Summer Design Academy
This course is available in two different campus locations as well as online. Please see below for available options.
Summer Design Academy: UMass Amherst Campus
The UMass Amherst Summer Design Academy provides an opportunity for high school students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, urban or interior design to learn more about these professions and experience the kinds of activities that take place in a university design program.
The Design Academy's interactive educational experiences include sketching, design exercises, model-making, the introduction to graphic and 3D computer programs, a visit to an architecture office, as well as lectures and reading discussions.
Students will create strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Students attending the Summer Design Academy in person will receive a materials kit (included in program fees).
There are two ways to participate:
- a residential option for students who will stay on campus for the three weeks.
- a commuter option for local students who will come in to campus each day.
The UMass Department of Architecture is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in higher education, and in the profession of architecture. Several need-based partial scholarships are available for students of color with financial need. Please see Tuition & Fees to learn how to apply.
Day-to-day studio activities include:
- Analog drawing and drafting fundamentals
- Physical model-making
- Case study analysis and diagramming
- Introductory digital workflows using Rhino for 2D drafting and 3D modeling
- Iterative desk crits and pin-ups
Students will complete a series of exercises leading to a final architectural project, presented through drawings, models, and a short verbal presentation. Software used includes Rhino 3D. Computers, software, and all required studio supplies are provided.
Workshops, field trips, office visits, and guest lectures complement the studio, exposing students to real world design practices, contemporary issues in the built environment, and the working methods central to architectural education. The course emphasizes iterative process, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary engagement, giving students a comprehensive introduction to architectural study at the university level. By the conclusion of the academy, students will have created strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Final Project: Students will hold a final gallery presentation on the last day in the Olver Design Building main level atrium space showcasing their work. Family and friends will be invited to join the event.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
- A digital camera (a cell phone will work well) to document your work
- A laptop, if available (not required)
- A sketchbook with blank pages - Either 5 x 7 or 9 x 12
- A favorite sketching pen + pencil if you have one (optional)
- A photograph and/or a written memory of a building, landscape and/or space that is significant to you personally
- A padlock to lock your storage cart
A materials kit as well as desktop computers and software will be provided for use in the classroom.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of architecture as a discipline, including its foundational principles, rules, and design logic through drawing, analysis, and design methodologies.
- Identify and apply essential design principles while challenging preconceived notions about architecture and the built environment.
- Explore the relationship between architecture, culture, history, science, and human experience, including considerations of scale, narrative, and site specificity.
- Apply a process- and concept-driven approach to design, using critical thinking to generate, test, and refine formal design solutions.
- Utilize a range of design methodologies and analog and digital tools to resolve design problems and express ideas effectively.
- Develop foundational graphic literacy and familiarity with technical drawing conventions, including the visual and verbal vocabulary of architecture and design.
- Communicate design ideas clearly using visual, verbal, and written forms through critiques, informal pin-ups, and formal presentations.
- Situate design work within broader theoretical and historical contexts through case study research and analysis.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00 AM–10:00 AM |
SDA Welcome & Introduction |
|
10:00 AM–11:00 AM |
Studio: Icebreaker Exercise (Draw Your Own Home) |
|
11:00 PM–11:30 PM |
Week 1 Introduction |
|
11:30 PM–12:30 PM |
Working Session |
|
12:30 PM–1:30 PM |
Lunch |
|
2:30 PM–3:30 PM |
Workshop 1: Analog Drawing + Diagramming |
|
3:30 PM–4:00 PM |
Studio: Desk Crits EX 1.1 Research: Case Study Analysis |
Please note: Students should expect some additional studio time in the evenings.
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Summer Design Academy: Charles River Campus (Greater Boston)
The UMass Amherst Summer Design Academy provides an opportunity for high school students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, urban or interior design to learn more about these professions and experience the kinds of activities that take place in a university design program.
The Design Academy's interactive educational experiences include sketching, design exercises, model-making, the introduction to graphic and 3D computer programs, a visit to an architecture office, as well as lectures and reading discussions.
Students will create strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Students attending the Summer Design Academy in person will receive a materials kit (included in program fees).
