Considering a career in architecture?
Interested in design and the built environment?
Learn to think like an architect at the Spitzer School of Architecture’s Summer Career Lab.

July 10 – August 4, 2023

The Spitzer School of Architecture at the City College of New York is accepting applicants for its 2023 Summer Career Lab. Building upon the accredited curriculum of New York City’s flagship public school of architecture, the Summer Career Lab introduces architectural practice, theory, making, and thinking to those considering a career in the design field.

Running for four weeks within a state-of-the-art facility and taught by Spitzer School faculty, alumni, and graduate students led by Professor Paul Ruppert, the Summer Career Lab will be organized around a diverse series of events and exercises.

• Lectures on architectural fundamentals
• Workshops on drawing and making
• One-on-one critiques and collective pin-up reviews
• Field trips and site work
• Presentations from architects, historians, and designers
• Office tours

With an emphasis on contemporary architectural thinking and practice, the Summer Career Lab curriculum incorporates mixed-fabrication, computer-aided design, interdisciplinary research, and sustainability as core tenets.

The 2023 Summer Career Lab provides its participants—high school, collegiate, or professional—with the experience needed to make an informed career choice, competitive work for design portfolios, and skills immediately applicable to design endeavors.

Deadline for registration is Monday, July 10, 2023.

When: Monday–Friday: 9:30AM–6PM (in person)
Where: Spitzer School of Architecture – 141 Convent Ave, New York, NY, 10031
Cost: $2,525
Ages: 16 and up

Participants will receive a small kit of materials.

Professor Paul Ruppert

In 2022, Prof. Ruppert was recognized for his contributions to the school in the form of the Dean’s Service Award for Mentorship, reflective of his deep engagement with the work of architectural pedagogy in and out of the studio since joining Spitzer as a Lecturer in 2016.

Prof. Ruppert brings with him professional experience from a stone’s throw away: the Harlem-based architecture practice MOS, whose office sits just a few blocks from the CCNY campus, where he contributed to projects ranging from master planning to housing, installations, exhibition, and books. Prior to MOS, Paul worked on exhibition and editorial projects for Hume Coover Studio/suckerPUNCH. Ongoing professional work includes planning for an urban linkage along the shores of the Salton Sea and designs for a number of private residences.

Prof. Ruppert received his M. Arch from Princeton University School of Architecture, and his B. Arch from California Polytechnic State University–San Luis Obispo.

List of Tools and Materials

Like most any work, architecture employs its own set of tools to support thinking through making. A kit containing the below necessities will be provided to all 2023 Summer Career Lab participants. 

• 12” architect’s scale
• Set of drawing pencils
• Gum or plastic eraser
• Kneaded eraser
• Erasing shield
• Pencil sharpener
• Circle compass
• 8”-10” 45 degree drafting triangle
• 8”-10” 30/60 drafting triangle
• 12” roll of tracing paper
• Strathmore 200 series Approx. 9” x 12” spiral bound sketchbook
• Strathmore 300 series Drawing pad 14”x17” 70lb
• Hobby knife and blades
• 18” Metal ruler with cork backing
• Elmer’s Glue-All (White Glue)
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Roll of 1” masking tape
• 12” x 8” vinyl cutting mat
• Three foam core boards

Eligibility and More

Prior experience in architecture or design is not required. Admission is on a rolling basis. Students must be sixteen years of age by the Summer Career Lab’s start date to enroll in pre-college courses. Students enrolling in college-level courses must be eighteen years or older by the Career Lab’s start date or have completed one year of college study. The Summer Career Lab is not credit-bearing. Students must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and register for a pass here: https://www.c4wrk.com/97KHRDLPrXkp5Jza8.

To learn more about the Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture, visit us online.

Contact

For further information about our summer program including schedules, registration and payment, and refund policies please visit the Continuing and Professional Studies Program at:

160 Convent Ave – Shepard Hall Room 2
New York, New York 10031
Tel. 212-650-7312
www.ccny.cuny.edu/cps/architecture-summer-career-lab

School Contact: Michael Miller, Associate Dean, Spitzer School of Architecture

Spitzer Faculty Program Lead: Prof. Paul Ruppert