2/9 AIANY Center for Architecture
I worked with Maya, Niles, Calen, Jack G, Henry, and Manny. We were helping out at a family day in which second graders from a public school came with their parents to learn about sustainable architecture, and got to make a model of a building that would benefit the environment.
The work site is very convenient because it is only a couple of blocks away from LREI. Most of us arrived on time, although there was some confusion as to whether we were supposed to be there at 9:30 or 10:00. I had absolutely no idea what was in store for us. When we arrived, Grace Hwang, who is super kind and helpful, gave us a little introduction to green architecture. I learned a lot of different ways that buildings can be sustainable. Aside from the predictable solar panels, windmills, etc. (which are still very helpful), buildings can do things such as act as an air purifier by letting the air pass through vents in the building that clean the air and make it 90% purer. Holes can also be dug deep into the earth and used as a heating system throughout the building. Rainwater can also be collected and used for toilets and temperature control. Those were all ideas I had never thought of before. It showed me that there are sustainable ways to do everything if you just give it some thought.
Our first task was to help set up the materials that would be used for the models of the buildings that the 2nd graders and their parents would make. This was not very difficult. There was paper that needed cutting, and sorting that needed to be done, but our group was very efficient at that. When the 2nd graders came in, our task was to give them suggestions for their building and to help out. We also got to build a model of our own. We developed a system where half of us would walk around and talk to people while the other half built our model. After a certain amount of time, we would switch off. Calen took photos the entire time. I thought we were very organized and it worked out very well. All of us were also very comfortable with jumping in and giving suggestions and compliments. Grace Hwang suggested future projects for our group, such as writing a review of the museum and designing flyers for family days, which sounds very exciting.
I had a really great time at the Center for Architecture. I felt very comfortable there with Grace Hwang and the 2nd graders and their parents. The making of the model of our building was a lot of fun, even though ours was definitely not the best. I am also very interested in the different sustainable architectural ideas, so I think I am going to have a great time working with this organization. -Ella Park-Chan