Architecture Week 2025 is a nationwide celebration recognizing the power of good design, with a goal of inspiring hopeful architecture and design professionals and K-12 students. Throughout the week Chapters across the nation are sharing posts, contributing to a wish list, inviting students to firms, sending a letter to local schools or libraries, or actively engaging with students throughout the week.

This year’s Architecture Week was next-level—thanks to the powerhouse team at DesignPhiladelphia’s Design Education program, local AIA members, and an amazing crew of architecture volunteers. Together, they brought big energy and even bigger impact to K–12 classrooms across the region. With 259 students, 11 classrooms, and 15 passionate volunteers, the impact continues to grow exponentially! Read on to find out how each volunteer made their mark—sparking creativity and sharing design insights with every group of students.

Volunteer: Jenifer Grafton AIA, ALEP 

Position: K-12 Market Segment Leader

Company: SCHRADERGROUP

School: Rhawnhurst Elementary

Grade: 4th grade

Type of Activity: Career Pathways Presentation / Hands on activity

Description of goal: The students showcased their creativity and collaboration skills with a spaghetti and marshmallow structure-building activity! This exercise challenged the students to be delicate yet resourceful to make sure their creations remained structurally sound. Working with students firsthand in the classroom always inspires our K-12 work and we are grateful for these opportunities.

Volunteer: Uchenna Okere

Position: Founder + CEO of RevitGods

School: Rhawnhurst Elementary

Grade: 4 and 5th grade

Type of Activity: Career Pathways Presentation / Hands on activity

Description of goal: An Intro to BIM for 10-year-olds. I started off by introducing myself and RevitGods, and then reviewing what BIM was (comparing it to Minecraft and Roblox). We then played two games to warm them up and teach how 3D models are used to plan, design, and garner support for building projects. We then finished off talking about the team that creates buildings, and how BIM specialists fit into the picture and what they can do to get started in a career in architecture.

Volunteer: Michael Spain, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Company: DesignPhiladelphia

School: West Philadelphia High School

Grade: 10-12th

Description of goal: sparked students’ imagination with a powerful call to action—IMAGINE! CREATE! REALIZE!—guiding them through the architectural process from concept to construction while emphasizing collaboration. The experience ended with a fun, hands-on exercise where students sketched their dream spaces on napkins, giving them a taste of the creativity and magic behind architecture.

Volunteer(s): Tiffany Millner, Chief Impact Officer at JDT International

          Jeremy Avellino, RA, CPHC, Principal of Bright Common

School: West Philadelphia High School

Grade: 12th grade

Type of Activity: Field trip + Workshop

Description of goal: Ms. Villanueva’s senior Architectural Design and Drafting class from West Philadelphia High School. The students were invited on an exclusive tour and hands-on, digitally interactive workshop at JDT’s La Marceline, an innovative mixed-use residential project in Philadelphia. During the workshop, students got an inside look at how La Marceline is designed to tackle real-world climate challenges through smart energy efficiency, sustainable materials, and resilient design strategies. They saw firsthand how bold, thoughtful architecture isn’t just about buildings it’s about building a better, greener future. It was an eye-opening, inspiring deep dive into how great design can truly make a difference.

Volunteer: Victoria Bryant, Architect at Union Architects
                  James Aller, student at Temple University

School: William D. Kelley Public School

Grade: 4th Grade

Type of Activity: Hands on activity

Description: Students are designing a pavilion/bus shelter for the William D Kelley Elementary School, learning the fundamentals of architecture, design thinking, and problem-solving.This project introduces students to design thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration while giving them a tangible connection to their school environment. Leaving with a deeper appreciation for architecture and how spaces shape daily life! Drawing inspiration from William D. Kelley’s surrounding neighborhoods, Brewerytown and Cecil B. Moore.

Volunteer: Tyler Stull

Company: Founder of Misfit Design Studio LLC

School: William D. Kelley Public School

Grade: 6th grade

Type of Activity: Career Pathway discussion

Description of goal: an interactive call and response career pathways presentation, talking about what an architect is, how to become an Architect, then into different pathways beyond architecture, and finishing with an open Q&A. 

Volunteer(s): Fran Arrieta (architect at CICADA), Elizabeth Feanciamore (student at Temple University), Mike Anthony Bottos (student at Temple University), Boni Ray (student at Temple University)

School: Pollock

Grade: 7th grade

Type of Activity: hands on activity

Description: In this project, students are divided into groups, with each group assigned a unique South American biome to explore. Students investigate the climate, geography, and architectural styles native to their assigned biome. With their findings, they collaborate to design and construct a small, imaginative civilization that could thrive in that environment.

They plan sustainable food sources and agricultural practices, develop methods of transportation and communication appropriate to the terrain, and brainstorm innovative adaptations to overcome the biome's specific challenges. Through this hands-on project, students blend creativity with critical thinking to bring their civilizations to life.

Volunteer: Emma Fox-Lambert (Occupancy Planner at CBRE), Xavier Piombino student at Temple University), Isabel Herrera student at Temple University)

School: Potter Thomas

Grade: 5th Grade

Type of Activity: hands on activity

Description: Taught environment structure and material usage by means of building a Treehouse Ecosystem. Students Designed treehouse structures working together to create coexisting, connected ecosystems. They learned about load bearing and tensile forces, and used problem-solving skills to build bridge models. They also learned how to recognize and work with crafting materials.

Volunteer: Michael Spain, Assoc. AIA, NOMA

Company: DesignPhiladelphia

School: Rhawnhurst

Grade: 4th

Description of goal: sparked students’ imagination with a powerful call to action—IMAGINE! CREATE! REALIZE!—guiding them through the architectural process from concept to construction while emphasizing collaboration. The experience ended with a fun, hands-on exercise where students sketched their dream spaces on napkins, giving them a taste of the creativity and magic behind architecture.

If you’ve made it this far—thank you. Taking the time to learn about the meaningful work our volunteers are doing means the world to us.

We believe deeply in the power of Design Education and are committed to growing its impact year after year. If you’re an architecture or design professional who feels called to give back, we’d love to have you as a volunteer. Reach out to Daphne at daphne@aiaphila.org, and she’ll help you get connected.

Your time, your experience, and your voice can truly inspire the next generation. What you do matters—more than you know. #ArchWeek2025