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.
AFSF High School Design Competition participants receive plaudits and helpful feedback from design professionals and professors.
The AFSF Summer Design Institute is a fun and fast-paced three week summer program for high school students interested in architecture, design and urban development.
AFSF-SDI meets online 9am – noon, Monday – Friday
Session 2 is underway!
Each morning, high school students participating in the AFSF Summer Design Institute meet online with classmates from around the world. Guided by our architecture instructor, they learn new skills and techniques, as you create original solutions to real-world design challenges, compiling a portfolio of work along the way.
In addition, they’re mentored twice a week by an architect, or other design+build professional, getting a glimpse of life in the design world and what it takes to get there!
High School Design Competition winners, Youth participants in AFSF programs, and others were honored at the annual AFSF Awards Breakfast!
Special congratulations to Min Design, recipient of this year’s AFSF Kirby Ward Fitzpatrick award for combing a wealth of aesthetic and brilliantly useful aspects to an essential, if mundane public amenity.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, and special thanks to those volunteering to Mentor.
Design Professionals! Whether you were there or not, you can still sign up to mentor with AFSF
AFSF High School Design Competition 2025
Congratulations to all of the award winners, and to everyone who participated!!
High school students from throughout the Bay Area and around the world submitted designs for a vibrant public realm along the Market St. corridor as part of Downtown San Francisco’s post-pandemic revitalization efforts.
Click here to see the list of award winners and learn more about the competition.
Our final Saturday session of the 2024-25 school year is underway!
The Saturday Design Studio meets on 6 consecutive Saturdays, 10.00 – 11.30 am (PDT) and includes 1 hour per week of mentoring with a design professional.
Thank you to ALL of our participants and mentors for your tremendous work throughout the year.
Seeking an enriching architectural educational experience for a high schooler? Check out our Summer Design Institute. Spaces are available in both the June and July session!
The Saturday Design Studios will resume in the Fall of 2025
Play Video about Designing Student Success, a video on AFSF high school design programs.
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.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Thank you to EVERYONE who participated in our various fundraisers!
Special gratitude to our sponsors:
Ready to Get Involved?
Learn about programs for your kids.
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