A+DEN Overview

To advance public interest and education in design and architecture, the American Architectural Foundation (AAF) and the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) established the Architecture + Design Education Network (A+DEN).

A+DEN is a collaborative association of like-minded organizations committed to promoting innovative architecture and design education for teachers and students in grades K-12. Such education draws upon the creative design process to teach and learn core academic subjects such as math, science, social studies, language, and fine and visual arts. The process of applying tools used in the design process to academic subjects enhances the ability of students to think critically and creatively. Additionally, using the built environment as a foundation for learning fosters educators’ and students’ interest in their surrounding community, as well as prepares citizens to participate in making informed decisions about the built environment.

The founding partners, AAF and CAF, each have more than 40 years of experience developing educational programs that introduce school-aged youth and their teachers to the built environment. They partnered in presenting the National Symposium on K-12 Design Education in 2004, which was attended by over 90 educators from all over the United States, and then launched A+DEN in October 2005.

Visit A+DEN’s website to learn more.