Design Learning, Designs Futures

Connecting youth with professionals and providing skills, inspiration and a deep understanding of what it takes to create and build the environment of our future.

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54th Annual High School Design Competition

Join us for the AFSF High School Design Competition Awards Ceremony

THIS SUNDAY, May 21st, 4-5pm PDT

Join via Zoom, dial-in: (669) 900-6833

meeting ID: 845 5115 3279, Passcode: 893665

 High school students from around the Bay and across the world are participating in the 54th annual AFSF High School Design Competition.  Every year, students submit designs individually and in teams on a real-world challenge, receiving feedback from architects and others involved in the project.  Winners receive acclaim & prizes.  Teachers are encouraged to guide their students through the process.

This year’s HSDC challenged participants to create a park and a “PDR” collective next to existing wetlands, to combine fabulous new open space, public gathering space, and usable space for artists, non-profits and other community members.  Learn more in this year’s design brief.

Info and support for teachers and participants: Ryan.Lee@woodsbagot.com

Build SF Summer Design Institute

In this intensive 3-week deep dive into the world of design and architecture, high school students will learn professional skills and tools and create an impressive array of designs.  Work independently and collaboratively, learn about careers and college paths, and create a portfolio of original work.  Includes personal mentoring by an architect, engineer or other design professional.

Mon-Fri, 9:00am – 12:00pm PDT plus 6 mentoring sessions.

Online, via Zoom.

Two sessions available:   June 12 – 30     or     July 10 – 28

Register here.  More info here.

Our Mission

The mission of the Architectural Foundation of San Francisco is to enhance the awareness and appreciation of architecture and the design process in the local community.

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HS Design Competition Awards Ceremony: 5/21, 4-5pm

Join us THIS SUNDAY, May 21st, 4-5pm PDT, for the Awards Ceremony of the 54th AFSF Annual High School Design Competition! Join via Zoom or dial-in: (669) 900-6833 meeting ID: 845 5115 3279, Passcode: 893665 Click here for more info on the 54th annual AFSF High School Design Competition: Reach out with any questions: Ryan Lee, 415-277-3041, Ryan.Lee@woodsbagot.com 

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Summer Design Institute – June / July

Register now for AFSF’s 2023 Summer Design Institute, a 3-week deep dive into architecture and design. High school students from SF, the Bay Area, around California, throughout the US, and around the world are invited to participate in this exciting, creative, 3-week online interactive program.  Choose either of our two sessions: June 12-30 or July 10-28.  Register now. 

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54th Annual High School Design Competition

54th Annual AFSF High School Design Competition Calling all high school students interested in Design!  The Architectural Foundation of San Francisco has announced its 54th annual High School Design Competition. Students are challenged to design a Park Space and a PDR Collective next to existing wetlands along Islais Creek in San Francisco.   In this unique combination of uses, students have

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The 2022 AFSF Fitness Challenge was a huge success!

Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in the 2022 AFSF Fitness Challenge!

Collectively, you ran, biked or walked over 2,000 miles.  That’s equivalent to crossing all 8 of the SF Bay’s bridges over 70 times!  And you raised more than $30,000 for our educational programs!  

Special gratitude to our sponsors:

Black Swan Risk Managment
PlaceMaking SF logo
VOXSA consulting logo
Tile & Stone Council of Northern California
Page & Turnbull: Architecture + Historic Preservation
"The critical thinking and software skills you learn with AFSF will take you really far in this profession, or help you in many others."
Matt JohnsonPrincipal, Taylor Design
"My daughter learned a lot. I was amazed by how comfortable everyone was with the technology and working online together. It gives me hope for more learning opportunities online in these new challenging times."
K.P.Parent of an AFSF Summer Design Institute student
"Who knows if these students will go on to become architects, landscape architects or designers, but I think having the exposure, will lend them an appreciation of building design as they navigate through life. To be honest, I wish there were workshops like this in all disciplines to give our youth exposure to everything that is out there."
K.C.Parent of an AFSF Summer Design Institute student
"Build-SF is such a great program for high school students who have a passion for architecture, engineering or design. I see job applications today in architecture and interior design that require learning software programs like Revit that we learned with AFSF. AFSF definitely gives a leg up for high schoolers who want to get into the field and also apply to colleges for a major in architecture or engineer or design."
Jen H.AFSF-Build SF alumna
"Thanks to my experience at AFSF, I was able to get an awesome job working at the SF International Airport. The computer skills are particularly useful to me because I use them all the time."
Bryan L.AFSF-Build SF alumnus
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