MIT SA+P

This year’s challenge holds special significance for the School of Architecture and Planning as we honor Dries Carmeliet (2021), whose life was tragically cut short in 2024.

Dries was an Architecture graduate and a member of the MITdesignX 2020 cohort. During his MIT studies, he cofounded Acelab, a company dedicated to revolutionizing architectural design through efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. The company’s other cofounder, Vardhan Mehta, along with Acelab, was recently recognized on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 List for 2025.

As we celebrate Dries, his parents, Myriam Baes and Peter Carmeliet, have stepped forward to support SA+P with a generous gift when 125 alumni and friends contribute to the Dries Carmeliet (2021) Innovation Fund or any fund within the MIT School of Architecture and Planning during the 24-Hour Challenge.

About the School of Architecture + Planning

Your generous contribution to an SA+P fund of your choice will empower our faculty and students, inspiring them to boldly pursue their highest aspirations and create transformative impacts in their fields.

As you consider your gift to the school, we are excited to share that SA+P will be marking several significant milestones: the Media Lab and the Center for Real Estate will celebrate their 40th anniversaries and the History, Theory + Criticism Program in Architecture will celebrate its 50th anniversary.