Classical Architecture: A Design Workshop



Overview

Explore the history and variety of classical architecture through the ages, and discover how it is based on ancient principles that have evolved over centuries, up to the present day.

The course includes an expert tour of classical buildings in Oxford, dissecting the way classical principles have been used in their design.

You will have a chance to learn to draw some of the key assemblies of columns and beams that provide the aesthetic framework to all classical design, and well-known practitioners will explain how they have used these to create their own designs.

You will also have the chance to try your hand under expert supervision and leave with your own designs.

Programme details

Course starts Tuesday 21 April 2026

This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings in Oxford on Tuesdays, 6.30-8.30pm.

Week 1:  Introduction to Classical Architecture 

Week 2:  Introducing the Classical Orders 

Week 3:  Tour of classical buildings in Oxford 

Week 4:  Finding the Orders and how to draw the Orders 

Week 5:  Drawing the Orders, tutoring 

Week 6:  Tour of new classical building with the architect 

Week 7:  Tour of new classical building with the architect

Week 8:  Tour of new classical building with the architect

Week 9:  Design project, tutoring 

Week 10: Review design project. 

Certification

Academic credit

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS Points)

Please note, students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you wish to gain credit from completing this course you must register to do so before the course starts.

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail.

Learn more about the Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee for assessment and accreditation.

Digital certificate of completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. See details of our concessionary fees for short courses. 

Tutor

Prof Robert Adam

Professor Robert Adam has practiced architecture for 45 years and has an international reputation as one of the leading exponents of contextual urbanism and modern traditional design. In 1992 he founded ADAM Architecture, now the largest architecture practice specialising in traditional design in Europe. He has written six books, including a textbook on classical architecture and an analysis of how globalisation has affected world architecture, and is a regular contributor of papers, articles and chapters to books, journals and newspapers. He has won numerous prizes including the prestigious Richard H. Driehaus Prize, for “the highest ideals of traditional and classical architecture in contemporary society”.  Adam holds a bachelors degree from the University of Westminster and a doctorate from Oxford Brookes University. 

Course aims

  • To provide a practical and historical knowledge and understanding of the classical design in architecture.
  • To provide a working knowledge of the main components of classical design, to be able to understand the composition of classical buildings, and obtain some elementary practical experience of designing a classical building.

Teaching methods

The course will include lectures, discussion and one-to-one personal instruction.

 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have been given the opportunity to:

  • understand the essential principles of classical architecture;
  • understand the principal compositional methodologies of classical architecture; and
  • gain some working knowledge of the design of classical architecture.

Assessment methods

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation, in advance of the course start date, can submit coursework/assignments for assessment.

Assessment

Students will be assessed on three coursework projects, all presented in drawn form.

This will not be an assessment of drawing skills (assistance with drawing skills will be given where necessary), but rather a demonstration of the understanding of principles of classical architecture and design. Full allowance will be made for the relative skill and knowledge level of students.

Application

How to enrol

Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an enrolment form.

How to register for accreditation and assessment

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for this course, if you wish to do so, you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. 

Students who do not register for CATS points during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education at the Department you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

 

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, ie first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class.

 

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support