Most children don’t grow up drawing house plans, unless of course their father or mother is an architect. My dad was an architect and his blueprints fascinated me, especially those that contained his own neatly printed annotations. I have my own rudimentary house plans for what I consider the perfect home, and I drew up many plans when I was younger keeping in mind that the plumbing needed to be located so you weren’t running pipe everywhere and other functional requirements along with the aesthetic. A course in humanities in high school cemented my love of buildings. It covered architecture from the pyramids to the Roman arch and the Gothic cathedrals. Arches, buttresses, domes…oh my!
The study of architecture can be and often is sprinkled into any good history or humanities course. For those who find a love for it, architecture makes a perfect topic for a unit study that can be focused in the direction most pleasing to the student. For those technically minded, it can go in depth on drafting, construction, and contracting. For those who approach it from an art history perspective it can include perspective drawing, studies of the great architects and the new ideas they brought to building design, and art projects that tie into the historical period being studied. For the historically minded, the purpose behind historical changes in architecture can be pursued. Why did they stop building castles and why were the pyramids made as pyramids. Why was the Roman arch important to spreading the Roman Empire? Whatever your focus, students will be learning things that they can apply to their own world by exploring the buildings and other structures that make up their city or town.
General Architecture Resources
On the Web
Great Buildings Collection – Architecture Week
This amazing site offers information from almost any perspective. Information, images, architectural drawings, 3D models, and commentary are indexed by building type, architectural style, period, location, construction type, context, architectural elements, and architectural topics. There are also sections for the greatest hits of architecture by building and architect.
MIT OpenCourseWare: Architecture Courses
The MIT Open CourseWare project provides lecture notes, problem sets, projects, and other portions of MIT undergraduate and graduate level courses free online. Depending on the course, there may be videos of lectures or demonstrations. There are no teachers for these courses, the material is offered as is and cannot be used to attain credit towards a degree or certificate from MIT. The courseware is such that you could select from the many courses available topics that interest you. High school students will find the assignments challenging but well suited to the highly motivated homeschooler.
Architectural Record
Architecturalrecord.com supplements the monthly magazine with expanded multimedia project stories, in-depth interviews with giants of architecture, daily news updates, weekly book reviews, green architecture stories and archival material, as well as links to people and products and access to online continuing education credit registration. For those students interested in current ideas in architecture and construction, this site offers a wealth of information.
ArchKIDecture
An educational architecture site designed for kids. Offers information on materials, projects, and more.
Structures on All Sides
Franklin Institute site that focuses on structures at the Franklin Institute. They also include an excellent listing of structure resources on the web.
Building Big
PBS developed this site for use with the five-part series Building Big by David Macaulay. It covers bridges, domes, skyscrapers, dams, and tunnels. Interactive activities allow children experience with the challenges of design and construction for each of these structure types as well as engineering labs that cover forces, loads, materials, and shapes.
National Building Museum
This site includes information about exhibits at the National Building Museum and resources from those exhibits. Educator resource packets are available for download that offer lessons preparing students for visits to the museum on topics like the geodesic dome.
Illustrated Architecture Dictionary
Need a picture of an ogee arch or a gambrel roof? These and many others are available from this site along with links to additional illustrations, further information, and a definition of the term.
Structure in Architecture
Samples from a kit available from Architecture in Education cover domes, cantilevers, and beams.
Architecture for Kids at Loggia
Quality sites exploring architecture for kids and educators! The sites featured include profiles of famous architects, architectural history, and information about significant buildings presented with an engaging and educational approach.
Lesson Plans
Architecture: It’s Elementary
This Web-based guidebook for teachers includes ten lesson plans for each elementary school year, from kindergarten through grade five. The curriculum introduces children to the study of architecture and the built environment, encompassing art, social studies, language arts, history, science, and math. These lessons engage children’s bodies, minds, and imaginations to explore how buildings and cities are designed and built. Lessons appeal to the various learning styles of children as they look, explore, think, and design. In considering how to create functional, safe and appealing environments, children develop skills of observation, reasoning and critical thinking. These tools will develop within them an appreciation and respect for the built environment. You may download the complete guide or download it by chapter.
