Summer@Rensselaer – On-line Architecture Career Discovery Program

Session 2: Monday, July 26 - Friday, August 6

Course Objectives

This two-week class, taught entirely online, is designed to expose students to the experience of enrolling in a high-quality undergraduate architecture program.

Course Overview

The core of this course is studio work. Through studio work, students are immersed in a rigorous creative process that starts with an idea, develops abstract models, and ultimately leads to the design of an exciting and innovative architectural building proposal. Critique and evaluation of studio work is continuous, occurring in one-on-one discussions with the instructor and in larger group reviews with invited architectural critics. Studio work is complemented by a series of lectures and presentations, which explore the broader context of architectural practice, contemporary projects and practitioners, as well as more technical concerns such as drawing and model making. High school students entering 10th, 11th and 12th grade in the fall, who are interested in future careers in architecture or design related fields and have a curiosity about the world, are encouraged to apply. This exciting immersive workshop will not only open your eyes about architecture as a future career but provide you with an impressive portfolio essential to be accepted into a premier program like Rensselaer.

The first week of the course will focus on building models and making drawings by hand. The second week will focus on using the computer. Students will learn 3D modeling in Rhinoceros and 2D drawing and image editing in Adobe Creative Suite.

Materials that you'll need 

1. Laptop, minimum specs: 

PC running Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 OR

 MAC running macOS 10.14 Mojave or later

 Processor: 64-bit processor with two cores (includes i3, i5, i7)

 RAM: 4 GB Minimum, 8 GB Recommended

Hard disk space: 0.5 GB for software and file storage

2. Three button mouse with scroll wheel

3. Adobe Create Cloud free 7-day trial

Schedule

All times EDT

Monday 7/26 

11:00 – 1:00: Lecture, Intro; Set-up workspace; Introduce Exercise 1, Material Practice; Model making tutorial

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Work on Material Practice

Tuesday 7/27

11:00 – 1:00: Work on Material Practice

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Portfolio presentations by TAs; Studio work on Material Practice

Wednesday 7/28

11:00 – 1:00: Studio work on Material Practice

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Group discussion of Material Practice; Introduce Exercise 2, Drawing, Diagram

Thursday 7/29

11:00 – 1:00: Lecture, Drawing, Diagram; Drawing tutorial; Studio work on Drawing, Diagram

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Studio work on Drawing, Diagram

Friday 7/30

11:00 – 1:00 Studio work on Drawing, Diagram

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00 : Intermediate review of work

Week 2 

Monday 8/2

11:00 – 1:00: Introduce Exercise 3, Body, Site; Virtual site visit

1:00 – 2:00: Lunch With Dean of the School of Architecture (TBC) 

2:00 – 6:00: Studio work on Body, Site

Tuesday 8/3

11:00 – 1:00: Studio work on Body, Site 

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Lecture, Contemporary Pavilions @ The Serpentine Gallery; Studio work on Body, Site

Wednesday 8/4

11:00 – 1:00: Studio work on Body, Site; Presentation of Prof. Dayem’s work 

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Studio work on Body, Site; Virtual museum visit

Thursday 8/5

11:00 – 1:00: Studio work, prepare for final review 

1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Studio work, prepare for final review

Friday 8/6

11:00 – 1:00 Studio work, prepare for final review

1:00 – 2:00 : Lunch 

2:00 – 6:00: Final review of work with invited guest critics, parents welcome to attend