Bauhaus In The Bronx

Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.

I teach an architecture elective class at a small new, progressive art high school in the Bronx that receives Title One funding. Our students are creative individuals who aspire to successful careers in the art and design fields. Our art classes are often where they will receive their first formal training. However, even with our students taking introductory studio art classes for their first two years of high school, most of my architecture students still have very little experience with understanding how three dimensional objects are built. So every first semester of the architecture course, students learn how materials can be used to assemble a structure. I believe that before they can build their own designs they must understand how structures can stand, connect, contain, and protect. This year the class will use paper straws, wire, and glue to build modest objects. I chose the paper straw because it is a versatile and strong material that can be very beautiful in its simple and elegant form. It also mimics modern building components such as beams and pipes. Initially, to give students a chance to quickly become familiar with these materials, they will have a series of short assignments where they build a series of forms: first a solid and an open cube, followed by a Barbie doll scale table and chair. The final challenge will be to design a two color, sturdy box with a removable lid to store their ipod or six compact disks. I would really love for the class to have lots of materials to use. I believe an abundance of colorful straws of different diameters would inspire students to have rich, imaginative, and playful creations. I have 25 students in a class. I expect each student will need about 350-450 straws. Many studies have shown that creative play helps students become more successful. The straw project will help my students learn about process and problem solving. It will also give them an opportunity to gain the discipline to work on a project for long and short periods of time. I also believe if my students can complete the paper straw projects, they will be able to design and build complex and beautiful structures. This will help them start to understand the role of a three dimensional designer in our society. Your support will help 25 young aspiring architects begin to build their future. Thank you.