Summer Programs
Analytical Summer Abroad (required for all 5 1/2 year students)
Following their third year of study within the 5 1/2 year curriculum, all architecture students are required to successfully complete the ARCH330 Analytical Summer Abroad - a European study tour conducted annually by the School of Architecture.
The purpose of the summer abroad program is to gain a learned understanding of the origins and nature of the western cultural landscape and its architecture within the context of the mission of the School of Architecture at Andrews University. This course suggests that the study of diverse cultures not only brings about awareness and appreciation for foreign ideas, but that it may also increase one's understanding and appreciation of cultural struggles and treasures at home. In specific, the program seeks precedent-setting European cities, towns, and villages which may provide models for shaping places today. Students are challenged to draw knowledge from these places through study, analysis and documentation, as well as through cultural immersion. The program seeks to introduce students to a range of environments, from rural to urban, from mediterranean to scandinavian, and from vernacular to classical. Venues currently include Rome, Pienza and Tuscany, Paris, Bruges and Flanders, as well as Stockholm and central Sweden.
As part of the course's objective, architectural knowledge is primarily gained through the process of analytical drawing and documentation and is reinforced through on-site lectures and critical discussions on history and theory. Integral to this process is the discussion of western landscapes and architecture in the context of God and the good of human beings.
Special Topics in Waldensian Beliefs - This elective course (RELG360-041) is conducted annually by Kathleen Demsky and includes a 9-day trip which takes place in the month of June. The trip takes students to the Piedmonts in Italy to study the history, faith and culture of the Waldenses. The course compares the simplicity of the Waldensian homes and villages with the display and flamboyancy of other architectural developments of the same period. This, in essence, contrasts the belief of a Christ-centered life versus a life based only on human traditions and doctrines.
The study of the Waldensian history is to give students background in a community of faith. The purpose for the study of this topic is to bring to the student not only the historical and spiritual perspective, but also a personal experience of faith. The student will be challenged to assess his or her own spiritual development and courage throughout life. The trip to the Piedmonts follows a series of classes at Andrews University. Among other places, the trip visits an ancient abandoned village that was inhabited at one time by the Waldenses. This village is located in the Piedmont Alps in Northern Italy, the homeland of the Waldenses. In addition, the trip visits other sites and museums in order to enhance first-hand knowledge of the area and its people, both past and present.
Summer Studio (for transfer students) - In some cases, completion of the Summer Studio program is best for transfer students. Prior to application, students must have a transcript analysis done by the School of Architecture to determine if the Summer Studio is best for their situation.
Summer Studio Course Descriptions
ART104 Introduction to Drawing
Drawing the human figure, still-life objects, adn architecture to facilitate the development of observational and expressive skills. Basic drawing approaches, methods, tools, media, and systems of perspectives are explored.
ARCH126--Drawing and Graphics Studio
Introduction to freehand drawing and architectural drawing graphic conventions. Exercises include freehand and drafted drawings of building plans, sections, and elevations, and an introduction to three-dimensional representation.
Application to Summer Studio: A $300 (U.S.) non-refundable deposit is necessary to facilitate this process. The deposit will be applied to the summer tuition. Payment should be made out to Andrews University, The School of Architecture. Contact the School of Architecture for schedule dates and times.
Renaissance Kids Summer Camp Renaissance Kids is a summer architecture program developed and taught by Associate Professor, Mark Moreno for kids ages 6-14. By a wide assortment of fun, educational hands-on activities, the program promotes ideas that relate to and reflect theoretical and practical architectural lessons of Andrews Universityís School of Architecture. On the practical side, these ideas include: learning to use the tools and conventions necessary for the architect to convey ideas through drawing and modeling; understanding proportion, scales, texture, hierarchy, rules of perspective etc. Theoretically, the lessons of Renaissance Kids respect history, and the notion that architecture affects us culturally, physically, socially, and emotionally.
While each exercise is designed to teach and hone skill sets, there are always philosophical bases that stretch the young minds for understanding our own selves as humans, citizens, neighbors and the like. For instance, the kids may be asked to measure and draw existing built conditions to understand the field work of an architect, but as statistics tell us that a certain percentage of the population depends on accessibility accommodations, the curriculum may insist that this work be done from a wheelchair. Simply, Renaissance Kids respects and hopes to challenge each child to tap his/her creative, intuitive, and inquiring sense of self and place.
For more information visit: www.renaissancekids.weebly.com
Urban Design Studio Field Trip (for students in their 5th year) - As part of the course requirements for ARCH521 Urban Design Studio, all students in their 5th year of study participate in the annual urban design field trip. The purpose of this 10-day trip is to help prepare the studio for the following semester-long urban design project. Towards this aim, the studio visits a variety of historically significant towns and cities, which exhibit some of the best urban form in the United States. In addition, the trip takes the students to several recent New Urban developments under construction. Venues on past field trips have included Savannah (Georgia), Charleston and Beaufort (South Carolina), Mariemont (Ohio) and new communities such as Habersham and I'On (South Carolina), Norton Commons and Park DuVal (Kentucky) as well as City West in Cincinnati (Ohio).
Church Street in Charleston, South Carolina