20 credits towards the ICAA Certificate in Classical Architecture | Submitted for AIA Approval
The ICAA鈥檚 Christopher H. Browne Drawing Tours are a reimagining of the long tradition of designers traveling—both domestically and abroad—to study and document precedents in order to inform and inspire the design of new buildings and places. The Drawing Tours aim to enhance practitioners鈥� knowledge and skills in creative and informed applications of the classical tradition. Each program is guided by leading architects in classical design. Instructors will explore a carefully-curated itinerary of drawing and study sites that introduce participants to the unique design characteristics of the city.
These programs are especially designed for emerging practitioners who have some prior experience working in traditional design, and are looking to expand the breadth of precedents that they can utilize in practice throughout their careers. The Drawing Tours are also frequently attended by established designers, artists, and all those looking to generally broaden their knowledge of classical design precedents.
In 2026, the ICAA's Domestic Drawing Tour will look at the architecture, design, and urbanism of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Guided by longtime Portsmouth visitor and ICAA drawing instructor Stephen Chrisman, the program will highlight significant local precedents from Portsmouth's 1630 founding through the 19th century while giving students the opportunity to develop their sketching, analytical, and measured drawing skills. Of particular interest is the Strawbery Banke district, one of the best collections of residential architecture from the 17th through 19th centuries, in varying styles and levels of sophistication, extant today in New England. Participants will have the opportunity to capture details such as the rooflines and ornamentation of key sites, as well as streetscapes, in their sketchbooks. By the end of the tour, students will gain both a richer understanding of Portsmouth鈥檚 architectural heritage and a portfolio of on-site drawings.
Stephen Chrisman is a Partner at Ferguson & Shamamian Architects in New York City. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Notre Dame and Bachelor of Architecture from the Oregon School of Design. His teaching focus has been on Classical Architectural Design and Composition, The Art of The Measured Sketchbook, and How to Study Buildings: An Analysis of Architectural Composition and Precedent. Stephen is a long-standing Fellow of the ICAA and serves on its National 午夜福利啊啊啊啊啊 Committee.
Patrick Suarez is an architect at Ferguson & Shamamian Architects in New York. He received his M. Arch in architecture at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC (2020), where he also completed his undergraduate studies in philosophy. In addition to his time in Washington, he spent a semester in Rome, Italy, in the Summer School in Architecture and Urbanism at the University of Buckingham in London (2019), and a summer in the fine art Atelier of Bret Ingbretson, Merrimack, NH (2015). He has worked professionally in the United Kingdom, Bahamas, seven US states, and the District of Columbia where he is registered.
A draft itinerary and materials list for the 2026 Christopher H. Browne Portsmouth Drawing Tour will be available soon. For more information about this program, please contact [email protected].
It is recommended that participants have experience with architectural field drawing, or have taken a Measured Drawing and/or Analytical Drawing skills class with the ICAA, prior to attending a Drawing Tour. Instructors will provide an introduction to each site and demonstrations of relevant drawing techniques, as well as informally assist with participant questions throughout the program. However, the Drawing Tour is intended as an advanced study of precedents rather than a formal course in fundamental field drawing or plein air watercolor techniques.
The Christopher H. Browne Drawing Tours honor the generosity, leadership, and legacy of the 午夜福利啊啊啊啊啊 & Art鈥檚 late Trustee, Mr. Christopher H. Browne. The ICAA is pleased to award four scholarships to drawing tour students or emerging professionals annually in the name of Mr. Browne, a long-time supporter and champion of classicism. Scholarship recipients will receive the moniker 鈥淐hristopher H. Browne Scholars.鈥�Additional scholarships for emerging professionals and students are generously made available through the Benton Family Foundation to support the growth and development of the ICAA's Teaching Assistant program. Recipients learn drawing skills from precedents during the Drawing Tours, and later apply these skills as Teaching Assistants--and potential instructors--in ICAA programs.The following materials are required for consideration for a scholarship:
The final deadline for these scholarship applications is Monday, March 9, 2026. Applicants will be notified of decisions by the end of day on March 30, 2026.
Questions regarding the ICAA's courses may be directed via email to [email protected]; via phone to 212-730-9646 ext. 112; or via mail to our National Office at 20 West 44th Street, Suite 310, New York, NY 10036.
The price is only for the course instruction. You will need to make and pay for your own flights and accommodation.
The ICAA has a Classroom Code of Conduct in place for all of our educational programs, which can be found by clicking here. Participants in all of our classes (both online and in-person) are expected to follow this code.
Typically a combination of students and professionals attend.
Yes, absolutely. Most evenings can be spent exploring on your own or with fellow participants.
Some meals are included, which will be spent together as a group. Otherwise you are free to eat where and with whom you please.
The ICAA does not provide materials, but will provide a full materials list at least one month before the course. Typically, the cost of materials is between $100 and $200.
No. Programs are designed to introduce a broad range of skills and experiences which is only possible through full participation.
You may refer to the ICAA's cancellation policy [here.]