At Moses Brown, the classroom is often just a starting point for a much larger journey. A new Architecture elective pushed students to bridge the gap between abstract mathematics and the tangible world. Led by faculty member Nathaniel Shaw, the course was modeled after the high-pressure, high-reward environment of professional architecture schools. Forget standard assessments; these students spent their weeks in "desk critiques" and "pin-ups," presenting their evolving drafts to mentors and peers for rigorous feedback. The guiding principle was clear: Process over Product.

"The experience was eyeopening for me. It was fascinating to create a space for someone and know it may be used in a real place." –Tanner L. ’2

“It has given us an opportunity to not only learn something about architecture, but also to help the community around us and use what Moses Brown gives us to apply our learning for the greater good.” – Dario B. ’26

From Sustainable Dreams to Real-World Realities

Nathaniel had long thought about designing an architecture course that merged math and art. He’d worked previously with Tami Hughes, Associate Principal at DBVW Architects, and was inspired by her work with the ACE Mentor Program of RI, a program geared toward exposing high school students to the architecture, construction, and engineering fields. He designed the MB architecture curriculum around three major projects and launched the course with an ambitious challenge: designing a sustainable home. Working in groups, students dove deep into the science of building, debating the merits of slate vs. metal roofs and researching rust-resistant insulation and advanced HVAC systems. The project also provided a vital reality check. “People forget that sustainable also means tighter, smaller, less spacious buildings,” says Nathaniel. He noted that “a lot of them built very large homes because they didn’t have an understanding of size,” adding that a keen sense of scale is often a challenge for novice architects. “When you’re designing a house that’s 25,000 square feet, that’s the same size as the Woodman Center, which seats 540 people!” By grappling with these hurdles, students learned that true sustainability isn't just about solar panels— it’s about scale, budget, and efficiency. As they worked on their designs, students connected with local architects who generously gave their time during class periods for feedback. Visiting architects included MB parent Paul Attemann P’27, Principal & Director of Affordable Housing at Union, whose expertise in affordable housing design is especially sought after by clients and community members. The project concluded with students presenting their sustainable home concept to the panel of architects, defending their work and engaging in Q&A with panelists that deepened their learning. This hands-on trial-and-error prepared them for their second and most significant task: a partnership with the Providence Housing Authority.

Impacting the Community: The Dexter Manor Partnership

To bring the lesson of architecture as service to life, the class partnered with the Providence Housing Authority to envision renovations to Dexter Manor, a low-income housing complex for the elderly. “It was really important to me to get students off the Moses Brown campus and see some issues in the community,” says Nathaniel. This wasn't a simulation; it was a community outreach initiative with real stakes. Students left the MB campus to interview residents and board members, discovering that good design is as much about listening as it is about drawing. "One of the most rewarding things about the project was how the residents seemed super excited that high schoolers were coming in to show we care and try to help,” said senior Dario B. ’26. “It has given us an opportunity to not only learn something about architecture, but also to help the community around us and use what Moses Brown gives us to apply our learning for the greater good.” “What I really valued from this project was to be able to think creatively and think in a unique and new way, using underdeveloped spaces that people overlook,” Senior Reese C. ’26 shared about the problem-solving component of the work, “while also being able to potentially improve people’s lives.” A culminating professional symposium in the Sinclair Room allowed students to exhibit their work with Providence Housing Authority administrators and residents along with MB parents, faculty, and staff. While showing their work, 3D models included, students answered why behind their work. "I added a lot of clothing space because  residents felt they didn't have enough,” explained junior Cecilia S. ’27 about her closet design  decisions for the studio apartments. She found the project particularly rewarding due to the potential for her ideas to influence the Providence Housing Authority’s future plans. 

A Portfolio of Possibilities

The third major project in the course was an independent study where students had agency and choice to design a project of their own interest. Some redesigned their bedroom. Some worked on aspects of the MB campus that they wish were different. Some researched materials that could be used instead of standard materials used now and other ways to make more sustainable building choices. 

The course concluded with a final portfolio review by Nathaniel appraising the students’ trajectory across the three projects. By the end of the semester, the students had moved beyond only technical growth; they had become intentional creators who understood the profound impact of every line they drew “The experience was eye-opening for me,” said Tanner L. ’26. "It was fascinating to create a space for someone and know it may be used in a real place." It was a lesson that is in essence the blueprint of the Moses Brown experience: taking what is learned in the classroom and applying it, quite literally, to the world outside. Through critiques, community interviews, and final defenses, these students moved far beyond the drafting table. They didn't just learn how to sketch a building; they learned how to architect a more thoughtful, equitable, and sustainable future for themselves and their neighbors.

The Foundation Architecture Course Overview 

The hands-on architecture course immerses students in the world of design, from foundational drafting principles to utilizing modern technology. Over a semester, students master techniques like sketching, modeling, computer-aided design (CAD), and 3D printing. Students taking the course in the 202627 school year will tackle real-world challenges by: designing a sustainable home (creating hand-drawn sketches and CAD blueprints for a single-family residence), addressing community needs (identifying a local project and developing architectural plans to meet those needs), and building for the future (collaborating with MB administration to reimagine Upper School spaces, culminating in a 3D printed and/or laser-cut model). Students will explore key concepts like sustainability, cost-efficiency, and the use of lines, patterns, and textures to create impactful designs. This course equips students with essential skills and knowledge for a future in architecture, while also bringing student awareness to the larger impacts architecture plays in their own community.