Our Program
At UDesign, we offer a one-of-a-kind educational experience where teenagers explore architecture, urban planning, and design through real-world projects. Our hands-on, project-based approach allows students to analyze, design, and present solutions for real sites in Prague that require redevelopment.
Students don’t just learn about cities—they learn how to shape them. Whether they pursue a career in architecture or simply become engaged citizens, our courses equip them with essential design, critical thinking, and communication skills that will serve them for life.
What We Teach
Our curriculum covers a wide range of topics that help students understand and engage with their built environment:
Architecture
Understanding structures, materials, and spatial design
How cities function and how we can improve them
Urban Design & Planning
Exploring how people move through spaces and designing better connections
Mobility
Building for the future with ecological responsibility
Sustainability
Designing for everyone, not just a few
Inclusion & Accessibility
Learning how to express and defend design ideas
Presentation & Communication
Project-Based Learning
Unlike traditional courses, UDesign students don’t just listen—they create. Each semester, participants work on a real site in Prague that needs redevelopment. Through excursions, site visits, and hands-on analysis, they gain a deep understanding of how public spaces function and where they can be improved.
Under the guidance of experienced instructors, students develop their own ideas, create technical drawings and models, and present their proposals at professional venues. The result? Not just learning, but real-world impact.
Who Guides the Students?
Our program is led by young professionals and students from the fields of architecture and urban planning. This allows for an engaging, relatable learning environment where students build trust and rapport with their instructors.
With small group sizes (3-4 instructors per group), we ensure that every student receives individual attention, support, and the chance to be heard.
Skills for Life
UDesign is about more than just architecture—it’s about learning to think critically, collaborate, and communicate ideas effectively. Students leave the course with a strong foundation in both hard and soft skills:
Reading and making technical drawings, understanding scale, building models
Technical skills
Soft skills
Teamwork, problem-solving, and communication
How to pitch ideas, give feedback, and present like a pro
Presentation & Public Speaking
Individual & Collaborative Work
Balancing personal creativity and teamwork
Learning from the Experts
We collaborate with local and ethical organizations to introduce students to different opportunities for being proactive in shaping their communities. By learning directly from professionals and activists, students gain real-world insight into careers and paths they can pursue.
Who is Our Course For?
Our program is designed for curious, creative, and motivated young minds who want to explore how cities work and how they can shape them. You might be a great fit if:
✦ You’re between 12 and 16 years old and eager to dive into the world of design and urban planning.
✦ You’re curious about cities—why they look the way they do, how they function, and how they can be improved.
✦ You want to explore a new field and discover whether architecture or urban planning might be your future path.
✦ You care about your surroundings and want to learn how to make your community a better place.
✦ You’re thinking about studying architecture and want to get a head start.
✦ You love solving problems and enjoy creative challenges.
✦ You’re excited to meet like-minded peers who share your passion for design and urban spaces.
✦ You want to gain real-world skills—from technical drawing to public speaking—that will help you in any career.
No prior experience is needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to explore the world of design!
Check out our brochure for a detailed look at our curriculum!
Testimonials
Aleksandr, 14 y. o.
“I learned how to understand plans, improved my English a little. Notice the needs of people in a park, for example, and look at the surrounding buildings and style of the neighborhood.”
Boniev Tymur 14 y. o.
“It now easier for me to formulate and defend my opinion. Also I started to work better in groups, also I became initiative and confident in groups projects. While we were making model for the site and generally while we are doing some manual monotonous work our guides share with us their experience of studying and working as architect.”
Mom of Stefania
“She began to understand that in the future she wants to connect her life with architecture and design. I really liked the design, as well as the trip to the farm. Yes, this is a wonderful team, experienced young people who invest in children: knowledge, their experience, develop the potential of children, and give direction for the future.”
Yi Sun, 11 y. o.
“I can think of every stakeholder, or most, last semester, and I learned how to make 3D models of plans, including how to make scales. I also learned about homeless people in the last semester. It means to me that there is a lot of things to occupy your time, which sounds good, especially when you keep watching videos or playing video games. It is a good practice for social skills.”
Mom of Varya
“Varya considers the surrounding space as a possible object. She expresses that she should improve in it, learn to design. And become more confident in herself. I really liked the children's projects from idea to implementation. What was considered difficult for me - they implemented in small steps. I like that they can touch adult life. To see their possibilities.”
Mom of Yi
“One class that kiddos visited homeless zone near main train station. Yi got back home and shared he had never so close to know homeless and how important to think about people variety when build a city for everyone. I think this kind of programs are really good to improve teamwork, and also individual practical skills. Highly recommend”
Mom of Vlad
“The children are better prepared for life in today’s world — they already have professional experience in architecture and urban planning, and they have a deeper understanding of the social aspects of life and the built environment. The teaching is of the highest professional standard, and the instructors are friendly and serve as excellent personal role models for young people.”
Mom of Yana