Architecture Studies
The teaching in Arkki is called "basic education in visual arts". The curriculum is approved by the Ministry of Education. The basic education in architecture has goals and it goes forward every year. The student places are permanent. When a child once gets a student place they can continue the hobby until they are 19 years old.
Programs
Arkki offers a variety of architectural courses to young peopl. Over 350 children between ages 4 to 18 participate weekly in architectural clubs on a long term basis. In addition Arkki offers annually various architectural short term courses for about 1000 children. Children and youth can join the activities at any age. Anybody who is interested can join the clubs, there is no admission test.
Child & Parent groups for 4 to 6-year-olds
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.
Clubs for 7 to 13-year-olds
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.
Advanced study groups for 14 to 18-year-olds
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.
