An Architectural Workshop – Design, Build and Construction of the Paris Haussmann Building

This workshop is held from 15th-17th March 2022 (Tue-Thu), 9.30am-1.30pm daily, at Visual Arts Centre MacPherson Studio.

Conducted by professional architect, designer and artist Betty Tuffe, this is a four days immersive architectural workshop spanning twelve hours of studio practise in architectural drawing, designing, building and construction.

In the creative setting of an art studio, children will discover the world of architecture and learn about professional architectural practices in a playful way, experiencing and undertaking processes and steps similar to a real life project.

The main activity will be the construction of a model of a Haussmann building and their own architecture project. Many other complementary activities will be offered to enrich this initiation. We will particularity focus on Paris and the city. The combination of the past and the contemporary will allow participants to understand the new challenges facing architects in terms of heritage.

We will follow the classic steps taken by architects:

1- Understanding of the environment, research, brainstorming and design
2- Project sketches, drafting, understanding challenges and how to compose and structure art and design in model
3- Project implementation (model), building, constructing, learning about practical issues/constraints as well as the hands-on process of model building, learning how this will be used in reality

Along with the construction of the model, we will explore several other aspects related to architecture.
Namely, the explanation of the profession of architect, its role and its missions, the presentation of certain major projects in the world, the discovery of references combining ancient and contemporary as well as other practices and a widened scope and approach to architecture. The workshop is practical focused, but will also cover the theory.

The main activity will be the construction of a model of a historical Haussmann building, incorporating their own contemporary designs. Many other complementary activities will also be offered to enrich this workshop.

Objectives & Outcome

• Students will develop a foundation and understanding to architecture and architectural practices
• Students will complete multiple architectural drawings and sketches, develop their portfolio of research, design, drafting – all the pre-steps to developing a model
• Students will build and construct their own architectural model with a range of high quality, professional materials for model building and construction
• Completing the entire process of architecture, developing an understanding and appreciation, as well has having a practical practise throughout the 12 hours project
• Students will take home their accomplished works.

The workshop is designed and customised to age groups, students from 7 years old may join, and their learning objectives will be tailored according to the age group. The intention of this workshop is to allow students to fully immerse in the experience of being an architect and to follow the real stages of setting up an architectural project.

Please note that all project work will be done manually. All materials will be provided for the workshop, with full guidance by the professional instructor, and conducted over four days (3 hours per day).