October 25, 2010

By: Josaine R. from Ozone Park, NY
Comments: 20

Posted By: Josaine Richards
On: 12/10/2007 4:02:30 PM

Is it important to informed new architecture students about the architectural time period?

Posted By: Don Domes
On: 1/13/2008 7:50:02 AM

I teach Architecture at the 9-12 level. In my first class I am trying to get them to think about design and how spaces interact with the human form. One of the first things we do is have them measure their living room and create a 1/4" scale drawing of it using graph paper. (use the 4 squares per inch type of graph paper so each square equals one foot) They then make cut outs of their furniture and create at least 3 different room designs. We make a scale person as a 2 foot diameter circle and then tape it to a paper clip so it can be moved around the room like a person walking. The students really get into this. We design kitchens later in the class. The kitchen is a space they are very familuar with. I find that working from spaces the kids are really familar with hooks them. I don't do architecture time periods at all in the early time with students. I major on the purpose of architecture and how we interact with our habitat. I tell them 'Architecture is art that you experience!' My classes are packed with students. Don Domes

Posted By: Jacalyn Moss
On: 4/8/2008 11:21:20 PM

"Architecture is art that you experience." What a great analogy!

Posted By: Franc Leo
On: 4/9/2008 10:16:31 AM

"Architecture is art that you experience." What a great analogy! I believe that too. As an architect, the outcome of a Design Challenge, be it a house, a stadium, airport, landscaping, fashion, and more, is considered an artistic experience for many. People that look for an artistic reflection around them take photos of all these things and more, for decorative purposes, for artistic reasons, with different perspectives, lighting, and backgrounds. Thanks for this new design-oriented analogy. It is refreshing! Design On! -Franc

Posted By: Marie Tom
On: 4/26/2008 7:56:13 PM

When I gave my students a land mass to design fifty years into the future. I gave them the climate, if it was surrounded by water or had none at all, the terrain, and asked them to design a country. The next step was for them to design a shelter that would fit into that climate and terrain. It was very interesting to see some of their designs. The are so conditioned to what is around them that they are afraid to step outside of the box. After all it's fifty years in the future....use your imagination. I fear imagination has been stifiled in our school system by the advocacy of open court and that we all must be on the same page at the same time. How sad.

Posted By: Jacalyn Moss
On: 4/27/2008 12:42:49 AM

Necessity truly is the mother of invention. Until someone is removed from their comfort zone, they generally will remain inside the proverbial box. In our school we see examples of going outside of this box quite often. We are located inside of a prison. The prisoners have little to no ammenities. One example of thinking outside of the box would be the use of a bread wrapper as a sewing needle with a minute strand of fabric torn from a sheet in place of thread to mend their socks. Now that's a mother of an invention!!!!

Posted By: William Bobrowsky
On: 4/27/2008 6:49:23 AM

I DO believe teaching the time periods is important, but not at the cost of learning the artform They can emerge as a result of seeing many examples of different works and by making comparisons to each other, students will begin to see similarities in structure and design. Then the discussion can proceed to why there are these similarities? I certainly wouldn't create a unit on time periods alone.

Posted By: Brittain Villaflor
On: 5/5/2008 5:02:05 PM

I've always wished that I had more teachers that did put information into the context of what was going on around the world during that time period. When we used to study colonial America it would have been rich to also know what was going on in Japan at that time. To see the influence one may or may not have had on the other. Those kinds of comparisons can help students see commonalities in today's world. In terms of architecture or art, I do think that at some point it is important for students to see where things came from and why. It can lead to a deeper understanding of form following function if they see why decisions were made by other architects, artists and designers.

Posted By: Marie Tom
On: 5/13/2008 7:35:10 PM

Wow Jacalyn! You really brought it home to me. I used your example (your students) to explain to my students what it means 'to think outside of the box'. They were impressed and it started to become clear to them what I wanted. They are working on projects now, but I have been reading some fabulous ideas and can't wait to see what will happen next.

Posted By: Amanda Turner
On: 5/26/2008 1:25:29 PM

Marie, you just helped me with an issue I have been struggling with. I teach ancient civilizations to 6th graders. As an end to our yearly study, the students create their own futuristic culture. I'm always pressed for time. After reading your conversation I started to think of our school's science curriculum. I really think I can team teach with a science teacher who can focus more on land masses and the reasons for these changes. Not only did you help me with a time issue, but you also gave me a way to better integrate our curriculum. That's always a plus. Thanks so much.

Posted By: Jeri Schmenk
On: 5/27/2008 8:34:15 AM

I think additional time could be spent on how recent architecture compares world-wide with respect to increased methods of travel and communication. Have there been more commonalities with recent builds as architects have increasing ability to see what has been done across oceans?

Posted By: Joyce Perdue
On: 6/30/2008 11:37:49 PM

Jeri We take our students on walks in downtown Chatanooga and they look for the influnces in of our countries on the architeture of the buildings. They sketch and label what they find. this might work in as a field study for your students and make them more aware of their surroundings.