Study Tour Programs



Experience architecture first hand

SAH draws on its vast network of scholars and practitioners around the world to create a study tour program that focuses on the architecture and landscapes of different regions, periods, cities, styles, and architects. SAH offers study day programs in partnership with current exhibitions, collections at museums and other institutions. The SAH Study Tour program is comprised of either 1-day programs at one site both in the US and internationally, or 10-12 day programs that visit non US destinations covering multiple buildings and larger geographic areas. 

Every SAH study tour program is the result of extensive scholarship and research, designed specifically for those whose interest in architecture goes beyond the standard guidebook. Our tours are not “canned” – each one is designed by a member whose expertise and knowledge are authoritative. Our tour leader’s connections allow for unprecedented access to significant structures, making SAH tours legendary for granting members access to buildings and places usually inaccessible to the general public. One of the greatest benefits of SAH Study Tour program is the company – the experience is always enhanced with debate and input from colleagues with expertise in a variety of disciplines.

Upcoming Study Tours:


July 19: Study Day in Los Angeles  - Click here to register now 
Trouble registering? Please contact Beth Eifrig at beifrig@sah.org or 312.573.1365



This study day will offer SAH members the opportunity to be shown two distinct exhibitions by the curators. These exhibitions are part of Pacific Standard Time Presents: Modern Architecture in L.A., celebrating the city’s modern architectural heritage through exhibitions and programs at cultural institutions in and around L.A. April-July, 2013.


Overdrive: LA Constructs the Future 1940-1990
Tour and discussion will be presented by curators and SAH members Wim de Wit, Senior Curator of Architecture and Design at the Getty Research Institute, and Christopher James Alexander, Curator of Architecture and Design at Getty Research Institute.  

Date: July 19, 2013, 10:00am PT
Location: J. Paul Getty Museum, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, California 90049

A. Quincy Jones: Building a Better Living
Tour and discussion will be presented by Ellen Donnelly, the Hammer’s Curatorial Fellow for the exhibition.

Date: July 19, 2013, 2:30pm PT
Location: The Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center at UCLA, or the Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024



Schedule:
  • 10:00am  Getty
  • 12:30pm  Lunch on own
  • 2:00pm    Share cab and fare to the Hammer Museum
  • 2:30pm    Hammer Museum
  • 3:30pm    Discussion in café, refreshments on own
  • 4:30pm    Closure, share cabs and fare back to Getty, if necessary. 

AIA/CES HSW Learning Units: 3

Tour Leaders:
  • Wim de Wit: Former SAH Board member; Senior Curator and Head, Department of Architecture and Contemporary Art - Getty
  • Christopher James Alexander: Curator of Architecture and Design - Getty
  • Ellen Donnelly: Curatorial Fellow – Hammer Museum

Price: $199 per person for both exhibits. No substitutions or refunds.

Tour Price Includes:
  • Tour of both exhibits led by the curators 
  • Discussion and commentary of each exhibition
  • Donation to SAH
  • Registration, preparation and mailing of study day materials
Registration:  Online reservations will be accepted first come, first served basis beginning June 11, 2013 at 3:00pm CST. Registration is limited to a total of 25 people.   



A Society of Architectural Historians Scott Opler Endowment for New Scholars Study Tour Fellowship is available for this Study Day. Applications accepted beginning June 4 with a deadline of June 28.

Read the application requirements and criteria and click here to apply. 


June 6: Study Day at MoMA - sold out - register for waitlist only

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Date: 6 June, 2013, 9:15 am EST
Location: The Museum of Modern Art, 11 West Fifty-third Street, New York City, NY
Price: $199.00 per person. 
Register: Online reservations will be accepted first-come, first-served basis beginning April 30, 2013 at 3:00pm CST. Registration limited to 25 people.


This study day will highlight two exhibits:

Henri Labrouste: Structure Brought to Light
Curated by SAH member Barry Bergdoll, The Philip Johnson Chief Curator of Architecture and Design, MoMA; Corinne Belier, Chief Curator, Cite de l’Architecture & du Patrimoine; and Marc Le Coeur, Art Historian, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Departement des Estampes et de la Photographie.  Read a review of this exhibition.

Le Corbusier: An Atlas of Modern Landscapes
Guest curated by SAH member Jean-Louis Cohen,  Institute of Fine Arts, New York University. Read a review of this exhibition.