There are two ways to participate:
- a residential option for students who will stay on campus for the three weeks.
- a commuter option for local students who will come in to campus each day.
The UMass Department of Architecture is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment in higher education, and in the profession of architecture. Several need-based partial scholarships are available for students of color with financial need. Please see Tuition & Fees to learn how to apply.
Day-to-day studio activities include:
- Analog drawing and drafting fundamentals
- Physical model-making
- Case study analysis and diagramming
- Introductory digital workflows using Rhino for 2D drafting and 3D modeling
- Iterative desk crits and pin-ups
Students will complete a series of exercises leading to a final architectural project, presented through drawings, models, and a short verbal presentation. Software used includes Rhino 3D. Computers, software, and all required studio supplies are provided.
Workshops, field trips, office visits, and guest lectures complement the studio, exposing students to real world design practices, contemporary issues in the built environment, and the working methods central to architectural education. The course emphasizes iterative process, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary engagement, giving students a comprehensive introduction to architectural study at the university level. By the conclusion of the academy, students will have created strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Final Project: Students will hold a final gallery presentation on the last day showcasing their work. Family and friends will be invited to join the event.
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
- A digital camera (a cell phone will work well) to document your work
- A laptop, if available (not required)
- A sketchbook with blank pages - Either 5 x 7 or 9 x 12
- A favorite sketching pen + pencil if you have one (optional)
- A photograph and/or a written memory of a building, landscape and/or space that is significant to you personally
- A padlock to lock your storage cart
A materials kit as well as desktop computers and software will be provided for use in the classroom.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of architecture as a discipline, including its foundational principles, rules, and design logic through drawing, analysis, and design methodologies.
- Identify and apply essential design principles while challenging preconceived notions about architecture and the built environment.
- Explore the relationship between architecture, culture, history, science, and human experience, including considerations of scale, narrative, and site specificity.
- Apply a process- and concept-driven approach to design, using critical thinking to generate, test, and refine formal design solutions.
- Utilize a range of design methodologies and analog and digital tools to resolve design problems and express ideas effectively.
- Develop foundational graphic literacy and familiarity with technical drawing conventions, including the visual and verbal vocabulary of architecture and design.
- Communicate design ideas clearly using visual, verbal, and written forms through critiques, informal pin-ups, and formal presentations.
- Situate design work within broader theoretical and historical contexts through case study research and analysis.
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00 AM–10:00 AM |
SDA Welcome & Introduction |
|
10:00 AM–11:00 AM |
Studio: Icebreaker Exercise (Draw Your Own Home) |
|
11:00 PM–11:30 PM |
Week 1 Introduction |
|
11:30 PM–12:30 PM |
Working Session |
|
12:30 PM–1:30 PM |
Lunch |
|
2:30 PM–3:30 PM |
Workshop 1: Analog Drawing + Diagramming |
|
3:30 PM–4:00 PM |
Studio: Desk Crits EX 1.1 Research: Case Study Analysis |
Please note: Students should expect some additional studio time in the evenings.
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Summer Design Academy: Online
The UMass Amherst Summer Design Academy provides an opportunity for high school students interested in architecture, landscape architecture, urban or interior design to learn more about these professions and experience the kinds of activities that take place in a university design program.
The Design Academy's interactive educational experiences include sketching, design exercises, model-making, the introduction to graphic and 3D computer programs, a visit to an architecture office, as well as lectures and reading discussions.
Students will create strong portfolio material that can be used for college applications to university design and architectural programs.
Students attending the Summer Design Academy online will be provided with a materials list to purchase on their own.
Schedule: Live, synchronous sessions will meet Monday - Friday 1:00 - 4:00pm (Eastern). Plus asynchronous work as assigned.
Attendance
Students attending the online program are expected to attend all class sessions live in real time. In order to prioritize the health and well-being of participants, eligibility is restricted to applicants residing in time zones where class hours do not extend beyond midnight. Please use a time zone converter to check when class sessions will meet in your time zone.
