Have you ever wondered who designed the houses in your neighborhood? They may look the same or they may be very different. Chances are a architect is behind many of them. In this activity you will first learn about various elements of architecture. Then you will work as an architect designing a home for a client.

 Congratulations! You have just been hired by Smith & Johnson architectural firm. Your first client is anxiously awaiting your fresh ideas for their new home design. Your task is to design a home to meet the needs of your client. Before you get started, your employers at Smith & Johnson would like you to Explore Architecture! This will cover basic elements of architecture, home styles, floor plans, elevations, and everything else you will need to know for serving your client. Then you will be choosing a client, researching their needs, and designing a home for them. When completed, you will present your designs to the class and how your designs meet the needs of your client.Explore Architecture!

 Follow the following steps carefully to complete Discover Architecture!  1. Complete the architecture exercise. Print and complete the worksheet that goes along with it. Then meet with your group and discuss your answers and your discoveries. As a group you should also study the evaluation rubric. Make sure you complete all parts of the rubric for the best score.evaluation rubric  2. Next, each person in your group will need to choose a different client. You will need to carefully read the description of their wants and needs when it comes to the home they want. Because it is very important for you to meet your clients' needs and make them happy, you will need to do some research.

Click here to meet the clients The five clients

 Research the area in which the client will be building. -What kinds and styles of homes are found in the area? -What materials are used in the area? -What is the cost of building per square foot in the area? -Does your client have a style or material preference? If so, research those.

 3. Once you have completed your research, list and sketch some ideas for your client. Focus on the size your client can afford, the style, and possible materials. Present these ideas to your group, along with the description of your client, for feedback.  4. Design a home for your client. Preliminary drawings should be on graph paper. Use exact measurements and label your drawings clearly. Study examples of other blueprints. Try to use as many accurate details as possible. At any time your group may decide to meet and share ideas or to help each other. Your final project should include separate detailed drawings of the floor plan and elevations of all sides of the home. You also need to write a paragraph describing how your drawings serve your client.  5. When projects are complete, you will need to present your drawings to the class along with a description of your clients and how you met their needs.

Click here to explore Architecture Architects floor plans elevation

Click to get the architecture worksheet worksheet

 Architecture / Building Web sites       Geography Web sites  

 Examples of blueprints  Architecture books  House plan books  White drawing paper  Graph paper  Rulers  Pencils  Black Sharpie markers  T-squares  Protractors  Erasers  Compasses  Templates  Various other drafting tools

 You have now completed your webquest! Did you know there were so many details that went into designing a home? Actually, there are more! This however should have given you a good idea of some of the things an architect goes through to design the perfect home for their client. Next time you walk down the street or drive through the countryside, you will have a better appreciation of the buildings you see. You will know about the thought and work that went into the building even before the first shovel of dirt was moved.

Click here to get the evaluation rubric rubric