The Newark School of Architecture & Interior Design (NSAID) took part in a hands-on design experience in celebration of statewide Architecture Week last week.
Students connected with professionals and educators in the field of architecture.
The event, held in partnership between Newark Public Schools and the AIA Newark & Suburban Architects, brought together approximately 30 participants, including licensed architects, college students, and faculty from institutions such as NJIT, Kean University, and Union College for some “real-world, career-connected learning,” according to a release.
“By bringing industry professionals into our classrooms, we are giving our students access to mentorship, to knowledge, and to the pathways that will lead them to successful futures by providing these experiences now,” the School Superintendent, Roger Leon, said in a release.
The event immersed ninth-grade students in the collaborative and creative process of architecture. Working in teams, students were challenged to design and build scale models based on different building types, such as retail and medical facilities, using the provided materials and site plans.
Each classroom produced multiple models, which were placed on shared site plans featuring different environments, including riverfront and industrial settings. Students then presented their work, explaining their design choices and reflecting on the challenges and rewards of working as a team.
“This event was about giving students a real sense of that process while also helping them see themselves in this profession,” Kelli Glasgow, President of AIA Newark & Suburban Architects, said in a release. “Many of us didn’t meet an architect until much later in life. We want to change that.”
