Ever dreamed of designing your own house plans like a real architect? Did you play games that create different structures, buildings, and houses? Experience New Trier's exciting architecture and design course and turn that ambition into reality! Step into a scaled-down architectural firm and studio where you'll develop design skills and thinking routines that bring your creative visions to life. Plus, you'll have a blast doing it!

What You'll Explore:

• Architectural Design: Imagine, discover, and create your own 3D and 2D drawings and physical models. Learn to translate your ideas into 3D designs with industry-standard software like Revit, Google Sketchup, Illustrator, and AutoCAD.

• Build Your Portfolio: Throughout the year, you'll build a diverse portfolio with innovative and outside-the-box work. From energy-efficient sustainable homes to creative community spaces, your designs will stand out.

• Real-World Projects: Engage in hands-on projects such as:

  • Analyzing Housing Styles: Explore and develop different housing styles to understand their unique characteristics and design principles.
  • Kit of Parts: Design based on constraints, inspiration, and purpose, creating functional and creative solutions.
  • Tiny Home: Imagine and design a tiny home with blueprints that emphasize sustainability and innovative fabrication.
  • Common Space: Solve real-world problems with human-centered design for city infills and community gathering spaces.
  • Dream House Design: Create a full blueprint set for your own dream house, showcasing your personal style and design skills.
  • Proun: Analyze a painting to design a structure based on its hierarchy, pushing the boundaries of creative thinking.

• Dual College Credit: Earn 3 college credits while still in high school, giving you a head start on your college education.

• Graduation Requirement: This course fulfills the graduation requirement for fine and/or practical arts.