The Architect in Each of Us

Written by Kara Bowman, Educator

Apparently long before David Letterman appeared on the scene, people were obsessed with lists. The historian Herodotus (484 BC–ca. 425 BC), and the scholar Callimachus of Cyrene (ca 305–240 BC) listed the seven wonders of the ancient world: the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Statue of Zeus at Olympia, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, the Mausoleum of Maussollos, the Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria. Architecture plays a prominent role in this list since, of these monuments, four are buildings and the Gardens also contained structures.

For thousands of years, people have been inspired to greatness by the dream of constructing buildings of beauty. Who hasn't looked up at a building and felt awe and wonder, as well as appreciation for the architects who gave us the experience? Since humans began constructing, building design and style has always been considered in relation to materials, environment, use and artistry, often with inspirational results.

My son and I were recently in a diner with Trivial Pursuit cards on the table. He picked one up and asked me, "Who invented the arch?" I was amazed not at the answer (the Romans), but by the question. I never thought about the fact that the arch had to be invented, but rather assumed that it had always existed. Of course it has always existed in nature, but one person was the first to copy that idea and incorporate it into an edifice. In reality, each of the practical, structural and ornamental details of architecture came from the mind of an architect, which means that architects must combine a knowledge and love of science with a talent and appreciation for art and the creativity of being able to think, "What if?"

Miriam-Webster Dictionary defines architecture as simply, “The art and science of building.” Richard Rogers, a British modernist architect, takes it further by saying, "I believe very strongly, and have fought since many years ago, to get architecture not just (included) within schools, but architecture talked about under history, geography, science, technology, and art." Architecture touches so many aspects of what makes us human, and learning about architecture can open up innumerable avenues to learning about humanity.

Since so many deep strains inside us are touched by architecture, how can we encourage young architects and the architect in each of us? Children are natural builders and love to use blankets to create a fort, blocks to create a zoo, sand to create a castle, or sticks to create a magical kingdom. According to Architecture in Education, when children engage in construction play, they face all of the challenges of real architects. Kids have clients who give them problems to solve with constraints, such as the size of the dolls who will use the buildings or the number of kids to fit into the fort. They must use available materials and be aware of the structural limitations of stacking too many blocks or the ‘legal’ implications of using a heirloom quilt. Young builders must consider land use (if I build the castle in the hall, will my brother trip over it?) and deadlines (when is bathtime?). Finally, they aim to impress with their building acumen and inspire awe with their creativity, just as adult architects do. In this sense, you have only to provide space, time, materials and appreciation of their creations in order to let their natural problem-solving skills and ingenuity flourish.

Even without knowing about architectural styles and periods, you can talk with your child about buildings in books and in your neighborhood. Ask questions. Why does a mall have no windows? Why doesn’t a front door have a large glass panel like a sliding door? Why are houses made out of wood and public buildings often made out of bricks or stone? Which buildings are old and how can we tell? How have windows changed over the years? Why are roofs more peaked in colder climates? The questions are never-ending and those of us with children know that they will come up with even more. As your child gets older, specific architectural styles can be explored, along with the engineering issues involved in creating large structures. The guessing, thinking and researching involved will help your child develop curiosity, logic, competence, and a love of learning, whatever profession she eventually chooses.

You can ask yourself the same questions about how form follows function, how materials were selected, and how styles have evolved to fit time and place. You can learn about whichever aspect piques your interest in great structures: the religious art in medieval churches, the efficiency of great modern home design, or the engineering audacity of huge bridges. If you would like to begin to learn about styles, try the website of the Victoria and Albert Museum which beautifully catalogs the distinctive features of each of the ten main architectural styles along with a fun quiz at the end. Don’t forget to play, too, with 3D puzzles, home design software, local architectural tours, or just digging in the sand with your kids!

Museum Tour has many products available for architects, young and old. Try Ubersix contruction sets to erect giant skyscrapers and bridges. Archiquest building blocks are available in several different sets, such as Pyramids, Castles, Pagodas, and Russian Domes. The award-winning Young Architects Building Set, has all the materials for a 10 to 14 year-old to design and build a three-dimensional model of a home or other building. If your architect prefers to read, try the wonderful preschool book Pippo the Fool, which is about a competition to design a dome for a Cathedral in Florence.