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.
A series of 6-week programs throughout the 2025-26 school year!
Sign up now for a Spring Saturday Series
Feb. 21 – Mar. 28 or
Apr. 11 – May 16, 2026.
The Saturday Design Studio meets via Zoom
6 consecutive Saturdays, 10.00 – 11.30 am (PDT)
plus 1 hour per week of mentoring with an architect or other design professional.
Tuition: $500. A deposit of $250 is required to confirm enrollment
Click here for more info on this enriching high school architectural experience.
Click here to register for one of the Spring 2026 sessions!
2026 AFSF High School Design Competition
High school students from throughout the Bay Area and around the world are invited to submit designs for a mixed use development to revitalize a section of Fisherman’s Wharf, just west of Pier 39, as part of SF’s Climate Action Plan, and to enhance our iconic waterfront.
Final entries must be submitted on FRIDAY, May 8th, 2026
The awards presentation reception will be SUNDAY, May 10th, 2026
Enter individually or with friends!
Teachers are encouraged to guide your students through the process.
Competition chair Ryan Lee is available to meet you and your classes.
Click here for the 2026 HSDC Design Brief
Click here for more info and competition history
Sign up now for the 2026 AFSF Summer Design!
Your choice of two sessions: June 8-26 or July 6-24
The AFSF Summer Design Institute is a fun and fast-paced 3-week summer program for high school students interested in architecture, design and urban development.
Each morning, high school participants in the AFSF Summer Design Institute meet online with peers from around the world. Guided by our architecture instructor, they learn new skills and techniques, while creating 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!
Learn more here
Register here
June 8 – 26
July 6 – 24
Prepare a stunning portfolio of your work!
Two options:
Workshop A – Portfolio Overview
tuition = $200 (waived if you also register for Workshop B at the same time)
Workshop B – Building Your Own Portfolio
Workshop A + 2 additional dates
tuition = $1,000
no prior architecture or design experience required
Click here for more info on this boost for your college applications!
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
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.
Volunteer as a mentor for our youth.
Support our work through donation.