GRAND
DESIGNS SUMMER SCHOOL
During the August summer holidays 2006, thirty Year 5 and 6 pupils from four primary schools in the Knowle area of Bristol took part in the second annual Grand Designs Challenge summer school.
Organised by the Architecture Centre, Bristol and the Archimedia Project at Knowle West Media Centre and funded by Bristol City Council, following the University of the First Age (UFA) model.
This week-long summer school involved pupils in a hands-on design challenge
with support from local artists and designers. At the start of the week,
the challenge was
unveiled: ’to design environmentally-friendly outside landscaped
areas for the new Knowle West Media Centre building’. The subsequent
days were spent working in teams learning about design and the built
environment, concluding with a presentation of the teams finished models
and designs. The pupils explored seating, lighting, planting, security,
recycling, parking, play areas, disabled access, signage and public
art.
To gain an understanding of some of the issues involved in designing buildings and their surroundings, pupils built willow shelters with Bristol-based artist Deborah Jones, visited the CREATE Centre eco-home, and contributed to a workshop with a landscape architect.
A
local young photographer from the Knowle West Media Centre documented
the week, and five young people from the local area, who are part of
the Archimedia core group, acted as trained peer tutors for the younger
pupils. The peer tutors attend various local secondary schools and colleges
and it was a great opportunity for them to develop their creative skills
and self confidence. The summer school also helped create a smoother
transition to Key Stage 3 for the Year 6 pupils involved.
The summer school took place at the Knowle West Health Park, and also involved a ferry tour of the Bristol harbour, and visits to city centre buildings and public spaces. The attendees also completed research questionnaires looking at convivial spaces, the results of which will feed into a research project being conducted by Henry Shaftoe of the School of Housing and Urban Studies at University of the West of England.
University of the First Age summer schools have been successfully run across Bristol for the last 4 years and are now co-ordinated by the Bristol Challenge, funded by Bristol City Council.
The Architecture Centre would like than the following people for contributing to the success of the Grand Designs Summer School 2006:
Scott Farlow – White Design
Sandra Manson – Archimedia Project, KWMC
Deborah Jones – Freelance Artist
To find out more about the Archimedia Project visit: www.archimedia.org.uk