Design Catalyst

 C h a n g i n g   t h e   H o u s i n g   P a r a d i g m

Become a design catalyst. Join Cuningham's emerging, multidisciplinary cohort for a seven-week design intensive.

Community-Centered Design

Introducing Design Catalyst: Changing the Housing Paradigm, Cuningham's community-centered design intensive. In collaboration with Los Angeles-based organizations and leaders, and backed by Cuningham's multidisciplinary, integrated design practice, this cohort of emerging design talent will research and develop solutions for student housing needs in the greater Los Angeles area. The cohort will represent a range of disciplines, research, and lived experience. 

Apply Below

Community

Engagement

What our summer cohort will gain 

Hands-on Engagement

Join Cuningham in Los Angeles for an intensive community engagement research period and work together to actualize your findings.

Design Innovation

Uncover the power of immersive experience and collaboration to influence the future of the built environment.

Mentorship

Work directly with Cuningham's leaders in bi-directional mentorship through in-person intensives and weekly one on one connections.

Community

Collaborate with interdisciplinary expertise and utilize emerging technology to research, design, and develop solutions that positively impact the community.

Mentorship

Innovation

Design Catalyst: Information + Dates

01

Who we're looking for

Applicants must be able to be based in LA for the seven-week program and should be currently enrolled in a graduate-level program or have equivalent professional experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:


  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape Architecture/Urban     

Planning

  • Design Research
  • Environmental Justice /

Regenerative Design

  • Computational Design
  • Community Activism /

Engagement

 

02

Application Process

We will be building a cohort of up to six participants with our application process


  • Applications open:

February 12 - March 20

  • Interview notification:

by March 29

  • Interviews:

April 3 - 8

  • Selection notification:

by April 19

  • Cohort introductory meet + greet:

late May

  • Design Catalyst start date:

June 17 


03

Program Dates

You will need to be available for the entire seven-week commitment that includes two in-person intensives:


  • Site Visits/Research (in-person):

June 17 - 21

  • Project Development + Business of Design modules (in-office highly encouraged):

June 24 - July 26 (2 days off for July 4 holiday)

  • Wrap up + Presentation (in-person):

July 29 - Aug 2

 

01 Who we're looking for

Applicants must be able to be based in LA for the seven-week program and should be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level program or have equivalent professional experience in one or more of the following areas of expertise:


  • Architecture
  • Interior Design
  • Landscape Architecture/Urban Planning
  • Design Research
  • Environmental Justice/Regenerative Design
  • Computational Design
  • Community Activism/Engagement

 

02 Application Process

We will be building a cohort of up to six participants with our application process


  • Applications open:

February 12 - March 20 March 25

  • Interview notification:

by March 29

  • Interviews:

April 3 - 8

  • Selection notification:

by April 19

  • Cohort introductory meet + greet:

late May

  • Design Catalyst start date:

June 17 


03 Program Dates

You will need to be available for the entire seven-week commitment that includes two in-person intensives:


  • Site Visits/Research (in-person):

June 17 - 21

  • Project Development + Business of Design modules (in-office highly encouraged):

June 24 - July 26 (2 days off for July 4 holiday)

  • Wrap up + Presentation (in-person):

July 29 - Aug 2

 

Why attainable student housing in Los Angeles?

   In early 2023, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared a state of emergency in response to the city’s growing rate of unhoused citizens. The year prior, the Greater Los Angeles Area saw a 10% increase in its unhoused population, an indication of a consistent growth trend that chronically outpaces efforts to develop attainable housing. Housing is a particularly urgent concern for the city’s college students, with over 50,000 LACCD students facing housing insecurity. Additionally, the need for attainable housing remains increasingly urgent for LGBTQ, BIPOC, foster youth, and low-income populations. 


   Cuningham has created an innovative program to embed and deploy design talent in service of addressing this pressing need. In collaboration with Los Angeles based community organizations, we will select a cohort of emerging, multidisciplinary design talent to research and develop solutions to LA’s attainable housing crisis.


   Permanent solutions to the city’s housing insecurity require an integrated and systemic approach. Cuningham’s Design Catalyst: Changing the Housing Paradigm program presents an opportunity to research and develop innovative models for Los Angeles with nationwide implications.


Application deadline has passed