Shape Your City

 

On September 8, 2023, we opened the doors to the new Center on the ground floor space of the historic Hallidie Building in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Located at 140 Sutter Street, the Center enables the expansion of events, lectures, film screenings, tours, and gallery exhibitions and serves as a cultural hub for architecture and design, where professionals and the public can connect, learn, and collaborate.

The street-level space showcases design-forward conversations and adds new life to San Francisco's downtown streetscape. Designed by the award-winning architectural team Aidlin Darling Design, the new building embodies the Center's inclusive, community-minded, and ambitious vision for the future of public programming.

2023 Matching Gift Challenge – Double Your Impact Before the New Year

Help us reach a matching challenge goal to double a $60K gift from a generous anonymous donor! Every contribution you make to Center for A+D by the end of March 2024  will help with putting the finishing touches on the space, and doubling our impact in the community.

The 140 Fund

Help AIASF build out the Center for Architecture + Design
Contributions may be deductible as trade or business expenses.

Contribute to The 140 Fund

Expand the Center's Programs

Help grow the Center's educational and program offerings
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Donate to Expand Programs

Thank You to Shape Your City Supporters

Forming a more accessible, expanded Center has been a project many years in the making. This expansion process would not be possible without the leadership and generosity of AIA members, industry allies, and individual donors.

Campaign Goal

$7.5M

Donations Raised, including AIASF assets, in-kind and cash donations

$5.5M

Needed

$2M

Stacy Williams | AIASF, Executive Director

Why is the Center Expanding?

For over 140 years, AIASF has continually adapted to keep pace with San Francisco’s innovative and competitive environment by rethinking our programming, expenses, and services. This resilient spirit is what keeps us relevant to the community we serve.

To meet the demand for expanded programs and help solve the pressing issues we face in our city, AIASF and the Center for Architecture + Design — (AIASF’s philanthropic arm) — must grow beyond our current capacity and become more accessible to serve our diverse community.

An important step towards achieving this vision is building a cultural hub for all things architecture and design; a place to connect, learn, collaborate, and celebrate.

Shape Your City Campaign

The creation of the Center for Architecture + Design has truly been a community effort, which has been many years in the making. The realization of the vision for a gathering space where both architectural professionals and members of the public can come together to learn, collaborate, and celebrate design and architecture is only made possible by the generous support of AIA San Francisco members, industry allies, and individual donors. Numerous individuals, companies, and architectural firms have contributed to the building of the new Center by providing financial support, offering their services, and donating products and materials, which has been essential in creating this new cultural venue for San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds.

Joshua Aidlin, FAIA | Founding Partner, Aidlin Darling Design

A New Hub for all Things Architecture + Design

AIASF worked with Aidlin Darling Design and a talented team of collaborators from across the Bay Area to build the cultural destination on the ground floor space of the historic Hallidie Building. Construction of the new Center is being managed by BCCI Construction and is scheduled to be completed in May of 2023. The new Center for Architecture + Design will be a global nexus for designers to discuss and disseminate design's potential to solve the environmental and social problems facing our community and planet. The Center's bookstore, gallery, and lecture halls will further fill the Bay Area’s critical need for public design education.

The Future of Architecture — The Center’s Story

Industry leaders, community advocates, and AIA members share why they believe the new Center for Architecture + Design will make a lasting impact on our community.

The Center's ground floor access will enliven public dialogue for all of us to start thinking about the future in a new way – creating a new vision.
– Alex Nichols and Mushi Wooseong James, ALEXANDMUSHI

Watch the Testimonials

AIASF's Dream Team

AIASF's talented design team, collaborators, and in-kind contributors work tirelessly to build the Center's new home. The dynamic architectural features exemplify beautiful, sustainable design and offer a central venue for events, programs, and exhibitions.

Design Team & Collaborators

Design Team

Aidlin Darling Design
BCCI Construction
AR Green, LEED Consulting
Atelier 10
Murphy Burr Curry
NG Associates
Innovative Mechanical
Salter, Inc
Solomon Cordwell Buenz
The Preview Group
Tucci Lighting
Clearstory Inc.

Collaborators

Chris Downey, AIA – Architecture for the Blind
Community Vision – Financial Consultants
David Hecht, AIA – TannerHecht Architecture
Design Agency Co – PR
HOK – FF & E-Procurement
Mike Calpito – Video
Nicole Hollis – FF & E-Procurement
Nik Weinstein – Art
Richard Barnes – Photographer
Ryan Bukco – Art
Studio Hinrichs – Branding/Graphics

In-Kind Materials + Services

 
 

Donor Wall

In the Press

Shape Your City!

This is the moment to contribute.

AIASF needs your help, now more than ever, to take this crucial leap into the future to meet the demand for expanded public programs and engagement in the community.

Have questions about this campaign? Please contact us sponsorship@aiasf.org.

The 140 Fund

Help AIASF build the Center for Architecture + Design
Contributions may be deductible as trade or business expenses.

Contribute to The 140 Fund

Expand the Center's Programs

Help grow the Center's educational and program offerings
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Donate to Expand Programs