Teacher, Rob Deane partnered with Amy Harrison from the Architecture Centre, Bristol, to develop a cross curricular design project for the students at Oak Hill as part of the 2009/10 Engaging Places Network. Students are designing a development for derelict land by the city centre harbour, which takes into account the needs of the local community. Read their take on the project so far.
Student from Oak Hill on building site visit in Bristol © Alys Tomlinson
Written by Chris
It all started when Amy came in and told us about architecture. She showed us a lot of images. When we were talking to her she said we will be going to Bristol to take pictures of the building. It was an interesting day, we all had a good time.Steve talked to us and taught us how to use 2D design. He showed us his buildings that he made with the laser cutting machine. He told us a lot about his work and he showed us how the laser worked. Lisa Furness came in on Tuesday and showed us how we use the camera. And we went out side and took pictures.
Written by Corey
Since I’ve been in Engaging Places this architect woman came to Oakhill to tell and show us about architecture and designs of buildings. She took us to Bristol to take pictures of buildings. A couple of weeks after that this technology bloke came to see me and show me how a laser cutter works and to cut house models and create a shelter for mums and children, it took months to create the model on 2D design because you had to make doors, safety windows, emergency exit, swings and roofs.
Then a photographer came to show me everything about cameras; how to use them, what the best modes for taking pictures with and how to work the flash. She said that the pictures look better without the flash on. I took pictures of a Frisbee moving through the air but we had to take a picture of the Frisbee before a teacher caught it or it landed on the floor.
Next we are going to Bristol to an industrial museum to find out how they make things and cameras. Then after that were going to meet Lisa Furness at a Photography museum to have a look at all the pictures she has taken since she became a photographer and there is a photography quiz. The winner gets a prize, the prize is that your picture will be shown in Weston, Clevedon, Yatton and Bristol.
Written by Henry
Our project started with Amy coming in; she introduced us to architecture, with an interesting presentation. When we saw Amy we went into Bristol and we took loads and loads of photos of nice buildings and landmarks. Steve came in with some houses which were made with a laser cutting machine; he took us through how to use 2D design. The next lesson we went on was 2D design and created a building which took us a couple of days to make. After we’d all finished we sent it off to get cut.
After a couple of weeks later we went to Filton School with BAM building construction and watched the school get built and took some photos. Afterwards we looked around the school and talked to some builders. We then went back to BAM building construction offices and had a really nice lunch.
When we started to write our diary we had to explain how and what we got up to and what we’d done. I explained what we did in Bristol, then said how we got taught to use 2D design. We had a professional photographer come in called Lisa Furness. She taught us how to use all the basic tools on the camera and we all had a really fun day. She taught us how to look at different sides of things.
Students from Oak Hill completing project work © Alys Tomlinson
Written by Jake
First on our project Amy came and talked about architecture and buildings. It was pretty good but it was a little bit boring because we couldn’t see the buildings they were on the computer. Next we went to Bristol. It was good because we could see the buildings in real life and take photos of the buildings. This was interesting to see. I saw some statues, they were weird. The trip was enjoyable. Mr Yates came and taught us about 2D design. It was fun and interesting. We designed a shelter for a park in later lessons.
We went to Filton School and visited a new school site. I thought it was weird that the toilets were together. The sinks were in the corridor and boys and girls shared sinks. I didn’t think this was a good idea. Seeing the school being built was interesting. The electronic security was a good idea but maybe it would go wrong if people lose their swipe cards. It was fun in the offices and was interesting to learn about the health and safety stuff about how people have got hurt.
Written by Jess
It was very interesting to see how all the buildings were made when we went to see Filton School. It was fun to learn about how they make things.
The trip to Bristol was good looking around the buildings and seeing all the different places. When Mr Yates came in I found it a bit boring but it was good to know and actually make our own 2D design and getting to get a machine to cut out the building I made.
When Amy came in she was telling us about different places. It was interesting to know about, to see what was inside the buildings and made me think about how much more there is to know about places.
Written by Shannon
I went to Bristol to go and see the new school and to talk to the people who work there. It was so fun looking at the building. I like the designs and how they made things. I liked taking photos. Jeff was very nice and the food was good. I liked every minute of it. The school was only half done, as it is due to open in nine weeks. I made a 2D design.
The Engaging Places network
To find out about other partnerships and projects developing through the Engaging Places network visit the 2009/10 Engaging Places network article.
