At HGA, we believe design is about more than buildings—it’s about shaping experiences, communities, and the way people see the world. That belief extends beyond our projects and into the communities we serve through programs like Architecture in the Schools.
This spring, HGA partnered with Malcolm X Elementary School in Washington, DC, leading a seven-week program that introduced third-grade students to architecture through hands-on learning, creative exploration, and real-world problem-solving.
Starting with Questions, Not Answers
Students began by exploring a powerful question: What is architecture? Through sketching exercises, structural challenges, and classroom discussions, they learned how design influences the spaces we use every day. Activities introduced foundational concepts such as plans, elevations, and spatial relationships, helping students understand how ideas are translated into built environments.
Making Design Tangible
As the program progressed, students examined how architecture reflects culture, identity, and community. They explored local landmarks, studied their own school environment, and learned how architects use observation, context, and collaboration to inform design decisions.
One of the most impactful lessons centered on the design process itself. Through bubble diagrams, conceptual sketches, and space-planning exercises, students discovered that design is iterative—built through creativity, testing, and refinement.
Connecting Design to Place
The program culminated in a final project where students designed their own dream schools, applying everything they had learned to create spaces that supported learning, connection, and well-being.
Programs like Architecture in the Schools remind us that design begins with curiosity. By introducing students to architecture at an early age, we help build confidence, spark creativity, and expand awareness of future career possibilities. For HGA, it’s an opportunity to share knowledge, invest in the next generation, and reinforce our belief that great design starts with people.
A Shared Responsibility
For our team, this experience is both meaningful and motivating. It reinforces our responsibility, not just as designers, but as community partners, to share knowledge, create opportunities, and invest in the next generation.
Because at HGA, design doesn’t start with a building. It starts with curiosity.
