The UH Design Experience Summer Programs are for high school, college, and degreed professionals looking for a potential career in architecture, interior architecture, and/or industrial design. Design Experience provides a culturally enriched, learning-by-doing introduction to the different design disciplines available for undergraduate and graduate studies at the University of Houston Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design.

No previous experience in architecture, industrial design, or other design fields is required.

In addition to design projects, the architecture programs include lectures on architectural history and technology, building case studies, and field trips to buildings of special interest in Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin.

Design Experience is taught by the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture and Design faculty, giving students the opportunity to participate in portfolio workshops in preparation for the undergraduate or graduate application process.

Architecture Program for High School Students

The Hines College/Wonderworks architecture program for high school students, called From the Ground Up, will be held in-person this coming summer. The program includes a morning component devoted to architectural history/appreciation/theory and an afternoon design studio, plus field trips on Fridays. No prior knowledge of, or experience with, the field of architecture is required or expected.

Architecture: June 16 - July 19, 2025
Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm (excluding holidays – June 19, July 4)

Deadline for regular applications is May 23, 2025
(Late applications are accepted until June 11, 2025, provided space remains available.)
Produced in partnership with Wonderworks.
Learn More | Apply Here

Tuition is $1,500, with either a non-refundable $200 deposit or the full tuition within two weeks of acceptance. Any remaining balance must be paid by June 12, 2025. Only need-based scholarships are available.

Industrial Design Program for High School Students

The Idea Factory introduces you to product design through fun, hands-on projects emphasizing form and function, creativity, materials, and fabrication methods. Students work directly with award-winning UH faculty members, designing and building product solutions in many different product categories.

Programs for College Students or Degreed Professionals in Fields Other Than Architecture Seeking a Potential Future in Architecture

Pre-Graduate Architecture: June 16 - July 19, 2025
Monday - Friday, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm (excluding holidays – June 19, July 4)

No prior knowledge of, or experience with, the field of architecture is required or expected.

Deadline for regular applications is May 23, 2025
(Late applications are accepted until June 12, 2025, provided space remains available.)
Learn More | Apply Here

Tuition is $1,500, payable by June 12, 2025.

For more information on Design Experience programs, contact us at summerprogramscoad@uh.edu.