Higher and Higher: Amazing Skyscrapers
This complete lesson plan from Discovery Education has the following objectives:
Students will:
1. understand some of the building basics used by engineers and architects to design some of the world’s largest skyscrapers,
2. identify unique features of at least one skyscraper, and
3. explain the different responsibilities of architects and various engineers who design and build skyscrapers.
Architecture Lesson Plans
An assortment of topics is covered in 16 lesson plans. Most can be done using art supplies and Internet resources.
Roadside Attractions
Follow the highways of the 1920s and 1930s, exploring the whimsical, extravagant architecture that came with American auto culture.
Thomas Jefferson's Plan for the University of Virginia: Lessons from the Lawn
Learn about the multifaceted intellect of Thomas Jefferson and how he fused his abilities as an architect, educational and political theorist, and politician to create a revolutionary new setting for higher education in the new American republic.
Log Cabins in America: The Finnish Experience
Consider how simple, functional cabins, like those built by the Finns in Idaho, became symbols in American politics and folklore.
North Carolina State Capitol: Pride of the State
Discover how Raleigh became the capital of North Carolina and how the design of the capitol building reflected state pride as well as democratic ideals.
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Monument to the Gilded Age
Discover how the Vanderbilts became one of the wealthiest families in America and how their lifestyle influenced business, culture, architecture, and society in ways that still affect us today.
The Washington Monument: Tribute in Stone
Understand why George Washington was so revered during his lifetime and beyond, and learn why it took 100 years to complete this famous monument in his honor.
Modern Makeovers: Redesigning and Modernizing Old Buildings
In this lesson, students will consider what "modern" means and explore memories and opinions about the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. They then redesign or renovate a local building for the 21st century.
Shadows of the Past: Examining Clues in Architecture to Learn about Ancient Cultures
In this lesson, students share opinions about cultural clues that can be observed in structures and/or edifices. They then investigate sites in their community from an archaeological perspective and prepare annotated sideshows based on their analyses.
Reaching for the Sky: Examining the Defining Features of the World's Most Famous Skylines
n this lesson, students learn about the new 52-story New York Times Building in Manhattan. They then research prominent structures from some of the world’s most famous skylines to review using descriptive language.
Building Blocks: Planning Architecture that Fits into Surrounding Areas
In this lesson, students will consider the relationship between landscape and/or surroundings and architecture. They will then create proposals and sketches for a building in a particular setting.
Projects
Architect Studio 3D
Design a house with Frank Lloyd Wright and share it with the world on this interactive architectural design website.
Building Homes of Our Own
Building Homes of Our Own is an interactive teaching tool for the middle and high school classrooms. The simulation presents a macro view of the entire home building process from site selection to final sale. Students collect information, solve problems and make choices as they build a 3D home against a budget, then review credit applications and sell to the buyer of their choice. Order the CD-ROM and download a middle school or high school teacher’s guide free.
"Co-operative City" Project
Students will learn to draw basic scale drawings and house blueprints, including a scale model city. Adaptable for students in grades 4-12. Teacher’s guide available for $10.95.
Classroom Architect
Design your own classroom layout with the interactive floor plan tool available on this site.
Blueprints Available Online
General Architecture Books
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Architecture Videos
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Hands-On Architecture Resources
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Architecture in History Resources
On the Web
Architecture: Periods and Styles
Links and resources on a century-by-century tour of architecture provided by About.com. Includes a timeline, information on house styles, construction, famous architects and much more.
Architecture through the Ages
This Think Quest site discusses the many types of architecture and the many ways they have shaped our lives.
Art historical images of European and North American architecture and sculpture from classical Greek to Post-modern
Mary Ann Sullivan, a retired art history professor, has put online thousands of images with commentary of sculpture and architecture that she has taken over years of travels. They are indexed by site, artist or architect, and chronologically. Architectural images cover the structure as a whole as well as detail shots, all with Sullivan’s descriptive commentary.
