ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP
The Architecture Ambassador
Partnership, part of the RIBA’s Schools Programme, offers an exciting
opportunity for RIBA members to engage with pupils in an effort to inspire and
encourage them to think about their built environment and the communities that
occupy them.
Two members of the xsite team have
been working closely with teaching staff from two local schools, developing
projects which are being delivered to pupils. The project workshops, which are being
run over a number of weeks, provide opportunity to celebrate the creative
process and to promote understanding and awareness of the endless possibilities
of architectural design and the build environment.
Workshop 1 at Monkseaton High School - Cardboard Model Making
CAITLIN ARCHITECTURAL ASSISTANT, XSITE ARCHITECTURE
About the school: Monkseaton High School is a mixed comprehensive school for 13-18
year olds, in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.
About the project: The initial meeting, spent with the teacher one evening at the
Baltic, was very motivating. We discussed possible topics, shared interests and
considered the best possible ways to engage the children with the RIBA
programme. Working with two Year 9 classes (13-14 years old), they got into
groups of 2-4 and were asked to design their dream house for friends. The
workshops are held over 5 weeks, culminating with an exhibition at school. An
excitable introductory lesson established the key ideas of architecture, group
discussions on favourite places, drawing floor plans of their own homes and
familiarising them with the brief. The rest of the workshops will focus on
cardboard model making, experiential drawings of the spaces, and photographing
models to be printed and shown at the exhibition. I hope the project enables
the students to recognise the importance of continuing their artistic education
into GCSEs and beyond, broaden their understanding of the built environment and
while having fun, get them interested in the world of architecture!
Workshop 1 at Northern Saints Primary - 1:20 Scale Pupils
ALICE
About the school: Northern Saints Church of England is
a mixed Primary School for 5-11 year olds, in North Hylton.
About the
project: Upon hearing
about the RIBA Architecture Ambassadors programme, I was excited to get
involved. I met the art co-ordinator of Northern Saints Primary at a RIBA
hosted training day at the Baltic. In planning the project, we wanted to
capture elements of as many construction and arts disciplines to equip the
children with the understanding that the possibilities of what they can do
‘when they grow up’ are infinite. In year 1, this term the topic is castles and
a 15 minute walk away from the school sits Hylton Castle, which is currently
undergoing a period of change and regeneration. We decided to give them a ‘real
life’ design project. Our first session involved discussion on what an
architect could be, thinking about the best design for Hylton Castle (pizza and
marshmallows were a reoccurring theme) and designing their own 1:20 scale
versions of themselves. Over the next few weeks they will visit and survey the
castle where they will take photographs and measure and experience the building
with all of their senses. From then, they will have the opportunity to
re-imagine the castle with as much imagination as possible in 3D – the perfect
design project! Similarly to Caitlin, we will host an exhibition at the end to
celebrate the children and the mini town of castles they will have produced.
If you are
interested in the Architecture Ambassador Partnership visit the link below for more
information.