Students will be taken through the history and variety of classical architecture through the ages and shown how it is based on ancient principles that have evolved over centuries, up to the present day. This will include an expert tour of classical buildings in Oxford dissecting the way classical principles have been used in their design. Students 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. Students will have a chance to try their hand under expert supervision and take away their own designs.
Classical Architecture: A Design Workshop
This is an in-person course which requires your attendance at the weekly meetings which take place in Oxford.
Overview
Programme details
Course starts: 21 Apr 2026
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.
Recommended reading
All weekly class students may become borrowing members of the Rewley House Continuing Education Library for the duration of their course. Prospective students whose courses have not yet started are welcome to use the Library for reference. More information can be found on the Library website.
There is a Guide for Weekly Class students which will give you further information.
Recommended reading is optional and you are not required to purchase these books to study this course.
Optional preparatory reading:
- The Classical Language of Architecture / John Summerson
- The Layman's' Guide to Classical Architecture / Quinlan Terry
Certification
Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points
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. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points
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.
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.
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. Please see the below link for full details:
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 give a practical and historical knowledge and understanding of the classical design in architecture.
- To develop a working knowledge 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
Lecturing, discussion and one-to-one personal instruction.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course students will be expected to:
1. Understand the essential principles of classical architecture
2. Understand the principal compositional methodologies of classical architecture
3.Have some working knowledge of the design of classical architecture
Assessment methods
Students will be assessed on their three course work projects all in drawn form. This will not be an assessment of drawing skills (assistance with drawing skills will be given where necessary) but a demonstration of an understanding of principles of classical architecture and design. Full allowance will be made for the relative skill and knowledge level of students.
Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.
Application
To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education
Students who do not register for assessment and credit 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 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, i.e. 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.