2026 ARCHITECTURE WEEK RECAP

April 24, 2026

Architecture Week Across Texas: Inspiring the Next Generation

During Architecture Week 2026, architects and volunteers across Texas brought the Blueprints & Books program directly into classrooms, libraries, and community spaces, introducing students to architecture through storytelling, creativity, and hands-on learning. In total, more than 1,277 students were reached, exceeding the program’s goal by nearly 28%. From Brownsville to Austin to El Paso, each visit looked a little different, but all shared the same goal: to spark curiosity and show students what’s possible.

South Texas & Rio Grande Valley

Hanna Early College High School & Faulk Middle School

Oscar Olvera, Assoc. AIA engaged 45 students through interactive discussions and hands-on activities including Symmetrical Sketching, Paper Bag City, and Build a Skyscraper. Students explored the profession and the path to licensure while gaining exposure during a busy STAAR testing period.

Paredes Elementary

Erika Flores and Daniel Flores combined storytelling with a hands-on floor plan furniture design activity. Students enjoyed Iggy Peck, Architect and took pride in creating and presenting their own designs.

Kenmont Montessori School

Maria Sustaeta led a Spaghetti Tower activity that transformed student interest. At the beginning, only one student wanted to be an architect. By the end, many hands were raised.

St. Alban’s Episcopal Day School

Sergio R. Láinez, AIA introduced 20 fifth-grade students to architecture through a hands-on design activity and a straw structure competition. The session was filled with energy, laughter, and even a little dancing as students explored what architects do.

Sharyland ISD

Connie Rivera, FAIA led two classroom reading sessions, introducing architecture through storytelling and discussion. Students were highly engaged, with strong participation and enthusiasm throughout the visits.

Central Texas

Jollyville Elementary School

At Jollyville Elementary, Nancy Zhao, AIA reached more than 100 students through interactive read-alouds of Iggy Peck, Architect and Boxitects.
Students asked thoughtful questions about materials, safety, and design, demonstrating an impressive ability to think critically about how buildings are created.

Walnut Springs Elementary School

At Walnut Springs Elementary, Kate Tart, AIA introduced upper elementary students to architecture through reading and discussion. Her visit encouraged students to think more deeply about design and the role architecture plays in shaping the spaces around them.

North Texas

Near Southside Montessori

Katie Hitt Deaton, Assoc. AIA introduced Pre-K students to architecture through reading and conversation. While few had experienced skyscrapers, nearly all expressed excitement about building.

Primrose School of Eldorado

Samantha Markham, AIA visited four classrooms, reading Boxitects and encouraging students to share their own design ideas. A personal highlight included her daughter joining the sessions.

Keller-Harvel Elementary School

Leila Ebrahimi visited multiple classrooms, introducing architecture through interactive, age-appropriate activities. With support from teachers, students actively participated and explored design in a collaborative and engaging environment.

Houston & Gulf Coast

Sally K. Ride Elementary

Justin Mason, AIA connected architecture to students’ everyday experiences. Students were especially curious about the tools architects use and local home construction.

Saint Francis de Sales

Lindsey Williams, AIA, NOMA introduced architecture in a unique setting by reading to students during a baseball game, showing how the program can be flexible and accessible.

West Texas & El Paso

Immanuel Christian School

Through the leadership of Paola Muniz-Garcia, Assoc. AIA and the AIA El Paso Education Outreach team, students participated in hands-on activities like Paper Bag City and Spaghetti Tower challenges. These activities allowed students to collaboratively design and build their own structures, bringing the concept of a city to life in a creative and engaging way.

El Paso Main Library

At the El Paso Main Library, the outreach team created a space for students of all ages to explore architecture through reading and discussion.
In one session, students reflected on how architecture makes people feel, using storytelling to connect design with emotion and human experience.

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center

Paola Muniz-Garcia, AIA and the AIA El Paso Education Outreach team led students in hands-on design workshops inspired by interactive exhibits, connecting architecture to creativity and exploration.

H.D. Hilley Elementary School

Elias Padilla, AIA introduced students to architecture through symmetrical sketching and visual storytelling. Students were especially inspired when learning about Zaha Hadid, reacting with excitement and curiosity about what architecture can look like beyond traditional forms.

“At the beginning of my visit, only one student raised their hand when asked who wanted to be an architect. By the end, many little hands were raised.”
Maria Sustaeta

Celebrating the Architects Behind Architecture Week

Thank you to TxA’s Education Outreach Committee and all the participating architects who brought Blueprints & Books to life across Texas. Your dedication, creativity, and willingness to show up made a lasting impact on every student you reached. Because of you, we exceeded our goal of reaching 1,000 students by 28%.

2026 ARCHITECTURE WEEK RECAP

Architecture Week Across Texas: Inspiring the Next Generation

South Texas & Rio Grande Valley

Hanna Early College High School & Faulk Middle School

Paredes Elementary

Kenmont Montessori School

St. Alban’s Episcopal Day School

Sharyland ISD

Central Texas

Jollyville Elementary School

Walnut Springs Elementary School

North Texas

Near Southside Montessori

Primrose School of Eldorado

Keller-Harvel Elementary School

Houston & Gulf Coast

Sally K. Ride Elementary

Saint Francis de Sales

West Texas & El Paso

Immanuel Christian School

El Paso Main Library

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center

H.D. Hilley Elementary School

Celebrating the Architects Behind Architecture Week

View The Gallery

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2026 ARCHITECTURE WEEK RECAP

Architecture Week Across Texas: Inspiring the Next Generation

South Texas & Rio Grande Valley

Hanna Early College High School & Faulk Middle School

Paredes Elementary

Kenmont Montessori School

St. Alban’s Episcopal Day School

Sharyland ISD

Central Texas

Jollyville Elementary School

Walnut Springs Elementary School

North Texas

Near Southside Montessori

Primrose School of Eldorado

Keller-Harvel Elementary School

Houston & Gulf Coast

Sally K. Ride Elementary

Saint Francis de Sales

West Texas & El Paso

Immanuel Christian School

El Paso Main Library

La Nube STEAM Discovery Center

H.D. Hilley Elementary School

Celebrating the Architects Behind Architecture Week

View The Gallery

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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