Pre-College Program in Architecture
Tuition-free program.
The Pre-College Art & Design Experience (PCADE) at the Academy of Art University is a tuition-FREE art and design education program for high school students. Removing tuition as a barrier is in alignment with the university’s mission to be inclusive in offering art and design education to everyone.
The Architecture pre-college program offers two options of learning modalities. Students can learn in person on our San Francisco campus or online via Zoom. Classes are offered fall, spring, and summer.
The program is a great way to get hands-on experience in a fun and low-stakes environment. Curious to learn about what architects do? Interested in finding out whether you’d like to pursue it as a college degree? Find out!
For students who have already made the decision to apply to college as an architecture major, our program can help you build your portfolio. This program is not for college credit.
- Eligibility: 9th grade through 12th grade High School students
- Onsite Location: 601 Brannan St., San Francisco (0.2 mile from Muni / 0.3 mile from CalTrain King Street Station / 1 mile from BART Powell St Station)
- Duration: Summer sessions meet in June for 2 weeks onsite and virtual. Fall and Spring sessions meet for 6 Saturdays on Zoom. Intensive meets for 3 Saturdays on Zoom.
- More information: https://www.academyart.edu/art-degree/pre-college-art-design-experience/
- FAQ: https://www.academyart.edu/art-degree/pre-college-art-experience/faq/
Apply at this link https://www.academyart.edu/apply-for-pre-admission/
Course Offerings
AE ARH 10 Architecture and the City (onsite): Architects ask big questions: as online shopping grows, brick-and-mortar stores close. And as remote work becomes prevalent, office buildings sit empty. How can we repurpose the empty buildings? Dream big and explore ideas for urban design strategies. Collaborate and fabricate hands-on creations in our Makerspace. Through field trips, experience San Francisco through the eyes of an architect. This course must be taken concurrently with AE ARH 40 Architecture Maker Lab.
AE ARH 40 Architecture Making Lab (onsite): Architects develop ideas by making. “What if?” questions are tested and refined in drawings and models in an iterative design process. Gain hands-on experience of this foundational design skill in our Maker Lab using woodworking and digital fabrication tools. This course must be taken concurrently with AE ARH 10 Architecture and the City.
*AE ARH 10 Architecture and the City & AE ARH 40 Architecture Making Lab are offered onsite and should be taken together. This is to take full advantage of the lab resources we have available on our campus.
AE ARH 30 Art in Architecture (Zoom): Architectural design is an exercise in creating three-dimensional compositions for people to inhabit. Reinterpret a 2D painting as a 3D structure to imagine immersive spatial experiences. Unlock new discoveries for translating ideas. Create abstractions of the 2D painting to create architectural spaces.
AE INT 03 Pavilion Architecture (Zoom): Buildings with a clear design concept offer memorable experiences for people as they move through and engage. Taking inspiration from pavilions by renowned architects, develop a design concept based on how you want people to feel in your architecture. Working iteratively, make a physical model to visualize your design concept.
Student Work from 2024
Please click on this link to see photos and videos of student work!