Designing a Career in Architecture
This lesson provides students with views of the different areas in which an architect may work, depending on the focus of their interests and training. If a student is comfortable with math and geometry, and also has artistic leanings, a career as an ARCHITECT can be extremely creative, lucrative, and personally satisfying.
Essential Question
What are the different types of architecture needed in today's world? What are the exact duties of an architect when designing a building, or an outdoor park, and what types of training does one need?
Grade(s):
- 6
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Subject(s):
Recommended Technology:
student chromebook
Other Instructional Materials or Notes:
spiral notebook for collecting architectural designs / making notes
glue, scissors, markers,
magazines
collected materials to complete BRIDGE PROJECTS [ books, rope, chairs,depending which bridge project is chosen]
MATERIALS TO BUILD MODEL PLAYGROUND. (Use your imagination and also available materials...be creative!!)
Lesson Progression
1. GATHER MATERIALS: a notebook, pencil, pen, ruler, magazines, glue
2. WATCH THE FIRST 5 VIDEOS: Make notes/1 separate page per video.
* What do the architects say that would make you think this is an APPEALING JOB?
*What are the educational courses needed to become an ARCHITECT?
* What appeals to you about some of these buildings? What materials are used?
*What size city are they built in?
* Do you see any specific challenges that would've been encountered by the BUILDERS who are following this architect's plan?
3.Watch the videos about building bridges: Make notes/ 1 separate page per bridge-type
* Which bridge is your "favorite", and why?
* Define these terms, and relate them to a specific bridge-type: truss, king post, tension, compression
4. Draw a sketch of the FRONT of the classic greek PARTHENON.
* Label the ENTABLATURE, PEDIMENT, FRIEZE, ARCHITRAVE, & COLUMNS.
LESSON PROJECT : A "themed" park or playground [my sample...choose your OWN theme]
I chose a candy theme, to appeal to ages 4-12.
1. There are "cookie" stepping stones climbing to a playground on a hill.
2. On the left and right, Red SWEDISH FISH "rocking-riders" are available .
3. A "tire swing" that looks like hard candy is hanging in front, another flat swing in back.
4. "SMARTIES" stepping stones make a path around the playground, from one set of KIT-KAT steps to another.
AN ARCHITECT WOULD HAVE A MODEL LIKE THIS TO PRESENT TO POTENTIAL CLIENTS, AND WOULD EXPLAIN HOW, & WHICK MATERIALS COULD BE USED TO ACHIEVE THE LOOK OF REAL CANDY, WHILE "HOLDING UP" IN OUTDOOR WEATHER.
HOT JOBS/ Tom Savoy, ARCHITECT/knowitall.org - 6:07
This architect "always liked to draw" and loves his job as an architect. He also remembers watching a church being built when he was a child. He speaks of the difference between architecture and just building something without thinking of the beauty it will bring into a community: "A building has to be a wonderful, delightful place to become ARCHITECTURE...and not just a building."
View ResourceArchitectural Design/MATH IN THE MIDDLE/ knowitall.org -
This video contains some excellent clips & discussions of nicely done architecture, and also a BAD example of architecture ["Galloping Girtie" bridge-collapse incident]. Also there are discussions about academic courses and other preparation students should make if they are interested in pursuing architecture as a career.
View ResourceARCHITECTURE 2030/PBS Learning - 2:35
This architect is discussing the WASTING OF ENERGY through the "building process" alone...and how that should change. Builders need to be responsible "stewards of energy" , just like any other sector of society, and Mr. Mazeria discusses the ways forward. He identifies points of influence he calls "VOWS", and how they could significantly change how the building industry can be more energy-competent.
View ResourceART QUEST: Classical Architecture At The Parthenon/PBS Learning: 1:14
A very short but WONDERFUL video about the replica of the Grecian Parthenon, that was built in Nashville, Tennessee! Pay attention to these definitions & explanations: ENTABULATURE, COLUMNS, ARCHITRAVE, FRIEZE, 9:4 ratio.
View ResourceHOW ARCHITECTS USE TOY BLOCKS FOR MODELING/ PBS Learning - 5:34
An architect who LOVED LEGO BLOCKS as a kid, grew up to be an architect...and GUESS WHAT? He still uses Legos for relaxation, but also for INSPIRATION for some of his architectural designs! He says " My Legos unleash my creativity."
AWESOME VIDEO!
BUILD A BRIDGE/ PBS Learning.org
Read about these bridges: Arch, Beam, Suspension, Cable-Stayed. Play the games below the definitions once you've finished reading about the bridge types.
View ResourceBUILDING BIG/ PBS Learning - Documents
Read fascinating descriptions of different tunnels, bridges, and buildings where architects and engineers design and work. What is the difference between an ARCHITECT and an ENGINEER?
View ResourceBUILDING BIG/ WHO BUILDS BIG? / PBS Learning - documents
More descriptions of the different jobs of architects and engineers.
View ResourceDESIGN SQUAD GLOBAL/ PBS Learning - 5:55
Learn facts about how a TRUSS bridge is designed and built....as a student team is instructed to BUILD A TRUSS BRIDGE BY HAND, using NON-POWER tools...only a hammer, saw, etc.
You will learn about the terms TRUSS, TENSION, & COMPRESSION.
