The Open-City Summer Academy held at the University of Westminster, London in August 2010 was a comprehensive week of workshops and activities which provided students a unique multi-disciplinary learning approach to understanding the built environment.
The overall aim was to challenge young peoples' perceptions of roles in the built environment sector focusing on engineering, architecture, planning and construction; enabling young people from various backgrounds to understand the variety of career options available in the building industries.
90 students between the ages of 12-19 spent 4 days working with built environment professoinals exploring a different discipline to expand the student's knowledge of how buildings are designed and made.
Day 1 - Ultimate Urban Planning Day - an introduction to urban planning and the planning process.
Day 2 - Dynamic Design - exploring architectural design, beginning with an introduction to the role of architects in the design process and working as an architect on a day-to-day basis.
Day 3 - Exploring Enigneering - sponsored by The Happold Trust, this day focused on an investigation of engineering in the designing and making of buildings. Trevor Keeling and Andrea Menardo from Buro Hapopld worked with the students to explain the different types of engineering involved in the process, and the impact engineers have on the designing and making of buildings.
Day 4 - Creative Construction - was dedicated to students understanding the final step in the designing and making of buildings and putting their own designs into practice.
The teams complete a giant 10m x 20m model at a scale of 1:20 of their designs for a new neighbourhood, cementing and connecting together their learning from each of the taster days.
A video clip overview of the summer academy can be viewed on http://www.youtube.com/user/gleedstv
The students hard work was recognised with an evening reception and awards ceremony on the final day which sponsors, participants friend and families, and all professionals were invited to.
The event celebrated participants' achievements and provided a platform to showcase the work they had created throughout the programme.
Awards Winners:
Engineering:
Overall Engineering Award: Noah Murphy and Lorna Martin
Best Model Structure: Theo Quinn and Hugh Littlehailes
Best Use of Colour/Texture & Massing: Hasseeb Majeed and Urim Islami
Structural Challenge Award: Team 4
Design:
Drawing Award: Rachael Rampat
Most Original Design: Bethel Yohans and Azariah Reid
Most Complete Design: Ellie Moore, Vishi Sivaskantharajah and Florence Steer
Costruction:
Most Adventurous: James Goncalues Bier, Jessica Collins and Oliver McManus
Most Fun and Promise: Diju Alcaraz
Best Building Design: Lucy Kerry and Josh Rossouw
Best Volunteers: Felix Mitchell, Cristina Gerada and Amy Butt