Our Mission
ENGAGE We encourage children and their families to connect with architecture and the public space, enabling them to be more engaged with their learning, develop their social skills and have fun.
EDUCATE We help kids explore what a city is, who makes cities and how we live, move, work and play.
INSPIRE After spending time with us you’ll be inspired by how creatively you can view our community and the amazing structures around us.
Our Programmes
We offer curriculum focused workshops to local schools and groups in Berkshire and Oxfordshire.
Each hands-on activity has a cross-curricular approach, challenging children to think critically and creatively about their own communities, and enhancing their learning journey outside the classroom. Our programmes are aimed at KS1 and KS2 students.
> Curriculum links: MATHS, ENGLISH, SCIENCE, DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY, ART AND DESIGN, GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY
LOOK DRAW BUILD @ reading station
A creative learning programme which is being offered to 10 Reading Primary Schools in Spring 2022, one or two Year 5 classes in each. Supported by introductory activities some 600 children will have the opportunity to design their own railway station in a creative modelling workshop in the classroom, led by architects / engineers.
LOOK DRAW BUILD @ the gazebo
A creative workshop at the Caversham Court Gardens Gazebo, where students will be looking for clues to understand how houses are designed and built. They will explore architectural themes including space, scale, material, drawing and building.
BUILDING BRIDGES
A guided visit to the pedestrian bridge in Caversham, which enables students to find out more about engineering and the construction of Christchurch Bridge. The visit will culminate in students building and testing bridges using only paper and tape.
DRAWING WITH WORDS
A scavenger hunt and art workshop that explores the parts and pieces that make up a whole building. What nouns and adjectives can be used to describe it? Using only words, students will ‘draw’ a picture of a building in which the words make up the corresponding parts.
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MAY 2022
‘The project was an amazing opportunity for students to think creatively whilst using what they learnt about railways. They, and I, absolutely loved it! The models looked amazing, and they were incredibly proud of what they had made.’
Loren Philpott - Year 5 teacher at Oxford Rd Community School
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MAY 2022
‘The children thoroughly enjoyed designing and creating their train stations. They were guided brilliantly through the designing process and lots of children were inspired to think about engineering and architecture in the future.’
Natalie Price - Year 6 teacher at Caversham Park Primary School
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MAY 2022
‘We learnt the value of teamwork and creativity - we had to be resourceful too. We worked with a positive atmosphere and helped each other when we came across a problem. We had great materials to work with and it was so much fun! We put each other’s ideas into it - it didn’t matter who you were working with, only about what you can make. It was a good way to work together with people we don’t normally play with.’
Pupils from St Dominic class (Year 5) at St Martin’s Primary School
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MAY 2022
‘It was a delight to be able to engage and encourage the children to be inquisitive and creative, developing a passion for design and discovery through their concepts for the Reading station of tomorrow.’
Aaron Taylor (Stantec) - Workshop leader at LOOK DRAW BUILD @ Reading Station
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MAY 2022
‘This project has been a fantastic experience for us to mentor the children on such a challenging and exciting project. It was clear to see that the process has helped develop their understanding of the built environment, their creative problem solving and team working skills. We have been amazed by the brilliant diversity of ideas and creative solutions which have been constructed by all the groups we have been assisting.’
Chris Weston (Weston & Co Architects Ltd) - Workshop leader at LOOK DRAW BUILD @ Reading Station
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October 2019
Thank you for an engaging, educational and fun-filled morning of learning outside of the classroom. We consolidated our knowledge of structures, shapes, materials and local history with the fantastic hands-on activities. The children returned to the classroom buzzing with ideas on how they were going to build their own structures and enthusing on which natural materials they were going to use!
Mrs J Williams (EYFS & Year 1 teacher at St Martin’s Primary School)
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May 2019
I would just like to say how much my two 4-year-olds enjoyed the architectural trail at Caversham Court Gardens... even as an adult they made me look at the gazebo in a different way. Thank you for providing such an interesting trail at such a unique venue. I look forward to more!
Carla, mum of twins, 4 year old
Our Team
We are a dedicated team that uses their multidisciplinary skills and knowledge to provide enriching experiences for all participants.
