Application deadline
19 June 2026
Enrollment deadline at 12 pm Pacific Time.
In-person Program
JumpStart Summer Institute – Introduction to Architecture
JumpStart introduces architectural design through studio projects, physical and digital models, instructor feedback, and portfolio development.
Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Introduction to Architecture at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
High school diploma or equivalent
Age range / Year group
Ages 18+
Location / Region
UCLA, Los Angeles, United States
Cost
From $3,610
Duration
4 weeks
Format
In-person
Latest deadline
19 June 2026 · Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Get next-cycle reminderArchitectureDesign
Accommodation: Optional independent UCLA housing
Meals: Optional housing: 14 meals weekly
Campus experience: Architecture studio, seminars, guest lectures
Academic outcome: 6 UCLA units; letter grade
Portfolio support: Fourth-week workshop and final review
Sessions / cadence: Monday 10–6; Tuesday–Friday 2–6
Introduction to Architecture summary
JumpStart gives beginners a practical introduction to architectural design through studio exercises, technical instruction, and theory seminars.
Students develop drawings, physical and digital models, and an ADU design, then present their work to guest critics.
Its strongest appeal is the combination of individual feedback and portfolio development for anyone testing an interest in design.
What is JumpStart Summer Institute – Introduction to Architecture?
JumpStart is UCLA Architecture and Urban Design's introductory architecture studio, offered through UCLA Summer Sessions. It combines instructor-led design work with Technical Seminars, Theory Seminars, and group sessions. Students practice communicating ideas through drawings, physical models, and digital designs.
The studio topic uses the Monsanto House of the Future to investigate architectural components, space, and construction. Students develop an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, beside the house on a Los Angeles site. Individual feedback, portfolio work, and final presentations connect the design process with further architectural study.
Why Succeed highlights Introduction to Architecture
The ADU project gives technical exercises a coherent design problem to solve.
Physical modeling and digital representation let students test more than one way of developing architectural ideas.
Individual feedback and guest-critic reviews make revision and communication part of the learning experience.
The portfolio workshop allows students to connect new projects with their existing creative work.
Graded UCLA coursework provides an academic outcome alongside the design portfolio.
Who is Introduction to Architecture for?
Best for
Beginners who want to test architectural design through making, feedback, and portfolio development.
Not ideal if
You want a casual sightseeing experience or a program that supplies all equipment and organized housing.
Is Introduction to Architecture worth it?
JumpStart is a strong option if you want to discover whether architectural studio work suits you. A sustained design project, instructor feedback, and portfolio development offer more useful evidence of that interest than lectures alone.
The commitment deserves careful budgeting because administrative fees, equipment, and independently arranged housing can add to the program fee. College credit can be valuable, but transfer is decided by the receiving institution. Attendance at UCLA Summer Sessions also does not confer an admissions advantage to a UC school.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
From $3,610; includes UCLA coursework unit fees within the program fee, Studio instruction and technical and theory seminars, Weekly software and fabrication-tool tutorials, Fourth-week portfolio workshop, Final presentations and reviews.
Accommodation
Optional independent UCLA housing
Meals
Optional housing: 14 meals weekly
Provider details
Review the UCLA Summer Sessions provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
4 weeks; UCLA, Los Angeles, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Introduction to Architecture need?
Effort level
High for an introductory program.
Best started
Plan six to eight weeks before the next session starts; allow longer for international travel and visa arrangements.
Main challenge
Developing a design while learning unfamiliar representation and model-making methods.
Typical preparation
Confirm that your laptop meets the requirements and arrange the Rhino trial.
Gather the listed drawing and model-making supplies before the studio begins.
Select existing creative work to discuss during the portfolio workshop.
Plan housing, commuting, and any credit-transfer approval alongside enrollment.
Useful if
You want a portfolio and a realistic taste of architecture study.
What do students do on Introduction to Architecture?
You investigate how architectural components create space, then develop those ideas into an ADU design. Studio feedback, technical tutorials, and presentations help you refine both the project and how you communicate it.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Analyze the Monsanto House of the Future and its architectural components.
- 2
Explore thresholds and a kit of parts through design exercises.
- 3
Arrange and transform components to investigate space, form, and construction.
- 4
Develop physical models, digital models, and architectural drawings.
- 5
Design an ADU beside the Monsanto House on a Los Angeles site.
- 6
Review portfolio work in the fourth-week workshop and present final designs to guest critics.
Introduction to Architecture dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
22 June-17 July 2026
Los Angeles field trip
25 June 2026
Scheduled JumpStart field trip.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 19 June 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-17 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Los Angeles field trip | 25 June 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
Be at least 18 when Summer Sessions begins.
No previous architecture knowledge is required.
International students may enroll.
An architecture career goal is not required.
How much does Introduction to Architecture cost?
Program fee
From $3,610 — Full-program fee varies by student type.
Funding or discounts
- Other program-fee options: $4,264; $4,384 — Additional published student-type program fees.
