The Orange Line 2026

About this event

Small Scale City

The Center for Architecture and Design is excited to launch The Orange Line 2026: Small Scale City!

This year, architects, landscape architects, designers, students, and community members are invited to create models of multiple sizes that will come together to form a cohesive cityscape. Think commercial buildings, housing, restaurants, retail, museums, and more!

All models will tie together visually to create a larger city rather than stand alone on individual pedestals. This new approach allows teams to participate at a scale that fits their schedules, making it easier for everyone to get involved, whether you have time to build big or small. And don't worry, the Orange Line train is still part of the fun!

Let your creativity run wild and help us create a compelling cityscape for the holidays!

This year there are two options for plots along the Orange Line:

• Large Scale

• 12”x18” plot

• Traditonal Orange Line size

• Models should be no larger than 48" tall

• Small Scale

• 12" x 12" plot

• Small Scale model size

• Models should be no larger than 12" tall

Just like before, Lego™ sets to be used for your model are available at CFAD. They can be picked up or delivered to your firms, schools, etc., or you can use your own Legos™.

The fee to register for a spot on the Orange Line is $350. Proceeds benefit CFAD’s community outreach programs and youth design initiatives, such as Camp Architecture and Design and High School Design Studio. Camp Architecture and Design has expanded to several weeks each summer. In 2025, we provided 45 scholarships for both programs.

Please plan to join us at CFAD for an opening reception to celebrate the unveiling on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 5:00-7:30pm.

One final note : If your firm is too busy this year to build a model for the Orange Line, please consider sponsoring one of our student teams from architecture and design program at central Ohio high schools.

Registration:

The fee to enter is $350. If you prefer to pay via check, make it payable to CFAD, 50 W. Town St. , #110, Columbus, OH 43215.

Questions:

Please contact CFAD at 614.469.1973 or email mail@columbuscfad.org . For size and technical information or additional information on the exhibit, please contact Rachel Foster at rachel.foster@cbusarch.com

If you can’t attend our opening reception, please plan to head Downtown on Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 4-19, to attend Downtown Columbus Inc.’s Wander Nights, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., and plan a walk down Town Street to see our illuminated Orange Line. (It looks great from the street!) More details about Wander Nights are at https://downtowncolumbus.com/wanderlights/

From The Center for Architecture and Design