Summer Springboard

Middle School Junior Architecture

IN BERKELEY

THIS PROGRAM COMBINES ACADEMIC COURSES, INTERACTIVE LABS, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TO GIVE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS A SUPPORTIVE, FUN, AND ENRICHING SUMMER EXPERIENCE.

THIS IS A ONE-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.

Middle School Junior Architecture in Berkeley

  • Observe and sketch key architectural features while exploring Berkeley’s historic campus.
  • Learn green building principles and sustainability in architecture.
  • Use architectural CAD tools for digital design development.
  • Be inspired by Berkeley’s architectural history and urban design.
  • Visit professionals and explore real-world architecture on field trips around the Bay Area.
  • Create a design project using quick sketching and hands-on drawing techniques.

Summer Springboard

Middle School Junior Architecture

About This Course

Students in this program will be introduced to the creative world of architecture through the lens of Berkeley’s rich architectural tapestry, where every building students may visit tells a story.

Your budding architect will explore fundamental design principles, sustainability concepts, and the interplay between buildings and community. Armed with sketchpad and pencil, students will be challenged with a design project of their own creation while spending time in the field learning basic field drawing and quick sketching.

Students will develop their spatial thinking, creative problem-solving skills, and their understanding of the built environment around them. This program caters to students with varying design abilities, fostering a supportive environment where each student can grow and express their unique architectural vision.

Student tuition supplement will cover the cost of learning materials that include drafting equipment, sketchbooks, and sketching supplies (for them to keep).

TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE

Hands-on Learning

Students will have the opportunity to engage with highly accomplished specialists in this field. Hands-on learning is experienced through company visits in and around the incredible Bay Area. Outside of course specific studies the students will explore all that Berkeley has to offer! With so much rich history, breathtaking sights, parks and famed landmarks at our fingertips there is something for everyone to discover!

RESOURCES

Course Infosheet

Click here to view or download the printable infosheet for this course.

Program Catalog

Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.

Campus Page

Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.

“The program’s curriculum was thoughtfully designed, combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical exercises and studio work. We had access to valuable resources and received guidance from renowned faculty members who fostered a supportive and collaborative learning environment. Engaging in stimulating discussions, exploring innovative design concepts, and participating in architectural field trips enriched the experience further.”

– Liyah A. | SSB Architecture Alumni Student

Summer Springboard

Middle School Junior Architecture

Meet Your Instructor

Hara Chung is an architectural design professional, educated at the Mackintosh School of Architecture (UK) with extensive professional experience in both commercial and residential design. She has contributed to high-profile projects for nationally recognized companies including CBRE, Lyft, and HP, as well as dozens of custom homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

Hara’s design philosophy centers on creating spaces that are both beautiful and practical—balancing creativity with real-world considerations such as how people move, live, and interact within a space. Her work reflects a strong belief that good design should be intentional, human-centered, and accessible.

Her professional background allows her to introduce students to architecture not just as an art, but as a thoughtful and purposeful discipline that combines creativity, logic, and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to think critically, ask questions, and understand how ideas translate into real buildings.

Passionate about education and mentorship, Hara has taught at Quimby Oak School on student-led projects such as School of the Future and has been invited to participate in design critiques at West Valley College. She enjoys guiding young students through the fundamentals of architectural design, helping them build confidence in drawing, spatial thinking, and creative expression. Her teaching approach emphasizes encouragement, clarity, and hands-on learning, ensuring students leave the program with a strong sense of accomplishment and a tangible design project they can be proud of.

HARA CHUNG

“It was a fun experience where I met lots of friends and got a feel for what college will be like.”

-J. Sander | Alumni Student

Summer Springboard

Middle School Junior Architecture

Dates & Tuition

2026 Dates
Session 1: July 5 – July 10, 2026
Session 2: July 12 – July 17, 2026
Session 3: July 19 – July 24, 2026
Session 4: July 26 – July 31, 2026

Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.

Tuition
 Residential Tuition: $2,998
 Commuter Tuition: $1,598
Supplement: $250

Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.

Location
 City: Berkeley
 State: California
Campus: Berkeley

Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly and NYSID which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.