For children aged 7-10 years old
About the event
Light and architecture have always walked side by side, together offering spaces which have both warmth and shade, sparkle and shadow, texture and beauty; but is light something we want to capture, or just sit back and enjoy?
Early civilisations made gateways and buildings to capture sunlight - Le Corbusier declared light both a fundamental basis of architecture and the key to personal well-being. How can we use light as a building tool which elevates our architecture and helps us to feel better?
Where does light come from? Is there anywhere light can't go? How does light change what it lands upon? Do our buildings always look the same?
In this workshop we will play with light, shadow, and reflection, designing and creating structures which bend, shape, and harness light. Through a series of games and challenges, participants will explore the properties of this most enigmatic material, and think how light and architecture work together, changing the way we experience time, movement, and the atmosphere; both in and out of our buildings.
From windows and sky-spaces to sungates and starlight, participants will learn about different ways in which light has inspired structure throughout history. They will use a variety of drawing techniques and materials to visually describe different qualities of light (how do we draw 'glow'? Or' radiance'? What colour are shadows?) Participants will explore the qualities of different materials and create models which command and celebrate light.
This creative architecture workshop is led by artist educator Zoe Allen for children aged 7 to 10 years.
About the Workshop Series
For ages 7-10, our Design Quest workshops inspire younger children to use their imagination and hands-on creativity for a fun introduction to architecture. Previous workshops have seen participants create optical illusions, design sustainable dens, build stage sets, develop an animated story around a public space or assemble a house for a mouse.
Based in London, mainly at 66 Portland Place, all participants must arrive by 11am. These workshops are led by professional educators and all materials are included in the ticket price, but lunch is not provided.
About Zoe Allen
Zoe is an artist and educator who makes collage, assemblage, sculpture, and paintings. She uses materials foraged from sites which have particular meanings or memories, re-purposing these to create new conversations. Zoe also has a collaborative practice in which she works with other artists to create large scale installation informed by architectural forms and mechanisms.
