Chicago Architecture Center presents program for teens | Trending Viral hub

Gabrielle Speller, 16, likes to look at skyscrapers.

She appreciates the diversity and beauty of structures in Chicago designed by architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The Kenwood Academy High School junior likes it so much that she is seriously considering attending New York University to study urban planning.

“I like how you can see what you’ve created and see it built,” the South Shore resident said of what speaks to her about architecture.

That is why he decided to participate in the Teen Scholars Program — a collaboration between the Chicago Architecture Center, City Colleges of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools where high school students have the opportunity to delve deeper into the fields of architecture and design and see firsthand the career possibilities.

“It’s for students who have a personal interest in architecture, but we’re also seeing a lot of students interested in those STEM fields,” said Angela Esposito, senior director of learning and community engagement at the Chicago Center for Architecture.

“When you join the fellows, our job is not to make sure you become an architect, but maybe you understand and appreciate architecture a little more,” Esposito said. “You have effectiveness in the built environment and agency in shaping the visual and physical appearance of our city.”

The Teen Fellows program has seen hundreds of young people participate since its inception 10 years ago, Esposito said. The three-semester program allows students to learn basic architecture-related skills with free Saturday classes at Harold Washington College. The Chicago Architecture Center takes advantage of the mornings to talk about concepts of architecture, design and history. After lunch, classes move on to tactile skills such as hand drawing and representation. As the program progresses, young people enter campus computer labs to learn model-based construction software such as AutoCAD, Rhinoceros 3D, Revit and Illustrator, tools that students will use to translate their work digitally and begin building models. .

Already halfway through the program’s second semester, Speller said she and other members of her cohort are using their new knowledge to create a community center for a South Side urban farm.

“We are learning the basics of architectural drawing to apply to programming and floor planning, and drawing the designs we did over the summer for our community center,” Speller said.

Students will be able to present their projects in an exhibition at the end of the program in the spring. Speller, who is taking a sculpture class at Kenwood Academy, attended the presentation last year to see the students’ physical models and portfolios. He said his friends and family think his interest in architecture is great.

“I think it suits me well, because I’m math-oriented and I’m also very creative,” she said.

But Eleanor Gorski, CEO and president of the Chicago Center for Architecture, doesn’t want potential participants to think that you have be good at math to participate in the program. Gorski wanted to dedicate himself to architecture but he hated mathematics. She says don’t let that stop you: math doesn’t make or break entry into a program like this.

There is an application and interview process, but once in, students earn college credit, interact with companies and industry professionals, and earn a stipend through CAC’s partnership with After School Matters. There is also the opportunity to participate in paid summer internships at an architecture or design firm. Gorski, whose son participated in the program, said he wants to expand the program.

“I’ve talked to our team about creating something that’s kind of a ‘trial’ of the program to interest kids who might not be able to commit every Saturday,” he said. “I want to be able to offer different levels for different types of children. … I think it’s important to reach more young people and offer different types of programs.”

Esposito agrees. He said that over the past decade, fewer Chicago public high schools have offered specialized programs in drawing and architecture to students, and the Chicago Architecture Center has stepped in as an informal educator to fill that gap for students who are truly interested. .

“Ideally, all students would be aware of this program,” Esposito said.

He added that with CAC’s working relationships with companies and organizations, there are ongoing conversations within the industry about bringing the programming and design community together to serve students.

“All of the programs we offer are what we would consider a project,” Esposito said. “We stay in very close contact with our graduating alumni, not only to see where they went to architecture school, but also how they used this information in their time with the Fellows to shape the city they need, want, and deserve. “That’s really the basis of the architecture in this program.”

Gorski foresees growth for more Chicago Architecture Center programming at the intersection of skilled trades and real estate development.

“These are all fields that we want to expose kids in Chicago neighborhoods to so they know there are other avenues,” he said. She said City Colleges of Chicago responds to CAC being a gateway and will provide opportunities for children to take future classes for free.

The same goes for the provision of comprehensive services for students. CAC connections with companies can provide pathways to internships for students who need more flexibility with time and money. Employers who understand this and can help them succeed are key.

“That’s another stage of the growth of this program, providing that support across the industry and through the board and industry connections that we have,” Gorski said. “We want to have these new additions to the program by next fall, at least in the City Colleges of Chicago and wraparound services, which would likely be in place by 2026.”

As for Speller, she hopes to put together her portfolio for college next year and take advantage of a summer internship at one of the companies involved in the program. She is so committed to architecture that she founded an architecture club in Kenwood to spark children’s interest.

There are currently 10 students in the club. Members are engaged in redesigning Kenwood to learn more about architecture. He also talks about Teen Fellows, who try to recruit others and spark their interest in their built environment.

“Basically, we get paid to learn,” Speller said. “But I would still do the show even if we didn’t get paid.”

Interested in the next cohort? The app can be found at architecture.org.

drockett@chicagotribune.com