Search for Shelter helps local and regional affordable housing organizations envision beautiful, innovative design solutions for projects that previously existed only in written form.
Each year at Search for Shelter, volunteer architects, landscape architects, interior designers, and students create pro bono solutions for design projects submitted by Minnesota affordable housing and/or homeless nonprofit organizations. Design volunteers work in teams to create viable, graphic solutions and plans, to serve as visual tools for agencies to use in obtaining further project funding, to promote their organization, and to serve as preliminary development/building plans.
Questions regarding Search for Shelter? Contact AIA Minnesota.
View the Search for Shelter video.
Read the Finance & Commerce article.
2025 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
The 2025 Search for Shelter design charrette will take place Saturday, February 1 – Saturday, February 8. The event includes in-person kickoff and closing gatherings, with teams working virtually, in-person, or in a hybrid format based on their preferences.
Opening Event: Saturday, February 1, 10:00 am
Dunwoody College of Technology
Get inspired by a kickoff presentation, meet your team and agency, and get started on your project! Lunch will be provided.
Closing Event: Saturday, February 8, 2:00 pm
University of Minnesota, Rapson Hall Room 100
Each team will present their work to the full group, then meet with their client for a full download.
Does your nonprofit need free design assistance? Apply by Saturday, January 11 to get a team assigned to your project. From renovations and new buildings to site planning and more, our teams can help you bring your vision to life! Apply »
Interested in volunteering for Search for Shelter? Students and professionals with all levels of experience, as well as landscape and interior design students and professionals are welcome! Volunteers should plan to be at the kickoff event if at all possible, and plan for 20 hours of work during the charrette window. Volunteer »
2024 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Five Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated in the 2024 Search for Shelter charrette in February. Click this link for a gallery of all the final design boards. Thanks to the following agencies for their participation:
Lyndale Neighborhood Association
Our Savior’s Lutheran
Redeemer Center for Life
Simpson Housing Services
Touchstone Mental Health
2023 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Five Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated in the 2023 Search for Shelter charrette in February. Click this link for a gallery of all the final design boards. Thanks to the following agencies for their participation:
Hamline Midway Coalition
Interfaith Action of Greater St. Paul
Lyndale Neighborhood Association
Solid Ground
Stepping on Up
2022 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Five Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated in the 2022 Search for Shelter virtual charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design boards for each agency:
Northcountry Cooperative Foundation
PRG, Inc.
Riverton Community Housing
Smart North
St Paul Public Housing Authority
2021 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Ten Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated in the 2021 Search for Shelter virtual charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
Alliance Housing
Eagle Bend Economic Development Corporation
Haven Housing
Metta Meditation Center
NRRC
People Incorporated
Servants of Shelter of Koochiching County
St. Paul Public Housing Authority
Two Harbors HRA
Womens Advocates
2020 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Six Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated in the 2020 Search for Shelter charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
City of Pine City
Eagle Bend Economic Development Co.
Healing Opportunity Provided Equally (HOPE)
Neighborhood Development Alliance
Northside Residents Redevelopment Council
Violence Intervention Project
2019 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Six Minnesota nonprofit agencies participated the 2019 Search for Shelter charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
Catholic Charities
Citizens for Backus
Kanabec County Economic Development Authority
Minnesota Design Center/Settled.
Northland Counseling
Tubman
2018 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Five Minnesota non-profit agencies participated in the 2018 Search for Shelter charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
Amherst Wilder Foundation (Child Care Facility)
Avenues Homeless Youth
East Side Neighborhood Development Corporation
Minnesota Design Center/HCMC
Project Sweetie Pie
2017 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Seven Minnesota non-profit agencies were assisted during the 2017 charrette in February. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
Alliance Housing Inc.
Catholic Charities
Friends of Fairview
Midtown Greenway Coalition
Northside Residents Redevelopment Council (NRRC)
Partners for Affordable Housing (PAH)
People Serving People
Download the 2017 Search for Shelter Press Release (PDF)
2016 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
Read the 2016 Search for Shelter Design Charrette press release.
Eight Minnesota non-profit agencies were assisted during the 2016 Search for Shelter Design Charrette. Click the links below to view the design vision boards for each agency:
Alliance Housing Inc.
ASANDC (Aurora St. Anthony Neighborhood Development Corporation)
Catholic Charities
City of Princeton Economic Development Authority
Corcoran Neighborhood Organization
Mora HRA
TC Habitat for Humanity
White Earth Enterprises, LLC
