The Young Architect Summer Experience

Ages 15-18 • London OR Live Online

Register Now

Overview

The in-person experience is fully sold out. You can now only register for the Live Online version of this experience which begins on 12th August.

The Young Architect Summer Experience gives students aged 15-18 a 360-degree, fully-immersive experience of working as an architect in London.

Over the course of 15 days, students aged 15-18 will have some of the most prestigious experiences of architecture that one can imagine: visiting ground-breaking architecture and urban design firms and designing your own sustainable city; conducting site visits and completing a series of design projects in a studio setting under the guidance of senior architects; receiving leading architects at a private view of your exhibition, a curation of all your designs from the Summer Experience.

Also available on the Summer Experience are experiences of cutting-edge architectural software, including 3-D designs, smart technology and augmented reality and an immersive visit to the University of Cambridge.

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.

Highlights

Immersive Architectural Experiences:

  • Visit ground-breaking architecture and urban design firms such as PRP and Foster and Partners and design your own sustainable city
  • Conduct site visits and complete a series of design projects in a studio setting using architectural sketching tools and design techniques, under the guidance of senior architects
  • Pitch your final designs to a panel of architects at an iconic central London skyscraper and receive feedback
  • Use the latest cutting-edge architectural software, including 3-D designs, smart technology and augmented reality
  • Exercise your curatorial skills by hosting an exhibition of your design projects produced across the Summer Experience and have leading architects attend a private view of your exhibition
  • Private networking session with experienced architects from a range of specialisms

Senior Architects From A Variety Of Specialities:

  • Be coached through the immersive experiences with architects from world-renowned firms specialising in residential, commercial, urban design and more
  • Private networking sessions with these professionals, who can become vital connections for your future career

Personalised Career Coaching:

  • Bespoke career coaching: receive training on how to land the most desirable jobs in architecture and a dynamic, personalised development plan to reach the height of your career ambitions
  • Securing a place at a top-tier university: work alongside admissions officers from the UK’s leading universitie to map out your university and degree choices, extra-curricular activities, and work experience; and receive expert coaching on the art of personal statement writing  and the art of designing eye-catching portfolios
  • Excelling at university: take part in a private tour of the University of Cambridge; attend a thought-provoking lecture; discuss your insights with likeminded individuals; and network with leading academics
  • Master the recruitment process: crack the code to the perfect CV with industry recruitment experts and hear from senior hiring managers on what they are looking for in candidate applications, interviews and assessment centres

    Competitive Advantage In Your University Applications:

    • Attending the Summer Experience demonstrates that you’ve gained key skills such as attention-to-detail, public speaking and commercial awareness, which are highly-valued by top universities
    • Complete the online assessment after the programme and receive a personalised certificate to include in your UCAS/College applications.

    World-Class Universities And World-Class People:

    • Experience two of the best universities on the planet: University of Cambridge and University College London (UCL).
    • Meet talented and ambitious students from around the world who fly in for the summer experience, creating an invaluable lifetime network.

    Design Your Own Summer Experience:

    • Choose to attend the 15-Day, 10-Day or 5-Day Summer Experience. You can also opt to attend this Summer Experience "Live Online" choosing between the 10-Day or 5-Day Summer Experience.
    • Accommodation, meals, guardianship and airport pick-up are available if required and can be added at checkout. London accommodation is provided at University of London’s halls of residence. Evening social activities will also be provided for students booking with accommodation. 

    DAY 1 – ENTER THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE

    DAY 2 – THE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO

    DAY 3 – YOU BECOME THE ARCHITECT

    DAY 4 – FINALISING YOUR DESIGNS

    DAY 5 – PITCHING TO THE CLIENT

    DAY 6 – THE URBAN PLANNER: DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE CITY

    DAY 7 – DIGITIZING YOUR DESIGNS

    DAY 8 – PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE (Fletcher Priest Architects)

    DAY 9 – ARCHITECTS IN THE CITY (The Shard and Walking Tour)

