06 February 2009

Little Architects

This Newcastle program, launched recently, aims to inspire young minds.

As children so many of us dreamt of being architects, designing giant skyscrapers, or houses in trees – some followed through and made it real, many did not.

The Little Architects program is aimed at nurturing those dreams and the architectural profession – engaging children and young people and developing their ability for creative and critical architectural thought.

The program was launched at Newcastle’s The Lock-Up Cultural Centre late last month, with Glenn Murcutt as Guest of Honour. “The launch for the program was not really what we expected,” says Geraldine Bobsien – The Lock-Up Director.

“Glenn Murcutt was delivering a beautiful speech about the ‘thinking hand’ and the importance of drawing as a skill for design and we had twenty-five kids all huddled around a work table in the middle of our gallery space.

“They were completely absorbed with some basic materials we set out on the table. We had no real intention of conducting a tutorial at the launch but two hours later we were looking at some incredible models and drawings of the ‘dream cubbyhouse.’”

Supported by the Australian Architecture Association, the program aims to encourage young people to critically consider the wider concepts of culture, ecology and what a house actually is.

“We will promote a level of inquiry in this program to ask ‘what is an appropriate architecture of our culture, our time and our place?” Murcutt says.

“Primarily, the Little Architects/Young Architects program will be energetic, fun and creative but it will also help foster these important ideas that have an urgent and timely relevance for our future.”

Download the program details (1.2MB) for the Little Architects and Young Architects in Newcastle or contact littlearchitects@thelockup.info for more information.

The Lock-Up Cultural Centre
90 Hunter Street Newcastle
+61 2 4925 2265
thelockup.info