Education Programmes

As architecture does not feature in the curriculum, young people often lack focused opportunities to develop their understanding of design and the built environment. Open House works in partnership with education bodies to devise programmes that enhance mainstream curriculum subjects and broaden participants’ experiences, providing students with useful new skills to apply to their everyday lives.

Open House Learning’s approach is unique: its starting point is always direct experience. It takes education out of the classroom, off the library shelves, and into some of the finest examples of architecture the capital has to offer. We have found that this brings buildings alive for young people, stimulates discussion and leads anyone who participates to feel a sense of ownership of their own city.

Open House runs a number of architectural programmes with London’s young people, both in school and out-of hours. These include Junior Open House (see below for information on current programme), Open Up and My City Too.

Junior Open House

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 schools and draw on our experience as a leader in the field of architecture education.

The programme

Junior Open House is a comprehensive and packed programme for primary school students in year 5 and 6 (8–11 year olds). The programme brings students into contact with key pieces of exemplary London architecture. Building explorations encourage young people to become ‘architectives’, to look for clues, learn design skills and see ways in which people use space. This direct experience leads on to creative workshops in the classroom.

This year 35 classes from across London are taking part. Some of the buildings we are visiting include: Arsenal Emirates Stadium, Talkback Thames offices, Stephen Lawrence Centre, Lord's Cricket Ground Media Centre, the new Planetarium at Greenwich and the Blue Fin Building (Southwark).

Architects involved include Adjaye Associates, Allies and Morrison, BDP Architects, Buschow Henley, David Morley Architects, ECD Architects, Future Systems, Hawkins Brown, HOK Sport, Hopkins, Keith Williams Architects, Metropolitan Workshop, Sheppard Robson, SMC Alsop, Studio E and Tisdall Henshell Architects.

Theme

The theme for this year’s programme will be sustainable sports buildings. The project brief will be to ‘design a sustainable sports building for an alternative Olympic sport of your choice’.

Project dates

1. Training Seminar, Thursday 24 April 2008

This training session offers opportunities to develop fresh ideas whilst also providing practical help for teachers and architects preparing for Junior Open House.

2. Building explorations, 12 – 23 May 2008

Each class will take part in a half- day building expl0ration.  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, 9 – 20 June 2008

After the building exploration, architects will go into the classroom and work with students on their project design briefs. 

4. Competition and awards event, 9 July 2008

At the end of the project we invite students to submit their work to the Junior Open House awards. A prestigious reception will showcase the collaborations between students and architects, with prizes presented.

For more information contact Jenny Wedgbury, Education Officer, tel: 020 7383 5722.

Junior Open House 2008

This year’s programme will run from May to July 2008, and the pupils’ project brief will be to design a sustainable building for an Olympic sport. For information contact Jenny Wedgbury.

My City Too in the City!

In the lead-up to the mayoral election on 1 May, young Londoners will be showcasing their ideas on creating better places and spaces in the capital through the My City Too outdoor exhibition at various high-profile sites around London. For more information visit our news section.