Where you can find Design Gym!
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
PARK(ing) DAY Philadelphia
Known as PARKing) DAY globally, this public, participatory project is an annual event re-imagines the possibilities of 140 square feet of public space. People across the world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces and convert them into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for people.
What is PARK(ing) DAY Philadelphia? The number of parks throughout Philadelphia increases dramatically each year on the third Friday in September, when activists, artists, architects, and other citizens transform metered parking spaces into temporary public parks.
Check out PARK(ing) DAY in Philadelphia, follow or participate @parkingdayphila and be inspired by #PARKingDAYPHL
How did it start? PARK(ing) DAY was founded by Rebar, a San Francisco art and design studio, in 2005 to raise awareness of the need for green spaces in urban environments. Philadelphia celebrated PARK(ing) Day for the first time in 2008 with over 25 installations for relaxing, cycling, creating art, education, and socializing.
Storytime + Design @ PARK(ing) DAY
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
PARK(ing) DAY Philadelphia After-Party
Come celebrate public and pedestrian-friendly spaces at our annual PARK(ing) DAY PHILADELPHIA After Party! Join us to meet the creative #PARKingDAYPHL teams, view the day's creations, chat over drinks and snacks, and find out who will win the highly coveted Golden Cone Awards #GoldenConePHL.
School Age Studio: Set Design from Stories
Available on select School District of Philadelphia (SDP) half-days, we offer a hands-on, project-based design workshop that allows students to be designers in a studio. Students will learn the design process through activities and exercises to design and build a project individually and/or as a team. Each studio introduces how we see design everywhere and projects based on one or more design disciplines.
Decompress by Design
Decompress by Design during the DesignPhiladelphia 2025 Festival!
Be curious, agile, and open to meeting new people + opportunities by taking a breather by decompressing with us through design play social hour. We've got games, toys, and activities!
School Age Studio: Pop Up Park in a PARK(ing) Spot
Available on select School District of Philadelphia (SDP) half-days, we offer a hands-on, project-based design workshop that allows students to be designers in a studio. Students will learn the design process through activities and exercises to design and build a project individually and/or as a team. Each studio introduces how we see design everywhere and projects based on one or more design disciplines.
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
PARK(ing) DAY Philadelphia Final Info Session
FOR ALL THINGS PARK(ing) DAY PHILADELPHIA, visit: https://www.parkingdayphila.org/
Let’s connect to with day-of-event reminders and information.
This is an online session.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101.
No registration required.
Free / Pay-what-you-wish
All are welcome.
Design A Doodad: PARK it!
Explore + discover Design Gym’s community design studio at the Silk Screen Studios in Kensington/Norris Square neighborhood. Explore + discover Design Gym’s community design studio at the Silk Screen Studios in Kensington/Norris Square neighborhood.
Design A Doodad: PARK it!
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Design A Doodad: Tuft Stuff
Explore + discover Design Gym’s community design studio at the Silk Screen Studios in Kensington/Norris Square neighborhood.
Design A Doodad: Tuft Stuff
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Design Your Own Sundae
Explore + discover Design Gym’s community design studio at the Silk Screen Studios in Kensington/Norris Square neighborhood. Explore + discover Design Gym’s community design studio at the Silk Screen Studios in Kensington/Norris Square neighborhood. Come visit to check out design activities + exercises, design play, and meet our founder/head coach Erike De Veyra.
Come join us on Saturday, August 2nd, between 12-5pm for our Design Your Own Sundae.
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Summer Studio: Light
Join us over the course of six (6) sessions to design a light—an object that emits light.
Registration: one (1) designer
What to expect: utilize the design (thinking) process to produce a functional lighting object prototype, in-studio guidance and reviews, some additional time outside of studio sessions, practice sketching/drawing, and plans to produce the object by hand or at a fabrication lab
Duration: Each studio session is two-hours long, over six (6) weeks
Materials: Prototype model making materials (I.e. cardboard), on-site tools, and a light kit will be provided. Any final object materials (if desired) at the expense of the designer.
Studio Capacity: Maximum of six (6) designers
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
Design A Doodad: Cookie Garden (PM)
How much do you know about the native plants here in Philadelphia? Find out how we can best contribute to our ecosystem with this delectable workshop that brings together landscape design and cookie decorating. Bring home a beautifully decorated half dozen cookies, packaged to give, or to enjoy on your own. Then start designing your very own garden!
