Summer session offers intensive course in architectural design, even for non-architects
The Rice School of Architecture (RSA) is recruiting for the second year of LAUNCH, a summer program to give students from all fields a taste of the architectural design experience.
Enrollment is open until May 4 for the immersive, four-week program that begins June 11. Students will take part in daily discussions, lectures and field trips, and before the end of the course, they will design architectural projects that address needs in the city of Houston.

Students discuss their projects during last summer's inaugural LAUNCH, an intensive program to learn the basics of architectural design. Photo by Jeff Fitlow
“LAUNCH is an opportunity for individuals from any discipline to experience architectural design and immerse themselves in a new way of thinking and working,” said Grant Alford, a senior lecturer in architecture and LAUNCH faculty coordinator.
He noted participants do not need to have any experience in architecture, just the interest and enthusiasm. “LAUNCH students are passionate about the possibility of exploring design — the level of intensity and range of techniques and ideas the students are exposed to mean they’re working hard and having a great time doing it.”
Students also do not need to be registered at Rice. Visiting students may apply for admission through Rice’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies, which is administering the program on RSA’s behalf.
LAUNCH brings a whole new constituency into Anderson Hall,” said RSA Dean Sarah Whiting, the William Ward Watkin Professor of Architecture. “Whether or not these students go on to enroll in architecture schools, they will all leave with an appreciation for architecture. As the most public of the arts, architecture should have the most public of audiences. LAUNCH helps form that audience.”
Find more details about the program at the LAUNCH website.
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