DID 2024 Awes, Showcasing Imagination, Innovation, and ‘Celebration'

This summer, SCI-Arc hosted the Design Immersion Days (DID) 2024, a transformative program for high school students that brought together aspiring designers from diverse backgrounds. An intensive four-week experience, the program focused on immersive design education, hands-on workshops, and collaborative projects, culminating in a final exhibition that showcased the participants' creative endeavors.

Building on the successful curricula of the past 13 years, DID 2024 continued to emphasize imagination, innovation, and practical skills, all within this year’s theme of ‘Celebration.’ The final exhibition was a dazzling display of creativity, featuring a variety of projects that highlighted the participants' ability to integrate design principles with real-world applications. The works presented ranged from architectural models to digital installations, each reflecting the unique perspectives and skills developed throughout the program.

“Students who participated in Design Immersion Days this summer experienced an engaging and transformative journey into the world of architecture and design,” shared DID Coordinator and SCI-Arc faculty Angelica Lorenzi. “Over the course of the program, students were immersed in a dynamic learning environment where they were encouraged to explore and express their creative ideas. This year, our aim was to develop a curriculum that pushes students to explore how architecture can be interpreted and reinterpreted in diverse ways.”

Throughout the four-week program, participants engaged with a dynamic curriculum that included lectures from industry professionals, day trips to iconic architectural sites, and collaborative design challenges. These experiences not only enriched their understanding of design but also fostered a sense of community and shared purpose among the students.

Students collaborated on projects that addressed pressing social and environmental issues, demonstrating a commitment to using design as a tool for positive change. The diversity of the projects showcased the breadth of talent and creativity among the participants, as well as their ability to apply design thinking to complex problems. One of the standout projects was "Make it Cool," in which students designed lightweight wooden structures that could be used as shade-providing installations in outdoor spaces, which demonstrated the participants' ability to blend functionality with playful design elements.

“Given the extensive scope of this discipline, our primary objective was to illustrate that architecture can serve as a catalyst to unlock the inherent creativity within everyone,” continued Lorenzi. “Over the course of just four weeks, our students had the chance to design physical, digital, and auditory spaces, employing a wide range of techniques and tools for each project.”

The success of DID 2024 underscores SCI-Arc's commitment to nurturing the next generation of designers. By providing a platform for young talents to explore and express their creativity, the program contributes to the ongoing dialogue in design education and practice. The participants left the program with a deeper understanding of design and a portfolio of work that reflects their growth and potential as future leaders in the field.

For more information on DID, including how to apply, visit the SCI-Arc Office of Admissions page here.