Summer Public Design Workshop
The Summer Public Design Workshop invites community organizations, neighborhood groups, and nonprofits to submit project ideas for a summer 2025 collaboration with the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. This opportunity is for groups looking to advance their mission and vision through a design project.
The selected project will participate in a 3-week, full-time community design experience, led by the Office for Socially Engaged Practice. Up to ten architecture students, guided by a faculty mentor, will work directly with the selected partner to bring the proposal to life.
We are seeking community-driven, civic-minded project ideas. One project will be chosen for summer 2025, and a budget of approximately $30,000 will be provided for its implementation.
Deadline Extended: Proposals are due by December 16, 2024.
DOWNLOAD REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Am I eligible to submit a proposal?
We welcome proposals from not-for-profit organizations, government entities, public schools in the St. Louis region, for-profit organizations with a public mission, museums, civic groups, labor unions, or neighborhood associations. At least one of the submitting partners must have a full-time, paid point of contact.
What if my project will take longer than 3-weeks?
Please share your idea with us anyway! We understand that strong projects often need more time. If selected, we will work with you to determine what can be accomplished within the given timeframe while staying true to your vision and moving your project forward.
Can I submit for a Design/Build project without owning the site?
For Design/Build projects, one of the submitting partners must own the site and have the right to build on it. If your project lacks ownership, it may be difficult to complete within the timeframe due to the required approvals.
Can I submit more than one project?
We’d love to hear all of your ideas! However, we can only select one project per summer. That said, we stay connected with local professionals and university researchers, so there could be other opportunities to explore your ideas further.
How does the project scope get finalized?
Once a project is selected, the Office for Socially Engaged Practice will collaborate with the partner and the lead faculty member from the Sam Fox School. Between January and March 2025, we will work together to adjust the project’s scope to fit the 3-week workshop timeframe. We will co-develop a shared agreement and process to work towards your vision including a final project deliverable, project goals, project timeline, and budget.
What happens after I submit a form?
You’ll receive a confirmation email from us, and we may reach out for any needed clarifications. A selection committee will review all submissions in December, and we’ll notify you of your status by early January 2025.
Will this opportunity happen next year?
Yes! This is a three-year initiative, with one project selected each summer from 2025 through 2027.
Join the Office for Socially Engaged Practice to co-design with a community partner on a real project. The workshop is a full-time design immersion led by OSEP in collaboration with a community partner and Sam Fox Faculty member.
Students will work with OSEP and the selected community partner full-time on their project for the 3-week period. This paid opportunity is a chance to work closely with a selected St. Louis partner organization to advance a critical and pressing spatial project. In your role, you will be able to direct work with the project partner and community to ideate, develop concepts, and project depending, assist with the design and building of the project.
Graduate and Undergraduate Architecture students: Apply to The workshop will be held for 3-weeks between May 19 and June 13. Students will work alongside faculty and fellow students for the 3-weeks, full-time learning community building and facilitation skills.
Up to 10 students will be selected. Each accepted student will receive a stipend of $2,000 to offset living expenses.
Applications are due January 21st.
- 1/22 - 1/31: Interview Process
- 2/03 - 2/14: Selected Students Notified
- 5/19 - 6/13: Workshop (Dates are approximate)