Lot to Spot: Design Your Dream Space!

7th Grade

Project
4 weeks

Architects of Change: Building Community Spaces

Caitlin McDonald

Purpose

This project aims to immerse seventh-grade students in the world of architecture by challenging them to design innovative community spaces for vacant lots. Through hands-on activities, students will explore sustainable building practices and engage with community partners to ensure their designs meet local needs. By constructing scale models with craftsmanship and developing multimedia presentations, students will apply design thinking principles to create spaces that foster community engagement and environmental stewardship.

Learning goals

Students will explore the fundamentals of architecture and design thinking, focusing on sustainable practices and community engagement. They will develop skills in creative problem-solving, collaboration, and effective communication as they design proposals for community spaces. Through hands-on projects, students will gain a deeper understanding of how architecture can address real-world challenges and reflect the needs of a neighborhood. Additionally, students will learn to construct small-scale models with attention to craftsmanship, using recycled materials to demonstrate innovative and eco-friendly design solutions.

Standards

Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.W.7: Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects based on focused questions, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.
Common Core - CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.SL.4: Present information, findings, and supporting evidence such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
NGSS - MS-ETS1-2: Evaluate competing design solutions using a systematic process to determine how well they meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
NGSS - MS-ETS1-3: Analyze data from tests to determine similarities and differences among several design solutions to identify the best characteristics of each that can be combined into a new solution to better meet the criteria for success.

Products

Students will construct detailed scale models of their proposed community spaces, focusing on craftsmanship and using recycled materials to emphasize sustainable design principles. They will also create a multimedia presentation that includes video interviews with community members, demonstrating how community input influenced their designs. These products will be showcased in a virtual exhibition, providing an opportunity for students to present their work and gather feedback from the community.

Launch

Begin the project with a 'Virtual Architecture Tour' where students explore innovative community spaces worldwide through an interactive online platform. Encourage students to analyze various design elements, focusing on sustainability and community impact, and discuss their observations in small groups. As part of the launch, introduce students to the basics of model building, emphasizing craftsmanship and the use of recycled materials, setting the foundation for their scale model construction later in the project. This activity will spark curiosity and inspire students to think creatively about how architecture can address community needs.

Exhibition

Students will host a 'Virtual Design Tour,' where they will showcase their meticulously crafted scale models and multimedia presentations on a digital platform. This exhibition will allow community members to explore the proposed spaces, view video interviews, and provide feedback directly online. The virtual format ensures broad accessibility, encouraging community engagement and dialogue around the designs, while highlighting the craftsmanship involved in model construction.

Week 1	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Project Introduction - Launch with a 'Virtual Architecture Tour' exploring innovative community spaces worldwide, followed by a group discussion on sustainable design elements and their impact on communities (45 min) Model Building Basics - Introduce students to scale model construction, focusing on craftsmanship and using recycled materials, with a hands-on demonstration (20 min)	Understanding Community Needs - Engage in a brainstorming session to identify local community needs and how architecture can address them, guided by the essential question (35 min) Research Sustainable Practices - Collaborate in small groups to research sustainable building practices and materials, preparing to integrate eco-friendly solutions into designs (30 min)	Design Thinking Overview - Introduce design thinking principles through interactive activities, encouraging students to empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test (35 min) Community Partner Introduction - Connect with local environmental organizations via a virtual meeting to learn about sustainable design and gather input for projects (30 min)	Site Analysis Workshop - Conduct a virtual analysis of vacant lots in the community, documenting observations and initial ideas for potential design solutions (40 min) Sketching Initial Concepts - Begin sketching initial design concepts for community spaces, incorporating insights from site analysis and community partner input (25 min)	Feedback and Iteration - Share initial sketches with peers for feedback, emphasizing constructive critique and iterative improvement based on community alignment (35 min) Reflection Circle - Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss their design process, challenges faced, and insights gained this week (30 min)
Deliverables	1. Completed community needs assessment report, including survey results and insights gathered from interviews and observations.
Preparation	1. Set up virtual architecture tour with access to interactive online platform. 2. Organize guest speakers or community partners for the sustainable architecture workshop. 3. Prepare materials for model building activities, including recycled items and basic construction tools. 4. Create templates for community needs assessment surveys and guidelines for conducting interviews.