DESIGN SQUAD: Building a Suspension Bridge
A group of teenagers are taught to build a SUSPENSION BRIDGE in the woods, using only rope, wood, and primitive tools. Yes! it can be done!
View ResourceTHE VILLAGE ARCHITECT/ PBS Learning - 3:03
A good architect learns to respect the materials of a place...those that have TRADITIONALLY been used for years, that blend in with the surroundings, and hold up well in that particular climate.
View ResourceWHAT IS LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE? / PBS Learning - 1:41
Do you love visiting parks and gardens in large cities? Maybe you would have some great ideas for DESIGNING a park or garden , in which people could relax and enjoy a moment in nature. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE is a wonderful field for those who value the "outdoors!"
View ResourceARCHITECTURE VS. ENGINEERING/ YouTube - 7:36
Architects design buildings, but civil engineers also do a bit of designing....however, there is a difference in the job description and duties for each job. This video is great, talking about *character traits of each job *Design requirements for each job *work flow for either job and *college curriculum, the courses you must take to get each
View ResourceSTRUCTURES/ PBS Learning - collection
This collection contains short VIDEOS, PHOTOS, PROJECT IDEAS, and DIAGRAMS. Take your time, learn a lot, and ENJOY the projects!
View ResourceBUILD A BRIDGE/ PBS Learning: weblink
Read about these bridges and take notes...DEFINE THE WORDS IN BRACKETS:
ARCH [abutments, aquaducts]
BEAM [pre-cast concrete, spandrels]
SUSPENSION [anchorages, cables, Galloping Gertie, "resonance"]
CABLE - STAYED [parallel attachment, radial attachment
MetKids- How Can I Recognize Ancient Greek Architecture?
Even though an architect might be designing a modern building in the 21st century, they still need to know components of the OLD STYLES of design...even as far back as the Ancient Greeks. Learn about classical Greek architecture, especially the important supports known as COLUMNS.
View ResourceStandards
- Science and Engineering Practices
- H.B.1 The student will use the science and engineering practices, including the processes and skills of scientific inquiry, to develop understandings of science content.
- 1 Literacy Skills for Social Studies
- 1.10 Demonstrate responsible citizenship within local, state, and national communities.
- 1.13 Illustrate the fact that some choices provide greater benefits than others.
- 1.7 Create maps, mental maps, and geographic models to represent spatial relationships.
- 1.8 Identify the locations of places, the conditions at places, and the connections between places.
- Interactions and Forces
- H.P.2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the interactions among objects and their subsequent motion can be explained and predicted using the concept of forces.
- H.P.2B The interactions among objects and their subsequent motion can be explained and predicted by analyzing the forces acting on the objects and applying Newton’s laws of motion.
- H.P.2C The contact interactions among objects and their subsequent motion can be explained and predicted by analyzing the normal, tension, applied, and frictional forces acting on the objects and by applying Newton’s Laws of Motion.
- H.P.2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the interactions among objects and their subsequent motion can be explained and predicted using the concept of forces.
- 1 Literacy Skills for Social Studies
- 1 Literacy Skills for Social Studies
- 1.1 Examine the relationship of the present to the past and use a knowledge of the past to make informed decisions in the present and to extrapolate into the future.
- 1.11 Explain how groups work to challenge traditional institutions and effect change to promote the needs and interests of society.
- 1.13 Analyze how a scarcity of productive resources affects economic choices.
- 2 Partnership for The 21st Century Skills
- ECON-2 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how markets facilitate exchange and how market regulation costs both consumers and producers.
- Interactions and Energy
- H.P.3 The student will demonstrate an understanding of how the interactions among objects can be explained and predicted using the concept of the conservation of energy.
Assessments
COMPLETE THESE 3 ASSESSMENT ASSIGNMENTS, to get full credit for this lesson.
1. Cut out 10 photos of buildings you think are exciting, creative, or interesting in some way. Also, clip just 1 "BORING"- looking building. [Use magazines from home [or from a neighbor or teacher who's throwing some away]
PASTE THE PHOTOS in your notebook; make notes beside each photo describing FEATURES you think are interesting, attractive, or useful...making it a FINE example of ARCHITECTURE.
2. Perform 2 different bridge experiments on the site BUILD A BRIDGE. [Choose from arch, beam, suspension, cable-stayed.( You may work on these experiments with a friend....some are difficult to perform alone. )
3. DRAW a MODEL:Design a CITY PLAYGROUND, (see sample photo of a "candy-themed playground")
*Make a detailed sketch first
*NAME your playground
4. BUILD A MODEL: (Based on your sketch above) Take your time and work neatly.
* Plan your DIMENSIONS ahead of building, so that your model will sit neatly on a DISPLAY BOARD. *Work as if you were presenting it to a CLIENT, hoping to be hired by the city to design a full blueprint. *What would you TELL THEM about the way the playground can be used? And the BENEFITS of your playground design? WRITE THESE POINTS ON A "PRESENTATION SHEET."
* BE CREATIVE with your building materials...Legos? Lincoln Logs? Kid's blocks? Cardboard tp tubes, paper towel tubes/ cardboard/posterboard/ snack boxes (cardboard), baby "stacking cups", etc.