Designed for ages 14 to 18, Two 2-week courses held in July and August 2026. 

*New this year* Portfolio Design: a 2-week course held in August for ages 16-18 (graduating high school in 2026 or 2027)

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Daniels Design Discovery provides a comprehensive introduction to the discipline of architecture, giving you the opportunity to experience different ways of seeing, thinking, and making through the lens of design. The program will develop your skills in a broad range of design tools and techniques, providing a strong foundation to explore your creative potential.

The Daniels Design Discovery Program is an intensive and inspiring introduction to the field of architecture, offering high school students the opportunity to explore the principles of design and develop essential skills for creative problem-solving. 

Through three distinct courses, the program encourages participants to engage critically with the built environment, develop a deeper understanding of spatial thinking, and learn to communicate their ideas with clarity and precision. Rooted in hands-on exploration and guided by experienced instructors, the program aims to cultivate curiosity, innovation, and a strong foundation in architectural representation, making it an invaluable experience for students considering future studies in architecture or related fields. 

Thes courses are designed for high school students (ages 14-18, 16-18 for the Portfolio Building course) interested in architecture. This program is open to all participants, including English-speaking international students. Students will use the design facilities at the Daniels Faculty’s award-winning building at 1 Spadina Crescent in the heart of Toronto. 

Course 1 – Drawing Practices  

In this two-week architecture intensive, you will expand your drawing skills to communicate design ideas centered on a specific site. This stand-alone course focuses on developing valuable design representation techniques, introducing you to site analysis and the stories, systems, and environments that shape a place. Through hands-on learning, you will use architectural tools such as 3D design software, photography, and drawing to explore and present your ideas. You’ll also gain experience sharing your work with peers and instructors, incorporating feedback to refine your understanding of design communication. This course is ideal for students eager to develop skills in representing and communicating architectural concepts. 

Course 2 – Model Making  

In this two-week architecture intensive, you will explore the art and skill of model making to bring your design ideas to life. This stand-alone course focuses on developing your ability to translate concepts into physical objects, emphasizing design, drawing, 3D modeling, and communication. You will learn to create models that respond to the complexities of a site while reflecting your unique interests and imagination. Through hands-on exploration, you’ll discover how to craft structures for people to inhabit and how to communicate your vision for the future through compelling design representation. 

Course 3 – Portfolio Building  *new this year*

In this two-week architecture intensive, you will create a portfolio, one of the first and often the most significant of forms of initial communication you can have with a prospective university, client, or organization. You will visit a design firm and hear from working architects and designers about their own portfolios and journeys. Designing your first impression as a creative person can feel daunting, but in this two-week course, you will learn to break this task down into its components, plan them out, and produce a portfolio you can be proud of. You will learn to develop a plan for style and organization, including layouts and grid systems, to use industry-standard software, to photograph your work, to write clear, concise, and compelling descriptions of your projects, and to present your work to tell the story you want to tell about yourself. 
This course is ideal for students who already have a few projects completed and are ready to start designing their portfolios.

All courses run weekdays (Monday-Friday) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m at the Daniels Building (1 Spadina Crescent). 

July Session

Course 1 – Drawing Practices: July 6--July 17

Course 2 – Model Making: July 20--July 31

August Session

Course 1 – Drawing Practices: August 4–August 14
Statutory Holiday: August 3

Course 2 – Model Making: August 17–August 28

Course 3A – Portfolio Building: August 4–August 14 (Ages 16-18) 
Statutory Holiday: August 3

Course 3B – Portfolio Building: August 17–August 28 (Ages 16-18)

Fees

July
Course 1 $1600 +HST (10 days)
Course 2 $1600 +HST (10 days)

August
Course 1 $1440 +HST (9 days)
Course 2 $1600 +HST (10 days)

Course 3A $1620 +HST (9 days) 
Course 3B $1800 +HST (10 days)

Discounts  

A 10% discount is available for U of T staff, faculty, students and alumni. Please email camps@daniels.utoronto.ca from your University of Toronto email address to receive the discount code. 

