Bringing Young Architects to Surface

The project will serve approximately 75 students in seventh grade math enrolled in the Grier Science and Technology Academy. These students will take on the role of head architect. Their goal is to design and construct a 3-D scale model a building for a client. It must meet the needs of their client as well as the building codes. Students will work in teams of 2 to 4 to design their buildings.

We will begin the project by studying scale models and why it is important for the model size to be correct. We will also discuss various types of architecture and the famous designers. We will then take a tour of the historical buildings downtown.

The students will:
1. use OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAS to take pictures of interesting architectural details inside and outside the buildings.
2. then use the Punch! Super Home Suite Software to design their buildings. Using this software students are able to see their model in 3-D as well as use the Home Estimator option to calculate expenses for their building.
3. print a RealModel from the Super Home Suite software.
4. assemble their buildings using foam core.
5. make a photo collage using TOOL FACTORY WORKSHOP of the architectural design elements they included in their building.
6. use the spreadsheet program in TOOL FACTORY WORKSHOP to display the cost of their building to their client.
7. put their collage, floor plans, and cost spreadsheets into a portfolio to present along with the 3-D model to their client.

This project is meant to make a real world connection for the students. I hope that it truly does surface some young architects for our future!