Showcasing firms that are of--and even more so, before--the times in strategies and practice, the New Practices San Francisco competition kicked off earlier this summer. The work of the winners--CMG Landscape Architecture, Edmonds + Lee Architects, Faulders Studio, Kennerly Architecture + Plannng, Min|Day, and Public Architecture--and the honorable mentions--Axelrod Architects and Envelope A+D--was exhibited from June to September at the Center for Architecture in New York and opened at the AIA San Francisco gallery on November 5.

In addition to the exhibition, the AIA San Francisco will be hosting a panel with the winners of New Practices San Francisco on November 18. On the table: tips on how to start and develop a firm, lessons learned, and best works and practices from their offices. The event is free for AIA members and just $10 for nonmembers.

The firms will also be opening their doors for studio visits in December, January, and February as follows:

CMG Landscape Architecture: December 3 at 4 pm
Edmonds + Lee Architects: December 10 at 4 pm
Kennerly Architecture + Planning: January 8 at 4 pm
Min|Day: January 15 at 4 pm
Public Architecture: January 22 at 4 pm
Axelrod Architects: January 29 at 4 pm
Envelope A+D: February 5 at 4 pm

Watch photos of the work by the winning firms as well as those that received the honorable mentions by visiting our slideshow.

Young Guns: Best New Practices 2009