This post is brought to you by UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design
The College of Environmental Design (CED) at UC Berkeley was the first college to combine architecture, landscape architecture, and city planning in one entity. This happened in the 1950s, and throughout the years, students have benefited from CED’s interdisciplinary approaches, as well as the strengths of the college’s individual departments alike. For example, CED has been consistently placed in the Top 10 QS ranking in the category Architecture & Built Environment.
In 2022, the CED Summer Programs are in their ninth year and continue to build their success upon the unique tradition and achievement of the college. Summer Program participants consistently give the programs and their instructors excellent reviews. Additionally, CED Summer Programs alumni have been admitted to graduate degree programs at Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, UCLA, Yale, and last but not least, UC Berkeley.
The faculty and staff of the CED Summer Programs are excited that these intensive, full-time courses are back on campus in 2022, after two years of online instruction. This summer, students will have the opportunity to engage with UC Berkeley faculty and leading innovators from around the San Francisco Bay Area. Program participants will also have the chance to undertake hands-on projects and go on exciting site visits. With expert guidance, students will immerse themselves in the processes of creating built environments. They will explore the methods and theories of environmental design, experience the culture of planning and design studios, and learn to apply a range of representation techniques. Most of the intensive courses don’t require any previous knowledge of environmental design. Each program also includes lectures, workshops, discussions, and field trips.
What makes the CED Summer Programs different from other summer courses and beneficial to its students? “For one thing, it is the intensity. For four to six weeks (depending on the program), students are on campus every day. They work in teams and on individual projects, as well as very hands-on in studios, where they spend many hours per day”, says Michaela Ballek, Director of Summer Programs at CED. “They are taught and guided by expert faculty and supported by experienced graduate student instructors. Most importantly, they are constantly challenged in their thinking. Each program is very rigorous and demanding, as much as rewarding for the students.”
Younger students – in high school and college – explore different aspects of environmental design in an interdisciplinary approach, whereas college grads and young professionals choose between architecture (beginning and advanced), landscape architecture, and urban planning. In all cases, previous design experience is not necessary, but it does not exclude someone from participating either. Programs are designed to be challenging for everyone, with enough support built-in so that every student will succeed and grow during that time.
Students who attend one of these programs receive a certificate of completion and credit on an official UC Berkeley transcript. They will also work alongside peers who have similar interests and forge new and exciting friendships. International students are an integral part of each program and contribute with their specific backgrounds.
Applications are accepted until several dates in May – please note that the deadlines vary by program, and also depend on whether the student needs a visa or not. Domestic students that learn about the programs after the deadline has passed, can contact admissions (via the email addresses provided on the CED Summer Programs website) to get on a waiting list. Sometimes, spaces become available after the deadline has passed.
The following full-time programs are offered:
embARC - rising high school juniors and seniors: This immersive four-week summer design program allows high school students to build their portfolio for their college applications in any area of environmental design - architecture, city planning, and landscape architecture.
Students explore architecture, urban design, and sustainable city planning through integrated components: an Architecture + Urban Design Studio, a Sustainable City Planning Workshop, a Digital Design Workshop, and an Environmental Design Conversation Series. Classes include ample studio time, one-on-one critiques, and "live" gallery showcases. Students will also go on field trips, and design and build a project for a local non-profit organization. No prior experience in environmental design is necessary.
Participant response: “As a student [of the embARC program] …, I learned so many new things including technical skills - learning how to create 3D structures in Rhino 6 and use Adobe Illustrator; creative skills - creating a portfolio design; time management - participating in a college class; and collaborative skills - giving and receiving feedback. [I also had] a chance to connect with my peers who have similar interests. Thank you ... It was great!”
Disc* - current college students: Undergraduate students who are interested in exploring the Design & Innovation for Sustainable Cities should consider this five-week intensive program. Students from any department and any college are welcome to apply themselves in this interdisciplinary program on how to approach urbanism's wicked problems.
Guided by UC Berkeley faculty, Bay Area urbanists, designers, makers, and entrepreneurs, Disc* students confront the most pressing challenges of global urbanization, applying innovative people-centered design. During seminars and lectures, studio workshop sessions, site visits, and fieldwork, students have the opportunity to develop and test their own creative ideas while working with some of the most forward-thinking researchers and practitioners from the Bay Area design community.
The program is built upon four main platforms. Seminars establish a theoretical framework for the program. A Guest Lecture Series exposes students to some of the most renowned and forward-thinking researchers and practitioners in the Bay Area. Fieldwork and site visits will give students an opportunity to engage directly with the dynamic built and natural environments of the Bay Area, using it as a living laboratory for study.
Finally, studio sessions and digital workshops are at the core of the program, honing fundamental making skills and empowering students to craft their own design solutions. Working in teams, students develop a project from design conception to prototyping, and present the final results of their work to instructors and guest critics.
Participant response: "Disc* challenged me to think more critically and globally, and it also sparked a newly discovered passion... I will continue pursuing this passion in the future, and what I'm taking away from Disc* will carry into the future. I feel truly accomplished, and having the chance to do it all in the Bay area is something I will never forget!"
Summer [IN]stitute – post-baccalaureate: This program is open to college grads and young professionals who want to test their passion for environmental design. Some consider a career change or plan on applying for a graduate degree in one of the areas of environmental design. The [IN]stitute welcomes participants from across the globe.
There are four different programs to choose from Architecture (beginning and intermediate level), Landscape Architecture, and City Planning. No prior design experience is necessary, except for the intermediate level Architecture program which only admits students who are in their final year of an undergraduate architecture program or have already earned an undergraduate degree in architecture.
Participants in the Summer [IN]stitute explore the methods and theories of the respective disciplines, experience the culture of design and planning studios, connect to top faculty and practitioners, and build a portfolio for graduate school application. In six intensive weeks, students have the opportunity to prepare a competitive design portfolio. Students of the Summer [IN]stitute have been accepted to graduate programs at Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and Yale.
Participant response: “The Summer [IN]stitute was a life-changing experience. I would have never learned as much as I did without this course, met the people I met, and overall feel as inspired as I do. Not only do I have so many amazing things to add to my portfolio and my resume, but I've made friends and a great network.”
All programs will start at the beginning of July. Application deadlines are generally in May – but it is highly recommended to start your application as early as January.
Attending any of these well-regarded programs will allow aspiring designers to challenge themselves and to grow as an individual and as a designer.
More information: UC Berkeley Environmental Design Summer Programs
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