Architecture Portfolio - Summer Course
PURLEY ,
CR8 3QA ,
PURLEY ,
CR8 3QA view map
Students are enco …moreuraged to look for new ways of exploring ideas. They'll do this armed with newly acquired skills such as how to use charcoal, sketch with different materials, plan and make a visualy engaging collage, guache, ink, watercolours, oil pastels and many other techniques used by well known artists. This, of course, will bring new solutions, new paths and most importantly, a boost on their creative thinking.
Term Time Places - these are offered on a rolling basis. Written notice is required, one term in advance to withdraw. This can only be done by parents or carers and must be notified to the course leader directly. Thank you.
Holiday Camps - we organise half term and holiday camps every year. All camps include materials so there's no need to bring anything. Parents and carers have access to Sibling Discount which should be reflected at checkout.
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10th Aug 2026 - 13th Aug 2026
Architecture Portfolio Course - Aug 10th - Aug 13th (incl.) 2.30pm to 6.30pm Mon 10th August - Thu 13th August
2:30pm - 6:30pm
KidsArtRoom™ has broad experience helping national and international students create their best portfolios when applying to UK creative degrees. All of our students have secured places at some of the country’s most competitive universities, with offers based purely on the strength, clarity, and coherence of their portfolios—often without the need for an interview. At KidsArtRoom™, we offer an intensive, highly tailored course that allows students to thoughtfully develop their portfolios over time. Students take full ownership of their work as we act as facilitators of their creative growth and maturity. Through expert guidance, we provide in-depth subject knowledge, introduce specialised techniques, explore the work of other artists, and challenge students to expand their perspectives. Above all, we help them learn how to communicate their own story, in their own unique way—this is at the heart of everything we do. Our Architecture course has been carefully designed to immerse students in architecture by exploring their surrounding as a living classroom. Time is divided between our studio and on-location work across their own area. As it's always the case with all our courses, all materials are included so there's no need to bring anything to the lessons.
Camp notes
For Students Applying to Architecture Schools and Apprenticeships
For students considering applications to leading architecture schools such as The Bartlett School of Architecture (UCL), the University of Cambridge, the University of Sheffield, the University of Bath, Central Saint Martins, Manchester School of Architecture, Nottingham University, and other highly competitive institutions.
We are offering a professionally focused Architecture Portfolio & University Preparation Course, with all materials included, for students wishing to strengthen their portfolio, develop their creative thinking, and gain valuable insight into architectural study before applying to architecture degree programmes or architecture apprenticeships.
The course is delivered by an experienced ARB-registered architect and a highly experienced tutor and founder of KidsArtRoom™, who is also an Associate member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) with extensive experience in Learning and Development. Together, they provide a structured, supportive, and professionally informed learning experience.
Why This Course Matters:
Leading architecture schools and apprenticeship employers are not simply looking for strong portfolios. They seek evidence of critical thinking, creative exploration, problem-solving, design development, and a genuine interest in architecture.
For architecture apprenticeships in particular, employers increasingly request a portfolio that demonstrates creativity, observational skills, design thinking, and commitment to the profession. Early experience of architectural projects, site analysis, model-making, and visual communication can help students stand out in both university and apprenticeship applications.
This course helps students move beyond producing finished pieces to developing ideas, testing approaches, refining concepts, and building confidence in their design process—qualities highly valued by admissions tutors and employers alike.
Aligned with the Future of Architectural Education:
Architectural education in the UK is currently undergoing its most significant transformation in over 50 years. The traditional focus on qualifications alone is shifting towards an outcomes-based model that places greater emphasis on demonstrated competencies, professional skills, critical thinking, creativity, communication, and real-world application.
At the same time, architecture degree apprenticeships continue to grow as an alternative route into the profession, with employers increasingly seeking applicants who can demonstrate genuine interest in architecture, creative potential, visual communication skills, and portfolio evidence alongside academic achievement.
This course has been designed with these developments in mind. Through site analysis, observational drawing, photography, model-making, design exploration, portfolio development, and presentation skills, students develop many of the creative, analytical, and reflective abilities now valued by both architecture schools and apprenticeship employers. The emphasis is not simply on producing finished work, but on documenting process, testing ideas, and demonstrating how they think — qualities increasingly recognised as essential for future architects.
What Students Will Do:
• Respond to an architectural design brief and develop a spatial proposal
• Explore and analyse a real site through drawing and observation
• Study architectural precedents through visits and research
• Experiment with model-making and design development techniques
• Develop architectural sketching and visual communication skills
• Use photography and visual recording to document design thinking
• Create a structured and professional portfolio layout
• Present their work in a group exhibition
By the end of the course, students will have produced portfolio-ready work while gaining a deeper understanding of architecture as a discipline and profession. Most importantly, they will develop the creative confidence, critical thinking, and evidence of sustained interest that can strengthen future applications to both architecture degree programmes and architecture apprenticeships.
*All materials are included.