Design A Doodad: Cookie Garden (AM)
How much do you know about the native plants here in Philadelphia? Find out how we can best contribute to our ecosystem with this delectable workshop that brings together landscape design and cookie decorating. Bring home a beautifully decorated half dozen cookies, packaged to give, or to enjoy on your own. Then start designing your very own garden!
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
The Qader Group: Women's Mastermind Session
Women’s Mastermind Session: Facilitated by The Qader Group’s founder, Heather Qader, this mastermind brings together a dynamic circle of accomplished women—entrepreneurs, investors, and small business owners—to engage in socially productive dialogue and collaborative growth.
The sessions center on the exchange of professional experiences and actionable insights. Participants will explore strategies for navigating the workplace, managing high-performing teams, and sustaining long-term success.
Each conversation is designed to spark meaningful connection, foster peer mentorship, and strengthen leadership within a supportive, like-minded community.
The sessions are limited to 10 people to preserve the quality of the session.
![Architecture & The Built Environment Academy [Summer Program 2025]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/63374a177a5e527f0930fa39/1713985031688-Q9QXRTN87HQ8N8IOFMLL/CABE+Summer+Academy.png)
Architecture & The Built Environment Academy [Summer Program 2025]
Here is a 1 to 4 week pre-college experience at Thomas Jefferson University's College of Architecture and the Built Environment for any high school age and older student considering degrees in the built environment industry, including: architecture, construction management, historic preservation, interior design, landscape architecture, real estate development, geodesign and analytics, or urban design.
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
Age range of books will vary, design exercises adaptable for all.
From Spark to Start: How to Get Ready to Launch
Taking the leap into starting your own business can feel both exhilarating and uncertain. How do you know when you’re truly ready or do you just go for it? Join us for a candid discussion where entrepreneurs share their personal journeys to launching their businesses. Hear about the pivotal moments, the challenges they faced, and the steps they took (or skipped) to turn their ideas into reality. Whether you’re in the planning phase or standing at the edge of your own launch, this conversation will provide real-world insights, practical advice, and inspiration to help you take the next step with confidence.
Part of DesignPhiladelphia’s Business Series, this session is for creatives, makers, and innovators looking to move from idea to action.
Storytime + Design
Storytime + Design is a weekly Design Gym creative experience diving into a book and fun design exercises to grow your creativity and design process.
School Age Studio: Investigate Materials
Available on select School District of Philadelphia (SDP) half-days, we offer a hands-on, project-based design workshop that allows students to be designers in a studio. Students will learn the design process through activities and exercises to design and build a project individually and/or as a team. Each studio introduces how we see design everywhere and projects based on one or more design disciplines.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101. Check our social media for any schedule changes!
Open Gym Hours offers an inclusive environment for you and others to explore design in our community studio. Whether or not you have heard of architecture, graphic design, fashion design, and other creative disciplines, Open Gym is here to exercise your curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning through a self-guided experience. This space will offer opportunities for you to play in real-world design challenges and projects in a friendly setting.
Enjoy!
Extended hours may become available as demand increases AND for any upcoming scheduled workshops + experiences.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101. Check our social media for any schedule changes!
Open Gym Hours offers an inclusive environment for you and others to explore design in our community studio. Whether or not you have heard of architecture, graphic design, fashion design, and other creative disciplines, Open Gym is here to exercise your curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning through a self-guided experience. This space will offer opportunities for you to play in real-world design challenges and projects in a friendly setting.
Enjoy!
Extended hours may become available as demand increases AND for any upcoming scheduled workshops + experiences.
Open Gym Hours
EXPLORE DESIGN! At Design Gym’s community design studio in Norris Square at the Silk Screen Studios, located at 179 W. Berks Street, Studio 101. Check our social media for any schedule changes!
Open Gym Hours offers an inclusive environment for you and others to explore design in our community studio. Whether or not you have heard of architecture, graphic design, fashion design, and other creative disciplines, Open Gym is here to exercise your curiosity, creativity, and continuous learning through a self-guided experience. This space will offer opportunities for you to play in real-world design challenges and projects in a friendly setting.
Enjoy!
Extended hours may become available as demand increases AND for any upcoming scheduled workshops + experiences.