A SAH Study Tour Fellowship is available for this Study Day. Applications accepted beginning April 30.

Deadline extended: Please apply no later than May 28 at 12:00 p.m. EST, 11:00 a.m. CST. 

Read the application requirements and criteria and click here to apply. 


Schedule:
  • 9:15am - meet in MoMA lobby
  • 9:30am - tour exhibitions
  • 11:30am - visit the permanent galleries of the Architecture and Design Department
  • 12 noon - lunch (a list of restaurants and cafes will be provided)
  • 2pm - tour exhibitions
  • 4pm - gather for discussion and a glass of wine 


AIA/CES HSW Learning Units: 6

Tour Leaders:
Barry Bergdoll, Past President of SAH and current Philip Johnson Chief Curator in the Department of Architecture and Design at MoMA; Jean-Louis Cohen the SAH 2013 Alice Davis Hitchcock Book Award recipient and Guest Curator at MoMA

Registration Details: 
Full payment is required at the time of registration. Payment is non-refundable and non-transferable. This program will not be repeated and a small wait-list will be accepted. 


Tour Price Includes:
  • Admission and service fees to MoMA
  • Behind the scenes tour of both exhibitions
  • Access to the permanent galleries of the Architecture and Design department during the lunch break
  • Discussion and commentary led by Barry Bergdoll, and Jean-Louis Cohen curators of each exhibition
  • Donation to SAH
  • Study Day gathering with wine and snacks
  • Mailing of materials and information
  • Honorarium

SAH Study Tour: Second Tour to Cuba - Sold Out



Dates: 15 May, 2013 - 27 May, 2013
Price: $5,695 per person sharing a room (double occupancy) 
  $6,360 per person single occupancy
Deposit: 
 $600 per person is required for each individual reserving a space on this tour.  This deposit is non-refundable.  SAH is working in conjunction with Friendly Planet Travel and their policies for this tour. Friendly Planet Travel holds the required OFCA license to conduct travel programs in Cuba.
Register: Limited spaces are available. Please contact Kathy Sturm at ksturm@sah.org to reserve a spot on this special program. 


Unfortunately, SAH will not be able to offer a study tour fellowship for this tour.


The tour includes:
  • Transfer to Miami Airport
  • Round trip charter flight from Miami to Cuba, including airport taxes
  • Cuba Entrance Visa Fee
  • 13 hotel nights
  • 11 Breakfasts
  • 9 lunches
  • One drink of choice per meal
  • 3 dinners
  • Private English speaking national guide during duration of tour (Cuban Government requirement)
  • Air-conditioned modern motorcoach  as noted in the itinerary
  • All applicable entrance fees to sites
  • 2 bottles of water per person/per day (excluding arrival and departure days)
  • Authorization documentation allowing passengers to clear US immigrations upon returning to the United States
  • Cuban Travel Insurance covering medical expenses
  • Services of a Friendly Planet Travel program manager
  • An SAH Tour Leader
  • SAH Board Representative
  • Voluntary donation to SAH
  • SAH administrative costs
  • 77 AIA/CES Learning Units

Not included:
  • Passport Costs
  • Expenditure for personal items (laundry, telephone, internet fees, meals not included in tour price)
  • Gratuities for guides, drivers, hotel maid service, porters and restaurant waiters
  • Cuban Departure Tax of 25CUC (approximately $30USD per person) – must be paid in cash on departure from Cuba.
  • Trip cancellation/interruption insurance. You may purchase through a preferred agency or through Friendly Planet.
  • Hotel in Miami.  A special offer will be available to those who have a confirmed space on the tour.

Other Opportunities:


SAH Local Chapter Tours 
The SAH Chapters, which are located across the U.S., also organize tours on a regular basis. Click here for chapter websites and contact information. 
SAH Annual Conference Tours
In conjunction with each SAH Annual Conference, the Local Committee organizes dozens of tours to explore the architectural wealth of the host city and its surrounding region. Visit the annual conference website for tour updates. 
Catch up on previous study tours with our Study Tour Fellow Reports written by graduate students who have been awarded SAH Study Tour Fellowships. 
Earn AIA Continuing Education Learning Units
The Society of Architectural Historians currently offers AIA / CES learning units for this program. SAH is registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education System (AIA / CES) and is committed to developing quality learning activities in accordance with the AIA / CES criteria.