The Architects Role in Housing, Density, and Local Advocacy
California is under increasing pressure to create more housing, but housing policy does not exist in isolation. Infrastructure, climate, neighborhood character, and community needs all shape how—and where—new housing can be successfully integrated.
This meeting brings architects together for an interactive conversation about housing, density, local planning, and the architect’s role in shaping communities.
Bruce Monighan will provide an overview of the AIA California Housing Steering Committee, including what the committee has been working on and how AIA California develops and takes positions on housing policy. Drawing from his experience working in local government, Bruce will also share practical insight into how architects can engage more effectively with City Councils, planning processes, Neighborhood Councils, and community stakeholders. Register here!
The discussion will explore questions such as:
Housing & Density
How should infrastructure, parking, fire safety, and evacuation be considered alongside housing needs?
What are examples of communities where increased density has been successfully integrated?
What does thoughtful, context-sensitive density look like?
Architects & Local Government
How can architects engage more effectively with City Council and local planning processes?
How can architects help Neighborhood Councils and communities better understand proposed planning changes?
Where can architects provide valuable design expertise in conversations about housing and community development?
AIA California Advocacy
What is the role of the AIA California Housing Steering Committee?
How does AIA California develop and take positions on housing policy?
How can local architects contribute their perspectives to the broader conversation?
Register here!
About the Speaker
In 2026, Bruce Monighan celebrates 54 years in architecture and 46 years as a licensed architect. He was the owner and principal of Monighan Design, an architectural design practice since its founding in 1982 and closed in 2019. Bruce has a diverse project experience throughout California, the United States, Asia, and Latin America and held as many as 32 State architectural licenses and is nationally certified through NCARB. He has also held certification by the State of California as a Certified Access Specialist. He is currently in his 19th year on the Design Review Advisory Committee for the County of Sacramento. He is the Chair of the AIA CA Housing Steering Committee.
In November of 2014 joined the Community Development Department, Planning Division as the Urban Design Manager as a way of advancing his interest in large scale policy making, regional sustainability policy and "city building". As the Urban Design Manager, he oversees citywide design review and the City Preservation program and is responsible for planning codes related to historic preservation, design policies, design guidelines, provides urban design guidance for the City General Plan and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan.