Architects from local firms facilitate the 4-day workshop and assist students on their individual projects.

Image Credit: Chase Richardson

The BSA and BSA Foundation aim to create opportunities for local students to build awareness about architecture while exploring potential career paths. By partnering with the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC), the BSA is able to connect interested Boston Public School (BPS) students with paid career exploration and internship opportunities throughout their high school careers.

Architecture/Design Thinking Week provides public high school students with the opportunity to learn about architecture from local architects. Evolving from Design Thinking Day (2016-2020), the four-day workshop is now hosted at BSA Space each February School Vacation and transforms the BSA's galleries into a pop-up design studio fit for drawing and model making.

This program is made possible through a collaborative effort between the BSA, PIC, and four local architecture firms. Design staff from Finegold Alexander Architects, Goody Clancy, HMFH Architects, and Sasaki/Hideo Sasaki Foundation facilitate each day of the workshop. Participating students work through a design prompt, gaining new design skills, and learning to communicate their ideas ahead of the final Share Out.

Providing pathways to architecture and related fields is resonant with the BSA and BSA Foundation's missions. Following the workshop, interested students are provided a stipend for their time as well as support to pursue their interests further. Past participants have gone on to pursue architecture through BSA x PIC's Architecture/Design High School Internship, Sasaki Foundation's Summer Exploratory Experience in Design (SEED), and other local design education programs.

2026

Dates
February 17-20, 2026

Location
BSA Space
290 Congress Street, Boston, MA

Cost
Free to attend

Registration
Boston Public School high school students apply through Boston PIC

Program

Type
Four-day workshop

Grade Levels
9-12, Boston Public Schools

Timeframe
Design Thinking Day: 2017-2020
Architecture/Design Thinking Week(s): 2021-present

Timeline
January-February: Firm planning and student outreach
February: Workshop

Collaborators

Student Outreach
Boston Private Industry Council

Firm Facilitators
Finegold Alexander Architects
Goody Clancy
Hideo Sasaki Foundation
HMFH Architects

Student Involvement

Applications are accepted annually through the PIC. Students must be enrolled at a Boston Public School high school to apply. Application information is available each January-February.

Firm Involvement

Four firms participate each year to co-facilitate each day of the workshop. Interested in participating next time? Contact Taylor Johnson (BSA).

Support

Thank you to our firm partners and those who have supported this program. We are seeking support to further develop this program and expand access to more local students. To support this and other K-12 programs, consider donating to the BSA Foundation.

Learn more about K-12 Design Education