The Young People into Architecture (YPIA) project is a day-long event, led by one of the practice’s Associates, split into two sessions that illustrate and teach the several different skills needed by an architect.

The morning session explores how buildings are designed and what makes them look the way they do.

The children are introduced to key concepts such as heat, light and orientation, before being encouraged to consider these in designing a building of their own.

The afternoon session is a practical one that builds upon the morning, where we help the students construct a large geodesic dome.

The current environment can make it difficult to offer additional activities to schools. Nonetheless, we feel it is vital to continue engaging with younger generations so they understand the impact they can make on their surroundings.

Finalist - IFGA 2023

The Giant Dolls House project is an international social arts project by Catja de Haas Architects that gives a voice to marginalised communities such as refugees, immigrants or homeless people. It asks participants to make a dolls house in a shoebox, any way they want to. Workshops with the community take place alongside the installation. The project has held installations in the Museum of Goa, in Dubai, in North Carolina and across the UK, and has included refugee-specific work at the charity Shelter’s headquarters.

The aim of the project is to make people aware of the importance of a home and community for all to celebrate that everyone is equally different.

Each installation is dependent on the different participants and collaborators and demonstrates the diversity of groups involved in the project. The dolls’ house can be used to explore ideas of identity, both shared as well as personal and that the dolls’ house project is always a good reflection of the different people who have created it.

Winner - IFGA21

Inspired by patterns found in nature, Miniplex - conceived by AHMM architect Vlad Tenu - is made from flexible plastic pieces, each one fitting together to form symmetrical interconnected shapes that gradually increase in size and can be added to infinitely. This formed a temporary installation for Paternoster Square, London.

Winner - IFGA23

Getting Everyone Building comprises a series of dynamic school workshops with the aim of engaging students at an early stage in the built environment sector across the UK.

Operating under the guiding principles of design, construction, and education, these workshops guide students from initial brief creation and design concepts to hands-on activities such as interactive talks, drawing exercises, modeling sessions, measurements, mathematical surveying, and physical construction tasks.

By offering a comprehensive approach, students gain a deeper understanding of the diverse pathways available within the construction and creative industries.

These workshops are tailored to schools with significant populations of underrepresented groups, above-average rates of free school meal recipients, and cohorts of students who may be among the first generation to apply to university. This targeted approach ensures that students from diverse backgrounds have access to valuable learning experiences and opportunities within the built environment sector.