Empowering Community through Design-Build Education: A Playhouse for CASA

This faculty-led, community-driven initiative demonstrates how design-build education can foster meaningful connections between students, faculty, and the wider community. Beginning as a one-week charrette within two fourth-year architecture studios, the project launched the semester with purpose by partnering with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), a non-profit supporting foster children. Twenty-six students collaborated with faculty, staff, and community volunteers to design and construct a playhouse for CASAís annual fundraiser. After presenting their designs, students worked with community partners who donated materials, refining details and collectively bringing the project to life