    DAY 10 – THE EXHIBITION

    DAY 11 – CAREERMAX

    DAY 12 – ENTER CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

    DAY 13 – GRADUATE RECRUITMENT: APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS

    DAY 14 – GRADUATE RECRUITMENT: ASSESSMENT CENTRES

    DAY 15 – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: YOUR NEXT STEPS

    DAY 1 – ENTER THE SUMMER EXPERIENCE

    2.30pmStart

    Over the next five days, you will gain a first-hand experience of the Architectural design process, with guidance from Industry Experts to take you through every step of your journey:
    (i) You will master the artistry of Architectural design by receiving a complex project which you will complete in teams
    (ii) Visit a top architecture firm and get a glimpse into the everyday life of an architect
    (iii) pitch your designs to professionals and receive their personalised feedback.
    The next five days will equip you with the essential tools you need to become a successful Architect and prepare you for a flourishing career ahead.

    AfternoonThe Summer Experience Begins

    - Your journey starts here: step into the shoes of a top Architect
    - Keynote speech by the programme director: discover what the Summer Experience has in store and how to make the most of this unique experience
    - Immersive group activities: develop crucial architectural skills for the Summer Experience ahead, including creativity, teamwork, time-management and attention to detail
    - Interactive networking session: meet your fellow interns – talented and ambitious students from around the world who can act as powerful contacts for your future career

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 2 – THE ARCHITECTURE STUDIO

    11.00amStart

    MorningConduct your Site Analysis

    Your first site analysis will form the basis of your project and give you real-life experience of the daily life of a professional Architect
    - ‘The Architectural Toolkit’: Armour yourself with the tools you require to conduct a successful site analysis, with creativity, problem solving and attention to detail at the forefront
    - Visit an inner-city site and document your findings through rigorous note-taking and conceptual sketching
    - Consider the way humans interact with their lived environment: begin to understand the geographical, sociocultural, and economic circumstances that surround the project and develop your analysis based on your discoveries
    - Practise your team-work skills by discussing your initial thoughts about the brief with your group, then returning to the Architecture Studio to create a collage of your research

    AfternoonStep into the Architectural Mindset

    - ‘Meet your Architecture Studio:’ join the experienced architects, ambitious architectural students and enthusiastic teammates who make up your design studio
    - The First Design Brief: Collaborate with your teammates to analyse the client’s needs and pull together a collage of your initial ideas
    - Research Architectural precedents to find inspiration for your own projects: Consider the ways new technology and innovation in architecture can help bolster your design project and elevate your ideas
    - Understand the importance of creating a narrative in a design project and get comfortable with the process of idea generation and iterative design

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 3 – YOU BECOME THE ARCHITECT

    11.00amStart

    Your first day as a Young Architect in a professional Studio setting

    MorningEnter the World of Architecture

    - Explore the Architectural Spectrum: acquaint yourself with the many facets of Architecture, from residential to Urban Design and everything in between
    - Deep dive into the Architectural Design Process by gaining step-by-step guidance on your journey from drawing board to final construction: Body of Research, Architectural Collage, Concept Design, 3D Model, Developed Design and Presentation Board
    - ‘Unleash Your Creativity:’ Practise communicating ideas, emotions and concepts effectively and creatively through interactive storytelling and design approach activities
    - Develop your understanding of agency through a series of quick-fire drawing exercises and refine your creative problem-solving skills

    AfternoonConceptualise your Ideas

    - As a studio, pool together your research, sketches and collage in order to align on the concept that will underpin your project
    - Participate in a live drawing workshop from an experienced architect to take you through the difference between plan, section and axonometric drawings and their purpose in the Architectural design process
    - Elevate your design projects by implementing your new-found knowledge of technical drawing in your own Studio
    - ‘Cross-Crits:’ liaise with other Studio’s and size up the competition. Receive invaluable feedback from your peers to take your design projects to the next level

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 4 – FINALISING YOUR DESIGNS

    11.00amStart

    You’ve finalised your Architectural drawings and completed your research, now it’s time to push the boundaries and scale up your designs into 3D

