Our studio of over 30 students annually brings together five faculty coordinated together under the director to lend their expertise to student education. Architectural design, urban analysis, computer technology, history/theory/criticism, design-development, professional practice, detailing, and architectural engineering are provided by knowledgeable experts working together under Phillips’s initiation and leadership throughout the two-quarter (20-week) program to ensure comprehensive student education and understanding.

As part of the Cal Poly LA Metro Program, over 25 firms intern our students full time two-days per week for educational credit. 2/3 of these internships are paid and qualify for AXP credit. The internships connect our students with local professionals, develop their skills and professional experience; student professional skills are shared in studio. Additionally, our internship partners serve as critics at our studio reviews as student mentors.

To support our students, LA Metro has generated a series of 6-month full-time paid fellowship programs at Morphosis Architects, Gehry + Partners Architects, and Marmol Radziner. These opportunities provide our students with valuable work experience alongside fellowship pay and educational credit for an extended period. Need and merit-based scholarships from HMC Architects, AC Martin, CO Architects, MAD Architects, and Blythe and Thom Mayne of Morphosis Architects are available for students.

LA Metro collaborates with our event sponsors to host a robust symposium, lecture, and seminar series for our students. National and local speakers provide substantive, thought-provoking presentations in both private and public forums, educating our students and engaging academics and professionals on evolving contemporary interests and themes relevant to architecture, urbanism, and design.