Inspiring The Next Generation

Recently, Tony had the privilege of co-hosting in one of my favorite events. Boomtown is a two day immersive architecture workshop for middle school students, hosted by the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF).

As a Board Member of SDAF and Co-Chair of the Built Environment Education Program (BEEP), Tony Garcia Finds it is deeply rewarding to help create opportunities where kids can discover the power of design and planning in shaping the world around them.

Boomtown introduces students to the foundational principles of town planning and architectural design through hands on, team based activities. Over the course of the weekend, students from across San Diego County learned how to think like architects and planners — sketching ideas, discussing land use, considering infrastructure, and ultimately constructing a collaborative scaled model of their very own Boomtown.

It was more than just a design workshop. It was a chance for these young participants to build confidence, practice public speaking, engage in teamwork, and make new friends. These life skills are just as important as learning about zoning or urban design, and we saw students shine in unexpected ways throughout the weekend.

We were fortunate to be joined by an incredible group of local professionals in architecture and planning, all of whom volunteered their time to mentor and support the students. Their encouragement and thoughtful guidance helped transform ideas into physical models and inspired the students to think critically about how places are made and who they are made for.

At its core, Boomtown is about accessibility. It is about removing barriers to understanding the built environment and giving young people, many of whom may not have prior exposure to architecture, the tools and language to imagine and improve their communities. Programs like this only happen because people choose to show up, give back, and share their experience.

I am grateful to everyone who gave their weekend to make this event possible. Your generosity and mentorship made a lasting impact. If you have ever considered getting involved in outreach or education, I encourage you to explore it. The future of our cities and neighborhoods depends on raising a generation that understands and values thoughtful and inclusive design.

Let us keep building, not just structures, but awareness, opportunity, and community.

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