InArch

InArch is an intensive six-week program that will immerse you in the foundational theories, philosophical principles and technical practices of architectural design. You will learn fundamentals of design, experience studio culture, and engage in architectural discourse through studio and media instruction, lectures, field trips, readings, and project reviews. 

InArch is geared towards post-baccalaureate students who are considering graduate study in architecture. Successful students build a quality portfolio that can be used for further academic pursuits on a graduate level. No previous design experience is necessary.

In the studio component, you’ll unpack theories and techniques of orthographic projection and model-making, as well as explore methods of architectural representation and collage. In the final project, you’ll put these concepts into practice by applying them to a site, program, and design.

Personalized feedback on your work is central to an architectural education. In InArch, you will have the opportunity to receive feedback in three ways: direct feedback in studio (also called a desk review), pin-ups, and final reviews. In direct feedback, your instructor reviews and discusses your work with you one-on-one or in a small group. A pin-up is a slightly more public method of critique in which you display (“pin up”) your work for the whole cohort to see; your classmates and studio instructor respond to your working methods through themes of the assignment. In the final review at the end of the program, you present your work to invited guests, as well as classmates and instructors.

In the media component of the course, you’ll gain practical knowledge as well as historical and conceptual contexts for various modes of architectural representation. You’ll learn to use software applications for design, production, and communicating your designs and ideas. You’ll also explore 2D and 3D representational methods through drawing, modeling, presentation, portfolio development. 

Lectures and readings expose you to various ways of thinking through, with, and around architecture. Throughout the program, you’ll connect these concepts to studio projects.

On most Fridays, you will travel with instructors to sites of architectural interest across the Bay Area.

Still have questions? Read more about Applications & Admissions, Program Cost & Financial Support, Course Credit, How to Prepare, Housing & Transportation, Cancellation & Withdrawal, After the Program on the Summer Program FAQ page.