CHICAGO STUDIO - VT - School of Architecture + Design - Virginia ...

CHICAGO STUDIO 

FALL 2011 / SPRING 2012 

WITH VISITING PROFESSOR ANDREW BALSTER 

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM STRUCTURE 2/22/2011

The Chicago Studio is an alternative to the traditional design studio that 

integrates education and practice in a direct way for upper level architecture 

and design students. Its distinctive structure and curriculum promotes a 

collaborative design process encompassing multiple points of view within 

academia, the profession and the broader community. It is an integrated set of 

courses that incorporates a range of activities of daily professional practice. 

PRELIMINARY PROGRAM STRUCTURE 2/22/2011 

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN 

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY 

CHICAGO STUDIO

EDUCATION 10/5 

PRACTICE 

The new model of the Chicago Studio places the studio in Chicago for the 

entire semester to fully take advantage of the city and culture. 

The semester operates on a 10/5 division: 10 weeks of a rigorous academic 

focus and 5 weeks of a professional internship with Chicago based firms. 





10/5 





BENEFITS 





STUDENTS: 

+ Learn the practice of architecture from practicing architects 

+ Engage in the design process outside of the classroom and in the real 

world 

+ Participate in the operations of the architectural profession 

+ Are immersed in a thriving metropolis to explore the past, present and 

future of the built environment 

+ Establish professional connections 





STUDENTS: 

+ Learn the practice of architecture from practicing architects 

+ Engage in the design process outside of the classroom and in the real 

world 

+ Participate in the operations of the architectural profession 

+ Are immersed in a thriving metropolis to explore the past, present and 

future of the built environment 

+ Establish professional connections 

FIRMS: 

+ Actively shape the architects of tomorrow 

+ Enrich and define current architectural education 

+ Foster rising architectural talent 

+ Support students through academic donation 





10/5 

WEEKS 

ARCH 4015/16 DESIGN STUDIO (6) 

INDEPENDENT STUDY (3) 





Academic Component 

For the first portion of the semester, students will focus solely on the Design 

Studio along with a Chicago-related Independent Study course. The focus 

and curriculum will take full advantage of the location by having all projects 

and sites based in the city. While in Chicago, host firms give each student 

a direct relation to contemporary practice as well as their own workstation. 

The studio acclimates students to the environment of practice by having all 

critiques and reviews with Chicago architects, engineers, master planners, 

artists and product designers. Local practitioners also illuminate the role of 

Chicago’s political leaders in shaping urban design policy, initiatives towards 

sustainability and its renowned buildings. 





10/5WEEKS 

ARCHITECTURAL INTERNSHIP 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (3) 





Professional Component 

Following the academic component, the students begin an internship with a 

host firm, while completing the Professional Practice course of the semester. 

This will allow students the opportunity to learn professional practice, by 

working with professionals in practice. The internship will give the students 

direct opportunity to work on real projects with real teams of architects, 

engineers and planners. It will put students in a position to make professional 

contacts for the future. (externships, internships and jobs). 





The students are immersed in the art and design culture in Chicago, attending 

regular exhibitions and events at world-renowned museums and institutions. 

There are also regular receptions and lectures held at local A+D firms for 

both learning and networking opportunities. Each student is paired with a 

professional mentor to get one on one advice and direction over the term 

and beyond. Instead of learning the true impact of architecture on the built 

environment in a textbook, students see it first hand. There are regular visits 

to on-site construction of skyscrapers and other major architectural projects 

in the area. The studio also uses Chicago as a base-point to explore many 

cities and landmarks throughout the Midwest, to see the rich architectural 

heritage of the area. 





ONE SEMESTER BASED IN CHICAGO > 

* 

approx. $5,000 * 

THERE IS CURRENTLY FUND-RAISING FROM CHICAGO-BASED VIRGINIA TECH ALUMNI/SUPPORTERS THAT HISTORICALLY HAS REDUCED THE COSTS OF 

CHICAGO STUDIO. THE COSTS HERE DO NOT REFLECT THIS ANTICIPATED SUPPORT. 





approx. $5,000 

INCLUDED IN CHICAGO STUDIO FEES : 

HOUSING+STUDIO SPACE 

+ FURNISHED LIVING / OFFICE SPACE IN DOWNTOWN CHICAGO 

INTERNSHIP 

+ THE PROGRAM WILL INCLUDE AN INTERNSHIP COMPONENT WITH THE STUDENT’S HOST FIRM. 

