Launched in 2019, the Rice Architecture Summer Immersion program aims to diversify the field of architecture by providing comprehensive academic guidance, cultural enrichment and disciplinary exposure to underserved high school students from the Houston community
Initiated by Associate Professor Reto Geiser in collaboration with Associate Research Professor Carolyn Nichol, director of the Rice Office of STEM Engagement, the two-week camp allows participating students to improve their knowledge of careers in architecture while developing skills that will enhance their college readiness.
Application to a university-level architecture program often includes the submission of a design portfolio. Meeting this requirement can be almost insurmountable for potential students without access to resources needed to produce and showcase creative work and to demonstrate design potential. Another challenge is preconceived notions of what architecture entails, which is reflected in a common focus on drafting rather than creative aptitude and critical thinking.
This program provides an environment where students are empowered to produce creative work that engages critical thinking skills and receive mentorship on portfolio development and college admissions. This experience helps participants articulate why they want to study architecture, which is critical for a successful application to Rice and comparable architecture programs.
Engaging in hands-on projects, students test design concepts in multiple types of media, work on exercises in 2D and 3D, and expand their knowledge of architecture and design principles. Students experiment with model making, freehand drawing, and other forms of creative production in both group and individual settings while building a network of peers. These activities are supplemented with construction site visits and building tours, providing a well-rounded understanding of the architectural profession.
As part of this tuition-free summer program, rising high school juniors and seniors interact with Rice architecture faculty and undergraduate and graduate students, allowing current Rice students to gain teaching experience. Rice alumni and other architects from the Houston area contribute to the program as role models, providing the participants of the summer program with a sense of the career opportunities available to them. Participants are hosted in a residential college on the Rice campus, an integral aspect of the program that provides a firsthand, holistic experience of college life.
For more information on the Rice Architecture Summer Immersion program, please visit https://arch.rice.edu/public-programs/summer-immersion.
Reto Geiser
Associate Professor
Co-director of Undergraduate Studies
Rice University School of Architecture