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Award-Winning History of Architecture Tutors

Certified Tutor
9+ years
Christianna
Christianna holds a Master's in Architecture and has spent years studying how buildings tell the story of the cultures that created them — from the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals to the steel-and-glass curtain walls of Modernism. Her time living in Paris gave her firsthand experience with la...
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Masters, Architecture
Rice University
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Allison
Allison is currently earning her Master of Architecture at Columbia, where she studies how built environments evolve across periods — from Roman concrete vaults to Bauhaus minimalism to contemporary parametric design. That immersion in architectural theory and studio culture means she can walk stude...
Columbia University in the City of New York
Master of Architecture, Architecture
Colgate University
Bachelor in Arts, Physics
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Richard
Architecture tells the story of power, technology, and culture in physical form — from the democratic ideals embedded in Greek Revival courthouses to the industrial ambition behind Art Deco skyscrapers. Richard's background in history and government gives him a sharp lens for connecting architectura...
University
Bachelor's
Certified Tutor
9+ years
Michelle
Michelle's biology and engineering background gives her an unexpected angle on architectural history: she understands the material science behind why certain structures were possible — how Roman pozzolanic concrete enabled the Pantheon's unsupported dome, or how steel framing unlocked the skyscraper...
Centenary College of Louisiana
Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Caleb
Few tutors can walk through the evolution of built environments the way someone trained in it can — Caleb holds a Bachelor of Architecture from IIT with a specialization in history and theory. From Roman concrete to Bauhaus modernism to contemporary parametric design, he unpacks how architectural mo...
Illinois Institute of Technology
Bachelor in Architecture, Architecture
Certified Tutor
7+ years
Emeka
From the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals to the tension cables of modern deconstructivism, Emeka teaches architectural history as a story of engineering ambition meeting cultural identity. He's a practicing architect and engineer at a firm in Arizona, which means he can explain not just what ...
University of Phoenix-Pittsburgh Campus
Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering
Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Aaron
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old e...
The University of Texas at Dallas
Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering
Duke University
Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
10+ years
Nina
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant ...
Columbia University
Masters in biostatistics
Northwestern University
Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)
Columbia University in the City of New York
Current Grad Student, Biostatistics
Certified Tutor
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology
Certified Tutor
Liz
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received ...
Simmons College
Masters, Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities 5-12
Washington University in St. Louis
Bachelor of Arts in History (minors in Humanities and Anthropology)
Certified Tutor
Michelle
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medici...
Baylor College of Medicine
Current Grad Student, M.D.
Rice University
Bachelor's in Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Certified Tutor
Christopher
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tut...
Harvard College
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Certified Tutor
8+ years
Solange
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campu...
Harvard University
Bachelor in Arts (Sociology & Women's Studies)
Certified Tutor
Charles
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best descr...
Yale University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering
Top 20 Social Studies Subjects
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Liz
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
Michelle
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects
I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.
Christopher
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects
I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music
Solange
Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects
I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art
Charles
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing
Justin
AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects
I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.
Henry
Calculus Tutor • +41 Subjects
I'm eager to help you in your education. I'm a recent graduate of Harvard College looking to apply to law school. My senior thesis was written on John Dewey's ideas of education, which I deeply believe has incredible power to transform individuals and society.
Elena
Calculus Tutor • +32 Subjects
I am a graduate of McGill University (BA First Class Honors) and the University of Edinburgh (MSc First Class Honors with Distinction) with over eight years of tutoring experience. I am currently a curriculum developer for a company which creates relatable and culturally-literate courses for middle and high-schools, and am particularly adept at communicating and explaining concepts in a quirky, engaging, and intelligent manner. I was named Scotland International Young Thinker of the Year 2014 for exactly that sort of work. Much of my tutoring background is in test-prep and essay coaching, which I enjoy because it allows the tutor and student to think strategically together, and work as a team to achieve concrete results. I have worked with students ranging in age from 6-32, and believe that, in an educational context, a few jokes never hurt anybody. I love reading and learning, and my educational approach is centered around making the material just as engaging to students as it is to me. I think J.K. Rowlings, the writer of Harry Potter, is just as brilliant as Stephen Hawking, and in my free time, I manage my (terrible) fantasy baseball team, write songs for my comedy band, and crack jokes about terrible science-fiction movies with my friends.
Isabella
Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects
I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art
James
AP Calculus AB Tutor • +41 Subjects
I am currently a senior at Harvard College where I study chemistry, and I'll be attending Columbia Medical School next year. I have years of experience tutoring college students in math (mostly calculus) and chemistry including both general and organic chemistry. In addition, I am very familiar with all sections of the SAT and ACT having prepared several high school students for these tests. I believe that every student is capable of boosting his or her baseline score on these tests, so long as he or she works hard to get to know the format of the tests and the most popular types of questions. I tutor because I love seeing students develop a genuine passion for the subjects they once disliked (such as math and science), once they understand the power of these subjects and their applications to the real world.
