Architecture in the City
Join our hands-on program for high school students
Architecture in the City Workshop Series
Sketching by Hand: October 17, 2026, Register Here
Digital Design: November 14, 2026, Register Here
Model-Making: January 9, 2027, Register Here
2027 Summer Camp Dates Will Be Announced By December
Architecture in the City camps and workshops are noncredit programs offered by the College of Architecture and Planning. These are interdisciplinary programs designed for students entering their sophomore, junior and senior year of high school in Fall 2027. The camps will give participants the opportunity for a hands-on experience in model building and drawing techniques while exposing them to architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and urban planning through a design build project. The one-day workshops will offer an introduction to architecture and design concepts and is open to all high school students.
One-Day Workshop: This commuter program will be held at the College of Architecture and Planning and is ideal for all high school students. Previous architecture and design experience is not required.
Sketching by Hand: October 17, 2026
Learn the fundamentals of architectural drawing, including line-weight, perspective, elevations, diagrams and more. Students will complete multiple hand-drawing projects and designs by the end of the day. The workshop will include a visit to a nearby firm.
Digital Design: November 14, 2026
Explore software used in architecture school, such as Rhino and Revit. Students will design and complete a digital project by the end of the day. The workshop will take place in the CAP Computer Labs and access to all software will be included. The workshop will include a visit to a nearby firm.
Model-Making: January 9, 2027
Learn techniques in architectural model-making such a cutting with X-Acto knives, manipulating different materials, and conveying larger-scale designs in hand-built models. Students will design and complete a model by the end of the day. All materials will be provided. The workshop will include a visit to a nearby firm.
Workshops can be taken separately, or complete all three for a CU Denver Architecture in the City Certificate.
Price Per Workshop: $120
Discounts are provided if you register for more than one workshop: $20 discount for two workshops, $45 discount for all three workshops. Must register for two or three at the same time in order to receive discount.
Scholarships: Need-based scholarships available; option to apply is within the workshop application.
Program Highlights
One-Day Workshop
- Program led by College of Architecture and Planning instructors and architecture practitioners, college student teaching assistants
- Gain an overview of architecture and design and associated concepts
- Visit a downtown Denver firm (past firms included Shears Adkins Rockmore Architects, Gensler, and HKS)
- Lunch provided
- Session from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Both Camps
- Program led by experienced College of Architecture and Planning faculty, student teaching assistants, and licensed architects
- Sketch and build models
- Work in architectural design software
- Design, plan, and fabricate a project (all materials will be provided)
- Visit firms and project sites
- Meet and work with students from all over Colorado and the U.S.
Day Camp
- Lunch and snacks provided
- Sessions running from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Overnight Camp
- Accompanied transport to and from Denver International Airport to the City Heights Residential Hall. (If students arrive on June 20 by 1 p.m. and depart on June 27 by 1 p.m. Flights and transport must be arranged by each family.)
- Housing and all meals at the City Heights Residential Hall
- Excursions include Red Rocks, Lookout Mountain, Meow Wolf, and other after-hours activities
Examples of Camp Schedules
Registration
One-Day Workshop: Registration is $120, including a $15 non-refundable administrative and rocessing fee. Payment is due within seven days of receipt of admission email (admission is first-come, first-serve). The payment link will be provided in the same email.
Day Camp: Registration is $750 per student, including a $100 non-refundable administrative and processing fee. Payment is due within seven days of the receipt of admission email. The payment link will be provided in the same email.
Overnight Camp: Registration is $2,000 per student, including a $150 non-refundable administrative and processing fee. Payment is due within seven days of the receipt of admission email. The payment link will be provided in the same email.
Summer Camp Scholarships
Each camp has one scholarship available to cover the full cost of registration. Students will be selected based on an essay. Apply for scholarships here.
Scholarship Deadline: January 31, 2027
All applicants will be notified of their award status by February 15, 2027.
Program Partners
Support Architecture in the City
Your support enables us to continue providing a high-quality camp experience while impacting budding designers, architects and planners! Sponsorship opportunities include providing funding for student scholarships, meals, site visit transportation, building materials, and more. Sponsors will be featured on the camp website and camp materials. All gifts to summer camps are tax-deductible.
See the feedback from former students who participated in the Architecture in the City camp:
“Having the hands-on learning and seeing multiple perspectives from the different instructors was amazing.”
“I liked seeing all the firms and learning about them. I liked taking something from an idea and developing it.”
“My favorite part of camp was doing sketches. Architecture isn’t just designing, but storytelling as well.”