About the camp
Since 2016
Hip hop has
always been
about
the city.
42 cities
3 countries
Host a camp
in 2027
Spring 2027 camps are contracted by January 31, 2027. Summer 2027 camps by March 31, 2027.
Start the host formBring an intern
into your studio
Firms of every size host camp alumni as paid interns. When needed, we provide the student's stipend directly.
Become a host firmThe Hip Hop Architecture Camp uses hip hop culture to introduce young people to architecture, urban planning, and design.
In four days, students design a building, write and record a verse about their city, and premiere a music video. What starts at camp keeps going, through paid internships, scholarships, and architecture school.
3,700+ students.
42 cities.
3 countries.
Cities, states and countries through 2026 · Student totals through 2025
Architecture
Students explore architecture and respond to a real-world design challenge. Each one develops an original building concept, a 3D model, and a physical model.
Lyrics
Students study how hip hop lyrics tell stories about people, place, culture, and change. Then they write original lyrics that give voice to their own ideas.
Music video
Students study music videos as visual storytelling. Their original work becomes a professionally filmed music video.
Presentations
Students present their designs to family and community. The experience ends with the music video premiere.
Camp is the
first step,
not the whole thing.
02 · The pathway continues
Paid
internship.
Since 2021, former campers have continued through paid internships at firms across the country. Interns contribute to real projects, build professional relationships, and take the work they started at camp and develop it into a real vision for their community.
From camp to professional practice
Alumni
spotlight
Hip hop gives us the voice. Architecture gives us the platform.
“I started as an undergraduate student in the first Hip Hop Architecture Studio at the University of Detroit Mercy. After completing my master’s, I returned as an adjunct professor to teach the same course, this time as the Hip Hop Architecture Fellow.”
Asia Williams, Assoc. AIA
Inaugural fellow, 2024 to 2025
Designer at HOK + Rossetti · 2026 AIA Detroit Associate Member Award
The Michael Ford Hip Hop Architecture Fellowship
Host a camp
in 2027
Spring 2027 camps are contracted by January 31, 2027. Summer 2027 camps by March 31, 2027.
Start the host formBring an intern
into your studio
Firms of every size host camp alumni as paid interns. When needed, we provide the student's stipend directly.
Become a host firm