About The Camp 2027 (Draft) — The Hip Hop Architecture Camp®

About / Hip Hop x Design

Design is
a tool for
empowerment.

Hip Hop x Design is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by architect Michael Ford, The Hip Hop Architect. Our mission is to empower underrepresented youth by using hip hop culture as a bridge into architecture, design, and urban planning.

The flagship program, free since 2016.

Camp students building a white block model of a city

The Hip Hop Architecture Camp

A week long experience introducing young people to design and creative placemaking.

The camp is rooted in the 4C’s

01Creativity
02Collaboration
03Communication
04Critical thinking

Where we have been

Every dot is
a camp.

Map of the United States — Hover a dot for the city. International camps not shown.

We provide free programming around the country, connecting students with architects, designers, planners, community leaders, and Hip Hop artists.

At Hip Hop x Design, we believe design is a tool for empowerment.

Through The Hip Hop Architecture Camp®, we are building a pipeline for voices in architecture.

The founder

Michael
Ford

FAIA · NOMA · NCARB

Michael Ford founded The Hip Hop Architecture Camp in Madison, Wisconsin in 2016. He is the founding principal of BrandNu Design Studio, which works across cultural institutions, civic projects and community-centered design from Dallas, Detroit, Madison and New York.

He grew up in Highland Park, Michigan. He taught at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture and Community Development from 2008 to 2024, including the Hip Hop Architecture Design Studio.

In 2026 he received the AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award and was elevated to the AIA College of Fellows. His work has been covered by the TODAY Show, Rolling Stone, The New York Times and Architectural Digest, and in the Hulu documentary Design For All.

The people behind it

Program advisors

Michael Davis, FAIA

Principal, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility
Bergmeyer
Shanttel Liberato-Tiller

East Regional Manager, Client Experience
MillerKnoll
Antoine Phillips

Former Vice President, Brand and Culture Engagement
Gucci
Gail Ford

Director of P.E.O.P.L.E.
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Wasalu Muhammad Jaco (Lupe Fiasco)

Co-Founder
SOSA
AJ Paron

Executive Vice President, Design Futurist
SANDOW Design Group
Jason Pugh

Principal and Global Director of Inclusion
Gensler
Asia Williams

Designer
HOK + Rossetti, Detroit
Nubia Henderson

Title to confirm
THE MART
Joselyn Northrop

Title to confirm
Shaw Contract
Woodrow Hoffer II

Title to confirm
Organization to confirm
Jason Patton

Title to confirm
JPMorgan Chase
Lindsay Williams

Title to confirm
Houston Land Bank