3 ORGS · 75 ACTIVITIES ← all strategies ·
theory of action →

Design as Pedagogy

By using built environments and design practices as immersive, experiential learning tools, organizations produce cultural and behavioral change toward ecological stewardship, because tangible, lived experiences in sustainable design shift values and demonstrate viable alternatives to mainstream urban and consumer culture. This strategy centers on the belief that physical environments are not just functional spaces but active educators. By constructing and inhabiting prototypes like Arcosanti or promoting regionally grounded landscape architecture, these organizations make sustainability tangible, allowing people to see, feel, and learn from alternative models. Unlike purely advocacy-based or policy-focused approaches, this strategy treats design itself as a form of teaching that fosters deeper, values-level transformation through direct engagement.

3
orgs running it
75
activities of those orgs
12
clusters touched
who runs it

organizations running this strategy · 3

what it looks like in practice

activities of orgs running this strategy

A sample of programmatic activities from the orgs above. These are what the strategy looks like on the ground.

  • Annual Awards Program Administration The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Administers an annual awards program that recognizes exemplary landscape architecture projects, students, and individuals in Arizona, including convening an external jury of ASLA professionals to evaluate submissions and maintaining an archive of past award-winning projects.
  • Awards Gala and Expo The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Hosts an annual Awards Gala and Expo to recognize achievements in landscape architecture across Arizona.
  • Committee-Led Programs and Advocacy The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    direct service
    Supports volunteer-led committees that shape programs, events, advocacy efforts, and initiatives to advance the landscape architecture profession in Arizona.
  • Community Engagement and Advocacy The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    direct service
    Organizes community planting events, such as at El Rio Preserve in Tucson, AZ, and hosts educational webinars on community safety, while also shaping programs, events, and advocacy efforts through volunteer-led committees to support the landscape architecture profession across Arizona.
  • Community Planting Events The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    direct service
    Organizes community planting events, such as the one held at El Rio Preserve in Tucson, AZ, to engage the public in landscape stewardship.
  • Constitution and Bylaws Access The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Provides members with access to the amended chapter constitution and bylaws.
  • Educational Webinars on Community Safety The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    direct service
    Hosts educational webinars addressing community safety concerns related to immigration enforcement activities.
  • Job Board Platform The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Provides a job board platform for posting and accessing landscape architecture job openings in Arizona.
  • LARE Exam Preparation Series The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Offers a four-part webinar series to help landscape architects prepare for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), covering topics such as inventory, analysis, and project management.
  • LARE Exam Preparation Webinars The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Offers a four-part webinar series to prepare landscape architects for the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), covering topics such as inventory, analysis, and project management.
  • Membership and Student Chapter Support The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Maintains a membership of approximately 280 landscape architecture professionals across Arizona and supports two student chapters at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University.
  • Professional Recognition and Awards Program The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Administers an annual awards program recognizing exemplary landscape architecture projects, students, and individuals in Arizona, which includes convening a jury of ASLA professionals and hosting an annual Awards Gala and Expo. The chapter also maintains an archive of past award-winning projects.
  • Support for Landscape Architecture Professionals The Arizona Chapter of The American Society of Landscape Architects
    capacity building
    Maintains a membership of approximately 280 professionals across Arizona and supports two student chapters at the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, providing resources such as a job board and access to chapter governance documents.
  • Anti-Harassment Training ARCOS CIELOS CORPORATION
    direct service
    Provides anti-harassment training for resident employees and volunteers at Arcosanti and Cosanti to promote a culture of respect and integrity.
  • Archival Collection and Access ARCOS CIELOS CORPORATION
    capacity building
    Maintains an extensive collection of archival materials documenting nearly a century of organizational history, including original writings, drawings, photographs, and digital models, and offers public access through online links and in-person tours by special appointment.
  • Arcosanti Construction and Volunteer Engagement ARCOS CIELOS CORPORATION
    direct service
    Engages close to 8,000 people, including workshop volunteers and Arcosanti Alumni, in the construction of Arcosanti's architecture through intensive six-week construction workshops.
  • Cause Bell Fundraising ARCOS CIELOS CORPORATION
    direct service
    Creates "cause bells" to raise funds for organizations addressing sexual abuse and advocating for change.
  • Celebration of Juneteenth with public programming ARCOS CIELOS CORPORATION
    direct service
    Hosts annual Juneteenth celebrations featuring performances, concerts, and educational programming to honor the historic and cultural significance of the holiday.