by Anna Martin, Director for Learning and Engagement
The Center for Architecture’s Learning and Engagement Department reflects on an exciting summer when 358 students filled the Center, and Lutron’s New York Residential Experience showroom, which hosted the Design Studio Program), diving into design challenges that tackled themes including treehouses, waterfront cities, and skyscrapers. Students could be seen sketching, collaging, exploring the built environment of New York City, and presenting their hand-built 3D models to friends and family.
This summer, we’re proud to have provided nearly $25,000 in need-based scholarships thanks to generous contributions to our Annual Education Fund and proceeds from our Guess-A-Sketch and Annual Golf Classic fundraisers. Additional support comes from public funds provided by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
As part of our reflection, we asked a participant-turned-summer assistant Adam Kaiser to share his thoughts and memories of summers at the Center for Architecture. Adam has been attending summer programming at the Center since he was a rising 3rd grader and is now a freshman at Haverford College, joining us as a Summer Program Assistant.
Adam Kaiser attending a Treehouse program in 2018.
“A project that sticks with me to this day is my first treehouse class. I had just completed the papier-mâché part of the tree, and I was so excited to tell my parents, and every counselor helping me, how cool it was.”
Adam’s interest in architecture took root long before he ever set foot in the Center, but it was the range of classes—from design studio to architectural drawing to digital design to storefront design—that showed him just how much the field could encompass.
“The versatility of the classes showed me the range of possibilities that architecture can encompass and definitely solidified my interest.”
Now on the other side of the classroom, Adam brings a perspective his students recognize in themselves.
“A lot of the kids are regulars, just like I was, so I can be an example to them of what’s possible beyond the courses themselves, whether that’s becoming a volunteer someday or just seeing what a program like SketchUp can help them achieve.”
Adam Kaiser assisting a student in the Aquatecture program.
When asked what he’d tell a family on the fence about enrolling their kid, Adam didn’t hesitate:
“It’s 100% worth it, whether the student ends up enjoying architecture and design or not. The social aspect has been just as impactful for me, and field trips like The Edge or visits to architecture firms have stuck with me even more than the model-making itself.”
The Center for Architecture would like to thank the many design professionals and guest speakers who opened their spaces to the summer programs and shared their work and design-thinking strategies with our participants, including Arup, Gensler, KPF, Daniel Ash from Nelson Treehouse, the Sondra Gilman Study Center at the Whitney Museum of American Art, Tom Fruin, and the 53rd Street Library.
A special thank you to the Design Educators, Summer Assistants, and volunteers whose dedication and creativity shape these fun and meaningful experiences, and to the Center for Architecture’s facilities and front desk staff who work so hard to support the summer programs. Additional photos are available on our Facebook page.
Skyscraper program at the Edge NYC.