ARCHITECTURE RESOURCES

This post is an attempt to collect all the Architecture resources here. Though ds enjoys building with cardboard boxes, scrap clothing, duct tapes, threads, twines, pieces of papers, tins, bottles, plastic and what not, he also immensely enjoys using his computer programs. I had marked a few great free programs and software to help create such 3D models for him a while ago, but we were not home enough last quarter for him to spend uninterrupted time on them as he would have liked to do. With his current courses at the CC and a couple of online high school classes, he does not have enough time to spend on any of these programs this quarter either, but he is very much looking forward to exploring them in the Summer.

He is especially interested in exploring Green Design / Sustainable Architecture. As usual, he is thinking in terms of exploring the concepts by doing a couple of research projects. His current biology research project is turning his thinking wheels towards applying some of the concepts into his studies on Green Design, so I cannot wait to see what he comes up with. Of course, he is VERY excited that he would be surrounded by a ton of 'Green' ideas when he explores this research in India, at his grand parents' home in the year 2010-2011!

I have collected some of the general architecture resources elsewhere in this blog as part of Engineering / Creativity posts. But I am just collecting the architecture resources separately here so it would be easier for me to find them when ds needs them.

Google Sketch-up to create 3D models. Learn more about how to use with your students here.

Ds has enjoyed playing with this a lot since a very young age. It is free and a great tool to enjoy building simple to complex 3D models. There is also Sketch Up YouTube videos here.

Kiddy CAD Educational 3D modeling software for kids.

Kids for change is a great blog with ideas to teach 3D modeling to kids.

3D Vinci has excellent resources for kid builders of ages 8 all the way to professional adults. There are books to go with Google Sketch Up or ModelMetricks materials that are geared towards ages 8 and above; and check out the GeomeTricks that teaches 2D and 3D geometry concepts. We are looking into a couple of resources here. There is a wonderful Teacher's Guide to download for free to help with Google Sketch Up projects.

Architecture 3D studio learn about architecture, Frank Lloyd, and also design a house.

On the web:

• Green Architecture

ZERO Energy Home in Kuala Lumpur

Green Design resources from Berkeley. Excellent resource for both beginners and advanced learners.

Green Design Learn about Arcology, Sustainable Architecture, Green Architecture and so on.

Architecture Resources Gateway on Sustainable Architecture reference books, excellent databases on relevant research information, journals, etc, The Architecture Resources Gateway is an excellent site to learn about architecture in general through the short guides on various topics.

Green Architecture links resources for natural building and homes.

Green Building.com Green products, technology, and research.

Green Art a guide to various green buildings, architecture projects around the world.

Interesting document on Green Architecture for Grade 8 kids.

Sustainable ABC-Sustainable Agriculture, Building, and Culture A site that explores ecology and sustainability. Wonderful site with great Eco and green building design, technology, projects and research.

Sustainable Building resources tons of links and resources.

Living in paper building home out of recycled paper-Papercrete.

Building Science combines Physics, Sustainability and design concepts.

• General Architecture Links

Math-Kitecture Using Architecture to do Math(and vice versa).Resources page has awesome links on Designing your own bedroom, lesson plans, architects etc.

Architecture for Kids A history of American houses. Explore major trends in architecture, type of houses, materials used, design concepts etc.

Kids.Gov Architecture listings for grades 6-8.

Architivities is a wonderful buidling resource for kids with teacher's lessons and ideas to go with the activities. It is part of CUBE (Center for Understanding Built Environment).

Community Geometry grades 3-7 Fun activities to explore Geometry and Architecture.

Architecture link collections from About.com Various links and resources on varied architecture.

emints architecture resources and links.

Learning by Design in Massachusetts Loafs of achitecture resources.

Teach the children well website has tons of excellent Architecture resources and links.

Architecture course from MIT OpenCourseware.

K-5 architecture curriculum It's Elementary. Architecture curriculum with free downloads.

Architecture from about.com. Browse by topics.

Architecture project for kids a list of various projects on architecture for kids to build.

Architecture Education Resource Guide from Ontario Association of Architects. Ideas and lesson plans for teachers to infuse the concept of design elements in their lessons to kids. There are grade based lessons.

Illustrated Architecture Dictionary Has listings of architectural words, and all of the buildings in Buffalo NY.

Digital Archive of American Architecture 1500 digitized images of American architecture.

Architecture Lesson plans wonderful resource for elementary and upper elementary level architecture lessons.

Cybersleuth Kids Architecture resources from around the world.

Franklin Institute Resources on structures big and small and anything in between.

archKIDecture wonderful resource for children to explore and participate in learning about architecture, architects, materials used, wacky and unusual stories, lovely pictures, etc.

Our World of Architecture Tutorials for kids to read and interpret drawings and create architectural plans. The kids can also learn about historical time line, famous architects, take quizzes etc.

Geometric Shapes in Architecture - Lauretta J. Fox - Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute lesson plans and ideas usable for grades 7 and 8 and high school.

Architecture and Building Resources by topic Impressive long list of links and resources leading to various schools and Architecture programs.

Architecture Through Ages from Thinkquest. Walk through various ages and cultures, past and modern form of architecture.

CUBE Center for Understanding the Built Environment has a lot of resources on architecture for kids.

• For more resources and book lists, check the following.

Temple Architecture books, Engineering Links, Engineering books,Some more Engineering, and Inventions. Also, for fun check out the Strange and Unusual Architecture post.