Architecture (15–18 years)

Ages: 15–18
Term: Summer
Length: 2 weeks

Architecture: Buildings and Interiors

Build your knowledge of architectural design!

Are you fascinated by structures and building design? Do you dream of designing skyscrapers or ornate pavilions?

This two-week intensive summer course is perfect for students aged 15–18 who are looking for an unparalleled insight into the world of architecture, 3D design, and interior architecture and design. 

Course dates for 2027 will be published soon. You can also sign up to our newsletter for summer course updates.

What you need to know

Summer 2027

Monday 2 August – Friday 13 August 2027 (including Saturday)

09.00–17.00 weekdays (Monday – Friday)
10.00–16.00 Saturday 7 August

Accommodation

12.00 Sunday 1 August – 10.00 Saturday 15 August

Teaching times

09.00–17.00 Monday – Friday

10.00–16.00 Saturday 7 August

Age

All students must be aged between 15–18 years at the time of attending the course. 

Experience or qualifications required

There are no formal academic entry requirements or qualifications needed to study this course. We only ask that you come with a passion for creativity and plenty of enthusiasm to develop your knowledge and skills!

English language

This course will be taught in English. We don't require you hold an English language qualification; however, we recommend you have an intermediate level of English to benefit fully from your experience and be able to communicate with your tutors and fellow students. 

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or call via +44 (0)1202 363222.

Package	Price	25% deposit
Course fee only	£1,899	£474.75
Course fee, accommodation and catering	£2,825	£706.25
Course fee, accommodation and catering plus airport* taxis	£3,160	£790.00

*Applies to London-based airports only.

Optional extras

You can choose to add the following optional extras to your course fee:

Accommodation and full-board catering
Accommodation and full-board catering plus private return taxi transfer to/from any London airport

The residential package includes full board catering, offering an engaging environment to learn, collaborate and thrive in a multicultural and international setting.

See below for further details about our residential package.

Deposit

You can secure your place on the course today with just a 25% deposit of your total fee. Choose this option when you book your place. Refer to the table above for prices. 

A camera or mobile phone to record evidence of personal work
Suitable clothing for creative activities
Notebook and pens/pencils to take notes
Plenty of warm clothes (it's the UK and although it’s the summer, it can still get cold) – there will be outdoor activities throughout
We advise bringing any personal portfolio work you may wish to be reviewed by AUB tutors
You'll receive a welcome pack containing more detail of what to bring if you're a residential student

Residential packages for 2-week summer courses (15–18yrs)

Experience life as an AUB student by booking a residential package as part of your Summer Course. You can even stay in AUB accommodation...

Six lengths of fabric of different patterns and colours hanging next to each other.

FAQs for 2-week summer courses

These FAQs have been carefully curated to answer any questions you may have about studying a creative summer course with us here at AUB.

Man kneeling on beach at sunset, holding a flaming torch above his head as a light shines down on him from the sky.

Terms and conditions for 2-week summer courses (15–18yrs)

Please read our terms and conditions before booking a summer course and contact us if you have any questions.

Safeguarding and student support on summer courses

At AUB Academy, we aim to provide the best possible experience for all students.

About this course

Explore the creative world of architecture, design and interior architecture design through hands-on workshops, studio projects, and fieldwork.

Develop your drawing, design and analytical skills, experiment with traditional and digital techniques including CAD and 3D modelling, and discover how architecture responds to culture, function, materials and the environment. With guidance from experienced tutors and industry professionals, you’ll create a professional portfolio of architectural work to showcase your creativity and support your future studies and career ambitions.

This highly practical summer course is an ideal introduction for those with a strong interest in architecture and for students studying art, design, art history, town planning, architecture, interior architecture design and other subjects related to the built environment. 

Centred around the fundamental creative processes of observation, thinking, and making, the course covers the major architectural movements and addresses issues of style, patronage, and national identity. You'll consider architectural concepts of space, form, function, and technology through a mixture of theory, practice, and fieldwork.

Through a series of workshops, lectures and a field trip, you'll explore the fundamental principles of architecture and design including form, geometry, structure, colour, light and function. Teaching both traditional and contemporary analytical skills together with a general overview of architecture design, you'll have access to 3D workshops and a specialised library providing a range of relevant material in architecture and the creative arts. 

A field trip will provide the opportunity to experience architectural landmarks first-hand, helping you connect ideas explored in the studio with the buildings and spaces around you. In addition to traditional drawing skills, you'll explore digital media (including CAD) and photometric analysis of building elevations.

Throughout the course, you’ll develop individual and collaborative projects that bring your ideas together into a professional portfolio of architectural work – giving you a valuable introduction to the subject and a strong foundation for future study in architecture, interior architecture, design and related disciplines.

Principles of architectural design
Spatial awareness
Urban planning
Course study trip
Project: ancient vs. modern
Research and sketchbook sessions
Responding to an architectural brief
Experimental design and large-scale installations
Architectural materials, structures and construction
Interior architectural design considerations
Digital drawing
Laser cutting and CAD software
Developing a 3D model
Practical workshops and themed projects
Layout and portfolio showcase
Portfolio reviews
A full itinerary of extracurricular evening and weekend activities, including a weekend cultural excursion at no additional cost

This course aims to:

Develop your working knowledge and understanding of architectural design concepts, techniques, and processes
Provide extended practical sessions to experiment with architectural processes in a higher education setting
Enable you to produce a varied folio of architectural drawings, designs and models work to demonstrate your skills and knowledge
Encourage your independent thinking and critical reflection when responding to a brief and investigating architectural design solutions
Raise your awareness of historical, contextual, and theoretical issues that influence architectural design
Provide an awareness of interior architectural design considerations and how this directly relates to core architectural design
Encourage an understanding of the relationship between theory, history and practice
Enhance your understanding of architectural design techniques; how to communicate visually and respond creatively to a brief
Improve your ability to communicate confidently and to use appropriate presentation skills

Will I be assessed?

You'll be continually assessed in a variety of ways including practical tasks, observations, assignments, presentations, and portfolio work.  

Work produced during the course will be collated into a portfolio and/or digital journal for students to add to their portfolio or for future development.

Beyond the course

This could just be the start of your creative journey! After this course, you could further your architecture skills with another summer course or look to the future and explore our creative qualifications that can prepare you to further your current career, enable you to retrain to an alternative career path or prepare you for future creative arts studies.