INARCH

Discover architecture as a career this summer! INARCH is an intensive six-week architecture summer program that will immerse you in the foundational theories, tools, and practices of architectural design. This UC Berkeley introductory architecture experience allows you to explore architecture as a form of cultural and spatial inquiry by combining studio work, media labs, lectures, readings, and field trips in one summer program.

This program is ideal for students seeking architecture career discovery, particularly those who already hold a bachelor’s degree in any field and are considering graduate study in architecture. Successful students develop a strong design portfolio suitable for graduate school and professional applications. Prior design experience is welcome but NOT required.

The INARCH studio replicates the intensity and rigor of an architecture summer graduate studio, giving you firsthand exposure to how architecture is taught at the graduate level. You will unpack theories and techniques of orthographic projection and model-making, and explore methods of architectural representation and collage. You’ll put these concepts into practice by applying them to a real site, program, and your design development. 

Personalized feedback on your work is central to an architectural education and is a key feature of this architecture summer program. You will have the opportunity to receive feedback through: 

This frequent and iterative feedback supports rapid learning, deepens your understanding of architectural design processes, and reflects architectural practice.

In the media component of the program, you’ll gain practical knowledge as well as historical and conceptual contexts for various modes of architectural representation. You’ll learn to use software applications for design, production, and communication of your designs and ideas. You’ll also explore 2D and 3D representational methods through drawing, modeling, presentation, and portfolio development—key skills for both architecture career discovery and graduate study.

Lectures and readings expose you to diverse theoretical and professional perspectives on architecture. This will help you to understand architecture within broader environmental, cultural, social, and spatial contexts—an essential component of a UC Berkeley introductory architecture education. Throughout the program, you’ll have the opportunity to connect some of these concepts to your studio projects.

One day a week is generally dedicated to site visits and firm tours throughout the Bay Area. You will travel with your instructors to experience significant local architecture firsthand and engage with practicing professionals, offering valuable insight into real-world architectural practice and career pathways.

Check out the other Summer Institute cohorts:

Still have questions? Read more about Applications & Admissions, Program Cost & Financial Support, Course Credit, How to Prepare, Housing & Transportation, Cancellation & Withdrawal, After the Program on the Summer Programs FAQ page.