    MorningA Firm Visit for the Aspiring Architect

    - Visit a top architecture firm and get a glimpse into the everyday life of an architect
    - Discover the different roles Architects play in a professional studio setting and recognize how to implement those team-building skills in your own practise
    - Gain hands-on experience of a firm’s work and approach to their own design briefs
    - Participate in a live panel Q&A session and network with experts in Architecture to gain invaluable advice to take back to the studio

    AfternoonScaling it Up

    - Engage in a live 3D-Physical Modelling Workshop delivered by top Architects: learn how to transform simple materials into magnificent miniatures of your Architectural spaces
    - Enter the next stage of the Design Process by taking your blueprints from 2-D to 3-D
    - Build physical structures to best visualise your designs
    - ‘Elevate Your Designs:’ Put your models to the test by experimenting with light and scale to simulate how it would be experienced as a complete, real-life construction

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 5 – PITCHING TO THE CLIENT

    11.00amStart

    Congratulations! You’ve completed your first professional Architectural design brief. Now it’s time to put your projects to the test

    MorningPresenting Your Projects

    - ‘The Finishing Touch:’ bring all your hard work together and curate your project narrative on presentation boards at an iconic London skyscraper
    - Perfect your elevator pitching skills to concisely describe your project to the client and communicate your design choices effectively
    - Have your work assessed according to official RIBA guidelines and architectural marking criteria
    - Receive detailed feedback on your work from top architects and leading experts in the field

    AfternoonCareer Coaching: How to Become a Successful Architect

    - Your path to success: understanding the key decisions ahead and how to maximise your chances of success
    - Building a successful, standout portfolio for university applications and beyond
    - Subject choices at A-level/IB/university and more
    - Securing work experience, designing impactful CVs/resumes and powerful interview techniques
    - Coaching from experienced Architects on what you can do now to stand out in the future

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 6 – THE URBAN PLANNER: DESIGN A SUSTAINABLE CITY

    11.00amStart

    You’ve just taken a deep-dive into the Architectural Design process, and completed your first project according to RIBA guidelines which has been assessed according to official Architectural marking criteria. Over the following five days, you will experience Architecture from a new perspective:
    (i) you will visit a leading urban design firm and design your own sustainable city
    (ii) gain an insight into the latest cutting-edge design software and try your hand at digitising your designs
    (iii) meet the intricate network of professionals who work together as a team to ensure the safety and production of your designs.
    Finally, you will curate an exhibition of your design projects from the previous 10 days to showcase to professionals.

    MorningSustainable Architecture

    Today you will expand your knowledge of the Architectural spectrum by designing your own sustainable city
    - Walk in the footsteps of sustainability pioneers and meet the experts in urban planning
    - Discover the technology used by sustainable architectural firms to address the most pressing climate issues in urban areas
    - Explore the challenges faced by urban planners during the design and application stages of a project-Unearth the future pathway for urban planning: delve into the architectural forms of the future and evaluate the concept of floating cities in the next generation of sustainable architectural design

    AfternoonTrend Setting Design: Construct Your City

    - The brief: work with your fellow interns to conduct an initial site analysis as you construct your own environmentally friendly urban area
    - Evaluate the key issues in a project and investigate the way communities interact with their environment
    - Research the materials and systems that will be used in your sustainable city before implementing them into your final designs
    - Pitch your finished project to leading urban planning professionals and receive live feedback

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 7 – DIGITIZING YOUR DESIGNS

    11.00amStart

    MorningThe Future of Architecture

    You’ve successfully planned a future sustainable city, now it’s time to learn how professional Architects implement cutting-edge software to transform their designs in digital
    - ‘The Digital Age of Design:’ explore the technological revolution of the Architect’s toolkit
    - Learn about the way architectural firms are using virtual reality, augmented reality, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technology to elevate and enhance their designs
    - Meet an Architectural firm employing these tools and discover the impact of new technologies on the everyday life of architects
    - Predict the next 20 years of Architectural design: how will the next generation of Architects design and create future projects?

