Growing with Architecture

In Finland architecture and design are an integral part of the country’s tradition, history and everyday life. Finland is also a pioneer in architectural education for children and youth. “Growing with Architecture” - this educational programme starts now in Poland.

Architecture surrounds us and is an integral part of our everyday life, we live in it, it influences our well-being, but do we really see it or even understand it? And what exactly is architecture? The architectural education, starting in early years, allows children to start to understand their built environment. The aim of the programme is to light a spark in young people’s minds, so that they will want to influence and participate in the development of the built environment in the future, whatever their occupation will be. Means and methods used in the programme differ, but they emphasize the learning through play and three dimensional constructing.

This edition of the programme starts with a very current and realistic project - the Finnish houses in Warsaw (so called Jazdów). During that architectural journey, from large to small scale, children will learn the basics of architecture and city planning.

The project will proceed in three stages

I. Analysis of the city of Warsaw - learning some basics of architecture and city planning, using all five senses and different techniques to learn to communicate the discoveries.

II. Concentrating on the area of Jazdów, where the Finnish houses are located (in the proximity of the German and the French Embassies). Children will develop their own vision of the area, using their previous analysis of the city as a foundation. We will be using again different working methods - emphasizing however on 3-dimensional model making.

III. Designing a group of Finnish houses and their court yard area - according to the realistic requirements and needs of the project for the “Suomitalot Foundation”.

Project Jazdów (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan)

The project will be led by the Finnish architect Ms Tia-Catherine Lindgren-Ornass and held in English. A basic knowledge of the language is required (other languages on request and with a minimum of 5 students - languages on request are Polish, Finnish, German). Project is meant for children of 7-15 years old.

Attention students of architecture - if a group of students would be interested in this project, such group can also be formed.

The courses will take place once a week á 90 min.

Saturdays 10.00-11.30 and 12.00-13.30 and 14.00-15.30

All meetings will be held in the premises of the Embassy of Finland in Warsaw, 4/8 Chopina Street.

Registration form kids (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan) or Registration form students (avautuu uuteen ikkunaan) should be sent to: [email protected] where you can also get additional information.