Elementary School

Do you want to be an architect?

Do you like to draw? Are you creative? Do you like to solve problems or puzzles? Do you like to build things?

Architecture might be right for you. It’s a career where you can be create spaces and experiences for people and shape the world around you.

Let’s get started!

Webinar

Michael Allen, CEO and Architect for MOA Architecture, Inc., hosted a webinar and Q&A for students ages 9 - 12 who might be interested in the architecture field. Learn more about what an architect is, how to become an architect, and how to design a treehouse in this webinar.

Adventure Book

Alone in the Forest, by CEO and architect Michael Allen and illustrated by Harun Bol, is the debut of an adventurous book series inspiring youth ages 9 - 12 who are interested in architecture. This dynamic book follows the main character Neal through ups and downs of designing and building a creative project. All readers will be curiously inspired to become skilled at design and problem solving. Be on the lookout for more of Neal’s exciting adventures and design projects to come!

Design Activities

The AIA New York Center for Architecture assembled a long list of free, online design activities. These short, easy to follow design projects use simple materials to get kids exploring building design, New York City history, landscape design, interior design, game design, skyscrapers and more. Below are just a few of these activities.

  • How to make an accordion book

    Accordion books are a fun and creative way to practice vocabulary, tell stories, and collect memories of your favorite buildings and places in your neighborhood. They also make for great displays!

  • How to make a box building

    The form, or shape, of a building can be inspired by many different things. In this activity, use the materials you have available to inspire your own building design!

  • Drawing activity: building textures

    Buildings are made of many different materials that each have their own patterns and textures. We can collect these textures by making rubbings using the side of a crayon.