Participants who register for two courses in the same summer are eligible for a $100 discount for their second course. Please email camps@daniels.utoronto.ca to receive the discount code. 

Financial Support  

We are committed to making the Daniels Design Discovery Program accessible to all interested students. A limited number of bursaries are available for those who require financial assistance. While we strive to support as many students as possible, please note that bursary availability is not guaranteed..

Apply for a Bursary

Applications are due on March 20th. Further details and bursary eligibility requirements are listed on the form.

Cancellation Policy 

Registrants can cancel their application by May 1 to receive a full refund (less the $100 cancellation fee per registrant per course/program cancelled). Refunds or credits are not available for any cancellation made after May 1. This is necessary to ensure that our instructors can be hired and trained in time for program delivery and are treated fairly with confirmed contracts. 

Registrations received after May 1 are considered final. Refunds or credits are not available for registrations received after May 1. 

*If you cancel registration or fail to register for both courses, you will be required to pay the full course fee prior to your first class. 

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Thank you for your interest in Daniels Design Discovery! If you have any questions about this program, please contact: camps@daniels.utoronto.ca.

“What I enjoyed most about this program was learning a new skill each day. I learned how to use a variety of online tools, resources and skills that gave me a foundation in not only architecture but most of the sections in that field. Everything was engaging and the staff really elevated the whole experience by making a great experience.”

“I thought it was a good opportunity to gather a taste of the university experience and specifically open your mind to all the aspects that go into designing a space.”

“I like the hands-on part where we built the model and our teacher invited lots of people from Daniels and the architecture industry to talk about our work and give us advice on our future project. I also like that this program gave me a brief introduction of what the Bachelor of Arts, Architectural Studies program at the University of Toronto looks like.”

“The instructors where absolutely amazing. I liked the activities, lessons and projects. They brought very interesting guest lecturers, and the classes the instructors prepared where also interesting and engaging.” 

“I enjoyed how all-encompassing the course was. It touched on many topics and gave me a solid understanding of what I would learn if I chose to study in the field. I also enjoyed the many guest speakers that spoke to us and that we were able to ask them questions about their areas of expertise. Similarly, I thought it was helpful that we had guests come in to critique our work.”

“I joined the program to explore architecture as a career to see if it interests me. I wanted to know if it’s a possible career path for me in the future. I learned that architecture contains a broad range of jobs. There’s definitely something in it for everyone, whether it is working in a small firm or larger firms or something else. I also learned about the skills an architect has, from model making to learning about the different lifestyles of the people who work in an architectural-related career. By listening to their different perspectives, I can make a better decision about what I want to do in the future. It’s not just to go into architecture; the things that I learned in the program will hopefully make the transition (to university) smoother. Other skills I acquired through the program, such as problem-solving and creative thinking, can still be applied to what I want to do. I would definitely recommend the program to someone else, whether they are interested in architecture and want to reach ahead or they are still exploring what their interests are and what they want to do.”

How do I apply?
There is no application process. You register and pay fees to guarantee your seat in the program. It is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register here.

Is there a registration deadline?
We will accept registrations up to one week prior to the start date of each course (see Session Dates above). If you wish to apply within one week of the course start date, please contact camps@daniels.utoronto.ca. 

How many people are in a course?
We maintain a ratio of 1:10 maximum per instructor with a maximum class size of 30 students with three instructors.

What happens after I register?
After you register and pay the fees, you will receive an automatic email from our registration software with a receipt. This guarantees your registration. One week prior to the program start date, you will receive an onboarding email with detailed instructions.

Is accommodation in Toronto available/included as part of the registration fees?
No, families will need to arrange for their own accommodation. There are several University of Toronto residences that offer short-term summer housing such as New College, Massey College, and Chestnut Residence. Minors under 18 will need to be accompanied by a chaperone.

Can I receive a certificate of completion? 
Yes, you may request a certificate of completion at the end of the course.