an architect creating a 3D design using a laptop

The Young Architect Summer Internship

London • Ages 15-18 • Timezone: GMT+1

23rd July - 1st August 2021

Starts at 2.00pm

Internship Overview

The Young Architect Summer Internship is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for aspiring architects to undertake the work experience of their dreams in London.

Over the course of 10 days, students aged 15-18 will have some of the most prestigious experiences of architecture that one can imagine, with experienced architects guiding and supporting you at every stage: conduct site visits, design buildings in a studio using RIBA official processes, build 3D models, use augmented reality, and present your designs to a panel of experts who will give you live feedback.

The Internship will also include visits to top architecture firms and universities, including Cambridge, UCL and UAL.

Join us for a life-changing experience that will serve as an outstanding differentiator on your university application form and set you up for a future as a successful architect.

Internship Highlights

Covid-19: We are proud to report that our Summer 2020 Internships did go ahead as planned in London, with strict social distancing measures in place. The feedback was outstanding, averaging 9.2 out of 10!

You can therefore register with confidence. Full details of our Covid-19 policy are set out later on this page.

Immersive Architectural Experiences:

Conduct site visits and then design buildings in a studio using official RIBA processes, under the guidance of senior architects
Present your final designs to a panel of architects and receive feedback
Make use of 3-D models, sketches and photographs
Use the latest cutting-edge architectural software, including 3-D designs, smart technology and augmented reality
Visit top architecture and urban design firms

Meet Senior Professionals From the World of Architecture:

Be coached through immersive design experiences with high-ranking architects, urban designers, commercial consultants, and more
Private networking sessions with these professionals, who can become vital connections for your future career

Personalised Career Coaching:

Bespoke career coaching: you will work with leading recruitment experts to create a dynamic, personalised development plan to help you reach the height of your career ambitions. Identify your strengths, weaknesses and areas you need to develop further.
Training on how you can get into some of the most desirable architecture practices, starting now: A-level/IB, university and degree choices; extra-curricular activities; work experience; portfolios and interview techniques
Portfolio workshop: learn what a portfolio is and how to curate your ideas in a portfolio format, ready for interviews

Competitive Advantage In Your University Applications:

Attending the Internship demonstrates that you’ve gained key skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, innovative design, advanced analysis and real-life application of theoretical concepts, all of which are highly valued by top universities. You might also mention in university applications and interviews that you’ve undertaken architectural work under the guidance of professionals
Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate to include in your university and job applications

World-Class Universities And World-Class People:

Gain an insight into life as a student at three of the most well-renowned universities for architecture: University of Cambridge, University College London and University of the Arts London.
Meet talented and ambitious students like yourself from all around the world – an excellent start to building your network.

Design Your Own Internship:

Choose to attend the Full Internship (10 days) or Half Internship (5 days)
Accommodation, meals, guardianship and airport pick-up are available if required and can be added at checkout. London accommodation is provided at UCL’s halls of residence. Evening social activities will also be provided for students booking with accommodation.

Programme Fee, Format & Options

The Internship will take place on: 23^rd July – 1^st August 2021

You can choose either the Half Internship (5 days) or the Full Internship (10 days)

Listed on the table below is a breakdown of the pricing options and what is included. Places are highly limited. The only way to guarantee your place is to click 'Register Now' and enter your details.

In select circumstances, we can offer payment by instalments, which requires a 50% deposit. To speak to a Student Experience Manager about your personal circumstances please click here OR email us at info@investin.org OR call us on +44 (0) 203 488 5089.

Highlights	Half Internship	Full Internship
Days of Timetable	Days 1-5	Days 1-10
Walk through the design process step-by-step with a leading architect
Design your own bespoke commission, being coached at every stage by top professionals
Visit a top architecture firm and gain a glimpse into the life of a successful architect
Experiences at three of the most prestigious universities offering architectural degrees: UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, UAL Central Saint Martins and the University of Cambridge
Personalised career coaching: curate an attention-grabbing portfolio, master the art of interviews and network with your peers

Price
Internship (without accommodation or meals)	£1350	£2600
Additional price for London accommodation on UCL’s campus with all meals and guardianship included	£600	£1350
Additional price for London airport pick-up and drop-off (each way)	£100	£100

