Among many new initiatives created for children to keep themselves entertained during the lockdown, this one is perfect for the young architecture enthusiasts out there. British architecture studio Foster + Partners has published a series of architectural challenges for kids, such as building a paper skyscraper or creating a city. The templates for the challenges were shared on the official website of Foster + Partners and the company encourages kids to share their own creations on social media using the #architecturefromhome hashtag.
“Over the next few weeks we will be sharing new activities for children whilst at home, away from school. We’ll include drawing, making, playing, thinking, reading, watching and other activities to keep them entertained—for at least a few hours!” the studio website reads.
Architecture studio Foster + Partners has launched "Architecture from Home" challenges for children
Image credits: Foster + Partners
Talking to Dezeen, Katy Harris, senior partner at Foster + Partners, said: "The recent lockdown has offered us an opportunity to create a number of online initiatives that educate and entertain our online community and support parents and carers with children who may not attend school at the moment. The #architecturefromhome initiative is a chance for all of us to have some fun and learn at the same time."
They released a series of templates for kids that they can print out, color, and fold to create paper cities
Image credits: Foster + Partners
According to the studio, the challenges have been created to encourage kids to think more about their surroundings, the buildings around them, and the environment they live in.
And are encouraging children to share their creations using the #architecturefromhome hashtag
Image credits: Foster + Partners
"We have tried to engage children in activities that are practical as well as thought-provoking and that may complement the work they are doing at home-school," Katy Harris told Dezeen.
So far the studio has challenged children to build a paper skyscraper...
Image credits: Foster + Partners
The activities are aimed at children from ages 2 to 12. But "they have been designed in a way that everyone, no matter what their age, can get something out of it," Katy Harris has said.
...and create their own city
Image credits: Foster + Partners
By using the templates provided
Image credits: Foster + Partners
The company describes its tasks as "practical as well as thought-provoking"
Image credits: Foster + Partners
"From the responses we are getting, even older children are taking something from these activities," Katy Harris said. "The broad appeal means that anyone can develop them into something bigger and better."
While its main goal is to get children to ask questions about their surroundings
Image credits: Foster + Partners
In addition to the templates for building a skyscraper and houses, the studio has also released a worksheet showing how to draw trees.
A representative of Foster + Partners has said that so far the response has been “absolutely fantastic”
Image credits: FosterPartners
Katy Harris said that so far, the response has been “absolutely fantastic” and “a bit overwhelming.” The studio received emails from all over the world, including Canada, Spain, Italy, Australia, and Cambodia. “We are glad to be able to brighten someone’s day or kindle their creativity in some ways—stay tuned for many more fun activities!” she concluded.
And recently, the studio even released a read-along called What Makes a Building?
Image credits: FosterPartners