Shape the Future of Architecture: Participate in Architecture Week 2026, April 12-18

WASHINGTON – April 8, 2026 – Architecture Week, an annual celebration of the ways architecture and design foster creativity, starts next week with nationwide design-thinking programming for students kindergarten through 12th grade. Through Architecture Week, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) is able to equip educators and architects with tools and resources to ignite young minds and spark a passion for architecture.

Studies show that integrating architecture and design into K–12 education boosts problem-solving skills, fosters creativity, enhances teamwork, and opens doors to career opportunities. During Architecture Week, AIA encourages architects to collaborate with educators to explore how teaching architectural concepts can inspire and engage students in new ways.

Learn more about how you can share your knowledge as a design professional.

“When you participate in Architecture Week, you do more than support the profession—you shape its future,” AIA EVP/Chief Executive Officer, Carole Wedge, FAIA. “Every conversation you have—with a child, a teacher, or a community member—makes you a champion for architecture.”

Architecture Week is packed with resources and events tailored for educators and their students! Here’s how you can get involved:

• Virtual read-alouds: Gather students and join architecture and design children's book authors throughout Architecture Week for a virtual read-aloud followed by Q&A.
• Interactive Learning Tools: Access hands-on classroom activities like AIA’s Climate Action Design Challenge, The House That She Built program, and AIA/ASLA’s Plug & Play classroom toolkit.
• School Visits: Connect schools with professional architects who can spark curiosity in your students through workshops and mentoring sessions.
• Community Contributions: Help spread awareness by organizing classroom displays, sharing posts on social media (#ArchitectureWeek), or sending letters to your schools and libraries.
• Student Challenges: Join fun, kid-friendly challenges such as neighborhood sketching tours and design competitions.
• Financially support : Support K–12 programs by making a financial contribution to an AIA chapter's wishlist.

Architecture Week 2025 achieved remarkable growth over the previous year, successfully mobilizing the architecture community and promoting design literacy among students. AIA member participation increased over 100 percent, growing from 250 members in 2024 to 505 in 2025. Architecture firm involvement also expanded, rising from 96 to 131 firms. The initiative saw a 400 percent jump in school participation, with 484 schools hosting programming compared with 94 the previous year. Consequently, student engagement nearly doubled, reaching 20,616 students compared with 10,662 in 2024.

Generous donations from the AIA College of Fellows and the Committee on Architecture for Education supported 41 Architecture Week grants to boost AIA chapter programming efforts. Organizations and firms wishing to donate to future Architecture Week efforts contact Devon Davis.

Visit aia.org/architecture-week to learn more about how to get involved.  
 

ABOUT AIA

Founded in 1857, AIA consistently works to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through more than 200 international, state and local chapters, AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public wellbeing.

AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation, and world. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards.