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Industry Leaders and Philanthropists Alike Support Center for Architecture + Design’s “Shape Your City” Campaign
Global architecture firms Gensler and HOK, alongside Instagram and DoorDash co-founders, lead donor roster of $8M Campaign to build the Bay Area’s first-ever Center for Architecture + Design and expand its public programs
The Center for Architecture + Design, whose project team includes Aidlin Darling Design, Salter, and BCCI, will include publicly-accessible spaces, including a cafe, flexible exhibition space, and state-of-the-art theater. Renderings © Aidlin Darling Design.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA | June 16, 2022 — The American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF) and Center for Architecture + Design (the Center)—a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing publicly-focused dialogue on architecture, design, and the built environment in the San Francisco Bay Area—announce the current donor roster for their “Shape Your City” campaign.
The donor roster of 80+ companies and nearly 70 individuals, includes Cahill Contractors, Gensler (the largest US architecture firm by revenue in 2021), HOK (the largest US-based architecture and engineering firm), RMW, Solomon Cordwell Buenz, TEF Design, WRNS, and ZFA Structural Engineers. Individuals and philanthropists include Gloria Zhu and Stanley Tang, Kaitlyn and Mike Krieger, and Peter Noone, AIA.
“At Gensler, we believe in the transformative power of design, and we are excited about the Center serving as a beacon of optimism for the city and region,” comments Hao Ko, AIA, Managing Director and Principal at Gensler’s San Francisco office. “The ability to engage, inform, and educate a diverse audience is key to making a positive impact that leads to a brighter and more inclusive future,” he adds.
Shape Your City campaign donors are helping to fund both the construction of the Center’s new publicly accessible facility in downtown San Francisco and the growth of its public programs. New and expanded programs will feature youth educational experiences, design and architecture lectures, rotating gallery exhibitions, and a robust offering of walking tours. These new initiatives will build on the success of the Center’s signature programs, which include the annual Architecture + the City Festival, “Fresh Brew” morning conversations, Design Symposia, and Kids Draw Architecture, among others.
“We are very fortunate to have a wealth of design talent in our City and in our region’s design and building communities in order to accomplish this outcome,” says Charles Higueras, Chair of the Center’s Board and Acting Director of Project Management at San Francisco Public Works. “We believe that among our donor partners, active participation in our purpose is essential, alongside their generous financial support. Our donors exemplify a true believer enthusiasm that sustains us and can inspire new donor partners. We are enormously indebted to them” he adds.
Construction for the Center, which will be located on the ground-floor of San Francisco’s historic Hallidie Building at 140 Sutter Street, is scheduled to begin Summer 2022. The official start date is contingent upon securing donations and financing to cover the project’s construction costs. To date, AIASF has raised $1.25M and has received donated materials and services valued at $2.5M towards building the Center’s new physical space.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Shape Your City campaign and how to donate can visit: https://aiasf.org/shape-your-city/ or https://centersf.org/shape-your-city/.
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About AIA San Francisco | www.aiasf.org Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Serving the Bay Area for over a century, the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF) is committed to enhancing the quality of life in the Bay Area by promoting excellence in architecture, design, and the built environment. AIASF represents members practicing architecture, as well as allied community professionals in San Francisco and Marin counties. As a resource for our members and the public, AIA San Francisco strives to improve the quality of life in the Bay Area through community involvement, education, advocacy, public outreach, and member services.
About Center for Architecture + Design | www.centersf.org Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
The Center for Architecture + Design (the Center) is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to creating a public-focused dialogue on architecture, design, and the built environment in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 2005, by The American Institute of Architects San Francisco, the Center enhances public appreciation for architecture and design through exhibitions, lectures, tours, film series, and other programs.
About the Shape Your City Campaign | https://centersf.org/shape-your-city/
The Shape Your City Campaign is an ongoing fundraising effort to build the Bay Area’s Center for Architecture + Design and fund an expanded range of design-focused programs such as tours, exhibitions, lectures, and youth education. To get involved or learn more, visit https://centersf.org/shape-your-city/