Timetable

DAY 1: ENTER THE INTERNSHIP

DAY 2: ENTER THE STUDIO: PART I

DAY 3: ENTER THE STUDIO: PART II

DAY 4: VISIT TO AN ARCHITECTURE FIRM

DAY 5: DESIGN AT SCALE

DAYS 6-8: YOUNG ARCHITECTS ON TOUR

DAY 9: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY

DAY 10: EXHIBITION AND INTERNSHIP REVIEW

2.00pmThe World of Architecture

- Keynote speech by the Internship Director
- Experience the key skills required for breaking into the world of architecture
- Explore the architectural spectrum: residential, commercial and everything in between
- Become the architect: understand your role and expectations for the Internship

2.30pmThe Design Process

- Discover how to progress your ideas from the drawing board to reality. Walk through the design process with a leading architect, step-by-step:
1. Body of Research
2. Architectural Collage
3. Concept Design
4. 3D Model
5. Developed Design
6. Presentation Board
- Practise communicating ideas, emotions, and concepts effectively and creatively through interactive storytelling and design approach activities.

4.00pmUnlock Your Creativity

- Develop your understanding of agency through a series of quick-fire drawing exercises
- Refine your creative problem-solving skills
- Understand the importance of creating a narrative in a design project
- Design thinking: get comfortable with the process of idea generation and iterative design

7.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

9.30amYour First Design: The Brief

- Your architectural project begins:
- Over the next two days, you and your team will be commissioned to design a pavilion. You will be coached at every stage by top architects and given constructive feedback on your work:
- Meet the experienced architects, ambitious architectural students and enthusiastic teammates who make up your design studio
- Analyse the client brief; understand the geographical, sociocultural, and economic circumstances that surround the project
- Practise your problem-solving, analytical thinking and team-working skills by discussing your initial thoughts about the brief with your group.

10.30amCircular Design Principles

- Explore innovative solutions used by architects to tackle climate change
- Consider the ways in which your own project can be used to create social impact

12.00pmLunch Break

1.00pmCircular Design Site Visit

- Visit a site which has implemented the circular design principles you encountered in the morning
- Draw inspiration from this existing precedent for the benefit of your own project

5.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

10.30amSite Visit

- Visit of the location in which your first design project is based
- Practise site analysis and discuss your vision for your first brief

11.30amYour First Design: The Concept

- The design process begins. Create your:
1. Body of Research – understand the site context and local community
2. Architectural Collage – draw inspiration from the everyday or the extraordinary
3. Concept Design – align on the concept that will underpin your project

1.00pmLunch Break

2.00pmYour First Design: Development

- Formalise your designs. Progress to your:
4. 3D Model – visualise your design: build physical models and utilise cutting-edge 3-D software
5. Developmental Design – expand upon your design; consider the finer details
6. Presentation Board – convey your vision; inspire and persuade

4.00pmFeedback Session

- Showcase your initial designs
- Receive invaluable feedback from architects

4.45pmCareer Coaching

- From the classroom to the studio: expert advice on how to make it as an architect
- Insight from those in the know on how to build a winning portfolio
- Comprehensive coaching on how to get into a top university to study architecture

5.30pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

10.00amVisit to Top Architecture Firm

- Visit a top architecture firm and get a glimpse at the everyday life of an architect
- Hands-on experience of a firm’s work and design approach
- Understand the difference between a concept plan, developed plans and section drawings

11.00amDrawing Workshop

- Develop your ability to communicate your ideas through sketching in a workshop delivered by top architects
- Learn about the architectural tools and methods that architects use to communicate and express certain ideas and mechanisms
- Practise producing more useful and informative sketches

1.00pmLunch Break

3.00pmDesigning at Scale: Updated Brief

- Receive new information about your original brief
- Discuss in your groups the changes you need to make to meet the demands of the updated brief

4.00pmSite Visit to New Brief Location

- Practise site analysis in your groups and discuss your vision for the updated brief

5.00pmClose

*exact programme subject to change without notice

9.30amDesigning at Scale: The Concept

- Take your designs to the next level when you receive new information from your client
- Incorporate your concept and project narrative into your scaled design
- Learn to work at scale under the guidance of experienced professionals

12.00amDesigning at Scale: Finalising

- Bring all your hard work together and finalise your designs and presentation boards
- Curate the narrative of your project
- Perfect your elevator pitch skills to concisely describe your project

1.00pmLunch Break

2.00pmThe Final Presentation

- Present your final design
- Have your work assessed according to architectural marking criteria
- Receive detailed feedback on your work from top architects

4.00pmQ&A & Reflection

- Live panel Q&A with architects, consultants and designers from an array of disciplines
- All your burning questions answered by those in the know
- How to use your Internship projects to build your portfolio

