Architecture and Education Project opens
June 10th, 2007 - Posted in Architecture, General NewsThe Architecture and Education Project will showcase their work June 8-10 at the CEPA Gallery in Buffalo. Opening ceremonies are planned from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 8.
After a few years of organizing workshops, Kelly Hayes McAlonie, chair of the project, decided to join grade school classrooms and architecture. McAlonie piloted the project in four local schools and it was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Buffalo/Western New York Chapter and Buffalo Public Schools.
She found 19 architects willing to spend six to 10 sessions in the classroom with the students, seven of which were University at Buffalo architecture majors. There were 19 teachers who agreed to try to program in their class.
Nineteen teachers from Buffalo Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts, Hutchinson Central Technical High School, Discovery School and Waterfront Elementary agreed to try the program with their students. Nearly 500 students participated in the program, ranging from pre-school to 12th grade.
The architects, teachers and students collaborated on which project they wanted to explore. Each team made a different project. Some designed animal houses while others designed their favorite classroom and ideal school building.
The teams made their projects out of cardboard, wood, fabric, straw and clay.
“Almost all the students liked that they got to design what they wanted,” McAlonie said. “That they had choice.”
McAlonie plans to publish a book of lesson plans and projects from this year’s program and create a Buffalo-based curriculum. She hopes to open the program to the region next year.
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