Architecture Summer Camp Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Every architect can pinpoint a defining moment in their education that left a lasting impact in their mind. For a growing number of high school students this moment is happening during Architecture Summer Camp in the School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. With the success at the conclusion of this year’s camp SARUP celebrated its 10th anniversary of hosting the camp. Over the past ten years this week long camp has seen many individuals influenced by members of the Milwaukee architectural community as well as professors and college students alike. The camp began in 1996 with the goal to better link the School of Architecture and Urban Planning to the local community and directly to the youth. It has felt a significant increase in popularity as the camp has grown from 15 students to 32 with a supplementary waiting list, which is a great sign of its success and the excitement which lies in the years to come.

In addition to its growth in popularity the camp has also spread beyond the local community to draw students from all over the United States to the city of Milwaukee. This past year students from Illinois, Nebraska, Washington, and Missouri participated. The program takes place at SARUP, which is the only accredited school of architecture in the State of Wisconsin. The camp is staffed by instructors and program specialists from UWM and by members of the professional architecture community. The success reached at the summer 2006 camp was directly related to the hard work and educational dedication of Professor Jim Dicker, who is the Director of the Camp, Professor Snyder, Instructor of the Camp, and Tammy Taylor, Assistant Director who assisted them in his efforts. Professor Gil Snyder, Professor Jim Wasley, Professor Mike Utzinger, Ella Pienovich BSAS 2006, and Michael Hacker M.Arch 2007 were all integral parts of the teaching, guiding and mentoring throughout the camp.

To meet the educational goals of the camp the curriculum is pedagogically organized around three major areas of instruction: design studio, workshops, and site visits. Each activity has been carefully calibrated to provide students with an instruction to the wide range of tasks undertaken by the architect.

The center of the week’s activities is based in the design studio. Students develop three design projects which address fundamental issues of space-making in architecture. These projects are modeled after similar projects at the university level and have proven to be an invaluable introduction to the issues and principles confronted by architectural designers. Karlton Lattimore, a 2006 summer camp participant from Harold S. Vincent High School, a MPS school in Milwaukee, comments on what these elements taught him. "I grasped the concept of perceiving an object and its space. This, in turn, taught me how to focus on the bigger picture." The design projects are created within the studio setting, which is culminated with an exhibit of student work on the final day of camp, concluding the week. Professor Jim Dicker and Professor Gil Snyder’s instruction focused on developing architectural design skills and includes the study of drawing techniques, physical model-building, and strategic design decision making.

A series of workshops are conducted addressing a variety of issues in architecture will supplement the studio curriculum. At the university level SARUP teaches to design in three dimensions, and teaches to do so through 3D computer software. One computer workshop directly relates this teaching to projects pursued within the design studio. A workshop led by Professor Wasley introduces students to a rapidly growing area of protecting our architectural heritage. The design work which students produce over the week will be documented in an architectural photography workshop. With the use of the SARUP Media Center photography lab the students are introduced to some important considerations and techniques in architectural image capturing and the importance of portfolio development. Professor Mike Utzinger conducts the final workshop which deals with the influence of one of Wisconsin’s most important architects, Frank Lloyd Wright.

The careful inspection of existing buildings and spaces is the final aspect of Summer Camp and is a critical part of any architect’s education. During the week of study, four site visits have been organized which will enrich each student’s understanding of the profession and the existing built environment.

The first site visit began with careful examination of historic fabric of Milwaukee East side, which surrounds UWM. This neighborhood is characterized by outstanding examples of architect designed home, and a nationally famous urban landscape designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead. Professor Snyder led this tour. This was followed by a tour of downtown Milwaukee lead by Paula Vermoomen of Hammel, Green and Abrahamson, Inc. The downtown boasts am impressive list of historic and modern buildings, along with public spaces modeled on European precedents.

A visit to Kubala Washatko Architects, a local architectural firm, exposed students to the wide range of formal organization systems architects employ in conducting their practice. Vince Micha from Kubala Wasatko Architects spoke to the students in regards to these topics and led an insightful tour of a building under construction and one recently completed. The last type of site visit addresses the architecturally significant structures: Miller Park, the Milwaukee Art Museum and Wingspread a Frank Lloyd Wright designed residence. "It’s not often you get to actually be inside a work of art. I enjoyed being there and physically experiencing a masterpiece," Karlton Lattimore speaks of his experiences.

The week is culminated in proper fashion with the exhibition of student work. At this event students are given the opportunity to present their design projects, sketch books and workshop materials to a range of professionals within the architectural field, as well as SARUP faculty and SARUP students. The students are awarded with their certificate of completion of camp and given a CD of photos taken throughout the week. Each year this festive occasion is a highlight of the week, bringing together friends, family and SARUP faculty and staff to celebrate another successful architectural summer camp.

The steady growth, and increase in popularity proves to be a positive sign for the future of the camp. With this increase comes additional support from local individuals and architectural firms. As an example of this continuing support, the camp has been offered many scholarships that support minority students with the financial obligation of the camp. The anticipation for the 2007 Summer Architecture Camp has begun and preparation is underway. The School of Architecture and Urban Planning is looking to continue the success of this program and is anticipating a thriving future.

For more information on the Architecture Summer Camp or for a student application please contact Tammy Taylor, Assistant Director of Camp via email: ttaylor@uwm.edu or by phone: 414.229.4015.