Architecture Clubs for Children

The main activities of the foundation at the moment are the weekly architectural clubs. The youngest participants are 4 year olds. Children from 4-6 years learn about architecture through play and imaginative projects by means of model building using different materials. Main themes of investigation are the elements of architecture like the relationship between the built environment and nature, space, light and shadow, colours, shapes, materials, structures, scale and proportion, mass, opening and closure, time and movement. Tradition and cultural history are also part of the curriculum.

With 7-14 year olds, issues such as ecology and sustainability are considered and discussed from different viewpoints. Cultural history and the impact of tradition in the design of buildings are studied, as well as forms and mass, structures, and the symbolic language of architecture. The relationship between the natural and the built environment is considered. Children get acquainted with city planning processes .Also immaterial qualities of architecture are discussed and considered. Analyzing the spatial experience and experimenting space with all the senses is most fascinating to children of all ages.

As the children grow older, the topics and study in Arkki become more profound and complex. Children between14-18 years study different aspects of architecture. They get acquainted with design problems in different scales; from designing door handles to houses to city planning. They learn how architects and designers work and they learn to understand and read architectural plans by drawing themselves. They also learn about architectural history and contemporary architecture and its masterpieces.

A major activity in Arkki is the art of hut building. That is building architectural constructions in 1:1 scale. There is an archaic need in all of us to build huts and shelters. Learning by doing in a human scale is always exiting to children of all ages.