey Design Conference (MDC), and they’ll tell you it’s not the typical architecture conference. Maybe it’s the beauty of Asilomar, with its inspiring Julia Morgan architecture tucked among the coastal pines and dunes. Maybe it’s the chance to step away from the everyday demands of practice and recharge your creative spirit. Or maybe it’s being surrounded by people who share your love of architecture, great design, and fresh ideas. Most likely, it’s a little bit of all three that makes MDC such a special experience.

Nearly 900 attendees gathered for MDC 2026, drawn by what consistently makes this conference special: an extraordinary speaker lineup, a one-of-a-kind retreat atmosphere, and the opportunity to connect with colleagues and rediscover why they became architects in the first place.

This year’s speakers delivered an incredible range of ideas, from David Lewis, AIA, of LTL Architects exploring biogenic materials to Marina Tabassum’s thoughtful architecture responding to Bangladesh’s changing landscapes. Pezo von Ellrichshausen challenged conventional thinking about form and repetition, while Allan Wexler brought humor and creativity to a lifetime of artistic exploration. And 2026 Maybeck Award recipient Lawrence Scarpa, FAIA, in his acceptance speech, eloquently elucidated why everyone deserves great design, and the capacity of architecture to elevate lives. Ideas that resonated throughout MDC’s three days.

An underlying theme woven thru many was how the value of an architect extends far beyond the buildings they design. Several MDC speakers reminded us, architecture is about shaping communities, challenging conventional thinking, and creating meaningful change. Anne Marie Duvall Decker, FAIA emphasized that sometimes architecture is about “pioneering policy changes” that transform communities, while Katie Swenson reminded us that architecture “rarely begins with a building” but with something larger—solving a problem or creating new possibilities. And as Sofía von Ellrichshausen so thoughtfully expressed, “Architecture has the capacity to be the form for knowledge.” Each of these perspectives reinforced the extraordinary power of architects—not simply to shape the built environment, but to influence how we live, connect, and experience the world.

Another important theme from the weekend was architecture’s relationship to nature, material exploration, and the creative process emerged—from interventions in Chinese quarries to the importance of drawing and building sections as tools for design discovery. The mix of inspiring, completed projects and behind-the-scenes experimentation offered plenty of fresh perspectives.

But MDC has never been just about the presentations. It’s about conversations, connections, and shared passion for design. One attendee calls it summed it up beautifully, calling MDC “a fantastic venue to learn and to renew your vows to architecture with like-minded people.”

And that’s the magic of MDC: returning to practice with fresh ideas, renewed curiosity, and a reminder of why we love what we do.

Missed a session or want to revisit a favorite? Session recordings will be available on the CE Center in about a month! Keep an eye on your in box.

And here’s some exciting news: MDC is coming back next year! We’re shifting our schedule to avoid overlapping with the AIA Conference on Architecture in Los Angeles in May 2028. That means you won’t have to wait two years for your next dose of MDC magic!

Save the date: October 22–24, 2027! We can’t wait to welcome you back to Asilomar.