Kristen Hess, co-founder and principal at HH Architecture, taught architecture at the 2011 Design Camp at NC State University the week of July 11^th. The camp is for high school students to explore several disciplines in field of design and to learn about each discipline. Students completed five different projects focusing on architecture, art+design, graphic design, industrial design, and landscape architecture. Approximately 80 high school students from across North Carolina and 13 other states participated in the camp.

Kristen Hess instructs students at Design Camp

This was the third year Kristen has given back to her alma mater by working at Design Camp. “Sharing my love of architecture and design with students reminds me of why I wanted to be an architect,” said Kristen.  Each year she begins her course by taking students through the core principles of design such as solar orientation, hierarchy of structures, place making, and understanding the impact of the design in the building.

This year’s theme was sustainability. Students were asked to think about what makes a building and development sustainable, and about the characteristics of a building where people want to gather. The project students were planning was a new mixed-use development on Hillsborough Street across from the campus of NC State University. Additionally, students were designing a new electric vehicle showroom to highlight electric vehicle plug in stations coming to the City of Raleigh.

Students created models to showcase their designs

Kristen co-planned the project with the landscape architecture program to encourage students to consider the relationship between interior and exterior spaces. Students were to focus on urban density and revitalization of this corridor into downtown Raleigh. The project was supposed to foster sustained growth for businesses and the community, and create a sense of place for users.

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