Fallingwater Accepts Applications for Summer Residency Programs
Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece, is accepting applications from high school students and K-12 educators for its one-week summer residency programs.
The programs – two sessions at different skill levels for students and one session for teachers – allow participants to examine the principles of organic architecture and learn through creative problem solving and collaboration. Organizers teach the classes in an open-air studio and at Fallingwater, house the students at a nearby home and provide meals to participants.
“These summer programs offer participants the rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most famous and architecturally important buildings independently and without the pressure of crowds. They will have the opportunity to discuss and debate new concepts and to participate in hands-on design projects,” said Roy Young, curator of education at Fallingwater. “Participants will examine how architecture and design can exist in harmony with nature.”
Early admission applications must be postmarked by March 31. All applications are due before April 30. For more information or to apply, visit www.Fallingwater.org/learn or call 724-329-7826.
High School Residencies
Architecture Camp: Studio 1
This program, held from Aug. 6 to Aug. 13, is focused on architecture, environment and design in the context of Fallingwater. Led by Peter Goldstein, AIA, an educator and licensed architect from Dallas, this program allows students to examine and explore a host of Frank Lloyd Wright’s ideas while living and studying in the midst of this historic building located in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands.
Students will engage in hands-on exercises focusing on space, light, structure and materials, with emphasis on creative problem solving and Wright’s ideas about nature and organic architecture. Program activities include individual and collaborative projects, drawing and model-making exercises and daily working sessions. Tuition, room and board are $1,300, with an early admission discount of $200.
Architecture Camp: Studio 2
High school students 17 years and older who are considering an architecture or design undergraduate program and need to build a strong, college-bound portfolio of creative work are encouraged to apply for Studio 2. This program, held from July 9 to July 16, is ideal for students who are exploring the fields of architecture and design or seeking a gap-year opportunity.
The students will be exposed to traditional elements of the first-year studio foundation, typical of courses required in architecture, design and the visual arts. The intended outcome of this course is to assist students in the creation of three projects suitable for a college-bound portfolio. Students will explore 2D and 3D design problems and mediums, as well as craft and critique. Tuition, room and board are $1,300, with an early admission discount of $200.
Students applying to this program will need to communicate through their application materials an existing base of skills in one or more art mediums. Digital (CD) or printed portfolios should be submitted with your application to this program. The instructor for this course is Aron Temkin, dean of Norwich University School of Architecture and Art.
Teacher Residency
K-12, Teaching through Architecture
K-12 teachers are invited to learn how architecture and design can help students gain 21st-century thinking skills. The Fallingwater Teacher Residency course, held from July 23 to July 30, introduces the concepts of activity-based inquiry and problem solving through architecture.
Within the context of Fallingwater, participants will explore the visual arts, history, architecture, sustainability and the relationship of architecture and nature. This course will be taught by a veteran architectural educator with experience specific to K-12 curriculum. Tuition, room and board are $800 and enrollment is limited.
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About the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy:
The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy (WPC) enhances the region’s quality of life by protecting and restoring exceptional places. A private nonprofit conservation organization founded in 1932, WPC has helped to establish ten state parks, conserved more than 233,000 acres of natural lands and protected or restored more than 1,500 miles of rivers and streams. The Conservancy owns and operates Fallingwater, which symbolizes people living in harmony with nature. In addition, WPC enriches our region’s cities and towns through 140 community gardens and greenspaces that are planted with the help of 13,000 volunteers. The work of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is accomplished through the support of more than 11,000 members. For more information, visit WaterLandLife.org.
Media contact:
Allison Schlesinger
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
412-586-2358 (office)
412-607-1945 (cell)
aschlesinger@paconserve.org