All things architecture hit San Francisco in September as the American Institute of Architects, San Francisco (AIASF) and the Center for Architecture + Design present the 15th Annual Architecture + the City festival—one of the nation’s largest architectural festivals of its kind.

By: Kevin Daniel Dwyer

This year’s festival theme, “Future City,” has motivated visionary architects and designers for centuries to create architectural works that in turn inspire generations of young designers and urban thinkers. From autonomous vehicles to equitable neighborhood designs, this year’s Architecture + the City festival celebrates a future San Francisco.

“Striving to balance the needs of a rapidly evolving and growing population, San Francisco is constantly exploring solutions for sustainable growth in our city,” says AIASF and the Center for Architecture + Design executive director, Jennifer Jones. “We are excited to bring the community together for this year’s festival to explore interdisciplinary design perspectives and discover new ways to strengthen our physical and social infrastructure in response to these evolving challenges.”

With over 30 programs, this year’s edition explores and celebrates the varied facets of design, aiming to connect and inspire the general public, design enthusiasts, architects and designers in a month-long celebration featuring behind-the-scenes events, tours, films, exhibitions, lectures, special events and more, providing unique opportunities to engage with the local architecture community and experience design in a myriad of ways throughout the city. Here’s a few you can’t miss.

Architects’ Forum and San Francisco Living: Home Tours

The program features behind-the-scenes tours of five homes by leading Bay Area architects on Saturday, September 22, 2018. Kicking off from Home Tours Headquarters at Cambria Gallery, participants will explore some of the latest residential projects from the inside out, meet design teams, explore housing trends and discover innovative design solutions that inspire unique San Francisco living. The five homes featured this year represent a collection of designs specific to the San Francisco lifestyle. Highlights include: Clarendon Heights Home by John Maniscalco Architecture, Cole Valley Residence by Dumican Mosey Architects and Laidley Cottage by Red Dot Studio. Architects featured in the tours will speak at a Thursday, September 20, 2018 Architects’ Forum at Cambria Gallery.

Rising Towers: In Conversation with Piero Lissoni

Renowned Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni and panel discuss the movement towards high-end residential towers and their impact on San Francisco and cities around the world. Lissoni and additional guest panelists will share their perspective on the architectural impact of towers not only on city skylines, but on culture, community and the future of how we live. In addition to his award-winning global architectural work, Lissoni is the art director for leading furniture manufacturers and kitchen designers including Boffi, DePadova, Living Divani and Porro. The evening event will be hosted at DZINE in San Francisco, with reception to follow.

For more information and to purchase tickets visit ArchAndCity.org