We are now accepting applications for STUDIO FIRST 2021

Dates for 2021 Sessions:
May 19 to June 24 – online
July 21 to August 26 – online
Visit our website for more information.

Here’s what participants said about last summer’s online program

“Overall, the experience exceeded all of my expectations. The instructors were professional and extremely helpful. It was a perfect mix of hands-on learning, and academic content. I would recommend this to anyone looking to pursue a career in design or architecture."

“The experience was well worth the money and time. It gave students of all skills the ability to learn hard skills needed for master’s studies in architecture. The instructors were knowledgeable and patient and really did a great job teaching us fundamentals. They were also passionate about architecture and you could tell they really wanted us to succeed.”

“I am very pleased with how the course turned out. Lectures, studios, and digital labs were recorded and uploaded the same day. My instructors responded to all my messages quickly and were available to answer questions in the evenings and weekends. If you are in the same situation where you have to work but are interested in this course and getting started in architecture, I would encourage you to give STUDIO FIRST a try.”

"STUDIO FIRST presented a wonderful opportunity during a trying time. It successfully engaged numerous perspectives and backgrounds into one solid online program. The confidence, work, and creativity of all those involved grew exponentially in just five weeks. And I have personally seen an improvement not just in my own work, but also in my critical thinking and speculative thought."

"I had a very positive experience with STUDIO FIRST. It was definitely an intense workshop, but you gain an impressive number of creative and technical skills in just five weeks. The workshop does a great job of showing how students with diverse backgrounds can potentially find their niche in architecture. The instructors and professors are all very knowledgeable and friendly, and the entire environment is supportive and encouraging, which goes a long way towards making architecture school seem a lot less intimidating for non-architecture students."

"The online STUDIO FIRST worked very well. It allowed us to work on our projects and still get feedback when needed. It was also nice to be able to zoom in on images in Figma which I feel would be hard to do with an in-person pin-up."

"STUDIO FIRST was a jam-packed five-weeks of learning and creating. It's the perfect introduction for anyone looking to explore graduate studies in architecture or simply exercise their creativity and critical thinking skills. The approach to teaching is hands-on so you quickly see the progress you and your peers make throughout the course and the variety of lecturers brings a diversity of thought that is very impactful. I highly recommend this program!"

"I came into STUDIO FIRST intrigued by architecture and left knowing I was going to pursue it after my undergrad degree. From the technical to the theoretical, this course gave me a solid foundation on which to think about and see spaces in entirely new ways. Along the way, I learned how diverse, creative, and far-reaching a discipline architecture is. Thank you to the instructors for their warmth and dedication, and thank you for an inspiring and awesome course!"

"I think all the instructors did a really great job! They explained everything well and pushed all of us to do our very best. They didn't baby us, but gave us critical feedback to help us improve our work and make it the best it could possibly be."

"STUDIO FIRST is not just for producing aesthetic pieces but a space to intently plan and process your innovation by adding to your arsenal of digital and communication skills. It is not just successful but memorable, and I have created many relationships that I will carry throughout my architectural journey."

"I was kind of worried we would miss out on the full experience with STUDIO FIRST being delivered online. However, throughout the five weeks, the delivery was seamless with professors who provoked our passion for architecture through various projects, with guest lectures that exposed us to professional architectural work, as well as graduate students who were open and honest with project critiques and their graduate school experience. Not to mention, I got to meet a lot of talented peers who encouraged each other and learned more about myself."

"STUDIO FIRST taught me to be fearless when it comes to creating content that represents my ideas. With the many techniques that were introduced to us, I always found a way to visualize and communicate my ideas."

"I had a great experience in STUDIO FIRST. The instructors were engaging and passionate about the material. Through the project critiques, I was able to grow from the feedback I received. I grew close with others in the class despite being entirely online. I've learned a lot about the way that architecture is taught at the university level and the expectations if I ever choose to enroll."

"It honestly was so much more than I had expected! It was a very well-rounded experience on so many fronts — the scale of the projects, the range of drawing software, the insights into different thesis topics, and highlighting the vast opportunities possible with an architecture degree."

"Great experience! I learned so much in such a short amount of time. Would highly recommend!"