Princeton Academy of Art

JULY 28 - AUGUST 1

AGES 15-18

ALL MATERIALS INCLUDED

This pre-college summer intensive introduces students to the fundamentals of architectural design through a combination of studio practice, lectures, and model-making. Guided by recent Princeton University graduate, Dominica Kusmierczyk, participants will learn to think critically about space, structure, and materiality while developing their own design language.

Students will begin with architectural sketching and drafting exercises to build spatial literacy and an understanding of orthographic projection, axonometric drawing, and basic principles of scale and proportion. Emphasis will be placed on concept development, site analysis, and iterative design processes through both analog and physical media.

Throughout the course, students will engage in hands-on fabrication of architectural models using materials such as chipboard, basswood, foam core, and museum board. Techniques in scoring, folding, lamination, and volumetric construction will be introduced, culminating in a final presentation of a conceptual building or small-scale spatial intervention. Discussions will also cover tectonics, circulation, program, and precedent analysis drawn from historical and contemporary architectural works.

This studio offers a rigorous introduction to architectural thinking and making, suitable for students considering future studies in architecture, design, or related fields. All materials will be provided.Tuition: $750