The Octagon Campaign will transform this National Historic Landmark into a beacon for a diverse design community to confront critical issues of our day.

The campaign has four overarching goals:

  1. Make the Octagon’s history a platform for advancing equity and inclusion.
  2. Modernize and preserve the Octagon while demonstrating sustainable building practices.
  3. Diversify the practice of architecture so future challenges are met by a full range of perspectives and lived experiences.
  4. Apply the power of design to solve intractable community challenges.

Learn About Campaign Initiatives

From our historic headquarters, The Octagon, the Architects Foundation inspires and invests in the next generation of design leaders and their communities.

Learn more about our historic home, The Octagon, here.

Cokie Roberts, Talk and Book Signing, at the Octagon House, Monday, May 4, 2015, photo by Ben Droz. Cokie Roberts, Talk and Book Signing, at the Octagon House, Monday, May 4, 2015, photo by Ben Droz.
The two stairs separating the social structure at The Octagon: the grand main stair and ‘hidden’ service stairs to the left. The two stairs separating the social structure at The Octagon: the grand main stair and ‘hidden’ service stairs to the left.
The 2023 Cohort of HBCU Interns working on the AIA Headquarters Renewal visiting The Octagon. The 2023 Cohort of HBCU Interns working on the AIA Headquarters Renewal visiting The Octagon.
Colonel John Tayloe III’s office, which served as President Madison’s office for six months, where the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812. Colonel John Tayloe III’s office, which served as President Madison’s office for six months, where the Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812.
Yann Weymouth, FAIA greets family and friends at The Octagon in 2018, where the Architects Foundation announced a new scholarship in his honor. Yann Weymouth, FAIA greets family and friends at The Octagon in 2018, where the Architects Foundation announced a new scholarship in his honor.
In the 1970’s restoration, The Octagon Main Bedroom and Guest Suite (pictured here) were converted into gallery spaces. In the 1970’s restoration, The Octagon Main Bedroom and Guest Suite (pictured here) were converted into gallery spaces.
A visitor enjoying our recent ‘Say It Loud’ DC exhibit in the New York Avenue Gallery. A visitor enjoying our recent ‘Say It Loud’ DC exhibit in the New York Avenue Gallery.
Inspired by the Architects Foundation's Pillars of Change:

Time

Time

Reflecting on the past, and working together to create a more equitable future

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Place

Place

Caring for our environment by promoting sustainable restoration and building practices

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Practice

Practice

Growing the profession by nurturing an expanding, diverse pipeline of future design leaders

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People

People

Fostering a global community through inclusive planning and design, and training the next generation of civic leaders

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Only 2% of all architects in the United States identify as Black, the same percentage as five decades ago.

People with less education and income also have lower civic and political engagement, leaving those most impacted by inequity out of the conversation.

Museums are increasingly seen as trusted, expert, unbiased sources of information and as forums for community engagement.

A new building takes 10 to 80 years to overcome the negative climate impacts resulting from construction.

Together, We Can Forge the Future

You can help us transform communities into sustainable, equitable, safe places to thrive.

Join the Campaign