Our History
Founded in 2009, AIA Philadelphia initiated a mission to spark passion for architecture and design creating an organization and physical hub at 1218 Arch Street called the Center for Architecture . The AIA Bookstore was our public face, flanked by AIA Philadelphia Chapter and Community Design Collaborative offices. By 2013, we embraced the DesignPhiladelphia festival, leading to our 2016 rebranding as the Center for Architecture and Design, showcasing our multidisciplinary approach. Today, we've rebranded our organization as DesignPhiladelphia and renamed our building as the Center for DesignPhiladelphia. This critical step reinforces our dedication to inclusivity and collaboration in design.
Our Vision
Together we will create a Philadelphia that is designed for and by everyone.
Our Mission
We foster a vibrant design community from K through Career committed to excellence, inclusivity, and connections. As an invaluable partner in Philadelphia’s progress we do that through multidisciplinary design education, our annual festival, and public programs.
