The Bristol Architecture Centre works in partnership with other educational and built environment organisations in Bristol and the south west to deliver projects that increase students’ knowledge and understanding of the built environment, and inspire them to learn more.
Young people with their toilet design at a Bristol Architecture Centre summer school © Bristol Architecture Centre
The centre focuses on providing project-based educational services and initiatives, working in community settings and formal school environments to engage young people with the local built environment.
Using the local environment and community provides the perfect learning environment – a chance for young people to interact and connect with real life changes in their own community. The centre’s education team aims to help students participate in the changes taking place in their own community.
Project examples at the Bristol Architecture Centre
Sweet History
An online, interactive trail that explores the impact of the sugar and slave trades on the built environment of Bristol. It was developed with young people from the Knowle West Media Centre who selected the sites and researched the stories of the buildings with local historians. This tool uses Google maps and is complemented by activities and resources to support teachers.
Building Schools for the Future stakeholder engagement programme
The centre is continuing its partnership with the Real Ideas Organisation and groups of students and teachers from schools across Bristol, Somerset and Devon. They are actively involved in the design and construction process of their new school buildings. Students become ‘expert clients’ with increased knowledge and experience of built environment issues, through their participation in visits and workshops with architects and artists that explore school design, public art and landscaping.
Construction and built environment diploma
The centre is supporting a local consortium of six schools and a college which are piloting the new diploma. As experts of the built environment in and around Bristol, the centre is engaging with schools in teaching the diploma and also by developing resources and activities that explore the design and planning processes and raise the profile of careers in the built environment.
A student explaining his school design © Bristol Architecture Centre
Summer school
An annual, week-long event for year 6 students from primary schools in south Bristol. It is run in partnership with a community media centre, where a group of young people has been involved in the design and construction of a sustainable community building project.
Each year the students are involved in a design challenge linked to a phase of the actual build. During the week, students are given a design brief to develop as a team, through which they explore issues such as building design, landscaping, sustainable architecture, interior design and post-occupancy evaluation.
At the end of the week, they present their design ideas to a team of their parents and professionals. This work raises the confidence and career aspirations of the young people, helps inspire them on issues such as design and sustainability, and encourages them to become more involved in issues that affect their local community.
Bristol Architecture Centre runs a range of other educational initiatives and projects. Visit the Bristol Architecture Centre website to find out more.
Go back to the article, 'Diversity of learning opportunities at local architecture centres' or read what the Bristol Architecture Centre are doing.
Find an architecture and built environment centre near you under the below referenced venues list.
