by Heather Livingston

Dahlquist and Lutzow Architects Ltd. recently presented its 100th scholarship to Chicago-area students pursuing undergraduate studies in accredited architecture programs. Since 1997, D&L has offered the scholarships to students who excel in pre-architectural studies and are enrolled at one of the several local high schools at which the firm has worked. With a large portion of their practice devoted to educational facilities, Dahlquist and Lutzow conceived of the scholarship as a way to give back to the community while fostering support for pre-architecture programs in high schools.

Dwain Lutzow, AIA, principal, recalls that the impetus for the scholarship program was his own lack of exposure to the profession of architecture in high school. As a student, Lutzow was fairly certain that he wanted to become an architect, but he says he “never fully understood until college what an architect did.” While preparing to interview for a project at his former high school, the idea for a scholarship supporting pre-architecture students dawned on him. He soon convinced the school administrator to introduce architecture studies into the high school’s curriculum.

Money and much more
Dahlquist and Lutzow’s scholarship provides $500 to each student for tuition, books, or other supplies. In addition, it offers the graduates the opportunity to shadow an architect in the firm for a day. Lutzow believes that this experience is as important as the monetary support, because it provides exposure to the profession, gives the students an introduction to the intricacies of practice, and offers a flavor of the design studio. Typically, the day will include a visit to a nearby job site where the graduates will be given tasks to perform. It also includes ample time spent talking with the firm principals as well as intern architects. “We have some very good intern architects with good insight on IDP,” he reports. “They help shed light on what it’s like to be an architecture student and they can talk about their experience in school. They’re able to really connect with the students.” Lutzow estimates that about 95 percent of the scholarship recipients take advantage of job shadowing.

The firm’s goals for the program are to support the development of pre-architectural programs that introduce students to careers in the field of architecture, promote the value of pre-architectural training in high school, foster a genuine interest in the societal value of architecture as an art form and an enhancement to the general quality of life, and encourage high school students to pursue a profession that recognizes the value of creating and designing healthy environmental systems. Cofounder and Principal Bruce Dahlquist, AIA, emphasizes the societal impact the partners wish to achieve through the scholarship fund: “We hope the scholarships will encourage more young people to consider a career in a field that plays such a vital role in both our past and present.”

Some great payoffs
The firm sets the parameters for scholarship-application projects submitted, but provides considerable latitude in media and approach. Creativity and originality are highly encouraged. The eligible schools then self-select student projects to submit for scholarship consideration. An advisory group spends a full day evaluating the projects. Once the recipients are selected, the partners work with school administrators to present the scholarships at the schools’ senior assemblies. In addition to being a nice perk for the students, this offers the firm the chance to meet with teachers and school administrators and talk to students interested in exploring a career in architecture.

Lutzow notes that, although a few schools still struggle with implementing and maintaining pre-architecture programs, both the efforts the schools have made toward introducing architecture studies and the scholarship program itself have yielded tremendous results. After developing the initial relationship with architects in the firm, many students will keep in touch by bringing in projects for staff to look at and some subsequently intern in one of the firm’s two offices during the summer. Lutzow relays with pride that one of the earliest scholarship students now works full-time at Dahlquist and Lutzow. “We are very lucky to have her,” he enthuses. “She worked here every summer during school and was, in fact, so good that we used to save projects for her. She’s been a great asset and is exactly the reason we started this program.”

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