The 3X3 Architecture Field Study (ARCH 5250: Advanced Topics in Design) at the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Interior Design (ALI) is a three week international travel course that investigates historical and emergent materials, technologies, and techniques in building façade design.
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ARCH 5250
Summer 2025
Registration will open soon. Contact Alex Duval [email protected] for information on how to apply.
INTRO
Introduction
The College of Design at the University of Minnesota is expanding international educational opportunities for students with its new global travel course 3X3 Field Study. This will give students from the School of Architecture the opportunity to travel internationally to study building design and technology. Participants will study exemplary historic buildings as well as new cutting-edge projects with an emphasis on innovations in façade design. Students will also meet with leading industry representatives and design professionals to gain a deeper understanding of concepts, materials, and technologies that drive the building design process.
Satisifies Degree Requirements
This course counts as full credit towards your degree requirement.
Develop your artistic skills
Enhance your classical and modern techniques of architectural representation.
Sponsored global experiences
This program is made possible by the generosity of our Donors.
In 2025, the 3X3 Field Study will be held in Paris, Italy, and London.
About US
Course Overview
Watch a two minute video about the course from Program Leader Alex Duval, Associate Professor in Practice, School of Architecture.
Read our FAQ if you have questions that aren’t covered.
Credit Hours
Days
Buildings
Record Objects
FEATURED
3X3 Field Study: 2023
Centre Georges Pompidou by Renzo Piano Building Workshop, Paris.
PARIS May 17, 2023
Highlight: Renzo Piano Studio Visit
In 2023, the 3X3 Field Study returned to Paris to continue its research on the Centre Pompidou. This time, we visited the office of the architecture firm that designed it. Renzo Piano Building Workshop is a Pritzker Prize winning firm. It is a world leader in museum design and revolutionized the way we think of facade design by turning the building “inside-out” and exposing the structure, mechanical and vertical circulation systems on the facade rather than hiding them.
Click below to learn more.
Featured Videos
Louvre Pyramids Analysis & Drawing
Ashani Trinh 3X3 ’22 University of Minnesota Architecture Student at the Louvre Pyramid by I.M. Pei in Paris.
OMA / Rem Koolhaas Studio Visit
Marina Fernandez Maestre welcoming 3X3 22 Students to OMA / Rem Koolhaas’s offices in Rotterdam.
Architectural Association Research Methods
Dr. Elif Erdine, Director of the Emergent Technologies & Design Post-Graduate Programme at the Architectural Association in London discussing their research with 3X3 22 Students.
Hand Drawing
The main activity of the field study is learning through drawing. One of the architect’s primary skills, drawing connects observation and understanding with action and documentation. Emphasis is put on quickly capturing lots of facade design strategies and depicting them using a variety of artistic methods. These drawings were made by program participants on-site at each building. Click images to enlarge them.
DIGITAL INNOVATION
Digital Mapping
Original Geolocated Photographic Objects: 252
The research outcomes of the Field Study focus on making the architectural sites, buildings and offices we visit visible and accessible to those beyond the immediate program participants. We have begun a geo-located catalog of the photos taken by our participants at the sites they visit.
Our Supporters
The 3X3 Architecture Field Study is made possible by the financial support of our Sponsors and donation of time, resources and expertise of our Community members.
Your generosity will change lives.
CHOOSE US
Why Learn With Us?
Teaching Architecture since 1869
World Class Educators
Top Research University
Strong Professional Community Partners
Rapson Hall, School of Architecture, University of Minnesota