projects and articles by members

Creative Learning and Thinking

My participation in architectural educational workshops began shortly after leaving university when I became involved in model-making workshops for students interested in pursuing a career in architecture and/or design, held at the Lighthouse (Scotland's Centre for Architecture and Design) during Glasgow's 'Architecture Week' Students were encouraged to examine a building they had seen on the bus tour and interpret it into model format. This led to my involvement in the Architecture in Schools Workshops for secondaryschool art and design teachers, showing how model-making can be used as a way to introduce the basis concepts of architectural scale.

In July 2001, I began working with mckeown alexander architects (now jmarchitects) where I have become in-volved in a vast range of pro-jects (commercial, leisure, residential & educational). At jmarchitects we are currently working on the first phase of the Clydebank Rebuilt Public Realm works, which is currently on site. Recently I was involved initially in the Clydebank Rebuilt model-making workshop with schoolchildren from Clydebank, where each participant produced a card model of a building in Clydebank. Over 25 schools participated, resulting in a huge model of the town, which was then displayed at the offices of the regeneration company. (www.clydebankrebuilt.co.uk).

I subsequently facilitated a series of Community workshops in Clydebank, introducing the concept of 'Public Realm' to local residents, businesses, schoolchildren, architects, planners, and heritage groups. All of the work is based on the local built environment of West Dunbartonshire and the current regeneration of the Clyde Riverside.

In addition to this, I have participated as a facilitator in the Architectural Mega Challenge at the Strathclyde Summer Academy. This is an annual event which is part of the two-week 'summer school' programme organised by Strathclyde University, designed to motivate and support 14-15 year olds. The aim of the project was to get those involved interested in the regeneration of the waterfront and resulted in the production of large-scale models of Glasgow's riverfront.

I am currently involved in a workshop series called FLaT (Future Learning and Teaching). The project aims to bring together primary and secondary schoolchildren plus other key stakeholders in Scotland's school estates with architects, designers and other creative professionals to work on a number of live pilot projects linked to school design. Working with the Lighthouse and pupils from Dunblane High School, this live project enables the pupils to contribute to the design development of target areas within their new school.

Graig Dunn

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