"Celebrating Architecture" : Display Kiosks in Public Places

Public Display Kiosks are to be displayed (with permission) in city halls, libraries, train stations, or schools, etc. A kiosk design competition was hosted by the AIA Northeast Illinois chapter's Young Architects Group in March for prototype kiosk designs (see examples above). Among the features of these kiosks are:
- an explanation of Architecture
- distingushing “just building” vs. architecture
- one example of a historical architectural icon (photos/placards)
-local architecture to celebrate (photos/placards/drawing excerpt)
- Did you know?.....
- Green Building or Remodeling Tips for consumers
-“Working with an Architect”(how to) leaflets
-other "take one” leaflets
- “My Favorite Buildings are...”- A General Public fun survey ballot box
-other creative features

Your help is also needed to identify locations and to obtain approvals necessary to display these kiosks inside public places for the week of April 13-19th.

The kiosks are creative, affordably constructed, modular/reproducible, re-usable, low-maintenance, durable, tasteful, stable, eye-catching and truly representative of the great profession of architecture.

School Visits and Presentations

School Visits & Presentations are to occur in a variety of manners-

Develop "A Career in Architecture" toolkit for Middle Schools and High Schools:
-For guidance counselors
-For students
-For Parents

Develop school visit presentations for targeted levels-
-Primary school age students (See Example Below)
-3rd thru 6th grade students
-Middle schools
-High schools

We invite you to join those who are now developing outlines for successful school presentations, developing a toolkit or actually making a visit to a school the week of April 13-19th.


Template Example:
A Primary School Visit

-Find a contact person at the school.

-Request an opportunity to present something different to the students, an introduction to “Architecture” . If a day between April 13-18 does not work well for the school, take an alternate date. The most important thing is to share your message with the children.

-Get an understanding of the school, the classroom, the teacher and the age of the students.

-Prepare the presentation material for the visit.

During The School Visit:
Consider techniques to get and keep the youngsters attention.
First ask them what they want to be when they grow up.
Then tell them what architecture is and what you do.
Tell them how everything in the room had to be figured out by a designer.
Ask them their favorite building (Is it a home, school, church, store, musuem, restaurant?)
Show some images of really interesting architecture.

Maybe try turning the audience into mini-architects themselves for a moment.
-Draw a picture of a simple building on a chalkboard or easel.
-Ask the children to draw that same thing with their crayons.

Consider bringing Lincoln Logs or Legos or predrawn paper cutout houses for the children to try.
Maybe have one child draw a simple house and the next child build it in Lincoln Logs or Lego.

If you have enough time let each child do both, most will enjoy it.

Compliment the children on their work and let a few describe their work.

Take some photos of the children with their creation and some together with you and the teacher.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
-Bring easel pad or make sure you have a chalkboard or whiteboard available
-Check to see if the school has crayons and paper for the students.
-It is real important to get some photos of your visit.
-Bring a easy-to-use-camera (and a photographer if possible)
-Thank everyone for their time later send a thank you letter to the teacher/principal or contact.
- Send the AIA office a note about your experience.

Public Library Architectural Presentations

Public Library Presentations can be very similar to school visit presentations aimed at targeted levels or can be for adult audiences also. Some presentation examples could be:
-What is Architecture?
-Architecture in History
-AIA 150 Great Places -a narrated slide show
-Green Building and Remodeling Tips for consumers
-"Working with an Architect" workshop

We invite you to join those who are now developing outlines for successful library presentations or actually making a presentation the week of April 13-19th

Support a Not-for-Profit Community Organization

Architects may show the good will of the profession by supporting community based not-for-profit organizations in a variety of ways:
-Provide some level of pro-bono services to worthy causes (see 1 % Pro-Bono Program link on the left).
-Volunteer in a community building or rehabbing effort such as Habitat for Humanity, RebuildTogether.org, etc. (See links on the left)
-Host or participate in a design charrette for charity.
-Or many other ways...