Day-to-day activities include:
- Daily studio work focused on exploring architecture and its visual representation through hands-on projects
- Practice with basic analog and digital drawing, drafting, and modeling techniques
- Concept development exercises that encourage idea generation, iteration, and refinement
- Analytical activities examining space, form, and human experience
- Regular critiques and group discussions to review work, share feedback, and strengthen design thinking
- An introductory design project followed by a three-dimensional spatial exploration
- Development of a small, habitable space design through progressive studio assignments
Pre-Requisites
There are no pre-requisites for this program.
Materials
Students attending the remote SDA program will set up a home-studio environment. A materials list, along with instructions for how to set up your workspace, will be provided.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Develop an understanding of architecture as a discipline, including its foundational principles, rules, and design logic through drawing, analysis, and design methodologies.
- Identify and apply essential design principles while challenging preconceived notions about architecture and the built environment.
- Explore the relationship between architecture, culture, history, science, and human experience, including considerations of scale, narrative, and site specificity.
- Apply a process- and concept-driven approach to design, using critical thinking to generate, test, and refine formal design solutions.
- Utilize a range of design methodologies and analog and digital tools to resolve design problems and express ideas effectively.
- Develop foundational graphic literacy and familiarity with technical drawing conventions, including the visual and verbal vocabulary of architecture and design.
- Communicate design ideas clearly using visual, verbal, and written forms through critiques, informal pin-ups, and formal presentations.
- Situate design work within broader theoretical and historical contexts through case study research and analysis.
Live, synchronous sessions will meet Monday - Friday 1:00 - 4:00pm (Eastern). Plus asynchronous work as assigned.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
1:00 PM–2:30 PM |
Lecture: Perception and Likeness, discussion, individual reviews of works-in-progress |
|
2:30 PM–2:45 PM |
Break |
|
2:45 PM –3:50 PM |
Demonstration: Two-point perspective sketching strategies, in-class drawing exercise, feedback/discussion |
|
3:50 PM–4:00 PM |
Review of schedule and planning of deliverables for following day |
|
4:00 PM |
End of day |
Meet the Faculty
Anthony Averbeck, Visiting Associate Professor, Department of Architecture (UMass Charles River Campus)
Anthony Averbeck is a designer, urbanist, and educator whose work focuses on the intersections of housing, infrastructure, and contemporary urban life. He is Visiting Associate Professor and the 2025-2026 Design Fellow at Northeastern University, where he coordinates the undergraduate Urban Housing studio and leads a graduate research studio. His teaching and research explores how emerging forms of collective housing can address the contemporary housing crisis and informs his forthcoming book Collective Living and the Architectural Imaginary (2026), coauthored with Felipe Correa and Devin Dobrowolski. He has taught previously at the University of Virginia, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and Wentworth Institute of Technology, and has worked with practices including Somatic Collaborative, Bjarke Ingels Group, Arctic Design Group, and Leers Weinzapfel Associates. Averbeck holds degrees from Harvard University, the University of Virginia, and the University of Minnesota.
Image Carousel
Dr. Katelyn Hudson, Lecturer, Department of Architecture (UMass Amherst Campus)
Dr. Hudson’s professional and academic interests focus on energy-efficient buildings and their impacts on occupant wellbeing. Prior to joining UMass, she taught at Vermont Technical College, and Bond University in architectural engineering, construction management, and landscape horticulture departments. Additionally, she works as a designer for an architectural design firm in Vermont, specializing in ‘just big enough’ homes. Dr. Hudson earned a professional Doctor of Architecture from the University of Hawaii focusing on the overlap of biophilic design, environmental psychology, and feng shui for residential building in Northern New England. Her PhD from Bond University built upon her previous research exploring the integration of biophilic design in the built environment of Antarctica.
Image Carousel
Brian Schumacher, Lecturer, Department of Architecture (Online)
Brian Schumacher is a former full time faculty member in the schools of design and architecture at the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAA). He currently teaches foundational architecture and design studios part time and works in the fields of architecture, design-build, and museum curation. He has a book manuscript in progress titled "On the Relationship Between Empathy, Insight, and Observational Drawing - Strategies for Understanding Complex Visual Phenomena," forthcoming Spring 2027.
Image Carousel
