London Summer Studio

The London Summer Studio is a 9-week, 9-credit studio with a 6-week visit to London. It comprises a 6-credit design studio with a 3-credit integrated research course which supports the design project.
 
The program begins with introductory talks on the history and development of London and its architecture, and the launch of the integrated research course and bibliography. Weekly London visits and two guided architecture tours will be offered; one in the UK, and another to in Europe, to visit buildings and projects relevant to the design studio. Kingston upon Thames is approximately 30minutes from Central London by train, and is surrounded by beautiful parks and sights such as Hampton Court Palace and Kew Gardens.
 
The program is led by London-based architects, CUA Visiting Scholars and Kingston School of Art studio leaders Timothy Smith and Jonathan Taylor. Their expertise lies in navigating the design territory between the classical and modern, with a particular concern for context and tectonics; themes in which the architectural culture of London is rich. Students from all concentrations are welcomed and will be supported in developing critical design projects, whether classical in nature or not.
 
While immersed in the contemporary and historic architectural culture of London and Europe, students will design projects based on typical London building typologies and the notion of the city interior, with a strong tectonic focus and a foundation in the parallel integrated research course.

While in London students will be based at Kingston University, staying in residential halls with fully equipped kitchens, a short walk from the design studios at Kingston School of Art and the centre of Kingston upon Thames.