Center for Architecture Explorations

The Center for Architecture Explorations (CAE) supports architecture education for all ages. Building on Carnegie Mellon Architecture’s experience with youth education, university service learning projects, engagement with architectural practice and academic research, we create dynamic architectural education pedagogy with an emphasis on building equity and diversity within the design professions.

Register for outreach programs

The mission of the CAE is to facilitate links between architecture organizations, K-12 educators and K-12 students, particularly in underserved neighborhoods; to provide scalable training courses, workshops and mentorship opportunities for professionals and undergraduate/graduate students to better prepare them to teach in K-12 and higher education contexts as well as better communicate with the communities they serve as designers; and to conduct research into STEM and design pedagogy to develop innovative educational materials and curricula.

The CAE oversees Pittsburgh's Architecture Learning Network (ALN), a collaboration among more than 10 nonprofits in the region, and is advised by an Education Committee comprised of architects, architecture students, parents, faculty and educators. 

K-12 Youth Programs

CAE youth programs are a collection of architecture-based extracurricular and academic enrichment programs for students in kindergarten through high school. Through our programs we aim to foster knowledge of and appreciation for the built environment, encourage creative expression and critical thought, and inspire civic responsibility. The CAE is an APOST Quality Campaign Member and all youth programs are part of the Architecture Learning Network. Email us for more information.

Saturday Sequence
The K-12 Saturday Sequence emphasizes the problem-solving skills central to the architectural design process and guides students through an architectural project. The multi-week program is held Saturday mornings on the CMU campus during the fall and spring semesters.

Tours & Workshops
Register for a CAE Tour or Workshop and join us on CMU’s campus to learn more about our programs, an architecture career, or a specific-interest topic. Past tours have explored architecture and technology, green roofs and sustainability.

Summer Camps 
During the summer, the CAE partners with fellow arts organizations to offer a variety of summer day camps. Join us at the Carnegie Museum of Art, where the museum becomes a classroom and the museum’s permanent collection inspires architectural projects; at Assemble, to engage with art and technology through making; on the CMU campus for a variety of special-topic courses; and at one of the many ALN Partners throughout the region. 

Carnegie Museum of Art
ACE Mentor Program
Assemble
Architecture Learning Network

CAE Sponsors 
The Sprout Fund
The Grable Foundation
Remake Learning
United Way
The Pittsburgh Foundation

CAE is supported in kind through partnership with CMU's UDream program, and its Benefactor Sponsor, Perkins Eastman.