5.00pmClose

- Half (5-day) interns depart

*exact programme subject to change without notice

Urban Design Firm Visit

- Visit an urban design firm, learn about the work they do and visit one of their projects
- Learn about urban design as a civic responsibility, the interconnectivity of cityscapes, reading and mapping the city, and how to balance working with developers and councils

Explore Top Universities

- Explore three of the most prestigious universities for getting into architecture: UCL Bartlett School of Architecture, UAL Central Saint Martins and the University of Cambridge and see what they have to offer
- Understand the difference between technical and creative architecture degrees
- Explore some of the most iconic UCL and UAL buildings and sites. Explore key architectural sites on an Architecture Walking Tour around Cambridge. Conduct site analyses, mini sketches and discuss the different approaches to urban design employed by the designers
- Network with UCL, UAL and Cambridge students. Get their advice on how to secure a place at a leading university for architecture and receive top tips for how to improve and perfect your portfolio

The Future of Architecture

- Learn about the way architectural firms and practices are using virtual reality, augmented reality, smart technology, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology to elevate and enhance their designs and projects.
- Discover the impact of new technologies on the world of architecture and the everyday life of architects
- Hear from leading experts about how their practices and firms have been using technology to change the way they approach and work on their briefs.

Return to the Studio!

- Return to the Studio to combine the tools, materials, and insight you have received to build a final, detailed model of your revised project
- Be prepared to present and talk about your project at the exhibition

11.00amPortfolio Workshop

- Understand what a portfolio is and how to curate one that stands out from the rest
- Learn the importance of creating a strong narrative and showing process in your work
- Grasp the hierarchy of information and how you present projects in portfolio format

1.00pmLunch Break

2.00pmInterviews

- Coaching on how to excel at the interview stage of a university application
- Preparation; style; body language; understanding what you are really being asked; answering difficult questions; practising how you talk about your architectural projects
- Mock interviews to refine your interview technique, receiving feedback on how to improve

3.00pmNetworking & Work Experience

- Coaching on how to get the work experience that architectural firms are looking for – both traditional forms of work experience and other relevant experience that will make your application stand out, including extra-curricular activities
- How to make the most of work experience once you get it – impressing employers and using this as a gold star on your CV
- How to build a network of aspiring and experienced architects and utilise that network to propel your career

4.00pmClose

9.30amFinal Exhibition

- Refine your exhibition: consider lighting, space and framing.
- Present, discuss and receive feedback on your work from friends, family, and experienced architects

12.00pmInternship Review

- A review of what you have gained during the Internship
- How to use this once-in-a-lifetime experience as a springboard for your future
- Farewell speech by Internship Director
- Interns depart

Venue & Dates

University College London (UCL) and Other Locations

23rd July - 1st August 2021

Programme Location

UCL, University of Cambridge, University of the Arts London and other locations.

Accommodation Location

Garden Halls (University of London)
1 Cartwright Gardens
King's Cross
London
WC1H 9EN

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You can download a full digital brochure of Garden Halls, by clicking below:

Download Digital Brochure

Who Can Attend

The Internship is for students aged 15-18 who have the passion and ambition to both learn about this career and start boosting their university/college applications & CVs. If you are a student who is slightly older or younger than our guidelines, then please do get in touch with us to discuss your specific situation.

You can secure your place simply by clicking “Register Now”.

There is no application process. We operate on a first-come first-served basis and programme places are highly limited. We expect to be fully-booked for our 10 day Summer Internships several months in advance so advise you to register as soon as possible.

No prior knowledge or experience is required to join this programme as we build your knowledge from the basics up to more advanced concepts.

COVID-19

Our Summer 2020 Internships in London went ahead as planned with strict social distancing measures in place. The feedback was outstanding, averaging 9.2 out of 10!

We are therefore very confident that the 2021 Internships will be able to take place too. In the unlikely event that the Internship is completely cancelled because of Covid-19 then you will receive a refund.

(If you pay via credit because you postponed a previous booking then the credit note will be reissued to you in full).

You can view our Covid-19 risk mitigation measures policy document here. This will be constantly updated; we shall follow all government guidelines in place at the time of the Internship.

Testimonials

We exist to give students a life-changing experience. We are proud to report that we have an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 on Google Reviews. Our Google reviews can be read in full here, and some highlights are below.

Support

If you are trying to register and the registration box is not appearing it is likely because of firewall restrictions on your desktop device. You may wish to try on your mobile device instead. Alternatively, please email info@investin.org with details of the programme you want to register for. We will reserve your place immediately and send you a link to pay by card online.

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