By Design
THE GERALD D. HINES COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN,
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON and WONDERWORKS present the
25TH ANNUAL SUMMER DISCOVERY PROGRAM IN ARCHITECTURE,
an intensive, hands-on studio plus lectures and field trips
8 June – 10 July 2020 | 9 am – 4 pm, Monday – Friday | University of Houston
Architecture is an art for all to learn, because all are concerned with it.
John Ruskin Edinburgh Lectures, 1853
Architecture combines practical considerations of function and sustainability with a poetics of form and meaning. Although architecture may take years to master, those who study it in college have usually harbored an intense curiosity since at least their early teens. This introductory studio with accompanying lectures and field trips will give you a broader, deeper understanding of the subject and also the opportunity to develop a portfolio for use in applying to schools of architecture should you eventually wish to do so.
The program presupposes no prior knowledge of architecture, simply a visual awareness and willingness to learn. You’ll travel back in time to some of the most interesting buildings ever and also make the acquaintance of some of the most accomplished architects of all time as well as today. You’ll visit extraordinary buildings and places in Texas, while also developing an appreciation for the architecture of the everyday landscape. Best of all, whether you decide to pursue architecture in college or not, you’ll gain a lifelong appreciation of the built world around you.
The morning session typically begins with a slide-illustrated lecture on some aspect of architectural practice, history or theory or a case study of a building, presented by a college faculty member or experienced practitioner. The rest of the day is devoted to the design of small buildings such as a food stand, studio house, pre-kindergarten learning center, café, bookstore, aviary, gallery and other buildings of similar scale. Students work through two such projects of several weeks duration using a variety of techniques – especially study models. No computer-aided drafting or modeling skills are expected or required. The program also includes two in-town field trips to visit architects’ offices and buildings of special interest during regular program hours as well as two longer out-of-town trips (San Antonio-Austin and Dallas-Fort Worth-Waxahachie) which depart early in the morning and return late at night.
By Design is open to high school students of special promise and ability who will be entering grades 10, 11, or 12 next fall or who will have just graduated from high school this spring. Admission is competitive – Wonderworks requires at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average plus a high level of achievement in relevant core subjects and comparable scores on relevant sections of the PSAT/SAT or ACT.
Tuition and fees (including supplies and field trips but not parking) are $1,250. Scholarships are available in the form of full-tuition waivers, but only for students demonstrating true financial need. Admissions are determined on a need-blind basis. No student will be prevented from participating in the program because of inability to pay tuition.
Classes are held at the University of Houston Central Campus, Monday – Friday, except 3 July. This program is meant to be enjoyable, but is also challenging and requires focused effort and commitment.
You may apply online or by mail or email. To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 1 May; early applications are encouraged and will receive early decisions in the cases of well-qualified applicants. Late applications will be considered only if space remains available.
If you have questions or need additional information, please e-mail info@wonderworkshouston.org or call 832.450.9505.