Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston (CAC.C) hosted an Architecture Career Camp from July 17 – 21, 2017 for high school students from Charleston County School District interested in architecture as a career path.

The camp was held a location that is still relatively new for the extension of the Clemson University campus in Charleston,  701 East Bay St. Charleston, SC 29403, also known as the old Cigar Factory building downtown.

The camp was led by Clemson faculty member David Pastre, a licensed architect intimately familiar with architectural design in the Charleston region. Ms. Roxann Phillips, the architecture instructor and CTE department chair at Garrett Academy of Technology  also helped lead the week long camp. CAC.C director Ray Huff led the creation of this work-based learning career camp for students to learn and explore, and hopes to expand the opportunity next summer.

Students received introduction to drawing and modeling methods, and explored the nature of scale, rhythm, proportion, context, and functional elements of architecture. Students were engaged in sketching, dimensional drawing architectural analogues, modeling both full size and scale modeling, and other exciting project-based learning opportunities throughout the camp hours, 8am to 1pm.

A downtown walking tour led by Robert Stockton allowed the students to see many historically significant buildings through an architectural lens. Students also visited local architecture firm LS3P’s Charleston offices and met with working professionals.

On the last day of the camp, students presented their designs for a very special project to be located not far from the building that hosted their camp. They showed off their ideas for a park and shelter that would serve as a trail-head of sorts for people walking the Ravenel Bridge.

Thanks to a wonderful partnership between CCSD and the CAC.C, there was no cost for students to participate in this career camp.

After this very successful pilot, plans are being discussed to expand the opportunity to more students next summer – Thanks to everyone that made this work-based learning experience available for CCSD students!