Open Up

October-November 2008

Architecture and the built environment is something that has an impact on all our daily lives but it is the one thing we generally don’t learn about.  Open House has been delivering architecture education programmes for over 10 years and works with 3,000 young people a year. All of our education programmes are FREE to state schools and draw on our experience as a leader in the field of architecture education.

The programme

Open Up is an architecture initiative for state secondary schools.  It is a comprehensive programme that uses London’s exemplary buildings to develop design skills.  The project is aimed at Key Stage 3 Design and Technology and Art and Design students in years 7 - 11.  Open Up includes training for teachers, mentoring for young people, visits to London’s best contemporary buildings and tailor-made classroom workshops that meet the specific needs of individual groups.  Participating buildings in the past have included Arsenal Stadium, Channel Four Building, Laban Dance Centre and the BBC Media Village at White City

Theme

The theme for this year’s programme will be sustainability. The project brief will be to ‘design a green roof space for a building of your choice’.

Project dates

1. Training Seminar, Thursday 25 September 2008
This training session offers opportunities to develop fresh ideas whilst also providing practical help for teachers and architects preparing for Open Up.

2. Building explorations, 20 – 24 October 2008
Each class will take part in a half- day building exploration.  Open House provides on-site activities and resources. Architects/designers will lead the exploration along with an Open House representative. Every effort will be made to match buildings that complement planned or existing schemes of work.

3. Classroom workshops, 10 – 14 and 17 – 21 November 2008
After the building exploration, architects will go into the classroom and work with students on their project design briefs. 

Open Up second prize winning model4. Competition and awards event, 15 January 2009
At the end of the project we invite students to submit their work to the Open Up awards. A prestigious reception will showcase the collaborations between students and architects, with prizes presented.

For more detailed information please contact Jenny Wedgbury, Education Officer by email or phone on 020 7383 5722

Resources