Top 20 Subjects
Frequently Asked Questions
Students often struggle with synthesizing architectural movements across time periods—understanding how Gothic architecture influenced Renaissance design, or how modernism responded to 19th-century eclecticism. Another common challenge is connecting architectural styles to their historical, cultural, and socioeconomic contexts; it's easy to memorize that Art Deco emerged in the 1920s, but harder to explain why that style reflected the era's technological optimism and cultural values. Additionally, students frequently mix up similar stylistic elements across periods (Romanesque vs. Gothic arches, for example) and struggle with analyzing primary sources like architectural drawings, blueprints, and historical photographs to extract evidence about design intent and construction methods.
Rather than memorizing isolated facts about each style, focus on learning the underlying design principles—proportion, structural innovation, ornamentation, and spatial organization—that connect movements together. For example, understanding that Gothic architecture solved the problem of supporting heavy stone walls through pointed arches and flying buttresses helps you see why this innovation spread and influenced later designs. A tutor can help you build analytical frameworks that organize styles by their solutions to specific problems (load-bearing, aesthetics, materials available) rather than just dates and names, making patterns visible and retention natural.
Analyzing architecture requires reading multiple types of evidence: visual analysis of the building itself (materials, proportions, decorative elements), historical documents about its construction and purpose, and contextual information about the architect, client, and era. When writing, you should move beyond description ("the building has tall columns") to interpretation grounded in evidence ("the tall columns and classical proportions reflected the client's desire to project authority and permanence, a common strategy in 19th-century institutional architecture"). Tutors can teach you how to construct arguments that connect specific architectural features to historical claims, avoiding correlation-causation errors like assuming a style was popular simply because it emerged during a certain period.
Primary source architectural materials—blueprints, elevation drawings, photographs, and construction documents—reveal design decisions that finished buildings sometimes obscure. When analyzing these sources, consider what they show (materials, proportions, structural systems) and what they reveal about constraints (budget, available technology, site conditions) and intentions (the architect's aesthetic goals or the client's functional needs). Ask yourself: What problems was this design solving? What choices did the architect make, and what alternatives might have been possible? Tutors can guide you in developing a systematic approach to reading these sources, helping you extract meaningful evidence rather than getting lost in technical details.
Architectural styles rarely have clean start and end dates—Gothic and Renaissance overlapped for decades, and modernism emerged while Art Deco was still being built. This reflects real historical complexity: styles spread at different rates, architects worked in different traditions simultaneously, and regions developed independently. Rather than treating periodization as fixed categories, strong essays acknowledge this overlap and use it as evidence; for example, explaining why a 16th-century building blends Renaissance and Gothic elements tells you something about regional variation, the architect's training, or the client's preferences. Tutors can help you develop nuanced arguments that treat periodization as a useful organizational tool rather than a rigid system, strengthening your analytical writing.
Effective analysis requires asking why a style emerged when it did: What technologies became available? What aesthetic or philosophical values were changing? Who had the wealth and power to build, and what did they want to communicate? For instance, the rise of steel-frame skyscrapers wasn't just about engineering—it reflected industrial capitalism, urbanization, and competition for status. Similarly, brutalist architecture's raw concrete forms connected to mid-20th-century ideals about honest materials and social progress. Tutors can help you research the historical conditions surrounding a style and practice weaving that context into arguments, so your essays explain architectural choices as responses to real historical circumstances rather than presenting styles as isolated aesthetic phenomena.
Comparative analysis works best when you identify a specific design problem or question and trace how different architects solved it across time—for example, how did architects in different eras approach creating monumental entrances, or managing natural light in large interior spaces? This approach prevents vague comparisons and grounds your analysis in concrete architectural features. You might compare a Romanesque cathedral's thick walls and small windows to a Gothic cathedral's flying buttresses and large stained glass windows, then explain how each solution reflected different structural capabilities and aesthetic priorities. Tutors can teach you frameworks for organizing comparisons that reveal meaningful patterns and support historical arguments rather than producing superficial side-by-side descriptions.
Strong architectural research combines multiple source types: scholarly articles that provide historical and theoretical context, primary sources (drawings, photographs, construction documents, architect writings), and site visits or detailed visual documentation when possible. Start by identifying your research question—not just "tell me about this building" but something more specific like "how did this architect's training in Europe influence their American work?" or "what does this building's design reveal about changing attitudes toward public space?" Tutors can help you develop research strategies that move beyond surface-level facts, teaching you how to find credible sources, evaluate arguments in architectural history literature, and construct evidence-based claims that go beyond description.
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