Magical World (#16): Archikidz Rotterdam, introducing children to architecture event

Archikidz Rotterdam

Today I took two little friends of mine to an architecture design contest event. The contest part didn't really matter, more important was for the kids to have an opportunity to get introduced to the concept of architecture. All kids could attend the event for free, it was sponsored by multiple organisations related to both culture and architecture. And there were 45 professional architects around to assist the children while they were working on their projects, and a whole host of volunteers. A lot of hard work and effort had gone into organising this day, and the result was definitely really cool.

Raising some questions

The topic of the contest was to design a 'secret room'. The event started out with a slideshow, introducing the children to the topic and in particular raising the questions which they would need to answer to decide on what they were going to create. What will your room be looking like? How much space will you need? Will the outside give away what you can find inside? How will you get in or out? What is the best way to make this room secret?

Discussing materials

The slideshow was presented by one of the architects who contributed to the design of the Markthallen, one of Rotterdam's newest and very famous architectural gems (click here to read more about the Markthallen in one of my recent posts). She hinted at possible ways to add the element of secrecy to the room the kids would be building. Then invited them all to go over to their tables and get started on the project.

Getting started

The children had already been divided into small groups and headed over to their tables. At each table, there was a professional architect to explain things, to think along, give some suggestions and help (a bit) to put the children's ideas into 'reality'. As in every architecture project, the kids started out by designing their ideas on paper - sketching their secret room and getting their answers to the questions raised in the intro session.

Children getting started on their design phase. The people with the helmets on were the architects supporting the kids. The guy to the left was one of the members of the jury, who were walking around and looking for surprisingly funny, creative, or well-executed designs.

What took me by surprise, was that I was actually not allowed to get involved. Parents and care-takers could enter the hall of the event only through a separate entrance, and we had to stay at the back. I snuck in at some point to quickly take a picture, but the idea was for the children (age 7 to 11) to get to do this by themselves. With some support from adults who also happened to be professionals, but without any intervention from their parents or care-takers. Which was really great, I think. For the kids to get that space. But it meant there wasn't so much to do inside for me, so I went out and enjoyed the awesome weather and went for a coffee and read my book. Which was - again - really quite great.

My two little friends, completely focussed on the task at hand

Detour

As I went out for a stroll, it struck me that the building in which the event was hosted had quite a unique design of its own.

The hall in which Archikidz Rotterdam was hosted

I liked how they picked a place with a unique design of its own to host an architecture related event

Grand finale

After enjoying my coffee, I came back for the award ceremony. By then the hall had really heated up, and the kids had been 'by themselves' for more than two hours. They're 8 and 9 years old, and like many brothers and sisters they can be of great support to each other, or they can totally freak each other out. I was curious how I'd find them. And was happy to catch them still completely submerged in the afternoon's experience.

All the children had added their secret room to several walls forming a closed room. When the ceremony started, the walls were opened up and all the children's projects became visible.

Both of them absolutely concentrated while the jury shared the names of the contest winners and what they liked about those particular designs.

Secret room results

I think the best part of the afternoon was meeting up with the kids after the whole thing was over, and seeing their projects and hearing their stories and realising how very, very proud they were of what they had made.

Secret room project 1. The outside represented a dog, but alas, already one ear and one leg went missing.

The pink curtain added an element of secrecy.

On the inside were a sofa, plants, a bed with linen, a closet and a tv. Lots of details, colour. And a bit of a mess. Definitely a girls' design ;)

Secret room project 2. On the outside were solar panels, and there was a particular mechanism for opening and closing the doors.

A sober, minimalistic design, with some futuristic elements. Lol - I could totally recognise the kids in what they had created.

A lovely day

My plan had been to spend a fun afternoon with both of them, but then I wasn't really allowed to join. But luckily we had already planned to grab a bite to eat together, so afterwards we had some time together. And they were so happy and excited about the afternoon and the project and everything, it really was worth our while.

A big thank you to all the people who put in their effort and time and energy to make this event possible! The afternoon was really an amazing way for kids to get introduced to the concept of architecture. And also a big thanks to you for reading this post and for your support!

Some dinner before heading back.

---

Magical World Series

This is post #16 in the Magical World Series. With these posts, I hope to add a little happiness and light-heartedness to your day. There is magic in every little corner of the world. And if we share it with each other, it does really brighten up the place!

Earlier posts in this series:

• Miniature Dutch country side
• Camping in the Belgian Ardennes
• Chessmen from all around the globe
• Streetart at Noordereiland, Rotterdam
• Visiting Villa Zebra, a museum for kids in Rotterdam

All content is created by me, and Steemit original.
Camera used: Canon G7X