Community of Practice for Excellence in Design of Affordable Housing (COPEDAH)

Through community and experimentation, we further design excellence for all.

This interdisciplinary community of practice — the Community of Practice for Excellence in Design of Affordable Housing (COPEDAH) — is aligned in the desire to create both quantity and quality in affordable housing solutions. It is made possible through significant funding support from the McKnight Foundation.

Architects, developers, building owners, and other stakeholders are welcome to participate in COPEDAH if they share this community’s aspirations and aim to be active in experimenting with promising solutions and systems interventions.

Communities of Practice are unique.

They are driven by collective the energy of the group, not by organizational goals or programmatic needs.

Sessions are facilitated by volunteers from the group — this first year (2026), beginning with AIA Minnesota volunteers from our Housing Advocacy Committee — with light support and periodic facilitation from AIA Minnesota staff.

Meetings are held virtually on a quarterly basis

Join the Community of Practice

Affordable Housing Design Award Program

Excellence in design of affordable housing is recognized by AIA Minnesota, with funding from the McKnight Foundation, through our Affordable Housing Design Award. Entries are invited every other year. The next award year is 2027.

Learn more about AHDA and past award winners