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About the Summer Program
Course Outline & Schedule
Architecture and the Built Environment Academy brings together faculty and industry professionals from across Jefferson’s architecture and the built environment programs. These topics may include:
- Architecture
- Construction Management
- Historic Preservation
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Real Estate Development
High school students enrolled will receive a supply kit needed to complete the program.
Weekly Schedule
Week 1 & 2: July 15-19 or July 22-26 (Required) - Career Discovery Week: Exploring the Architectural Disciplines
During this introductory week you will explore the different architecture and design disciplines that typically collaborate together to design, built and construct beautiful built environments. You will hear directly from architects, interior designers, landscape architects, historic preservationists and construction managers and explore the different disciplines through small, hands-on projects. You will learn about different pathways into the professions and learn how to see the world through the eyes of an architect or designer. Our unique mentorship program will connect you with an industry professional helping you make the next steps towards applying for college.
Week 2: July 22-26 (Optional) - Exploration and Design Week: Take a Deep Dive into your Chosen Discipline: Architecture, Interior Design or Construction Management
You will be able to select a Deep Dive into one of the architectural disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of the chosen field through hands-on projects, sketching and drawing.
Choose one of the following courses:
- Architecture
An architect is a skilled professional who plans and designs buildings and generally plays a key role in their construction. You will learn about the architecture profession and are introduced to learning drawing and design skills with an emphasis on expressing ideas through sketching, drawing and model building. The course is a synthesis of fundamental design principles and an introduction to research as a tool for understanding programming and design. - Interior Design
Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful for almost every type of building. Interior designers work across the whole spectrum of building types: residential, hospitality, institutional, office, healthcare and retail projects. They determine space requirements and select essential and decorative items, such as colors, textures, lighting, and materials. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of interior design. They learn about design methodologies, processes, color theory, and design elements relevant to interior design through sketching, drawing and model building.
- Construction Management
Construction Managers oversee planning, budgeting, and directing the construction project from conception to completion. Construction managers work closely with other disciplines on commercial, infrastructure, and industrial projects. In this course, students learn about the different aspects of managing the construction of buildings through case studies, they learn about estimating, budgeting and scheduling and the intersecting roles of construction manager, architect, client and general contractor.
Week 3: July 29-August 2 (Optional) - Exploration and Design Week: Take a Deep Dive into your Chosen Discipline: Architecture, Interior Design, or Landscape Architecture
You will be able to select a Deep Dive into one of the architectural disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of the chosen field through hands-on projects, sketching and drawing.
Choose one of the following courses:
- Architecture
(only offered when Week 2 is full)
An architect is a skilled professional who plans and designs buildings and generally plays a key role in their construction. You will learn about the architecture profession and are introduced to learning drawing and design skills with an emphasis on expressing ideas through sketching, drawing and model building. The course is a synthesis of fundamental design principles and an introduction to research as a tool for understanding programming and design. - Interior Design
Interior designers make interior spaces functional, safe, and beautiful for almost every type of building. Interior designers work across the whole spectrum of building types: residential, hospitality, institutional, office, healthcare and retail projects. They determine space requirements and select essential and decorative items, such as colors, textures, lighting, and materials. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of interior design. They learn about design methodologies, processes, color theory, and design elements relevant to interior design through sketching, drawing and model building.
Landscape Architecture
Landscape architects design outdoor spaces like parks, gardens, urban squares, playgrounds, and public spaces and have a deep knowledge of plants, soil and ecology. In our course, you will learn to be responsible and creative designers who listen, build trust and advocate for our environment—wildlife and humans alike. Learn a design process that is equitable, inclusive and creative. Design a real-world project and participate in our award-winning Park in a Truck initiative by helping communities in Philadelphia design and built a green community park or garden
Week 4: August 5-9 (Optional) - Exploration and Design Week On-Campus
You will be able to take a Deep Dive into one of the architectural disciplines and develop a deeper understanding of the chosen field through a hands-on project, sketching and drawing on our East Falls Campus.