Youth Architecture
Opportunities

Programs

Every program is free. Every program ends with proof.

Year-round research and design programs, flexible volunteering, and a summer slate of instructor-led classes. Pick the door that fits your schedule and curiosity.

Research12 research teams · Fall 2026 cohort forming

Group Research Program

Co-author real architecture research with a student team.

Small teams of 4–6 students, each led by a Group Research Project Manager, investigate a topic in architecture and urbanism — adaptive reuse, green housing, transit design — and produce a publishable paper or article reviewed by our Research Editor.

Commitment
3–5 hrs/week · 10-week cohorts
Format
Virtual · Google Classroom + weekly Meet
You leave with
  • A published research paper or article
  • Citation & academic-writing experience
  • A reference from your project manager
Apply for this program
DesignSummer studio open for registration

Architecture Design Projects

Build a portfolio with guided design challenges.

Studio-style challenges — a micro library, a community pavilion, a sustainable tiny home — taken from brief to final boards. Students learn site analysis, concept development, drawing conventions, and presentation.

Commitment
4–6 hrs/week · 8-week studio
Format
Virtual studio with live critiques
You leave with
  • 2–3 finished portfolio pieces
  • Critique experience
  • Exposure to real design process
Apply for this program
VolunteerNew shifts posted weekly

Volunteer Corps

Earn verified service hours supporting events and community builds.

Help run workshops, community build days, info sessions, and outreach campaigns. Every shift is tracked in the portal; hours are verified by project managers and exportable for school service requirements.

Commitment
Flexible · shift-based
Format
In-person events + virtual support roles
You leave with
  • Verified volunteer hours & certificates
  • Event operations experience
  • Leadership pathways into staff roles
Apply for this program
SummerSummer 2026 enrollment open

Virtual Engagement Program

A summer of talks, tours, and challenges that make architecture approachable.

Weekly virtual sessions with guest speakers, virtual building tours, and mini design prompts. The lowest-commitment way to find out whether architecture is for you.

Led by Kimberly Ngoc

Commitment
2 hrs/week · June–August
Format
Virtual · led by Kimberly Ngoc
You leave with
  • Survey of the field
  • Q&A access to practitioners
  • Certificate of participation
Apply for this program
SummerSummer 2026 enrollment open

Architectural Design Software Class

Hands-on basics of CAD, SketchUp, and Revit-style modeling.

A structured summer class covering 2D drafting and 3D modeling fundamentals, file conventions, and how software fits the real design workflow. No prior experience required.

Led by Sindara Opaleye

Commitment
3 hrs/week · 8 weeks
Format
Virtual class · led by Sindara Opaleye
You leave with
  • Working knowledge of design software
  • A modeled + rendered final project
  • Certificate of completion
Apply for this program
SummerSummer 2026 enrollment open

Sustain-A-Build

Design and prototype sustainable structures from recycled materials.

A project-based summer program on sustainable design thinking: passive strategies, material reuse, and a hands-on scale-model build documented for your portfolio.

Led by Goodnews Ajayi

Commitment
3–4 hrs/week · 6 weeks
Format
Hybrid · led by Goodnews Ajayi
You leave with
  • A documented sustainable design project
  • Material & climate literacy
  • Team build experience
Apply for this program
SkillsMonthly · see events calendar

Skill-Building Workshops

One-off sessions on drafting, models, portfolios, and applications.

Standalone evening and weekend workshops: hand drafting, model making, portfolio prep, college application strategy for architecture schools, and more.

Commitment
1–2 hrs per workshop
Format
Virtual + in-person
You leave with
  • Specific, practical skills
  • Portfolio feedback
  • No long-term commitment
Apply for this program

Joining

How enrollment works.

One application covers everything. Tell us which programs interest you; the Admissions & Registration council reviews on a rolling basis and most decisions arrive within two weeks. Approved members get a portal account and are assigned to their program space with a Google Classroom code, meeting links, and a team.

Start your application