Architecture for Kids

Synopsis

A hands-on introduction to drawing and architecture for kids 8 to 12

Architects play an important role in helping buildings, cities, and communities thrive. If you're interested in architecture, Architecture for Kids will introduce you to all of the most important terms and skills every aspiring architect needs. You'll explore how ideas and drawings become real buildings and learn how architects see the world from new perspectives, including with a bird's eye view, from the inside, and three-dimensionally.

Architecture for Kids offers:

• Building basics-Learn about what distinguishes different kinds of buildings, and see examples of architecture from around the world and throughout history.
• Fun activities-Try interactive exercises like planning a lush green roof or drawing your dream bedroom, so you can practice thinking like an architect.
• Your first portfolio-Write and draw directly on the pages, creating an archive of your own architectural designs!

Get excited about how buildings come to be with a book full of facts and activities about architecture for kids.

Summary

Chapter 1: What is Architecture?

* Definition of architecture as the art of designing and constructing buildings and other structures.
* Example: The Empire State Building in New York City, a skyscraper designed by William F. Lamb.

Chapter 2: The History of Architecture

* Overview of major architectural periods, from ancient Egyptian temples to modern skyscrapers.
* Example: The Parthenon in Athens, Greece, a classical temple designed by Iktinos.

Chapter 3: Types of Buildings

* Exploration of different building types, including houses, schools, hospitals, and museums.
* Example: The Sydney Opera House in Australia, a concert hall designed by Jørn Utzon.

Chapter 4: The Elements of Architecture

* Introduction to basic architectural elements, such as walls, roofs, windows, and doors.
* Example: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, a suspension bridge designed by Joseph Strauss.

Chapter 5: Designing a Building

* Step-by-step process of designing a building, from initial sketches to construction.
* Example: The Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain, a basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí.

Chapter 6: The Construction Process

* Overview of the steps involved in constructing a building, including excavation, framing, and finishing.
* Example: The Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the world's tallest building designed by Adrian Smith.

Chapter 7: Famous Architects

* Biographies of influential architects throughout history, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier, and Zaha Hadid.
* Example: Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania, a masterpiece of organic architecture.

Chapter 8: Architecture in the Future

* Exploration of emerging architectural trends and technologies, such as sustainable design and 3D printing.
* Example: The Eden Project in Cornwall, England, a series of biomes designed by Nicholas Grimshaw.

Chapter 9: Architecture and Art

* Analysis of the relationship between architecture and other art forms, including sculpture, painting, and music.
* Example: The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, a modern art museum designed by Frank Gehry.

Chapter 10: Architecture and Society

* Examination of the role architecture plays in shaping our environment, culture, and well-being.
* Example: The Louvre Pyramid in Paris, France, a glass and metal pyramid designed by I.M. Pei.