Michael Ford, FAIA to Celebrate a Decade of ‘Hip Hop By Design’

Hip Hop By Design Opening Reception & Gallery Lecture

Tuesday, March 10, 2026
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
325 N. St. Paul Street, Suite 150, Dallas, TX, 75201

The Architecture and Design Foundation hosts exhibition marking 10 years of transformative impact across 42 cities and three countries, awarding over $40,000 in scholarships to the next generation of architects.

Michael Ford, FAIA and the Architecture and Design Foundation are proud to announce the Hip Hop By Design 10-Year Anniversary Exhibition. Running from March 3 through April 24, this exhibition chronicles a decade of The Hip Hop Architecture Camp, a visionary program that channels the dynamic force of Hip Hop culture to introduce youth to the fields of architecture, design, and urban planning. By positioning Hip Hop as a critical lens for discovery, the camp empowers participants to harness their cultural brilliance to critique, understand, and shape the architectural fabric of their own communities.

Since its inception in 2016, The Hip Hop Architecture Camp has evolved from a local catalyst into a global movement, igniting the creativity of over 2,500 young minds. The program’s ten-year milestone is defined by a commitment to diversifying the profession and creating a tangible pipeline to licensure.

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp “leverages the voices of the voiceless” by forming deep partnerships with Hip Hop luminaries, celebrities, and athletes. Key collaborators include Lupe Fiasco and Angela Yee of The Breakfast Club, whose involvement helps ignite a passion for architecture by addressing pressing local issues through culturally relevant voices.

Ten Years of Transformative Growth (2016 – 2026):

Global Reach: Expanded to 42 cities and 20 states across the United States, Canada, and Kenya.
Student Engagement: Over 2,500 participants reached through a curriculum that bridges the gap between young talent and professional practice.
Financial Support: Awarded more than $40,000.00 in scholarships upon high school seniors pursuing architecture degrees.
Hip Hop for Humanity: Completion of international service projects, including community-focused initiatives in Kenya.
Professional Pipeline: Facilitated paid internships in major design hubs, including New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Detroit, and Madison.

The anniversary coincides with two distinguished professional honors awarded to Michael Ford this year. Recently elevated to the AIA College of Fellows and recipient of the prestigious 2026 AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award, Ford’s accolades reflect a decade of work as both a designer and a social justice advocate.

Michael Ford is a transformative figure whose portfolio spans cultural landmarks such as Louis Armstrong Park and iconic institutions like The Hip Hop Museum. Through his firm, BrandNu Design Studio, Ford focuses on the intersection of cultural projects, art, and social justice, reshaping the landscape of Black music and architecture.

As an educational trailblazer, Ford has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy, the University of Missouri, and Madison College. He has revolutionized architectural education by developing invaluable tools that empower underrepresented communities to explore the impact of design within popular culture, effectively paving the way for future architects to achieve professional licensure.

Witness the evolution of the movement at the anniversary exhibition hosted by the Architecture and Design Foundation.

About The Hip Hop Architecture Camp

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp is a holistic initiative designed to empower underrepresented youth through six integral components: The Camp, Scholarships, Hip Hop For Humanity, Internships, The International Hip Hop Architecture Design Competition, and Design Cyphers. The program uses these tools to allow students to solve local community issues using their innate cultural brilliance. By aligning influential Hip Hop figures with licensed architects, the camp breathes new life into the relevance of the profession.

About Michael Ford, FAIA & BrandNu Design Studio

Michael Ford, FAIA, is a licensed architect and founder of BrandNu Design Studio LLC. His work is dedicated to the idea that architecture is a tool for social justice. Beyond his landmark design projects, Ford is a global speaker and educator who continues to lead the conversation on the intersection of culture and the built environment.

About the Architecture and Design Foundation

The Architecture and Design Foundation fosters access to architecture and design for all. The Foundation seeks to be a catalyst for increasing public awareness about how design impacts our lives through the programs, exhibits, tours, and more that it presents, in addition to inspiring the next generations of architects and designers through student outreach and scholarships. More information about the Foundation can be found at www.dallasadex.org.