Education is central to the mission of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Through lectures, courses, workshops, and academic partnerships, the Texas Chapter works to advance the understanding and practice of classical architecture and the allied arts across the state.
Our programs serve a broad audience—students, design professionals, artisans, and members of the public—providing opportunities to study the principles, history, and craft traditions that shape the classical built environment. From youth education initiatives and university partnerships to professional workshops and public lectures, ICAA Texas offers programming that connects people to architecture in meaningful and lasting ways.
Together, these initiatives foster a deeper appreciation for the classical tradition while supporting the continued development of architects, craftsmen, and cultural stewards across Texas.
New Heights
New Heights is an arts-in-education program developed by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art to introduce middle and high school students to the classical architecture that surrounds them in cities and neighborhoods across America.
The program encourages creativity, strategic thinking, and cultural awareness by helping students understand how architecture shapes communities and reflects human history.
Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experiences, students participate in:
- Lectures on architecture, history, and place-making
- Drawing classes focused on classical architectural elements
- Demonstrations of traditional building crafts such as plaster molding and stone carving
- Architectural walking tours and field studies
Students are also introduced to the wide range of careers connected to architecture and the allied arts, from design and construction to craftsmanship and preservation.
New Heights has been successfully implemented in San Antonio at Alamo Heights High School since 2018, as well as Chesterton Academy in Fort Worth during the 2024–2025 academic year, with additional programs currently being developed in Austin, Houston, and Dallas.
Weekend Workshop
The ICAA Weekend Workshops introduce university students and emerging professionals to the vitality of the classical tradition in contemporary architectural design.
Workshops are taught by practicing architects and combine presentations with guided drawing exercises focused on the principles and language of classical architecture.
Students participate in exercises such as:
- Drawing a classical order
- Completing measured drawings of architectural elements from historic buildings
- Studying precedents as a means of informing contemporary design
Each workshop emphasizes three key areas of study:
Architectural Literacy — An introduction to the grammar of classical architecture and the underlying principles of composition and building.
Study of Precedents — Measured drawing as a tool for understanding historic buildings and translating those lessons into new design solutions.
Application in Practice — Presentations from architects who incorporate classical principles into contemporary work, demonstrating the continued relevance of the tradition today.
Workshops range from one full day to two half-day sessions and may be hosted by universities, design studios, or regional institutions. Participants receive credit toward the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture.
Past workshops in Texas have been hosted by Texas State University in San Marcos (2022) and Texas Christian University in Fort Worth (2019).
Regional Intensive
The ICAA Regional Intensive is an eight-day immersive program that introduces students and professionals to the core curriculum of classical architecture.
Designed for those with limited time but a strong interest in the classical tradition, the program provides a structured and methodical introduction to classical design principles through drawing, analysis, and studio work.
Participants study topics including:
- Classical elements and composition
- Architectural proportion
- Drawing and rendering techniques
- Study of architectural precedent
- Literature of classical architecture
The program culminates in a studio project in which participants design a small building using the classical canon. The design process follows the Beaux-Arts system, beginning with an esquisse and developing through a charrette into a final proposal reviewed by a panel of distinguished architects.
Participants in the Intensive are eligible to receive 64 credits toward the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture.
Recent Texas programs have included the Regional Intensive at the Menger Hotel in San Antonio (2025) and Rice University in Houston (2021).