News |Learning by Design

Center for Architecture Partners with DDC for “Bring Your Child to Work Day”

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May 21, 2019
by Center for Architecture
DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo addresses the participants. Image credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
DDC Commissioner Lorraine Grillo addresses the participants. Image credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants work on their scale building models. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants work on their scale building models. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
One participant proposes a building with a focus on solar power. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
One participant proposes a building with a focus on solar power. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
One participant proposes that a building utilize wind power. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
One participant proposes that a building utilize wind power. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants gather to share their ideas for an ideal city. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants gather to share their ideas for an ideal city. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants gather for a photo behind the completed city model. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).
Participants gather for a photo behind the completed city model. Image Credit: Matthew Lapiska (DDC).

On April 25th, the Center for Architecture’s K-12 Education Department partnered with the NYC Department of Design and Construction to help city employees welcome children to their office in Long Island City for Bring Your Child to Work Day. On this day throughout the country, companies and organizations open their doors to expose children to possible career opportunities.

The Center for Architecture prepared a full-day program around the themes of green architecture and neighborhood design to help children experience what a “day in the life” looks like for their parents or guardians. During this program, Center for Architecture Design Educators Dustin Atlas, Jessica Castillo, and Kimberly Tate worked with over 50 children between the ages of 8 and 13 as well as DDC employees.

The young family members participated in drawing and building activities to learn about environmental design strategies, structural techniques, and the significance of various building programs. After a break for pizza and apple juice, participants used this new information to design and build a scale model of an ideal city. Each child worked to create their own building and coordinated with neighbors to incorporate ideas about circulation, sustainably, and diversity.

Among those present was Lorraine Grillo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Design and Construction, who celebrated the hard work that all participants put in to learn about the built environment and the challenges of creating successful urban spaces.

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