Learning through Building

By Shahnee

When we look across history and how cities have evolved over time, we can see that structures and buildings play an important role in society. They have developed through history and have been used for a variety of purposes across communities for example, bridges, major landmarks, stadiums and sacred religious sites. As you travel across a bridge, have you ever wondered “how could it possibly hold all this weight and still continue to stand for years and years?’ Did you know that the oldest known bridge dates back over 3000 years in Greece and it was created to connect different cities. Since then, bridges have been built using the principles established by the Ancient Greeks, modifying materials, technology and designs to suit the needs of each region. Similar to the marvels of bridges, have you ever been curious about why the Eiffel Tower exists? Did you know that the Eiffel Tower isn’t just an icon that makes Paris recognisable? It was built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Or perhaps you’ve wondered at the unique designs of architectural structures like the Sydney Opera House. This famous Australian icon was actually inspired by nature. Each and every structure, many we know today as key landmarks or functional constructions that help us in our everyday lives, were designed and created for different purposes throughout history. Many of these have been through a process of trial and error, modified over time to improve designs. The materials used have been adjusted with the development of technology, while structures have also enhanced their purpose as well as their functionality.

Have you ever watched a child build a structure while they are immersed in free play and noticed how they alter their designs as they go? They think about the design, the purpose and the intricacies of how they will use this in their scene, and even as their play continues, they make additions and modifications along the way. Just like the Ancient Greeks and the architects of the Eiffel Tower and Sydney Opera House, children are learning the basic principles of building and design through their play.

All structures begin by meeting a need and go through a basic planning process to ensure their longevity and effectiveness. This includes:

Planning the design, considering:
- Form: The shape and structure of the building, thinking about where it will be placed and the materials it will be made from.
- Function: The flow and functionality of the layout (both inside and outside the building), where items will be placed such as windows and whether they will allow natural light to flow through the building.
- Space: The size of each of the spaces within the overall structure.
- Aesthetics: The appearance of the design.
Building the creation.
Analysing any adjustments that need to be made.
Making improvements and documenting these.
Reflecting on the process.

The innovators of well-known structures such as the The Colosseum – which was built as part of a revival effort for the city of Rome and used as an amphitheater for spectator viewing, and the Pyramids of Giza – which were built as tombs for pharaohs who had passed away, honoring their legacy and housing the items they would need in the afterlife, had a purpose in mind. Architects and engineers then developed a plan to execute the amazing structures that we know of and marvel at today. After a need has been established, a design is created that aims to integrate functionality with purpose. While also taking into consideration aspects such as a structure’s size, placement in its surroundings, environmental factors, the layout and features inside-and-outside the structure, and its ability to hold up varying weights. As an architect continues to plan, they make adjustments to their designs as they delve deeper into the planning phase, solving problems as they arise.

What’s incredible is that children also see different needs through their imaginative play. To begin with, it might be the need to cure boredom, the need to entertain themselves with something that they enjoy, or the need to develop and progress their fantasy world. Then, as their play continues to evolve, their purpose might change and grow further, where they design, imagine and become immersed in the creative worlds they have developed. Whether they’ve been given an idea or create their own, children are just like mini architects and engineers, creating their own structures and buildings using the materials that are available to them. Without even realising it, or asking children to, they automatically do all of this independently in their play.

Their creative minds identify hurdles and complications with their ideas and continuously work to improve these until their designs have no more foreseeable mishaps. This process of thoughtful planning, flexibility when creating, adapting designs and reflection is the process architects and engineers go through.

Having great tools that are flexible and versatile, that facilitate a child’s need to become creative, allowing them to meet the needs of their play time and time again, are a must in every home. CONNETIX magnetic tiles are the perfect open-ended toy that have the ability to meet children’s natural characteristics of curiosity, inventiveness and experimentation, whilst adapting to the ever-changing goals and purposes of their play.

Using open-ended materials are so important because they allow children the flexibility they need to alter their creations as they go. They can also be repeatedly used for different projects. Through these hands-on experiences, children can experiment with the key skills needed for real world success, providing qualities they will evidently use throughout their lives in a variety of situations, such as problem solving and innovation.

By allowing children the opportunity to explore architectural designs freely, offering assistance when needed or guiding them through a process, they will find themselves moving through the steps of the architectural planning process. Following the basic principles in the design and planning process, equips children with the necessary skills to become miniature architects themselves.

Activity ideas

Now it’s your turn. Grab your CONNETIX, choose an activity and start building! Don’t forget to plan your ideas first, just like a real architect and engineer. Think about the planning process (as shown above) and don’t forget to take notes on anything you edit throughout the process. Older children might also like to consider:

Visual balance and proportion: Using symmetry and scale within the design.
Rhythm: Repeating features such as colours or shapes.

After you’ve created your design, reflect on what worked really well and what might need some further improvement, then go ahead and make these changes. Think about whether or not these modifications enhance the functionality of your creation.

Option 1

Design a building, structure or landmark for your local area, city or country.

Think about:

What is its purpose?
Who will use it?
What features will it include?
Where will it be placed?

Option 2

Upgrade a current building, structure or landmark so that it is more modern and meets the needs of the society where it’s located. Research the original purpose and significance of this building before beginning so that you know how to best make improvements to it.

Think about:

What was its original purpose and how did it meet this?
What upgrades does it need?
How will these upgrades improve it?
How will these upgrades be long-lasting and effective for the future?

Option 3

Create a building, structure or landmark that will be entered into the World Architecture Show. The design can be placed anywhere in the world! You might think about special events coming up in different places around the world and then creating something to celebrate this. Alternatively, you might see a need in a particular place or for a group of people that a new structure would support. It could even be for another purpose.

Think about:

Where will the structure be placed and why?
How does it meet the needs of its community?
What different features will be included in the design and why?
Who will use it and why?

Shahnee

Shahnee is a primary school teacher who has a passion for supporting children to develop core literary and numeracy skills. She believes in creating a love for learning and fostering children's inquisitive, creative nature. She loves open ended play and believes it brings out everyone's inner child.

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