Pre-College Architecture: An intensive program that engages inquisitive high school students in the creative energy and speculative culture of the study of architecture.
In these changing times, the Architecture program responds to challenges regarding practice, communication, and our relationship with the built environment by utilizing a diverse set of tools and techniques, guided by the leadership of the School of Architecture Faculty.
Pre-College Architecture introduces design practice, creative problem solving, and critical thinking to young designers through a matrix of programming, celebrating curiosity and providing a strong foundation for architectural education. Students will navigate complex design problems, encouraging growth through the development of skills, which will prepare them for future undergraduate studies.
Curriculum Overview:
The Pre-College Architecture Program is an intensive summer experience for students with a keen interest in architecture.
Over the course of six weeks, students will experience the interdisciplinary field of architecture through the lens of Carnegie Mellon’s School of Architecture (SOA) as well as contemporary practices. Students will experience the dynamic of architectural education within the studio, supported by integrated coursework in analog drawing, digital media, seminars, and workshops. This approach will allow for broader exploration of design issues related to the environment, technology as well as the future of our cities.
During the last two weeks of the program, specialized workshops on design portfolio development will be conducted as an introduction to techniques for layout design and content composition. Portfolio reviews with faculty and members of the SoA admissions committee will give students an opportunity to curate their work for college submissions.
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Academic Highlight: Jenna Kappelt
Jenna Wizzard Kappelt is the Director of Outreach Programs, Director of Pre-College, and Special Faculty with the School of Architecture. She has managed the outreach programs for the School of Architecture through the Center for Architecture Explorations since January 2019. She also oversees the Architecture Learning Network. Jenna works to create a cohesive experience of lifelong learning for people of all ages interested in the diverse practice and pursuit of architecture.
After graduating from Carnegie Mellon, Jenna spent over eight years in the solar energy industry. She managed the engineering and design of photovoltaic systems, exploring new means of efficiency and sustainability in mechanical and structural systems as well as software solutions for advanced system design. Her studies in the intersection of solar and water systems drive her to prioritize concepts of sustainability and social equity within all levels of architecture education. Learn more...
| Program Options: |
**In order to be eligible as a commuter student, the parent or legal guardian must have a permanent residence within approximately 30 miles of campus or within Allegheny County. Families who relocate temporarily to the Pittsburgh area are not eligible for commuter status. There are no exceptions to this policy. |
Curriculum:
Our six-week program is structured into two parts: Architecture Fundamentals (weeks 1 - 4) and Design Application (weeks 5 - 6).
The projects and assignments issued within all courses will increase in complexity as students build upon their newly found technical skills and creativity. While the program allows for enrollment in either a 4-week or 6-week option, it's encouraged that students attend the full 6-week program to foster a comprehensive learning experience and greater development, including access to advanced workshops as described below.
Architecture Fundamentals: Weeks 1 - 4
During the first four weeks of the program, students will work through a series of projects to build a basic comprehension of the fundamental principles of architecture. Students iterate ideas through 2D, 3D, digital, and analog techniques, participating in critique as a central component of the studio experience, with a focus on:
- Building foundational architectural skills, literacy, and confidence
- Analytical thinking
- Conceptual development
- Techniques in representation and spatial articulation
Design Application: Weeks 5 - 6
The final two weeks of the program will shift focus to in-depth explorations and advanced skill-building. Students will work individually with the studio faculty to elaborate their design work, as well as integrate new skills and techniques through:
- Advanced digital media and digital fabrication workshops
- Seminars, special lectures, and field trips that relate to issues of contemporary practice
- Workshops for portfolio design and photography to teach students how to package design work graphically
Typical Schedule: Weeks 1–4
Monday - Thursday
- 9:00 am - 12:30 pm: Digital & Analog Media
- 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Design Studio
- 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Teaching Assistant help sessions and Open Studio
Friday
- Field Trips
Weekends
- Open Studio
Typical Schedule: Weeks 5-6
Monday - Thursday
- 9:00 am - 12:30 pm: Advanced Digital Media and Fabrication, Seminars and Special Lectures
- 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Design Studio and Workshop Intensives
- 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm: Teaching Assistant help sessions and Open Studio
Friday
- Special Projects
Weekends
- Open Studio
Eligibility and Application Requirements
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Pre-College Architecture program students must:
- Be at least 16 years old by the program start date (to participate in the residential program).
