Education
Design workshops are hands-on sessions, online or in-person, where designers can leave with skills or object(s).
Projects
Design-Build Set Design Studio for Second Grade
The second-grade class explores culture through art and storytelling. With our work stemming from a West African tale, we made it our quest to embed these second graders into the design thinking process with a series of studio sessions over the course of 6-7 weeks, not just dictate "here’s the vision," and the students execute. We truly put it in their hands, starting with understanding what the project was, inspirations and influences, sketching what we think, what we collectively want to see for a set. It became more than just a house but an environment for the story, divided into design teams, and from sketch to building with recycled/upcycled materials. The classroom becomes a working studio, from community design input and decisions to set designer and production artists with grown-ups to coach and assist their collective vision. Then perform on stage for other schools and student at an arts and culture community theatre in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. // Spring 2026
Programs
Jefferson’s Architecture & The Built Environment Academy
A virtual pre-college design course for high school students to explore the architectural design fields including architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, construction management, and real estate development. Juniors and seniors will learn from Jefferson faculty, alumni, and industry professionals, while participating in design projects, research projects and firm visits conducted in an online environment.
Through hands-on and real-world learning, participants will have the opportunity to explore the architectural fields and look at different study options and career pathways. Working with Jefferson faculty, alumni and current college students, participants build a deep understanding of the architecture and related design fields. Each participant are assigned mentors from the architecture, design and construction industry helping them beyond this experience. // 2021 - Present
Youth + Family Workshops
The Center for Architecture and Design (the Center) hosted K-12 programming in various design education formats: monthly Read + Make Family Workshops (recommended for ages 5-12 with caretaker), school visits, tours, and mini-workshops at the Center, DesignPhiladelphia KidsFest, and partner on-site workshops (including The Oval and Gateway at the Greenhouse).
Pre-Built Workshops & Activities
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Activities that allow your designers to problem-solve with minimal instruction and a chance to use different design tools with Design Gym.
starting at $300 per session
Requires material collection by the client
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We provide your team with facilitator notes, materials lists, and prompts to help guide the following activities. You can also ask us to come in to lead these activities.
starting at $150
Additional Costs: Varied Prepackaged Materials Kit, priced per designer
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Design Gym series of hands-on workshops for all ages that are design-curious, enthusiasts, converted + professionals to learn about design foundation principles in the disciplines of architecture, fashion, graphic + textile design to name a few. Design Gym makes design accessible through tools, activities, projects + experiences because everyone can be a designer. Flex your creativity!
Priced per session, inquire to learn more
Approximately 6-8 weeks required for:
Discovery Call
Design + Development
Material Collection + Acquisition
Implementation + Facilitation
Pricing Dependent on Needs and Scheduling
Stacking from our pre-built catalog? We need at least two (2) weeks notice prior to facilitating the session.