Inspire Your Students with the 2026 High School Design Competition
This upcoming January, the 76th Annual AIA Toledo High School Design Competition will begin!
The program easily engages all of the disciplines in STEM (and especially STEAM) and allows exploration in a design or construction career path. As part of a curriculum, an after-school club, or an independent study, the HSDC is a great opportunity that encourages creativity, problem solving, and presentation skills. The competition is also an opportunity to win thousands of dollars in scholarships offered by AIA Toledo, and local universities.
Details for this year’s competition are still being worked out, but our tentative schedule can be found on the HSDC flyer below. Please share with interested students or school districts. You can find general information about the competition on our HSDC webpage.
The first event is our Kickoff Meeting, where we will reveal the 2026 project and answer any questions from attendees. The Kickoff Meeting will be held on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at 4:00 PM at AIA Toledo’s office and via Zoom.
Contact the HSDC Committee with any questions or if you are interested and plan to participate in the competition.
2026 HSDC Program Flyer (click to enlarge & print)
ABOUT HSDC
As the longest running program of its kind in the country, the High School Design Competition has a rich legacy. The idea was born in 1949 when a drafting teacher at Macomber Technical High School approached architects at Bellman, Gillett and Richards about exposing his students to the workings of the architectural profession. Later that year, the Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects voted to approve the “Toledo High School Architectural Competition”, with initial funding not to exceed $100. The first competition was held in 1950, with 23 students from Waite, DeVilbiss, and Macomber High Schools participating. Their design challenge was a parking lot office and the first-place prize was $10.
Contact us to learn how your school or student can participate.