    AfternoonFrom Pencil to Pixel

    - Digital Design at your Disposal: discover how Architects are employing games such as Minecraft to exercise their vision for built space
    - Receive a live Sketch-up tutorial by an expert: procure the top tips and tricks to visualise your designs in digital
    - Take your project and reconstruct it virtually, adding detail and precision to upgrade the design
    - Add your newfound technological skills to your portfolio and elevate yourself above your competition

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 8 – PUTTING PEOPLE AT THE CENTRE (Fletcher Priest Architects)

    11.00amStart

    MorningInterior Design

    You’ve gained all the key skills you require to conceptualise and design exterior spaces. Today you will witness the creative process behind interior design and how indoor spaces can be transformed
    - ‘From Exterior to Interior’: Take a dive into a different area of Architecture and visit an Interior Design Studio
    - Discover the creative process behind transforming blank rooms into liveable spaces: how does light, colour, material and size affect the rules of Interior decorating?
    - Understand the key decision-making process employed by designers when they receive their project brief: participate in a simulation to re-design a space in response to the needs of a client
    - Pitch your design proposal to the experts and receive live feedback

    AfternoonThe Architectural Hub

    - Identify the ever-evolving skyline of London: how has the city’s architecture evolved over the past 100 years?
    - Explore how the city’s most innovative landscape design projects have successfully reconnected communities
    - Take a tour of London’s recently regenerated areas: with your newfound architectural skills, discuss in teams alongside landscape architects how you would have revived the area
    - Quick Community Construction: reconvene with your Architecture studios to produce a concept sketch and 3-D miniature for a new design for a community park centrepiece

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 9 – ARCHITECTS IN THE CITY (The Shard and Walking Tour)

    11.00amStart

    MorningThe Architectural Hub

    - Identify the ever-evolving skyline of London: how has the city’s architecture evolved over the past 100 years?
    - Explore how the city’s most innovative landscape design projects have successfully reconnected communities
    - Take a tour of London’s recently regenerated areas: with your newfound architectural skills, discuss in teams alongside landscape architects how you would have revived the area
    - Quick Community Construction: reconvene with your Architecture studios to produce a concept sketch and 3-D miniature for a new design for a community park centrepiece

    AfternoonRevolutionising Architecture

    - Visit a prominent London skyline attraction, the Shard, and experience day to day life in a London highline office
    - Discover the latest technological advancements employed by top firms to design structures that meet the needs of society and the environment
    - Uncover the potential of architecture in forensic science by analysing investigations that employ cutting-edge techniques in spatial and architectural analysis in aid of human rights and environmental investigations
    - Develop your own understanding of the skills required in architecture and discover your own potential

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 10 – THE EXHIBITION

    11.00amStart

    Congratulations! You’ve come to the end of your journey through Architectural Design, where you have gained invaluable skills and completed several professional projects. Now it’s time to exhibit all the hard work you’ve put in over the Summer Experience

    MorningThe Architectural Showroom

    - Collaborate with your Architecture Studio to organise a Showroom to exhibit all your design projects from the Summer Experience
    - Discover the ways Architects are required to differentiate their display of 2-D and 3-D work
    - Consider how space and light impact how your projects are experienced and how best to enhance the interaction between the audience and the project
    - Write a Statement as an Architectural Studio to underpin your exhibition and present it to the Critics for feedback

    AfternoonThe Private View

    - Put your newfound knowledge to the test
    - Invite top architects to the Private View of your exhibition and practice your networking and pitching skills by guiding them through the display
    - Have your burning questions answered by those ‘in the know’
    - Receive valuable advice from experts in the field

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 11 – CAREERMAX

    11.00amStart

    Over the next five days, you will receive personalised coaching on how to succeed in each of the major milestones on the road to landing your dream job: i) securing a place at a top-tier university ii) excelling in your studies iii) mastering every aspect of the recruitment process and procuring a top job in Architecture post-university. In addition, you will receive inspirational coaching on key employability skills from high-profile figures including politicians and Olympic athletes.

