FSDA’s 2026-2027 Lecture Series

The Friends of San Diego Architecture presents inspiring lectures on architecture, design, and the built environment by speakers who stimulate thoughtful, community-centered discussions. After more than 40 years, the conversations continue.

Join Us for a New Series of Programs Celebrating Our Region’s Legacy as a World Design Capital!

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Orchids & Onions:
A 50-Year Report Card on San Diego Architecture


The 2026 Orchids & Onions Poster

A Celebration & Retrospective
with
Kevin deFreitas, FAIA, & Mike Stepner, FAIA

Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10:00 AM
San Diego History Center
Casa de Balboa
1649 El Prado, Balboa Park

Kevin deFreitas, president of the San Diego Architectural Foundation (SDAF), will keynote the Friends of San Diego Architecture’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of Orchids & Onions, San Diego’s annual awards program. It honors the best in local architecture with Orchids, while other projects that come up short – they get Onions.

DeFreitas will share the podium with Mike Stepner, who joined other architects in founding the awards program in 1975. Both speakers have been active in local groups for decades, striving to elevate the quality of San Diego’s built environment.

Besides architecture, O&O includes landscape architecture, historic preservation, lighting, signage, urban design, and public policies. Projects in the Tijuana metropolitan area as well as San Diego County are eligible.

DeFreitas and Stepner will cover the history of O&O, the 50th anniversary gala, and the current state of design in the region.

Kevin DeFreitas, FAIA, a native San Diegan, graduated from the University of Arizona with a B.A. in architecture in 1992. He worked for various firms before starting his own in 1998. He has served as president of the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects and on the City of San Diego’s public arts commission. He also was an adjunct professor at the NewSchool of Architecture & Design.
Mike Stepner, FAIA, a board member of the Friends of San Diego Architecture, earned his architectural degree in 1964 at the University of Illinois and moved to San Diego after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a planner for the city for 27 years, during which he was the official City Architect. He oversaw the revival of the Gaslamp Quarter, among many other assignments, before starting his own consulting firm. He also taught at every major college and university in the region and was a member of many boards and civic groups, including the AIA and SDAF, the official Balboa Park Committee, the Balboa Park Committee of 100 support group, and the Parks & Recreation Board.
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PLEASE NOTE:
Our FSDA programs are being presented in a new location, the San Diego History Center.
Refreshments 10:00–10:30, program 10:30–11:30
Admission to the museum is free but donations to SDHC are welcomed.
A $5 donation to FSDA is requested.
For current parking information see: Parking Information for Balboa Park.

Friends of San Diego Architecture Image Library – Featured Gallery

Over two decades ago, the Friends of San Diego Architecture sponsored an early effort to help develop solutions for the state’s housing shortage. In 2004, FSDA held an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Competition for California architecture and design students and professional architects and designers. There were a total of 56 entries. One goal of the competition was to convince the public that “granny flats” could be built on the average San Diego lot of 5000 sq. ft. Another goal was to offer innovative and creative designs to complement main dwellings. This rotating gallery shows some of the most intriguing entries from that competition, our Inspiring ADU Designs


You are invited to visit the full gallery of the ADU Competition entries at ADU Designs.

Friends of San Diego Architecture Video Archive


Check out our videos:   If you missed one of our lectures, you now have a chance to review the complete list here.

The Latest video now available:

September 19, 2026: Vicki Estrada, Howard Blackson, and Andy Kopp: Balboa Park Master Plan Update – A Community Forum

 

FSDA Lectures

Explore San Diego with us during our current lecture series.Read more…

FSDA Videos

Starting in 2017, FSDA has made video recordings of many of our lectures. If you missed a lecture, you can view it here.

FSDA Image Library

Our online library features more than 10,000 images from the Ned Paynter Collection and has added many other smaller collections. View them here.