Center For Architecture & Design

DesignPhiladelphia is a dynamic organization dedicated to making design accessible to everyone. Our mission is to bring design education from K-12 to Career, focusing on underserved communities in Philadelphia. We also cultivate a culture of belonging through partnerships with higher education institutions and professional design firms. Our goal is to create a multidisciplinary design hub where students and professionals can thrive.

Our programming includes Design Education, the Festival, the Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards, and the Louis I. Kahn Lecture. We are committed to advancing design practice across sectors and making our physical space and metaphorical table open to all. By doing so, we aim to highlight the invaluable role that designers play in shaping our city and region.

Design Education

DesignPhiladelphia believes that design education should be accessible to everyone. We are focused on bringing K-12 design education to underserved communities across Philadelphia. Our partnerships with higher education institutions and professional design firms ensure that all students and emerging professionals can grow and thrive as designers.

Festival and Awards

Our Festival and Awards programs celebrate design excellence and innovation. The Edmund N. Bacon Urban Design Awards recognize outstanding urban design projects, while the Louis I. Kahn Lecture features prominent design thinkers. These events bring together industry leaders, students, and professionals to share ideas and showcase innovative designs.

Partnerships and Collaborations

DesignPhiladelphia is proud to partner with several design associations, including AIA Philadelphia and the Community Design Collaborative. These partnerships bring exhibitions, events, and programming to our space, making it a vibrant hub for design activity. We also host PhilaNOMA, Design Advocacy Group, and Creative Mornings PHL for their meetings and events.

News and Updates

Stay up-to-date with the latest news and updates by signing up for our newsletters. You'll be the first to know about new exhibitions, events, and the launch of our upcoming podcast, Together We DesignPhiladelphia.