Schools Workshop Programme 2009-10
For schools across the North East
2009 - Autumn 2010
At Northern Architecture we firmly believe that encouraging children and young people to look, question and think creatively about their built environment has valuable educational benefits, both in terms of the National Curriculum and beyond. Following on from a successful series in 2008/09, we are pleased to introduce our latest programme of workshops that encourage and support pupils to understand, explore and design buildings and places.
Our workshops address many aspects of the curriculum - including ‘Can Buildings Speak?’ and ‘What’s in a Building?’ - and the Every Child Matters agenda, in meaningful and unique ways, motivating pupils to learn and challenging them to think about the places in which they live and how they might change in the future.
The programme allows schools to select from a range of off-the-peg design workshops that enable pupils to explore architecture through hands-on process based designing and making sessions. Teachers have found the workshops particularly relevant to Art & Design, Maths, Geography, English and Design Technology subject areas
Key Stage 2, 3 & 4 Workshops
The A Factor: Design in a Day or Design in an Hour
Pupils will develop their team working skills, creative thinking and problem solving by becoming architects for the day. They will be given an architect’s brief and challenged to come up with a design for one of the following (your choice):
• A Superstructure to welcome and signpost visitors to your part of the region (along the lines of iconic structures such as the Angel of the North and The Big Bang)
• A Chillooterie (a small structure in which pupils can chill-oot in) for the school grounds
• A Think Bubble (a pod for outside the classroom that encourages pupils to learn in new ways)
ArchiTEXTS
Working with a creative writer, pupils will examine a building in your locality and respond to it through the written word. Pupils will be expected to think about a variety of questions relating to the built environment, such as:
• What was/is the building used for and what it might be used for in the future?
• Who did/does/will use the building? Who didn’t?
• What do they feel about the building?
• Who designed and built the building?
ArchiTEXTURE
Pupils will explore materials and surface textures within buildings, places and spaces through a variety of media, including digital. Using pre-prepared nets 2D surfaces become 3D imaginary townscapes.
Pupils will be asked to consider how and why certain materials are used and how they impact on the built environment.
A great way to develop teamwork and decision making skills!
Barkitecture
To begin to understand the role of an architect pupils take part in a design charette, to brainstorm ideas and generate creative solutions for a ‘Doghouse’. Pupils choose their favourite design and construct their own 3D models using simple materials and techniques.
Pupils take part in informal evaluation to show and discuss their models with the group. Lots of opportunities for follow up and display work.
General Workshop Information
All workshops cost £300 inclusive of materials.
Workshops are outreach-based (The A Factor / Barkitecture - in your classroom; ArchiTEXTS & ArchiTEXTURE within walking distance of your school), although ArchiTEXTS can take place at any location providing you arrange your own transport.
We are also open to supporting teachers who wish to develop new and innovative projects, and often use these experiences to develop our programme of outreach. If you want to develop something tailored to a specific need, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For further enquiries, to recieve a workshop brochure or to make a booking, please contact Emma Kench or Sara Cooper on:
Tel: 0191 2602191
e-mail: emma@northernarchitecture.com or sarac@northernarchitecture.com
2008/2009 Education Workshop Report
Adobe Acrobat PDF | 514 KB
