3/8 Center for Architecture Foundation

I went to the Center for Architecture Foundation today with Ella, Amy, Niles, Calen, and Manny. Due to subway changes because of construction, I was about half an hour late. I hope that this doesn’t happen again, and I have learned to leave myself extra time, incase something like this does happen. Today we watched a PowerPoint Grace had put together about the different buildings that were built in China, mostly the ones in Shanghai, which had been built inthe city. We observed and talked about the different shapes that were part of the buildings, the materials, and where they were located. She didn’t mention whether or not they were “green” buildings, but I was amazed alone by the why they were shaped, and designed. When we first got there, we helped the families make nametags, hang up their coats, and settle in. Then we helped out Grace, our coordinator, with anything that needed to be done, or anything that had to be set up at the last minute. The families started off with a simple project of building the tallest tower possible, with newspaper and tape, in two minutes. With a minute or two extra at the end to go around the room and talk about the construction, and what eachgroup thought about before building. After, we all cleaned up and started the next project. This time, we were to build another building, but with recycled materials, tape, foam core, and wire, to build skyscrapers. I noticed families helping one another, sharing materials, and giving each other different ideas. After watching the families build and construct their skyscrapers, I started to get more and more interested in designing “green” buildings such as skyscrapers. I remembered from the last session having time to build a building with my whole group, and I thought it was really interesting what each person thought, and what to put where. I’ve always really been interested in architecture, and I think it would be great to do something like this myself, and with other people. This is the type of activity that was not only fun, but it taught me that architects don’t just design buildings because they are told to, but they think about the buildings’ surroundings, and those who will be in them. It also amazed me how much Grace and the other architects wanted the families and our group to learn about green buildings to not only help create a better place to live, but a healthier one too. Every step it took to think about the different pieces that would go into the buildings from solar panels to accessible public transportation wasn’t just a random idea, but it was talked about and thought out. Overall I had agreat time today helping out and learning about building skyscrapers and more thought that goes into the process. I hope that I can keep learning about different types of eco-friendly construction that is being built and designed all around the world. I have posted a few pictures from today.