CoLab Studio (Summer Youth CoLab)

CoLab Studio / Summer Youth CoLab

Funder: Neighborhood Design Center

Overview: A professional development and community improvement program through design that builds a diverse pipeline to design careers, supports local businesses, and exposes high school students to opportunities in the design profession.

Program Details:

Duration: 6-week intensive summer program

Target Audience: High school students in the region

Year Launched: 2023

Participants: Approximately 10 high school interns per cohort

Key Components:

Introduction to architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, city planning, and graphic design

Site visits and environmental documentation

Client meetings with business/building owners

Design team projects working on real community spaces

Presentation skills development

Final jury presentation to business owners and design professionals

Hands-on implementation of selected design concept

Career exploration through firm tours, "day in the life" presentations, and mentorship

Program Goals:
1. Build diverse pipeline to design careers
2. Support local businesses with exterior improvements
3. Expose high school students to design career opportunities
4. Advance belief that "design is a right not a privilege"
5. Create more inclusive generation of design professionals

Past Project Example (2023):

Partner businesses: Rambling House and Honey Cup Coffee (SoHud community)

Student work included: building base paint, linework art graphics, new awnings, revamped furnishings, new signage

Funding Partners (2023):

BDT Foundation

Ingram White-Castle Foundation

Nationwide Children's Hospital

City of Columbus - Department of Neighborhoods

The Ohio State University – Planning, Architecture & Real Estate

Industry Partner Firms (2023):

Campus Partners

City of Columbus - Department of Neighborhoods

Meyers + Associates

MKSK

MORPC

Employment Opportunities:

Student coordinator positions available (2023: Elsie Almodovar-Reyes and Haylee Zavaski)

Contact:

Neighborhood Design Center

Address: 1445 Summit Street 300, Columbus, OH 43201

Phone: (614) 221-5001

Email: info@columbusndc.org