workshops

[4 Days on the Outside]
Architecture for Well-being

Date:

1-4 March 2005

Place

Sheffield, UK

Time length

4 Day workshop

Partnerships

Notre Dame High School
Meadowhead School
Brinsworth Comprehensive School
University of Sheffield:
· School of Architecture
· Student Recruitment and Admissions, Outreach and Access(Professions Progressions Partnership)

Participants

50 school pupils [13-15 years old]
46 Architecture degree students
8 school teachers
10 Playce members

Roles

Students and pupils were collaborators in a design project. Students also facilitated design/learning activities which the pupils took part in with the students.

Goals/Aims

• To raise awareness of the spaces and places in which we live by involving young people in an open exchange of ideas and experiences.
• To help young people find out more about attending university and studying architecture, potentially also raising aspirations.
• To make work with, or visible to, people in Sheffield.

Methodology

The project involved 4 different groups, each comprising about 12 architecture students, 12 school pupils and 2 Playce members. The schools provide a base for the work. Each group focused on a different aspect of well-being and architecture as outlined below:

• Group 1: Architecture to reduce car-use
• Group 2: Architecture for play/exercise
• Group 3: Architecture for co-existence of people plants and animals
• Group 4: Architecture for meeting people

The workshops were initiated and guided by the visiting Playce members, then further developed with the architecture students. The students then worked closely with the pupils to explore relevant issues of well-being and to generate locally site-specific design ideas that addressed the theme. Ideas were explored and represented using drawing, collage, model-making (including 1:1), photography and drama.

Description of events

The project started on Tuesday with a general introduction to architecture students. Playce participants undertook tutorials/activities in the Architecture design studio before visits to schools in the afternoon, to identify sites and meet participating pupils. A one day workshop on Thursday was the main focus of the project in school, working on developing ideas quickly through a range of quick exercises. All the students came back to the university on Friday to put together an exhibition of the work to which the year group, rest of the department school representatives and general public were invited.

Outcomes

School pupils and teachers increased their understanding of their immediate and wider built environment

School pupils were given the opportunity to work with university students and professionals, learning more about attending university and being an architect

Architecture students broadened their skills base working as tutors and facilitators

Students reflected on their architectural knowledge gained in their 1^st year degree programme

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