A JOURNEY TO THE LAND OF ARCHITECTURE assignments

• Introductory tasks
• Construction and building
• Space and materials
• Dimensions, forms and relationships
• Rhythm, movement and composition
• Light and colour
• Environment and cultural heritage
• Orientation tasks

The assignments for the journey to the land of architecture are from the textbook of the same name. The material can be completed on the Internet pages, and it will be published in hard copy by spring 2006. This guide book and related exercises are intended to give a basic grounding in architectural education and is primarily for pre-school and primary school teachers. The assignments can also be carried out by more mature students as can be seen from the indicated age recommendations.

The purpose of A Journey to the Land of Architecture is to lead students and teachers into the world of architecture. The practices and procedures set out in it have been developed in teaching work at various arts centres and in primary school teaching projects.

The assignments can be made use of following paths of study in different disciplines. When building up subject packages, the application of the material may open up new perspectives for educational establishments. The aim is that architectural education should support teaching work and develop into part of the learning environment and the local community. A sense of participation increases people’s activity in making an impact. Participation increases people’s opportunities to influence the formation of their own living environment.

It is worthwhile beginning from the introductory and orientation tasks that approach the subject. The assignments and the content of the book follow six main themes divided up as follows:

I Construction and building
II Space and materials
III Dimensions, forms and relationships
IV Rhythm, movement and composition
V Light and colour
VI Immediate environment and cultural heritage

In the book, the main theme is first examined generally and its importance to our environment and in teaching is discussed. There is a pdf version of this discussion section. The assignments are laid out on the pages in accordance with the main themes of the book. The book gives a particular perspective on the issues of architectural education: WHAT to learn and WHY to learn it, while the assignment section also explains HOW to learn.

The book is available free of charge. It may be copied freely except for the stories and pictures. When quoting from the book, the source and the authors must be named. The book has been produced with financial support from the Arts Council of Finland and SAFA, the Finnish Association of Architects.

Anna Hänninen
20.9.2005