OUTREACH / NETWORKING 

+ CRITIQUES WITH CHICAGO ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, MASTER PLANNERS, ARTISTS AND PRODUCT DESIGNERS 

+ BIWEEKLY RECEPTIONS WITH LOCAL A+D FIRMS (EXCELLENT FOR INTERNSHIP / EXTERNSHIP / NETWORKING) 

+ CHICAGO ARCHITECTURAL MENTOR PROVIDED FOR EACH STUDENT 

+ MEMBERSHIP TO THE MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND THE ART INSTITUTE 

FOR UNLIMITED ACCESS INCLUDING MEMBERS ONLY EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS 

+ ACCESS TO UIC / IIT / CHICAGO ARCHITECTURAL CLUB LECTURE SERIES 

TRAVEL / EVENTS / GETTING AROUND 

+ MONTHLY OVERNIGHT / DAY TRIPS IN THE MIDWEST THAT INCLUDES TRANSPORTATION, ROOM AND BOARD 

+ SEVERAL ARCHITECTURAL / CULTURAL TOURS + EVENTS IN AND AROUND CHICAGO 

+ ON SITE TOURS OF SKYSCRAPERS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION 

+ UNLIMITED SUBWAY PASS FOR THE SEMESTER 

+ SEVERAL GROUP STUDIO DINNERS 





WHAT IT DOESN’T INCLUDE: 

+ VIRGINIA TECH TUITION 

+ MEALS DURING 90-DAY STAY IN CHICAGO, OUTSIDE OF WEEKLY GROUP MEALS 

+ TRAVEL TO/FROM CHICAGO 

+ REGULAR STUDIO MATERIALS (PRINTING, MODELLING, ETC) 

+ REGULAR STUDIO EQUIPMENT (LAPTOP, ETC) 

+ PERSONAL EXPENSES 





FALL 2011 Proposed Schedule 

+ INTRODUCTION WEEK 0 AUG 15-19 (IN CHICAGO) 

 

+ ACADEMIC WEEK 1 AUG 22-26 

WEEK 2 AUG 29-SEP 2 

WEEK 3 SEP 5-9 




WEEK 7 OCT 3-7 



+ INTERNSHIP WEEK 10 OCT 24-28 

WEEK 11 OCT 31-NOV 4 

WEEK 12 NOV 7-11 

WEEK 13 NOV 14-18 

WEEK 14 NOV 21-22 

 

+ THANKSGIVING WEEK 14 NOV 23-27 

+ EXHIBITION WEEK 15 DEC 2 (IN BLACKSBURG) 





HOW TO APPLY: 

+ CONTACT INFORMATION (NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL) 

+ LETTER OF INTEREST / INTENT (WHY DO YOU WANT TO JOIN THE PROGRAM) 

+ RESUME / 4 PAGE PORTFOLIO 

+ LIST OF PAST STUDIO PROFESSORS 

SEND THE ABOVE INFORMATION IN A PDF TO ABALSTER@VT.EDU (5 MB MAX) 

DUE: 

+ MARCH 4, 2011: APPLICATION FOR FALL 2011 DUE 

+ MARCH 21, 2011: SELECTION OF STUDENTS FOR FALL 2011 

+ MARCH 23 2011: DEPOSIT FOR FALL 2011 DUE 

+ MARCH 24, 2011: FALL WAITING LIST NOTIFICATIONS 

+ APRIL 4, 2011: APPLICATION FOR SPRING 2012 DUE 

+ APRIL 8, 2011: SELECTION OF STUDENTS FOR SPRING 2012 

+ APRIL 11, 2011: DEPOSIT FOR SPRING 2012 DUE 

+ APRIL 13, 2011: SPRING WAITING LIST NOTIFICATIONS 

1) THE REMAINING AMOUNT WILL BE STRUCTURED IN TWO ADDITIONAL PAYMENT INCREMENTS, 

WITH THE ENTIRE AMOUNT DUE (1) MONTH PRIOR TO PROGRAM START DATE 

2) THE $800 DEPOSIT SECURES A PLACE IN THE PROGRAM. 

3) AFTER INITIAL SELECTION AND RANKING, A WAITING LIST WILL BE COMPILED. 

4) PLEASE INCLUDE ONLY RELEVANT APPLICATION MATERIAL. 





PLEASE NOTE: 

While every effort is going into the 10/5 Chicago Studio model, Virginia Tech is currently working with 

potential host firms regarding the duration and details of the internship. The intention of this document 

is provide a basic structure of the program but it is still in the process of development and could change 

slightly based upon firm feedback. The basic structure, housing, trips, events, critiques and costs will 

remain very close to this model.

CHICAGO STUDIO - VT - School of Architecture + Design - Virginia ...

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