Abstract: The design and synthesis of imprinted silica using gold-silica core-shell nanoparticles as imprints is described. We demonstrate the use of colloidal gold as a template for the organization of thiol and amine functional groups via self-assembly. Silicate materials consisting of over 30% by weight in gold are synthesized via a novel sol-gel route relying on the condensation of hybrid organic-inorganic core-shell nanoparticles at controlled pH. These materials consist of a porous silicate framework that allows for the removal of the gold templates via etching to leave behind the functional group organization created by the imprinting process as well as the synthesis of imprinted pockets surrounding these organized functional groups. We describe our success in using this approach as well as the complete characterization of the materials before and after gold removal.