The Design Discovery Workshop: A Hands-On Architecture Camp for High School Students

Each year, high school students from diverse backgrounds step into the Design Discovery Workshop. It’s an immersive experience that reveals what it truly means to study architecture. This program reflects the Future Architect Fund’s dedication to cultivating emerging talent and expanding access to the profession. Through hands-on projects and mentorship, participants gain practical skills, insight into architectural education, and confidence in their creative abilities. The program equips students to navigate their architectural journey with curiosity, skill, and purpose.

A Day in the Life

Authenticity begins with experience. High school students stay in college dorms and create models in the studio. This allows them to step directly into the environment of an architecture undergraduate. Each day offers a tangible understanding of what it means to think, design, and bring ideas to life through craft. Guided by current undergraduate students who serve as mentors, participants gain practical insight and lasting perspective that strengthen their foundation for future study in architecture.

Learn, Experience, Imagine

The camp environment shapes how the teens engage with architecture from the moment they arrive. That impact deepens as they explore the core concepts of the workshop. Each day centers on three themes: learn, experience, and imagine. Campers begin by learning what it means to study design, exploring core principles alongside architecture professors through hands-on activities.

The experience expands with a visit to a leading architecture and design firm in Chicago. While there, the high schoolers witness professionals in practice and gain a deeper understanding of what it is like to work in an architecture firm. Later, during their tour of the city, exploring and sketching remarkable buildings invites each student to imagine themselves designing new spaces.

Empowering Future Architects

The Design Discovery Workshop is one initiative within a broader movement. The FAF’s approach to cultivating the next generation of architects is comprehensive. It addresses the needs of students at every stage through scholarships, technical resources, and programs that enhance education and experience. Each element is designed to support growth and professional development. More information about the Future Architect Fund’s impact can be found at https://www.futurearchitectfund.org/.