Architecture careers start with an open door.
Youth Architecture Opportunities connects students to real experience in architecture — volunteer work, published research, design studios, and skill-building programs — all free, all run by students like you.
Free programs · Verified service hours · Real portfolios
1,200+
Students served
across all programs
8,540
Volunteer hours
logged & verified
24
Active projects
research, design & service
12
Programs offered
year-round and summer
Our mission
Make the path into architecture visible, practical, and free.
Architecture can feel locked behind expensive software, unpaid internships, and connections most students don't have. We tear that wall down with structured programs where young people do real work — and leave with proof of it.
Do real work
Research that gets published. Designs that get critiqued. Events that serve real communities.
Leave with proof
Verified volunteer hours, certificates, portfolio pieces, and references from project managers.
Learn from peers
Programs are designed and led by student staff who were in your seat a year ago.
Belong to a team
Every member joins a project space with teammates, a manager, and a clear mission.
Programs — 01
Seven ways in.
Year-round programs plus a summer slate. Every one is free and built around real deliverables.
Group Research Program
Co-author real architecture research with a student team.
3–5 hrs/week · 10-week cohorts
Learn more →Architecture Design Projects
Build a portfolio with guided design challenges.
4–6 hrs/week · 8-week studio
Learn more →Volunteer Corps
Earn verified service hours supporting events and community builds.
Flexible · shift-based
Learn more →Virtual Engagement Program
A summer of talks, tours, and challenges that make architecture approachable.
2 hrs/week · June–August
Learn more →Architectural Design Software Class
Hands-on basics of CAD, SketchUp, and Revit-style modeling.
3 hrs/week · 8 weeks
Learn more →Sustain-A-Build
Design and prototype sustainable structures from recycled materials.
3–4 hrs/week · 6 weeks
Learn more →Volunteer — 02
Shifts that count.
Sign up for a shift, get verified hours, and help run programs for other students.
Sat, Jun 20 · 9:00 AM
Community Build Day
Westside Community Center
Wed, Jun 24 · 6:00 PM
Summer Sketch Night
Riverside Park Pavilion
Sat, Jun 27 · 10:00 AM
Portfolio Review Workshop
Cityview Public Library, Room B
Research & design — 03
Build something you can point to.
Join a 10-week research team or an 8-week design studio. Small groups, real mentors, real outcomes.
Group Research Program
Twelve student teams, each led by a project manager, co-author publishable papers on topics like adaptive reuse and green housing.
Explore research projects →Architecture Design Projects
Studio challenges — micro libraries, pavilions, tiny homes — taken from concept sketches to final presentation boards.
Explore design projects →Summer 2026 — 04
Skill-building, all summer.
Three instructor-led programs running June through August. Registration is open now.
2 hrs/week · June–August
Virtual Engagement Program
A summer of talks, tours, and challenges that make architecture approachable.
Kimberly Ngoc
Instructor
3 hrs/week · 8 weeks
Architectural Design Software Class
Hands-on basics of CAD, SketchUp, and Revit-style modeling.
Sindara Opaleye
Instructor
3–4 hrs/week · 6 weeks
Sustain-A-Build
Design and prototype sustainable structures from recycled materials.
Goodnews Ajayi
Instructor
Find your door — 05
Three ways to walk in.
Students
Apply for research teams, design studios, and summer programs. No experience needed — just curiosity.
Apply nowVolunteers
Pick up shifts at events and workshops. Every hour is tracked, verified, and exportable for school requirements.
Browse shiftsStaff & leaders
Seven leadership roles are open right now. Run a program, manage a research team, or shape the whole org.
See open rolesLeadership — 06
Run by students, for students.
Meet the executive team — and the open seats waiting for the next student leader.
Jason Hong
President, CEO & Founder
Founded YAO to make architecture careers visible and reachable for students.
Gabriella Karpiuk
Vice President of Human Resources
Leads recruiting, onboarding, and the people side of every program.
Alexander Mishra
Vice President of Internal Affairs & Outreach
Runs internal operations and builds partnerships with schools and firms.
Announcements — 07
Recent announcements
Fri, Jun 5
PinnedSummer 2026 program registration is open
All three summer programs — Virtual Engagement, the Design Software Class, and Sustain-A-Build — are now accepting registrations. Spots are capped, so apply early.
Mon, Jun 8
Community Build Day — 6 volunteer spots left
The June 20 build day at Westside Community Center is nearly full. Setup crew is full; build and teardown shifts still have openings.
Mon, Jun 1
We're hiring: 7 open leadership roles
VP of Events, VP of Marketing, Research Editor, and four project manager seats are open. Student leaders — this is your path in.
Calendar — 08
Upcoming events
Sustain-A-Build Info Session
7:00 PM · Google Meet
Community Build Day
9:00 AM · Westside Community Center
Summer Sketch Night
6:00 PM · Riverside Park Pavilion
Portfolio Review Workshop
10:00 AM · Cityview Public Library, Room B
Newsletter
One email a month. Every opportunity.
New programs, volunteer shifts, and application deadlines — straight to your inbox.
Contact — 09
Questions? A human answers.
We're students; we live in our inboxes. Expect a reply within a couple of days.
Where we are
Upstate New York & Southeast Texas
Remote-first · programs nationwide