- Registration fee: $175; $350 — UC and non-UC student rates; non-refundable.
- University financial aid: Eligible UCLA and visiting UC students may qualify through their university.
What's included
UCLA coursework unit fees within the program fee, Studio instruction and technical and theory seminars, Weekly software and fabrication-tool tutorials, Fourth-week portfolio workshop, Final presentations and reviews
How to apply to Introduction to Architecture
- 1
Review JumpStart's eligibility and requirements before starting registration.
- 2
Use the official institute form and select College/Professional Institute, then JumpStart.
- 3
Complete the required questions and any uploads requested by the form.
- 4
Follow the registration email instructions for payment, the waiver, and the participant agreement.
- 5
Set up MyUCLA as instructed and verify remaining charges through BruinBill.
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What does Introduction to Architecture cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Architectural representation
Practice orthographic and parallel projections to communicate architectural space and form.
Physical model-making
Build analog models using manual and digital fabrication tools.
Digital modeling and drawing
Develop existing and original designs using Rhinoceros and Adobe Illustrator.
ADU design studio
Use analysis of the Monsanto House of the Future to design a neighboring accessory dwelling unit.
Portfolio and presentation
Review portfolio work and present your final design to guest critics.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Introduction to Architecture?
A typical day during the program.
Monday
Studio, workshops, and seminars run within this window.
Tuesday–Friday
Studio, workshops, and seminars run within this window.
Summer Lecture Series
Lectures usually take place in Perloff Hall Decafe.
Portfolio workshop
Bring previous work for review alongside your JumpStart projects.
Who teaches on Introduction to Architecture?
Summer Programs Director Julia Koerner is a UCLA Architecture and Urban Design faculty member whose work spans architecture and 3D printing; Associate Director Morgane Copp is an architectural designer and lecturer. Students work with an assigned studio instructor and attend lectures by UCLA faculty and guest designers.
Where do students stay on Introduction to Architecture?
Residential plan
- Independent housing option: Eligible students can apply separately for a UCLA Summer Sessions housing contract.
- Room setup: The 2026 housing offer uses Olympic Hall deluxe triple rooms without room-type preferences.
- Housing meal plan: The separate housing contract requires the 14 Regular meal plan, providing 14 meals weekly.
- Housing supervision: Summer Sessions does not provide supervision for at-large housing contracts.
Non-residential plan
- Commuter studio: JumpStart teaching takes place in an assigned UCLA campus studio.
Independent housing is separately booked and charged; contract dates must cover the full program stay.
What happens after Introduction to Architecture?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Build a design portfolio for future design-program applications.
Earn 6 UCLA units through Architecture & Urban Design 103.
Receive a letter grade for completed coursework.
Gain experience presenting design work to guest critics.
Test your interest in architecture and related design fields.
Credit transfer is decided by your receiving institution; Summer Sessions attendance does not confer a UC admissions advantage.
Where does Introduction to Architecture take place?
JumpStart takes place on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, where Architecture and Urban Design is based in Perloff Hall. The experience includes a Los Angeles field trip and faculty and guest lectures exploring architecture and design culture.
Introduction to Architecture FAQs
No. JumpStart introduces architectural design, and previous knowledge is not required. Students with modeling experience can extend their skills through technical workshops.
No. It welcomes anyone interested in idea-driven design and design thinking, including people exploring related fields.
Yes. You can bring previous work to the fourth-week portfolio workshop and combine it with projects developed during JumpStart.
The coursework is Architecture & Urban Design 103, worth 6 units, with a letter grade upon completion. Credit transfer is decided by your receiving institution.
JumpStart is a commuter program. Eligible students may apply independently for UCLA Summer Sessions housing, which is separately charged and has its own contract dates.
Bring a suitable laptop, computer mouse, Rhino trial, and the listed drawing and model-making supplies. The laptop recommendation excludes MacBook Air and Chromebook models.
Yes. International students may enroll and may qualify for an F-1 visa. Students subject to I-20 requirements must complete the relevant documentation and visa process before travel.
Successful completion requires no more than three excused or unexcused absences. Plan other commitments around the studio, seminar, and workshop schedule.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- 2026 Summer Sessions Housing Rates | Housing
- Summer Sessions Housing | Housing
- UCLA Architecture and Urban Design | Summer Programs: JumpStart, TeenArch
- International Student Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Fees, Payment and Financial Aid - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Calendar and Deadlines - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Registration - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Registration - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Payment Information - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Fees, Payment and Financial Aid - UCLA Summer Sessions
- Enrollment and Academics - UCLA Summer Sessions
- FAQ - UCLA Summer Sessions
- JumpStart Summer Institute – Introduction to Architecture - UCLA Summer Sessions
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)
Program identity checked
Eligibility reviewed
Enrollment deadline checked
Student-type fees reviewed
Schedule and outputs checked
Independent housing reviewed
International requirements reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
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