CAED/Architecture Summer Career Workshop
Workshop dates - June 28th - July 24th, 2026
Registration will open February 13th at noon
Cal Poly’s 4-week Summer Career workshop provides high school students with a unique opportunity to explore architecture and design. Through a combination of hands-on studio work and academic instruction, the program builds critical thinking, design skills, and an understanding of architectural ideologies, preparing students for future study and careers in architecture and related fields. Through the “studio” experience, students are introduced to design fundamentals such as composition, light and shadow, space and sequence, texture, and materiality as well as computer applications, structural engineering, site design, and community planning.
Another key component of the workshop as a career-discovery experience is to expose students to related fields in architecture and the built-environment, such as architectural engineering, landscape architecture, city and regional planning, and construction management. Projects are designed to introduce different aspects of these professions with a focus on architecture.
Typical enrollment is around 80-85 students in the workshop. Projects are led by faculty in the architecture program, with the total group broken down into smaller student studios led by recent graduates of our architecture program that act as both mentors and guides.
All the work created through the program is collected and archived through the development of a portfolio which can be used to apply to universities who require a portfolio for admissions. The work is also showcased in a final gallery exhibition open to parents, families, and supporters on the last day of the program.
From this 4-week immersive experience students will:
- Explore their interest in architecture as a field of study and career, as well as adjacent fields in city and regional planning, landscape architecture, architectural engineering, or construction management.
- Develop design thinking through project-based assignments
- Exposure to iterative and process-based learning through sketching and physical model making.
- Learn to work in a collaborative environment not only with faculty and recent graduates but also with peers through group assignments.
- Build a design portfolio to showcase work completed during the workshop as well as to use when applying to college.
- Introduction to 3d modeling programs.
- receive a certificate of completion.
- visit local architecture firms and project visits.
This video provides a great sense of the workshop!
Typical Daily Schedule
The Architecture Summer Career Workshop begins with check-in on Sunday, June 28th, and culminates in a gallery exhibit on Friday, July 24th, with check-out immediately following.
The workshop studios are in session from 9am-4pm Monday through Saturday.
Unlike lecture-based learning that many students are familiar with, in the workshop students are so engaged with hands-on projects they quickly realize that this time passes quite fast!
A typical day looks like...
| 7:00 - 8:45 am |
Wake up and have breakfast in the dining hall |
| 9:00 - 10:00 am | Group lecture, project briefs, and project reviews |
| 10:00 - 12:00 pm | Studio time |
| 12:00 - 1:00 pm | Lunch |
| 1:00 - 3:00 pm | Studio time |
| 3:00 - 4:00 pm | Workshops (portfolio, 3D modeling, sketching) |
| 4:00 - 5:00 pm | Recreational activities + down time |
| 5:00 - 7:00 pm | Dinner |
| 7:00 - 10:00 pm | Recreational activities + down time |
| 10:30 pm | Quiet time + lights out |
| Tuesday nights | Dinner and a lecture |
| Thursday nights | Our famous San Luis Obispo farmers' market + dinner |
The summer workshop is a fast-paced program, and important information is covered in every class. Students are expected to attend all classes and be present every day for the full four weeks of the program.
Social activities which are equally important to the academic life of the workshop, with both evening and Sunday activities. We have many recreational activities led by current Cal Poly Architecture Students as well as beach days and pool time.
Note: Campers 16 and over can pay an additional fee to go to the Cal Poly Recreation Center
Who Can Attend (requirements)
Registration is based on the following requirements:
- Students must be a minimum of 16 years old to attend, and must be in high school, consequently most students are rising juniors and seniors (This age limit is new this year)
- Students that are graduating this year from high school can attend the camp if they are not over the age of 18 for the entire duration of the workshop
Do I Need Any Experience to Attend?
No prior experience with architecture, design, drafting, or art is required!
The workshop is a hands-on introduction to the design studio, which is the core of architectural education. The program is designed to spark curiosity, challenge the way you think, and help you take meaningful steps toward your academic and creative goals. Most students attending the workshop have had no prior experience, all are welcome!
Campus Housing or Commuter
Dorm Life
Almost all the participants of our camp reside on campus in Cal Poly's residence halls, where they are introduced to the rhythms and expectations of university life. Supervision is provided by live-in counselors who are current Cal Poly architecture students, offering both mentorship and guidance. Through this residential experience, students develop personal responsibility, social awareness, and lasting peer relationships. The program serves as a supported introduction to college life, balancing independence with structured supervision.
The camp is housed in Cal Poly's South Mountain dorms. Please see this link to the dorms. Some amenities are not offered for the summer program, but this should give a general idea of the housing arrangements.
Please note that university police require a level of supervision of minors that may be more structured than some students currently have at home. This supervision is in place to ensure student safety, comply with university and state regulations for minors, and provide a secure and supportive residential learning environment.
Commuter
Students who live locally (within driving distance of Cal Poly's campus) may apply as a commuter to the workshop. Students must be staying with a family or relative in the central coast area while attending the workshop. The responsible adult must provide students with supervision, lodging, and meals while the student is not in class for the duration of the camp. Students are not allowed to stay in hostels, hotels, or other housing arrangements. Students found in violation of this policy will be immediately dismissed from the program.
Commuters are provided with daily lunch, Tuesday night dinners, and are able to participate in some recreational activities, but they cannot spend the night in the dorms or stay for dinner.
Fees
| $7300 |
Full tuition This covers all expenses for the workshop with the exception of 4-5 meals on the students' own. |
| $3600 |
Commuter fee For local students that do not need lodging. This includes daily lunches and Tuesday night dinners. |
How to Apply|Registration
Registration will open on February 13th at noon.
Registration is handled through Cal Poly Conference and Event Planning. If you have questions regarding the registration process, please email cep@calpoly.edu or call 805-756-7600.
For More Information
If you are interested in this summer or a future summer, please be sure to sign-up on our email Interest List. And, if you have further questions, please contact Summer Career Workshop Director Angela Bracco at archsummerworkshop@calpoly.edu.
Updated 01.30.2026