ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN (grades K-12)

Through hands-on model building and design projects, students learn that the architectural process is multifaceted, incorporating mathematics, vocabulary, history, sociology, culture, design, and problem solving. Students are divided into teams to fulfill their project designs. Often in conjunction with a study of a neighborhood or as part of the social studies curriculum, each team will choose which type of building it will propose. Previous examples have included choosing between a memorial, sports center or school. Each team designs the project in both plan and elevation and makes a presentation, including materials, to classmates. Following the critique each team makes a scale model from cardboard and a variety of materials. Skills taught – – dependent on age level of students and previous exposure to architecture — will include drawing to scale, scale model building, reading architectural plans, creating architectural plans, presentation as a group, drawing buildings as pictures (rendering) and drawing buildings to scale (elevation).

This program reinforces development of math skills and also provides meaningful cooperative skills as the students work in teams to develop their designs