This day was made possible thanks to the generous support of our Freedom by Design 20th Anniversary Partner, NCARB.
On July 30, AIAS members came together for a powerful day of service through Freedom by Design (FBD), our signature community service program generously supported by our partners at NCARB. This year, we were honored to collaborate with Dreaming Out Loud, a DC-based nonprofit building stronger food systems, creating economic opportunities, and ensuring families East of the River are able to nourish their bodies with healthy food.
The day began with a bus ride to the heart of Ward 7, where students visited The Farm at Kelly Miller, a collaborative space in Lincoln Heights. This site is a partnership: the land is provided by DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation, the production farm and food hub is managed by Dreaming Out Loud, and the Youth Garden is activated by City Blossoms, who provide free, weekly drop-in programming for children. The farm functions as both a production space and a vibrant community hub for all ages.
From there, we traveled to Dreaming Out Loud’s newly opened Marion Barry Market, a vibrant center where food access, local enterprise, and economic opportunity come together. Over lunch and conversation, students rolled up their sleeves for a design charette, exploring three real-world design challenges:
- Farm Expansion – exploring opportunities to expand food production and community impact at The Farm at Kelly Miller.
- Youth Garden Enhancements – developing creative, safe, and engaging improvements for the garden where City Blossoms teaches and inspires children through hands-on programming.
- Education Structure Renovation – reimagining an existing on-site structure as a dynamic space for learning, cooking, and gathering.
The space was alive with energy—sketches flying, ideas flowing, teams building on each other’s creativity. Students wrapped it up by presenting their designs to Dreaming Out Loud and City Blossoms, who gave feedback and inspiration for what’s next.
This was more than just a design exercise—it was an opportunity for AIAS members to align their skills with mission-driven partners who believe, as Dreaming Out Loud shares, that “food can be a vehicle for economic change.” As one participant reflected, “We weren’t just designing for the community, we were designing with them.”
And the work is only just beginning. AIAS members are excited to continue collaborating with Dreaming Out Loud and City Blossoms as the project moves into schematic design and site planning, with the potential for renovations to begin as soon as this winter.
Through Freedom by Design, students gain more than design experience—they learn how architecture can help dismantle inequities and strengthen communities. And thanks to the support of NCARB, these experiences are possible for students across the country.
We look forward to sharing updates as this partnership continues to grow!
