HiArch
Week 1: July 21–25, 2025
Week 2: July 28–August 1, 2025
HiArch will meet from 10am–4pm daily at the UIC School of Architecture. Students may register for Week 1 only, or for both Weeks 1 and 2 in combination. Week 2 focuses on model-building and is open only to students who have completed Week 1, either in 2024 or in a previous summer. See below for further details about each week’s programming.
What HiArch Includes
- Instructor-guided studio work, including one-on-one instruction and feedback.
- Guided software tutorials.
- All necessary model-making supplies and materials.
- Use of School of Architecture facilities, including studio space.
- Printing (all required printing will be provided).
- Several guest lectures with faculty, working professionals, etc.
- Two lunches provided by the school per week.
Student Requirements
- Participation is open to rising high school freshmen through graduating seniors.
- All students must provide their own laptop that meets our computer specifications.
- Students must provide their own lunch for three days each week.
Week 1
Participants will work through a series of studio projects using handmade and digital media to dive into building designs using the basic architectural concepts of plans and elevations. There will be time at the end of the day to discuss each student’s efforts with fellow participants and the faculty. Lunch lectures by guest faculty members and practicing architects will show students the kinds of architectural work being done in Chicago and around the world. Week 1 activities will include digital drafting. Students will conclude the week with a building design and multiple drawings of the structure.
Week 2
The model-building workshop is open to students who have participated in HiArch in previous summers, as well as new students enrolling in the program for a full two weeks. Students will use the drawing and modeling skills learned in Week 1 to further develop their structures through an iterative design process and add detailing to the structure and spaces. In-depth workshops, demonstrations, and experimentation sessions will help students become familiar with the types of tools and technologies used by architects today.