- Be a current sophomore or junior in high school at the time of application submission.
Application Requirements
The complete application for the Pre-College Architecture program consists of the following:
- Completed online application
- Unofficial transcript
- Standardized test scores (optional)
- One Letter of Recommendation
- Responses to essay prompts
- A video submission: 30-second maximum length
- Identify and describe something about yourself that will help the admission committee determine your potential as a Pre-College Architecture student at Carnegie Mellon University. We are interested in getting to know you in the context of your application.
- This short 30-second video needs no staging or post-production.
- Videos are preferred as a link to Youtube or Vimeo.
- If submitting a file, clips must be under 10MB and saved as .m4v, .mov, .mp4, .wmv, .flv, .asf, .mpeg, .mpg, or .mkv, and you might need to compress the video file prior to uploading.
- Samples of your artwork (optional, but highly recommended):
- 5 to 10 images of your original work in a single PDF file.
- Links to video or audio artwork may be included in the PDF if applicable.
Application Essay Prompts
Respond to the following essay prompts (300-500 words):
- What do you hope to gain from participating in Carnegie Mellon's Pre-College Programs?
- Why are you interested in studying architecture?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Architecture program challenging?
- Pre-College Architecture is an immersive program with the intensive energy and dynamic creative culture of a college-level experience. Design success is largely the result of focused effort and intensity of investigation; students should expect to invest significant time working in the studio with fellow students outside of class (evenings and weekends) to develop and complete project coursework.
- A progressive interdisciplinary course of study combining design creativity, historical perspective, technical knowledge and innovation, and social responsibility, architecture is a profession that occupies a unique role in the shaping of our built environment. Pre-College Architecture is structured to introduce the discipline of architecture and the study of architecture in a university setting.
- Studio is the core of the Architecture summer pre-college program and serves as an introduction to the spatial concepts of architecture. Projects will explore the design and experience of spatial environments through a series of creative investigations consisting of both independent and collaborative work. Studio work focuses on experience and human sensory engagement in physical space; project themes include context, scale, perception, light, materiality, and component systems. Studio work will be supported by individual critique as well as group discussion based upon critical review of student work. The course is focused entirely on project design work while integrating concepts and skills from Drawing and Digital Media as well as workshops and seminar courses.
- Digital Media introduces students to the creative use of digital software and technology in architecture through in-class workshops and lectures. Students will learn the basic skills needed to create, explore and critique digital images, drawings, and three-dimensional environments. As a complement to the design studio, assignments will encourage an active dialogue between design intentions and representational tools. With a focus on Photoshop, Illustrator, and Rhinoceros, skills explored include image editing, color manipulation, line drawings, curves, surfaces and solids, 3D object manipulation, and composite imagery. We provide an intensive introduction to creative software, however, no previous experience or specific computer skills are required to succeed, although dedication and commitment to the subject a critical for success.
- On Fridays, field trips and special projects introduce students to dynamic learning opportunities out in the field. Trips and projects vary from year to year; past events have included visits to recently completed local architectural projects, building construction sites, museum exhibitions, and workshop experiments in conjunction with the Carnegie Mellon School of Architecture Computational Design and Digital Fabrication Labs. Some evenings and weekends, our teaching assistants hold optional workshops to provide extra help and support for classwork.
- Work created in the summer pre-college program may be excellent material to package for your portfolio. For students who continue in the full six-week program, we offer portfolio and photography workshops to introduce skills to package work graphically for college submission.
- As part of the program costs, you will be provided materials and tools required for media and design studio. If you need additional supplies, feel free to purchase them from our Art Store once you arrive on campus.
