Architectural Design

Architecture shows the influence of culture, history, resources, and values on design. Seventh grade students in Creators have been exploring architecture as an expression of all those elements as they research unique home styles worldwide. Each student chose a distinct style, from the Minka homes of Japan to the traditional roundhouses of the British Isles and the Trulli of Italy. Creativity and Design Teacher Deborah Morrone-Bianco encouraged students to explore an unfamiliar style. Students learned about the history of each architectural style, its unique characteristics, the materials used in construction and why people chose them, and what that style indicates about the culture of the time and place where it was popular. 

Each student created a presentation exploring the history and influences of their chosen architectural style, and as a group, they discussed how architecture reflects lifestyles and values. For example, the yurt originated thousands of years ago in the Mongolian Empire. It was light, portable, easy to build, and wind-resistant to accommodate the Mongolian nomadic lifestyle. The yurt has appealed to other cultural movements throughout history, including sustainable living proponents, the hippies of the 1960s, and more recently, luxury yurts are popular for glamping experiences. Students created presentations sharing what they had learned about their chosen architectural style and made connections to the variety of ways in which the environment has influenced the design choices and style of each structure. They presented their work in pairs, comparing aspects of different architectural styles and to their class, which led to some great discussions as students offered their own ideas and perspectives on the different styles. 

Next, students are taking what they have learned about their chosen architectural style and are designing a home that incorporates its basic features while adding unique design elements to make it their own. “It’s interesting to include something new, and designers can always add something unique that adds to the style,” says Deborah. Once they have completed their designs, students will be using SketchUp and Tinkercad  software to create 3D models of their designs. This will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the architectural style and its purpose while building their expertise using CAD-CAM software.