Overview
YArch's curriculum mirrors the structure and rigor of graduate education at UIC. The program's core is a studio project that immerses participants in the discipline of architectural design.
Supporting workshops introduce participants to the basic history, theory, and technology of the field. A special emphasis on the graphic presentation of architectural work -- including photography, diagramming, and digital techniques -- provides participants with the skills to create a portfolio for graduate applications.
The program capitalizes on its location, mining Chicago's rich architectural history while examining the metropolis as a site shaped by issues of contemporary design. On sketching trips, walking tours, and visits to architecture firms, YArch participants apply new ways of seeing and thinking to their urban surroundings and gain exposure to architecture practices in Chicago and beyond.
YArch instruction is led by a core group of School faculty, with additional faculty serving as guest lecturers and jurors in studio critiques. In 2008, participating faculty included Grant Gibson, Kyle Reynolds, Ryan Palider, Bob Somol, Doug Garofalo, David Brown, Paul Preissner, Sarah Dunn, and Xavier Vendrell. (For bios, visit the School's faculty page.)