Week 2	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Scale Model Workshop - Introduce students to the basics of scale model construction, focusing on measurement accuracy and the use of recycled materials to create eco-friendly designs (30 min) Design Brainstorming - Facilitate a session where students sketch preliminary ideas for their community space model, considering community needs and sustainability (35 min)	Community Input Session - Engage students in virtual interviews with community members to gather insights and feedback for their design ideas, emphasizing active listening and note-taking skills (30 min) Refining Designs - Students incorporate community feedback into their sketches and begin drafting detailed plans for their scale models (35 min)	Model Building Part 1 - Guide students as they begin constructing the base of their scale model using recycled materials, focusing on structural integrity and craftsmanship (40 min) Sustainability Discussion - Lead a discussion on sustainable building practices and how they can be applied to the model construction, encouraging students to reflect on their choices (25 min)	Model Building Part 2 - Continue the construction of scale models, with students adding details and features that reflect their design concepts and community input (45 min) Peer Feedback - Organize a peer review session where students share their progress and provide constructive feedback to each other (20 min)	Model Building Part 3 - Finalize the construction of scale models, ensuring all elements are securely in place and craftsmanship is evident (40 min) Weekly Reflection Circle - Facilitate a reflection session where students discuss their experiences, challenges, and learning from the week, focusing on the evolution of their designs (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Research Summary: A brief report outlining sustainable building practices and materials researched. 2. Community Needs Assessment Report: Documented insights and feedback gathered from community interactions. 3. Initial Model Sketch: A detailed sketch of the proposed community space design, integrating sustainability and community input.
Preparation	1. Coordinate partnerships with environmental organizations to provide resources and guidance for sustainable practices research. 2. Prepare interview guides and survey tools for community needs assessment. 3. Provide materials for sketching, including paper, pencils, rulers, and erasers. 4. Arrange a virtual platform for the reflection circle where students can share and discuss their experiences.

Week 3	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Mid-Project Checkpoint Preparation - Review and refine scale models and multimedia presentations, focusing on incorporating community partner feedback for sustainability and community alignment (35 min) Peer Critique Session - Share progress with peers to receive constructive feedback on design elements and craftsmanship, encouraging iterative improvements (30 min)	Sustainable Materials Workshop - Explore and test various recycled materials for model construction, emphasizing eco-friendly practices and durability (35 min) Model Craftsmanship Focus - Apply precision and attention to detail in constructing scale models, ensuring structural integrity and aesthetic appeal (30 min)	Multimedia Presentation Development - Craft engaging narratives and visuals for multimedia presentations, highlighting the integration of community input and sustainable practices (40 min) Video Interview Editing - Begin editing video interviews with community members, focusing on clear communication of how their input shaped design decisions (25 min)	Reflection Circle - Share insights on the challenges and successes of integrating sustainability and community needs into designs, fostering a deeper understanding of impactful architecture (30 min) Final Touches on Models - Add finishing details to scale models, ensuring all components reflect innovative design solutions and craftsmanship (35 min)	Mid-Project Presentation to Community Partners - Present updated designs and models to community partners, gathering further feedback to refine final products (40 min) Feedback Processing and Iteration - Analyze feedback received and plan necessary adjustments to enhance alignment with project goals and community needs (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Draft design proposals for community spaces, integrating sustainable practices. 2. Revised designs post-feedback session, demonstrating improvements based on critique.
Preparation	1. Coordinate with community partners to schedule feedback sessions. 2. Gather recycled materials for model-building workshops, ensuring variety and accessibility. 3. Prepare digital resources on sustainable building practices for student research. 4. Set up model-building stations with tools and materials needed for crafting scale models. 5. Arrange the virtual platform for sharing designs and receiving feedback.

Week 4	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3	Day 4	Day 5
Activities	Final Model Review - Conduct a detailed evaluation of scale models, focusing on craftsmanship, sustainability, and community alignment, ensuring all elements are finalized (30 min) Exhibition Preparation - Organize and set up digital platform for the virtual exhibition, arranging multimedia presentations and scale model displays for community access (35 min)	Multimedia Presentation Finalization - Finalize and polish multimedia presentations, ensuring clear narrative that highlights community input and design evolution (40 min) Video Interview Integration - Complete the integration of video interviews into presentations, showcasing how community feedback influenced design choices (25 min)	Exhibition Launch - Host the 'Virtual Design Tour,' inviting community members to explore student designs, models, and presentations online, facilitating engagement and feedback (45 min) Reflection Circle - Facilitate a session where students reflect on the exhibition process, discussing their learning journey and feedback received (20 min)	Feedback Analysis - Analyze community feedback received from the exhibition, identifying areas for improvement and successful design elements (30 min) Final Presentation Rehearsal - Conduct rehearsal sessions for the final presentation, focusing on clear communication and persuasive delivery of design proposals (35 min)	Assessment Presentation - Present final design proposals to community members and local architects, showcasing understanding of sustainable practices and community needs (40 min) Reflection and Celebration - Host a celebration reflecting on the project journey, successes, and learnings, recognizing student achievements and contributions (25 min)
Deliverables	1. Final scale models of the proposed community spaces with craftsmanship and sustainable practices. 2. Multimedia presentation featuring video interviews and design narratives. 3. Participation in the Virtual Design Tour exhibition, allowing community members to explore projects online.
Preparation	1. Ensure access to digital tools for multimedia presentations and Virtual Design Tour platform setup. 2. Gather recycled materials and construction tools for model building. 3. Coordinate with community partners to schedule presentation feedback sessions. 4. Set up reflection circle space and materials for students to document their reflections.