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The History of Design Workshop Foundation

Since the early 2000s, Design Workshop Foundation has been dedicated to expanding access to professional design services, particularly for communities that have historically lacked the social or financial means to engage landscape architecture and planning firms. What began as a simple idea: to use design as a tool for equity and empowerment, has evolved into more than two decades of meaningful partnerships and tangible community outcomes.

Through its 20-year history, Design Workshop Foundation has supported a wide range of pro bono design initiatives focused on community improvement, environmental stewardship, youth engagement, and nonprofit capacity building. From rural revitalization efforts in North Carolina to urban green space restoration in Colorado, each project reflects Design Workshop Foundation’s belief that good design should serve everyone. 

Historical Highlights

From its earliest projects to its most recent collaborations, Design Workshop Foundation’s work continues to demonstrate the transformative power of design, helping communities shape places that reflect their identity, resilience, and hope for the future. 

 

  • Lake Tahoe Capacity Building Project (Washoe Tribe Húngalelti Community Plan)

  • Augustus F. Hawkins Nature Park Design Assistance in Los Angeles, California

    Capacity Building Projects in Chicago, Illinois (Re-Imagining 16th Street) and Austin, Texas (Austin Park Activation Toolkit). 

    I-70 Green Infrastructure Restoration Project in Globeville Neighborhood, Denver, Colorado. 

    City Lab Workforce Development program with Green Dot Coalition and Denver Public Schools 

  • Northeast Houston Collaborative Capacity Building in Houston, Texas

    Kinston Teens Capacity Building in Kinston, North Carolina

    The Hive Park in Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina

  • Greening Five Points in Denver, Colorado

  • Gives Back Volunteer Program Engagement, Nationwide (2019–2022)

  • Sheridan/Quincy Trail Project in Sheridan, Colorado

  • Under One Sky Foster and Adoption Village Master Plan in Asheville, North Carolina

  • New Beginnings Plan and Marketing Support for Formerly Incarcerated or Homeless Women

    Excelsior Youth Center in Aurora, Colorado

    Town of Hayesville, North Carolina, Community Revitalization Charrette

    Habitat for Humanity 9th Street Community Plan in Salt Lake City, Utah

    Design Week with higher education institutions at Kansas State and others (2008–2011)

  • Engagement with Tahoe High School Youth and Design Student Mentoring

    Town of Marshall, North Carolina, Rural Community Redevelopment Charrette

A classroom space with people seated at long tables, some taking notes and others engaging in discussion, with a person standing at the front of the room.
A young man pointing at a large presentation board with sketches and plans, while an older man listens and watches. The room has ceiling lights, a desk with a computer, and a whiteboard.
Volunteers building a house frame outdoors, with some standing on ladders and others on the ground, working with wooden beams and tools.
Three volunteers installing drywall on a wall inside a building. One woman is on a ladder holding a drill, and two men are standing nearby, wearing hard hats and warm clothing.
Two volunteers workers on scaffolding installing or repairing a window on the side of a building during cloudy weather.

Our People

Design Workshop Foundation is supported by a network of Design Workshop employees, leaders and ambassadors, and outside partners. Learn more about the people that make our mission possible.

Our Ambassadors
Our Board