The Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF) is a local non-profit that offers a range of imaginative programs, making architecture fun and relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. Our goal is to celebrate Seattle's rich architectural heritage and encourage people to get involved in shaping our City's future.
SAF provides architectural tours, programs for youth and families, exhibits and special events. The Seattle Architecture Foundations offers a variety of exceptional programs and experiences for all ages that connect people to the architecture, design, and history of Seattle.
Our enthusiastic guides are excited to share their knowledge with the goal of facilitating a better understanding of architecture, landscape and urban design practices that shape our cities.The important work of the Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF) relies on the generosity of its members and supporters.
SAF provides architectural tours, programs for youth and families, exhibits and special events. The Seattle Architecture Foundations offers a variety of exceptional programs and experiences for all ages that connect people to the architecture, design, and history of Seattle.
Our enthusiastic guides are excited to share their knowledge with the goal of facilitating a better understanding of architecture, landscape and urban design practices that shape our cities.The important work of the Seattle Architecture Foundation (SAF) relies on the generosity of its members and supporters.
Services
Design shapes communities on many levels, whether we are conscious of its impact or not. Everything we touch, everything we see in the built environment is a product of the design process. Plazas, public spaces, even things often considered natural, like parks and landscaping, are intentionally designed.
For over three decades, SAF has served as Seattle's premier, public-facing nonprofit focused on celebrating architecture and sharing the city's design-history. This past year has been especially challenging, but thanks to the strong commitment of our volunteers, corporate partners, and individual donors, we have continued delivering relevant programs in a variety of formats and used the time to revisit the core elements of our mission.
For more than 30 years, SAF's architecture walking tours have served to entertain and educate locals and visitors about Seattle's rich architectural and cultural history. All tours are led by trained volunteers who serve as ambassadors for the city. Our enthusiastic guides are excited to share their knowledge with the goal of facilitating a better understanding of architecture, landscape, and urban design practices that shape our cities.
Reviews (3)
Maryanne T.
Jan 07, 2020
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The Foundation runs really great walking tours where they cover various neighborhoods/areas around Seattle. You needn't have a background in architecture to enjoy it (though it can help), but really it's a great way to see some unexpected details around town with a great mix of people and led by a knowledgeable guide.
Keith Cote
Oct 15, 2019
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I try to make it out each year to catch the annual model exhibit. I was mildly disappointed that the new space (which I believe is shared with other organizations) is just barely large enough to accommodate the rotating exhibits and no longer has the permanent (if dated) display exhibits that were at the previous Rainier Square location. The architecture tours are still very informative and worth taking.
Dylan Vogel Dyvog
Jul 06, 2019
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The Greatest Hits tour of Downtown Seattle offers a really comprehensive history of Seattle's rapid development from a pioneer town, to an earnest fledgling city, to a nascent metropolitan area. The neighborhood tours offer fantastic conversation-starters about the resident's of the city, and how each place got its character.