    MorningEnter CareerMax

    Your future starts now: discover the essential skills needed to thrive in Architecture

    - Personal development plan: work with a careers expert in small focus groups to plan the next steps in your journey
    - ‘Big results require big ambitions’: hear from a world-class Olympic athlete on the importance of being a self-starting, ambitious individual in today’s increasingly competitive climate
    - ‘The art of communication is the language of leadership’: hear from a high-ranking politician on how best to improve your communication skills and captivate a large audience

    AfternoonUniversity Applications

    You’re in your final year of school and it is time to start thinking about what comes next

    - Inside UCAS: an interactive session with a university admissions expert, with guidance on how to ace your applications and bag your first-choice university
    - University and degree choices: making the right decisions to maximise your career potential
    - Eye-catching extracurriculars: using extracurricular activities to boost your application
    - Portfolio workshop: expert coaching on the art of portfolio curation
    - Interview training: a masterclass with senior admissions tutors from top UK universities
    - You become the admissions officer: step into the shoes of a university admissions tutor; review a collection of portfolios and interview prospective students for a place at a world-renowned creative institution

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 12 – ENTER CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY

    11.00amStart

    Congratulations! You have been accepted into your first-choice university – it’s time to start preparing…

    MorningWelcome to University!

    - University tour: tour the city of Cambridge, visit academic landmarks and experience life as a student in this vibrant city
    - Academic lecture: experience a university-style lecture led by an industry professional
    - Meet the university team: network with current university students and gain a better understanding of life as an architecture student

    AfternoonStep into the Shoes of a Student

    - The academic seminar: discuss the contents of the morning lecture in a seminar group with likeminded individuals
    - Problem based learning: work effectively as part of a team to complete a research project and plan for a knock-out group presentation
    - The group presentation: present your team’s finding to your peers and academics

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 13 – GRADUATE RECRUITMENT: APPLICATIONS & INTERVIEWS

    11.00amStart

    MorningGraduate Applications

    You’re in your final year of study and it is time to start thinking about life after university

    - Standout work experience: learn the importance of securing relevant work experience and the impetus it can add to your graduate job applications
    - Killer Portfolios: crack the code to the perfect portfolio with industry recruitment experts and hear from senior hiring managers from top Architecture firms on what they are looking for in candidate portfolios
    - You become the hiring manager: step into the shoes of a senior hiring manager working at a top global Architecture Practice as you screen a set of graduate portfolios and select which candidates you would like to interview

    AfternoonGraduate Interviews

    The graduate recruiter was impressed by your knockout portfolio and you have now been invited to interview for the role

    - Interview workshop: receive bespoke public speaking training on how best to articulate yourself during high-pressure, professional situations such as interviews and presentations
    - You become the graduate interviewer: interview candidates for a graduate role alongside senior recruitment managers and put them through their paces with a series of challenging scenario-based questions
    - Reflection: return to your focus groups and review the goals you set for InvestIN’s CareerMax week. What have you achieved so far? What would you like to work on over the final two days? What questions do you need answering?

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 14 – GRADUATE RECRUITMENT: ASSESSMENT CENTRES

    11.00amStart

    MorningEnter the Assessment Centre

    Congratulations! You have nailed the initial interview for a graduate role at a major Architecture firm and are among the top-ranked candidates invited to the final stage assessment centre

    - Graduate assessments: discover the different types of activities you will be faced with during an assessment centre and the core competencies that recruiters are looking for
    - Psychometric tests: experience a series of skills tests that will gauge your artistic and creative abilities and receive feedback on your performance
    - In tray exercise: tackle a series of challenging in tray exercises and impress your prospective employer with your calm and organised approach to work

    AfternoonThe Group Exercise

    - The task: receive an exciting group exercise brief, meet your team and establish members’ individual strengths and areas of expertise
    - Group discussion: master the art of managing discussions during group assessment centre activities as you collaborate with your team and evaluate one another’s contributions
    - Key skills: manage your time effectively and wow the assessors with your outstanding approach to teamwork and leadership
    - The assessment interview: keep a cool head as you tackle a series of challenging group interview questions and impress your prospective employer with your responses

