The Rochester Architecture Foundation (RAF) has launched an innovative educational initiative to address the gap in architectural education for urban students.
The "Introduction to Architecture" program at Rochester Prep charter school is a full-year, in-school curriculum designed to expose urban youth to architectural principles, design thinking, and career pathways in the field. Now in its second year, the program is funded by community foundations, local design firms, and organizations including the ESL Foundation and M&T Bank. The curriculum combines architectural history, drafting techniques, and sustainable planning with hands-on learning through guest lectures, site visits, and design projects.
The initiative aims to cultivate a more diverse pipeline of professionals in a growing field that currently faces workforce shortages, while empowering students to positively impact their communities through design.