The Daniel Center in Genoa as a model for off-campus architectural education for over a quarter of a century. While other American schools rent space or have programs run by host universities abroad, Clemson owns its own building and runs its own independent program. The Center has served over 800 alumni whose education was much enriched by the European experience. Graduate and undergraduate students may attend the Genoa program for one semester.
Students spend about a third of the fifteen-week semester traveling in Italy.
Some of the excursions are day-trips to nearby locations around the Genoa region. Others are extended study tours to places like Rome, Florence, Venice Verona, and Pisa. Students are also allowed two weeks for independent travel. A professor in residence from Clemson acts as Director of the Genoa center and is assisted by Italian professors who are also practicing architects in Genoa. Visiting critics and lecturers from Italy and Europe come to the Villa on a regular basis to lecture and critique student work.