    5.30pmClose

    DAY 15 – PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN: YOUR NEXT STEPS

    11.00amStart

    MorningPersonal Development Plan

    - Personalised feedback: receive a bespoke summary of your performance during the day 14 assessment centre, including your strengths and areas for development
    - Group reflection: return to your focus groups and reflect on what you have achieved throughout InvestIN’s CareerMax week
    - Personal development plan: work with a recruitment expert to establish your next steps and create your very own personal development plan
    - Farewell speech: a review of what you have gained from the Summer Experience, with closing remarks from the programme director

    2.00pmClose

    Fees, Eligibility and Options

    This experience is almost fully-booked and we shall close registration in the next few days.

    The Summer Experience is for students aged 15-18 and you do not require any prior knowledge. The London Experience will begin on 22nd July 2022. You can choose to attend for either days 1-5, days 1-10 or days 1-15. You can add accommodation, meals and transfers if you wish to. Listed on the table below is a breakdown of the pricing options and what is included. (There is an alternative 'Live Online' version of the experience which you can attend for either 5 or 10 days which will begin on 12th August 2022.)

    Click "Register Now" to book your place. Alternatively, if you wish to pay by instalments please email us at info@investin.org with the following information and we shall send you an invoice for a 50% deposit: student's name; date and length of summer experience; whether you want accommodation or not.

    Summer Experience Type London 5-Day London 10-Day London 15-Day
    Length Days 1-5 Days 1-10 Days 1-15
    Visit a ground-breaking architecture and urban design firm. Conduct site visits and complete a series of design projects in a studio setting
    Use the latest cutting-edge architectural software, including 3-D designs, smart technology and augmented reality
    Private networking session at an iconic London skyscraper with top architects
    5 days dedicated to coaching you on mastering every aspect of the recruitment process for the best jobs in architecture
    Summer Experience fee
    £1350
    £2600
    £3750
    Optional fee for University of London accommodation (private single rooms) with all meals and guardianship included
    £600
    £1350
    £2100
    Optional fee for London airport pick-up and drop-off (each way)
    £100
    £100
    £100
    Alternative ‘Live Online’ version of the Summer Experience (choose 5 or 10 day)
    £595
    £995
    n/a
    Venues, Dates & Locations

    London, UK

    In-Person

    22nd July – 5th August 2022

    UCL, University of Cambridge, and other locations

    Accommodation Location

    Garden Halls (University of London)
    London, WC1H 9EN

    OR 

    College Hall (University of London)
    London, WC1E 7HZ

    Download Digital Brochure - Garden Halls >>

    Download Digital Brochure - College Hall >>

    Register Now

    Live Online

    In-Person

    12th August - 21st August 2022

    11am - 4:00pm (UK time)

    Register Now

    Choose A Location Below:

    In-Person

    22nd July – 5th August 2022

    UCL, University of Cambridge, and other locations

    Accommodation Location

    Garden Halls (University of London)
    London, WC1H 9EN

    OR 

    College Hall (University of London)
    London, WC1E 7HZ

    Download Digital Brochure - Garden Halls >>

    Download Digital Brochure - College Hall >>

    Register Now

    Online

    12th August - 21st August 2022

    11am - 4:00pm (UK time)

    Register Now

    AmbitionX

    As part of your booking, you will receive 12 months’ access to our state-of-the-art tech platform, AmbitionX. Here you will find all of your programme materials and complete post-programme assessments to gain coveted ‘experience points’ to demonstrate your levels of professional development. You will also be able to access any of InvestIN’s Live Online weekend and evening programmes through AmbitionX at no extra cost.

    COVID-19 Group

    In the unlikely event that the in-person programme is completely cancelled because of Covid-19 then students will receive a refund. We have never yet had to cancel a London summer experience, having successfully delivered programmes during the summers of 2020 and 2021, with strict social distancing and excellent feedback. We shall of course adhere to all Covid-related government guidelines in place at the time of the programme and keep student safety as the highest priority.

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

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    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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