Orchids & Onions is a fundraising program of the San Diego Architectural Foundation, a 501(c)3, nonprofit organization dedicated to education, and the promotion of outstanding architecture, planning and urban design throughout the San Diego region. 

Orchids & Onions is the only interactive, community-based program geared towards raising awareness and encouraging practical discourse in response to San Diego's built environment. The success of the program relies heavily upon the citizens of San Diego; the public’s nominations and feedback about the nominations published on the O&O website are integral to planning, growth and future development of our city.

A jury of design professionals and artists is selected annually to determine the official Orchids & Onions based upon the public’s submissions in categories which include: architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, historic preservation, sustainable design and miscellaneous. The 'Miscellaneous' Category encompasses anything and everything that the existing categories do not; any nomination submitted to the Miscellaneous Category that is determined to be an Orchid or Onion will be recognized in a category specific to that project.

The online People’s Choice Vote gauges San Diegans’ opinions about their city. The culmination is an enlightening and fun-filled awards presentation, promoting practical discourse about the state of our region.

We urge you to take part in this shared process.
Become a Member or Sponsor. Volunteer. Participate

Board of Directors

President
Larry A. Hoeksema, AIA
Architects Mosher Drew Watson Ferguson

Vice-President
Maxine Ward, AIA
Studio E Architects

Secretary / Treasurer
David McCullough, RLA, ASLA
McCullough Landscape Architecture

Richard A. Blackman, AIA
JCJ Architecture

Pat Caughey, FASLA
Wimmer Yamada and Caughey

Suzanne Clemmer
DCI Engineers

Kevin deFreitas, AIA
KdA, AIA  
Bob Mellott, AIA
Tucker Sadler Architects

Gerald W. Shonkwiler, AIAE
Michael J. Stepner, FAIA, FAICP, FIUD
NewSchool of Architecture & Design
 
Wendy Tinsley-Becker, AICP
Urbana Preservation & Planning
  
Executive Director
Leslee Schaffer
Full Circle Services