Books
40 Centuries of Architecture
Start from Egyptian, Greek, Islamic, Romanesque, Roman, Gothic, Byzantine, and Armenian architectures to find architectural images by locality, subject, or period. Exterior and interior images are provided with brief details. Many images are black and white.
Digital Librarian: Architecture and Historical Preservation
If you’re looking for resources for a specific location, period, or architect, this long link list may have what you’re looking for. You’ll probably want to search the page for the topic you want because the list is quite long.
Projects
Your State’s Architectural Scrapbook
Using the library and photographs, students learn about the architectural styles of buildings found in their state and the history of these buildings.
History of Architecture Books
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Architecture as a Career
On the Web
Your Career in Architecture
Explore the answers to questions like what is architecture, how do you prepare to become an architect, and what is the nature of professional practice. You can also download an education packet that covers high school preparation and the types of degrees and coursework required for those looking at architecture as a career.
How to Become an Architect
This page answers some of the most frequently asked questions about careers in architecture. The advice comes from several architects who participate in this site’s discussion forum and from Dr. Lee W Waldrep, an Architectural Education Consultant and author of Becoming an Architect.
Arch Careers by the American Institute of Architecture
Information on preparing to become an architect including summer programs for high school students offered at universities throughout the United States.
Careers in Architecture Books
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Art and Architecture Resources
On the Web
Basic Principles of Perspective Drawing For the Technical Illustrator
Basic perspective drawing tutorials and lessons for technical illustrators 1 Point, 2 Point, & 3 Point Perspective Drawings.
Introduction to Perspective Drawing
A short introduction to linear perspective drawing - what it is and who invented it.
Resources
If you’re interested in actual architectural design software, we recommend looking to the Autocad or Architecture Suite software available from Autodesk. Student versions are available for a 13-month term for $159.98. Find an educational reseller at Autodesk.
Dick Blick has a number of resources that would add to a unit study on architecture. They also sell pencils, markers and other art supplies and kits.
House Structure Kits
House Structure Kits include materials for building a ¾ scale, two-bedroom home with bathroom, kitchen, hallway, and dining room, with either a hip roof or truss roof. This activity teaches the fundamentals of sound wood framing and house construction in accordance with accepted building codes.
Staedtler Design and Layout Kit
A great starter set for the design or drafting student.
Chartpak Pickett Architectural Templates
A variety of templates available for about $10 each including house furnishings, house plan and plumping, and professional builders.
C-Thru Architectural Template
The C-Thru architectural template incorporates all necessary symbols for architects, engineers, and builders. Templates are made out of durable, translucent green, flexible plastic. The scale is ¼" equals 1 ft.
Lesson Plans
Towers and Turrets
Using a variety of art techniques students learn a little about architecture as they create a magical towers and turrets city.
Elements of Visual Art – Shape
n this one-session lesson, students will be able to identify shapes in art. Students will then create a piece of artwork using geometric shapes.
Abstract Architecture Painting
Architecture and Art Books
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Famous Architects
On the Web
Famous Architects: architect.architecture.sk
Short biographies of famous architects including lists of their major works.
Wikipedia’s List of Architects
A chronological listing of famous architects. Listings link to Wikipedia articles about the architect.
Notable Architects: Biographies
Short biographies of a long list of noted architects.
Frank Lloyd Wright: Architect Studio 3D
Learn about Frank Lloyd Wright and then design your own home using Wright as your guide and inspiration from his own designs.
Wright on the Web: A Virtual Look at the Works of Frank Lloyd Wright
This site offers a brief overview of Frank Lloyd Wright's prolific 70-year career and a "webliography" -- i.e., a gathering of internet resources that might contribute to the study, appreciation, or sheer enjoyment of works created by the man who has been called America's most creative and innovative architect.
Sir Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723) - BBC
Wren was an English scientist, mathematician, and one of the country's most distinguished architects, best known for the design of many London churches, including St Paul's Cathedral. This page links to other architecture activities and information about St. Paul’s.
Louis Sullivan at 150
This website provides an extensive overview of Louis Sullivan's life and career.
Lieber-Meister - The Louis Sullivan Page
A short biography and guide to the buildings of Louis Sullivan.
Famous Architects Books
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