FutureSchool: BRIDGE Workshop at Clemens Mill Public School

Sharing knowledge about the practice of architecture, and what it means to design, is a useful tool to gain insight on the field of work you partake in. BRIDGE organized a workshop, led by several Graduate and Undergraduate students for students at Clemens Mill Public School in Cambridge On, ranging from Grades 1-3. When asked about architecture and what architects do, the students were eager to answer, and quickly rose their hands. A few fun, and accurate responses were: make buildings big, plan designs to build, how to construct something real, and to take on the role of imagining.

The students were asked to re-think and re-design their current elementary school. This began with a sketching exercise of making mind maps. Some instantly brought out their rulers while others drew freely. Even at early stages of education, the creative process varied between students. Regardless, the ideas put forth were strong, interactive and had a great sense of play. These initial design ideas were then taken into form as the students were given blank building blocks. They soon became art pieces, filled with colourful drawings and scenes of possible programs. An example of a new program matrix put forth involved a series of water slides, mazes, petting zoos, garden learning spaces, and rooftop hot tubs. Some ideas were quite sophisticated towards learning while others were all about having a good time. Insight on site occupation, circulation in their current school plan, and costing also came into discussion and we were highly impressed.

The challenge put forth by the students of Waterloo was enthusiastically met by the students of Clemens Mill as they successfully put together intriguing building concepts and designs. BRIDGE had a great time reaching out into the community to engage other students on the discussion and field of Architecture.