Architecture and Interior Design Discovery Camp 2021

Alan Frost
Architecture Professor, Judson University

The goals of the Design Discovery Workshop at Judson University are to expose high school students to a meaningful experience with design education, the design profession, and life at a premier Christian university. In this week-long workshop, we introduce the foundations of Architecture and Interior Design, including actual college-level projects that are taught in our design courses.

In the University’s design studios located in the world-class Harm A. Weber Academic Center, workshop students explore formal and spatial exercises and multi-step projects focused on divergent thinking and creative problem solving. We take advantage of Judson’s close proximity to Chicago – the best architecture city in the country – by spending a day touring historically significant and compelling contemporary buildings in the Loop.

We also walk students through the process of becoming an architect or interior designer, and give them experiences of what it’s like to work in a design firm. We schedule visits from multiple designers and alumni of our accredited program to come and talk about life as a design professional. This past summer, we also took students to visit the office of Perkins+Will during our trip to the Chicago Loop. Perkins+Will is one of the most prestigious design firms in the world; our visit was an opportunity to see amazing work and meet practicing architects and interior designers at the top of their field.

And it’s not all about architecture and learning. From sleeping in the dorms to eating in the dining hall, we want to give a full experience of what it’s like to be a student at Judson University. We give plenty of free time to explore the different amenities on campus, and provide opportunities to explore off-campus entertainment as well. And while our campus and location is excellent, the best thing about Judson is the people. Our sincere hope is that students build meaningful relationships at Judson University – with the faculty and staff, with our current students, and with other Design Discovery students.

Beyond the all of the experiences above, the Design Discovery Workshop at Judson University strives to present the aspect of our accredited program that makes us unique from all others: our Christian mission. Our honest endeavor is to present Christ at work in our school and the architectural field. It is our hope that the lessons of this week will result in participants learning to think in new ways and to discover a better understanding of God’s will for their lives.