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Short course

Architecture for 16 to 18 Year Olds Short Course

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<p>Architecture for 16 to 18 Year Olds Short Course | On campus</p><p>Image: Architecture, spatial and interior design | Freehand Perspective Drawing for Designers | UAL Short Courses</p>
A practical and research-led short course exploring architecture, spatial design and sustainable practices. This course follows on from the Architecture for 11 to 15 Year Olds Short Course.
Next start months
June 2026
July 2026
August 2026
Tutor(s)
Sarah Harkins
Price
From £730.00

Course description

Course overview

Taught through a combination of lectures, practical exercises, and discussions, this one-week short course provides insight into understanding contemporary and sustainable practices for architecture and spatial design.

Students will work in teams to complete a project exploring the idea of adaptive reuse; the practice of repurposing existing buildings for new uses rather than demolishing them and building anew.

They will explore and research radical strategies, and work on mapping exercises and architectural drawing tasks to form an architectural approach to a given building site. As part of the course, students will also work individually on a model-making task to develop their own 3-dimensional response using materials provided on the course.

Please note that to achieve the most out of the course, students will be expected to attend the full week and engage with any assigned weekly tasks outside of class.

Who this course is for

This course offers a more focused and in-depth architectural learning and is for those who have an interest in studying architecture at pre-degree and undergraduate level. The course is designed for 16 to 18 year olds and will include a trip or visit off-site.

Key information

Topics covered

  • Good practice in architectural and spatial design, including sustainable approaches
  • Aspects of practical methods involved in architectural processes
  • Working in small teams and independently to carry out research and respond to an architectural brief
  • Using analogue skills to present and communicate ideas
Learning outcomes

Over the week, students will learn to identify and build an understanding of processes and methods that can be used to showcase creative architectural thinking. They will:

  • Work in teams and individually, creating ideas and form finding that respond to briefing, research and instruction
  • Design and build an experimental structure using the materials provided (bamboo rods, cable ties)
  • Consider design, impact and structural improvements to the site 
  • Expand individual approach and thinking – considering context, function and user interaction
  • Present their findings through models and drawings
  • Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
For practical information about our kids and teens courses, take a look at our kids and teens information hub. This includes details of our policies on safeguarding, food allergies, learning requirements and online study.

Materials

  • If possible, please bring a digital camera or phone for recording research and the process of making work
  • You may also want to bring any sketchbooks or pens you enjoy using

Tutor

Sarah Harkins

Sarah has over 20 years working in industry, developing professional and creative skills that she utilizes in the educational arena.

Having graduated from The Royal College of Art in 1996 with an MA in Interior Design and Architecture, Sarah has worked for both large and small practices, across the retail, leisure and office sectors.

Sarah taught at Regent’s University London, School of Fashion and Design on the Interior Design BA from summer 2012 and on the integrated Foundation Course since 2015.

Since 2019, Sarah has taught on the 3DDA Architectural Spatial Design specialism at CSM Foundation Course, CLASP and Creative Practice programs in 2019/20 and 2020/21 and on the FAD Plus course in Summer 2021.

As an educator, Sarah focuses on the theoretical approach and building students’ understanding of materiality, making and embedding narrative exploration in architecture and spatial concepts. She combines this with working as a practitioner and running her own company, Another Designer, ensuring she is aware of current trends and innovations within design and architecture.

 

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