ICAA’s New England Chapter Hosts the 2024 Regional Intensive

Newport, Rhode Island’s, rich architectural background became the backdrop for this 2024’s deep dive into the core curriculum, as described by Nancy E. Berry, ICAA NE chapter president.

Newport, Rhode Island’s 1741 Colony House, a Georgian–style building designed by Richard Munday and built by Benjamin Wyatt, proved to be the perfect location for the ICAA’s 8-day Regional Intensive on the Classical core curriculum this past October. The building’s design, with traditional detailing throughout (including six fluted pilasters running down the center of the first-floor hall), became part of the educational environment itself. Largely unaltered since opening, the building is the fourth oldest extant State House in the country. Today, the Newport Historical Society owns and manages the building.

The Intensive welcomed 23 students and professionals from all around the country and world, including Canada, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and the United Kingdom. The week opened with an informal sketch session on Friday afternoon. Students carrying sketch pads, pencils, and architect’s easels eagerly climbed the steep granite steps of the 18th-century brick building, to filter into the light-filled historic space set as a classroom. Tall, deep window wells offered views of the autumnal hues found in Eisenhower Park, other Colonial–era buildings, and the bustling waterfront beyond.

The group then headed to the 1900 New York Yacht Club at Harbour Court, designed by Ralph Adams Cram, for a wine and cheese reception hosted by the ICAA New England Chapter. The excitement was palpable as students got a more formal introduction to their fellow classmates, learning about one another’s backgrounds and the design firms with which they worked. It was a magical evening filled with conversation focused on the goals and aspirations of the students along with lots of banter, laughter, and camaraderie.

The program officially began on a cool, bright Saturday morning with a lesson in the language of classical architecture. Students of all levels identified and composed the classical elements to gain understanding of the classical tradition. On Sunday morning, architect Stephen Chrisman, Partner at Ferguson & Shamamian, held a measured-drawing class at the Wanton-Lyman-Hazard House for the students. Each participant grabbed a sketchbook, pencil, and measuring tape to create a scaled representation of the historic building located steps away from the main classroom setting of the Colony House. Later that day, the students headed back to the Colony House to continue learning about the classical elements and composition, proportion, and architectural representation through drawing and rendering, the study of precedent, and the literature of classical architecture.

During the week, the students were treated to a lunch-and-learn session on the Gilded Age by local historian John Tschirch. The students also toured the Breakers and Marble House (inspired by Petit Trianon at Versailles), both designed by Richard Morris Hunt. John Tschirch lent his expertise while observing the classical detailing of both famous Newport Mansions, and returned later in the week for an in-depth lecture on Richard Morris Hunt’s architectural masterpieces found throughout the country. The students worked well into the evenings each night at the Colony House on their studio project: designing a classical building. On the last morning, the students presented their work and what they had learned during the process. Each gained invaluable knowledge about classical forms and how to apply the classical language to their own work. Along with the stunning work, many friendships were formed that week.

The ICAA's 2025 Regional Intensive will be announced in the coming weeks, with details on the location and how to register.

Tags: intensive