Introduction to Architectural Modeling

My Students

I teach intro architectural design to a population of very bright but poor students. To enrich the quality of their learning experience in our 4yr design program, I want them to see their designs come to life by making actual physical models of residential structures that they design!

I work in an inner city Title 1 high school magnet architectural design program serving a very low SES student population.

Due to budget cutbacks, my ability to deliver a holistic learning experience is limited, as there is not enough money to purchase the materials and tools that would enable them to be fully engaged in a design experience that enables them to move beyond the confines of a paper or software environment. Many of the design programs at the university level immerse their students in the kinesthetic learning process as freshmen. By participating in our program, many of these students realize their talents and abilities to grow into post-secondary students in architectural, design and engineering curriculum's at universities, something they could not have dreamed of otherwise. If I can give them an introductory experience that correlates w/that which they will encounter in college, I can give them a better understanding of design and a more adequate preparation for tomorrow.

My Project

The requested resources will enable me to have my students use classroom facilities to conceptualize, design and physically create accurate proportionately-scaled architectural residential models, using the foam board as the primary construction material, the cutting tools to heighten the professional appearance of the models, and the airbrush system to texturize and lend a credible visual aspect to these models. I have designed a multi-week (6 week) introductory architectural modeling unit within the existing introduction to architecture curriculum to accommodate the implementation of these resources. The students will learn how to conceptualize a design, visualize it using CAD software and bring that design to life as a scale model. They will acquire precision measurement skills, analytical skills for taking a design from imaginary space to reality, and the kinesthetic skills they will need to succeed in post-secondary architectural and engineering curriculum's.

My student demographic is primarily urban, black & Hispanic.

My students came to my program after significant evaluation and consideration of their test scores, academic performance and are highly motivated. Facilitation of these requested resources will enable me to deliver a more holistic educational experience that will better prepare them for successful professional futures as they transition to university degree programs. The better I can prepare them now, the brighter their futures will be!