Archischools
Archischools are an independent collective of Architects, Artists and Educators with no formal membership. Formed in the run up to the 2016 Architecture Fringe, Archischools wished to focus a project around Architecture in Schools, as there was a common feeling within the group that we, the Scottish community, lack a cultural confidence in understanding and taking part in shaping our built environment.
In Scotland today, every member of the population is under the influence of architecture, planning or the construction process in some way. We live in a time of increasing urbanisation and architecture affects every aspect of our lives. Knowing this, one would expect people to be very opinionated about architecture and to demand to join in when it is being created. Yet apart from negative reaction to the unfamiliar, this is seldom so. Why should this be? Architecture appears complex and the process of its creation is a mystery to those not involved. So, we must empower and engage our young citizens in the design and politics of the built environment.
Forward part of the Architecture Fringe for their 2016 festival, Calum Duncan Architects led the co-ordination of a small group of architects and artists to explore how the general public, but more specifically, Scottish children, (our future public, parliamentarians, shapers and builders of physical stuff), are forming relations with the environment that surrounds us. As citizens, the buildings we live in, work in and walk between have an enormous effect on our quality of life. We posed the question: ‘To what extent is the subject of Architecture and the Built Environment explored in schools, and how can this be improved or expanded, to further the links between architecture and the current curriculum in practice?’
As part of Architecture Fringe 2108 we held an Archischools Summit, where we presented and debated our Archischools Manifesto. With the audience including interested public, architects educators, Scottish Executive and A+DS representatives, a there was an interesting and critical panel debate, including our invited speakers for the evening. Our guest speakers presented relevant experience which generated thought provoking ideas in the context of Archischools Manifesto and aspirations:
Building as Pedagogy
Fiona MacDonald of Matt and Fiona Build
A Heritage Perspective
Brian Wilkinson, Historic Environment Scotland, Technical Outreach and Education
Missing in Architecture
Isobel Deakin, Miranda Webster and Katherine Li, Missing in Architecture
In 2019 Archischools are focusing on communicating the project and manifesto into a website which can connect directly with relevant organisations including schools, educators, policy makers and built environment organisations. We are also exploring funding opportunities to allow time and resources to develop and expand the project, and we are interested to hear form relevant interested funders and organisations.
Archischools Illustration by Michael Kirkham
