2026 Summer Design Institute
The AFSF Summer Design Institute is a fun and fast-paced 3-week summer program for high school students interested in design & architecture.
The Summer Design Institute meets online Monday – Friday, 9am-noon (PDT). Learn from anywhere, with fellow teens from around the world.
Session 1: June 8 – 26, 2026.
Session 2: July 6 – 24, 2026
Tuition = $3,500 including all materials and supplies. $1,500 deposit required to confirm enrollment.
$3,000 Early-bird pricing! Pay in full more than 1 week before the start date to earn a $500 discount on the tuition!
Students receive instruction on design process, approaches, sketching skills as well as digital design platforms. In addition, students present their original work, and receive feedback and guidance, while also participating in group activities including collaborative teamwork.
Mentoring twice-weekly with an architect or other design professional. Learn the ins and outs of life in the design world, and the career paths to get there. Get feedback on your projects, and insider tips for your own educational and career goals.
Mentoring (and some individual work) will be outside of the 9am-noon hours.
SDI offers students an opportunity to develop their own skills and to use professional tools, creating original content they can use for college applications and career opportunities.
Check out some highlights from participants in previous years presenting their team proposals for the summer’s final design challenge:
Learn Design Tools
In this unique program, students work with a range of hand-drawing, physical model construction, and computer aided design tools.
Each participant will receive mentoring by a professional architect or other designer, to experience the profession and receive guidance on career path.
Technology Requirements
Given the remote nature of AFSF programs each participant needs access to an internet-connected computer in a quiet space where they can participate fully in every online design studio session and every mentoring meeting. Most PCs/Windows and Mac computers (desktops or laptops) as well as most chromebooks work fine.
Contact fred@afsf.org with any questions.
