The Creating the New Center
for Architecture + Design
After years of planning, construction broke ground on the new Center for Architecture + Design in December of 2022. Scheduled to open in May of 2023, the Center will occupy the ground floor space in the historic Hallidie Building at 140 Sutter Street, in the heart of downtown San Francisco. The Center will enable the expansion of events, lectures, film screenings, tours, and gallery exhibitions. It will serve as a cultural hub for architecture and design, where professionals and the public can connect, learn, and collaborate.
The street-level space will showcase design-forward conversations and add new life to San Francisco’s downtown streetscape. Designed by the award-winning architectural team Aidlin Darling Design, the new building will embody the Center’s inclusive, community-minded, and ambitious vision for the future of public programming.
Why is the Center Expanding?
For over 140 years, AIASF has continually adapted to keep pace with San Francisco’s innovative and competitive environment by rethinking our programming, expenses, and services. This resilient spirit is what keeps us relevant to the community we serve.
To meet the demand for expanded programs and help solve the pressing issues we face in our city, AIASF and the Center for Architecture + Design — (AIASF’s philanthropic arm) — must grow beyond our current capacity and become more accessible to serve our diverse community.
An important step towards achieving this vision is building a cultural hub for all things architecture and design; a place to connect, learn, collaborate, and celebrate.
Thank You to Shape Your City Supporters
Forming a more accessible, expanded Center has been a project many years in the making. This expansion process would not be possible without the leadership and generosity of AIA members, industry allies, and individual donors.
Campaign Goal
$7.5M
Donations Raised, including AIASF assets, in-kind and cash donations
$5.5M
Needed
$2M
The 140 Fund
Help AIASF build the Center for Architecture + Design
Contributions may be deductible as trade or business expenses.
Expand the Center's Programs
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Shape Your City Campaign
The creation of the Center for Architecture + Design has truly been a community effort, which has been many years in the making. The realization of the vision for a gathering space where both architectural professionals and members of the public can come together to learn, collaborate, and celebrate design and architecture is only made possible by the generous support of AIA San Francisco members, industry allies, and individual donors. Numerous individuals, companies, and architectural firms have contributed to the building of the new Center by providing financial support, offering their services, and donating products and materials, which has been essential in creating this new cultural venue for San Franciscans of all ages and backgrounds.
A New Hub for all Things Architecture + Design
AIASF worked with Aidlin Darling Design and a talented team of collaborators from across the Bay Area to build the cultural destination on the ground floor space of the historic Hallidie Building. Construction of the new Center is being managed by BCCI Construction and is scheduled to be completed in May of 2023. The new Center for Architecture + Design will be a global nexus for designers to discuss and disseminate design’s potential to solve the environmental and social problems facing our community and planet. The Center’s bookstore, gallery, and lecture halls will further fill the Bay Area’s critical need for public design education.
The Future of Architecture and Design — The Center’s Story
Discover why community advocates, industry leaders, and AIA members believe the new Center for Architecture + Design will make a lasting impact on our community.
– Alex Nichols and Mushi Wooseong James, ALEXANDMUSHI
AIASF’s Dream Team
AIASF’s talented design team, collaborators, and in-kind contributors work tirelessly to build the Center’s new home. The dynamic architectural features exemplify beautiful, sustainable design and offer a central venue for events, programs, and exhibitions.
Design Team & Collaborators
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- Design Team
- Aidlin Darling Design
- BCCI Construction
- AR Green, LEED Consulting
- Atelier 10
- Murphy Burr Curry
- NG Associates
- Innovative Mechanical
- Salter, Inc
- Solomon Cordwell Buenz
- The Preview Group
- Tucci Lighting
- Clearstory Inc.
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- Collaborators
- Chris Downey, AIA – Architecture for the Blind
- Community Vision – Financial Consultants
- David Hecht, AIA – TannerHecht Architecture
- Design Agency Co – PR
- HOK – FF & E-Procurement
- Mike Calpito – Video
- Nicole Hollis – FF & E-Procurement
- Nik Weinstein – Art
- Richard Barnes – Photographer
- Ryan Bukco – Art
- Studio Hinrichs – Branding/Graphics
In-Kind Materials + Services
- 3QC
- Aidlin Darling Design
- Amerlux
- AR Green
- Architectural Lighting Works
- Archoustics West & LogiSon Acoustic Network
- Bay Area Concretes, Inc.
- BCCI Construction
- BKF Engineers
- Box Cab Co
- CAL Lighting
- Charles M. Salter Associates Inc.
- Clearstory
- Commercial Casework
- ConcreteWorks
- CoorItalia
- CRI-SF
- Daltile
- Design Agency Co.
- Design Within Reach
- Dynamic Hive
- Fisher Paykel
- Flexalighting North America
- Habitat Horticulture
- Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, LLP
- IAC Acoustics
- Henrybuilt
- HOK
- Innovative Mechanical
- Insight Lighting
- Inter-lux
- Lundberg Design
- Martinelli
- MechoShade Systems
- MillerKnoll
- Mohawk Industries
- Murphy Burr Curry, Inc.
- NICOLEHOLLIS
- Nik Weinstein
- Osram & Encelium Extend
- Pacific Access Elevators
- Pacific Coast Building Products
- PAE Engineers
- Richard Barnes Photography
- Rockwool
- Ryan Bucko | Fine Art
- SCB
- Scotten & Hansen
- Sharp NEC Display Solutions
- Arborica
- Solomon Cordwell Buenz
- Tucci Lighting
- Yellow Goat Design
In the Press
SF Chronicle
Famous S.F. building to get new storefront tenant – an architecture center
The Architect's Newspaper
Hoodline
Shape Your City!
This is the moment to contribute.
AIASF needs your help, now more than ever, to take this crucial leap into the future to meet the demand for expanded public programs and engagement in the community.
Have questions about this campaign? Please contact us sponsorship@aiasf.org.
The 140 Fund
Help AIASF build the Center for Architecture + Design
Contributions may be deductible as trade or business expenses.
Expand the Center's Programs
Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.