Student Day

Students learn how to “read” buildings for clues about their design and function as they observe and sketch architectural elements through an interactive slide show and neighborhood walk (weather permitting). Using these concepts, students will then design their own scale model of a building to take home.

Students learn about the structural systems that support tall buildings by analyzing existing buildings and participating in hands-on demonstrations. Students put this new knowledge to use as they design, build, and test their own models of a skyscraper’s structural frame.

Students investigate the design and structure of four different bridge types (beam, arch, truss, and suspension) to learn how each works to support the load of traffic and span long distances. After a series of hands-on demonstrations and drawing activities, each student will construct a working suspension bridge model to take home.

Students learn about a variety of sustainable design techniques used to create environmentally friendly buildings. Working with our modified version of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) checklist, students create a model of their own green structure. This activity challenges students to think about the importance of site planning, energy efficiency, material conservation, and renewable resources.

Working in small teams, students collaborate to design a model of an ideal neighborhood based on a set of planning and zoning guidelines. Students are challenged to think from the perspective of a particular user group and consider the factors that affect the success and growth of both neighborhoods and cities.

Working as a class, students construct a 14-foot geodesic dome. This elegant structural form, made famous by engineer and inventor Buckminster Fuller, offers a unique opportunity to experience real-life applications of geometry and physics. Students then test out their structural ideas by creating individual scale models inspired by the dome’s geometry. (At least four adult chaperones required.)

Students explore how scale is used to create measured drawings and architectural models and then use these tools to design their own apartment at ½” = 1’ scale. This program hones students’ measurement and math skills as they calculate and draw room dimensions to scale and investigate the relationship between 2-D and 3-D figures.

Students investigate contemporary architectural topics and their relevance to our daily lives on an age-appropriate, one-hour exhibition tour led by our design educator. This learning experience can be extended with a one-hour, hands-on workshop exploring the themes presented in the exhibition. Please visit our Exhibitions page for information on current and upcoming exhibitions at the Center for Architecture.