How Places Work

A programme that bridged the gap between young people and exciting buildings and spaces.

Norman Foster and pupils from the Mossbourne Academy in the Great Court at the British Museum
Photo by Alys Tomlinson

5000 young people. 100 visits. 90 experts. These ingredients made up a ground-breaking programme for young people aged 11-13 to tour exciting buildings or spaces accompanied by an inspirational guide. The aim – to help young people appreciate the built environment around them and raise their aspirations for good design.

Delivered in partnership with in partnership with Architecture and Built Environment Centres all round the country How Places work ran from October 2006 to April 2008. Some of the guides were architects, but the programme also involved planners, engineers, education officers, developers and other built environment professionals.

Among the places the young people went to were Emirates Stadium, St Luke’s, The Deep, Penkhull Eco-Homes, Etruria Industrial Museum, the School of Art in Burslem, Selfridges, Hackney Empire, The Royal Opera House, Royal Exchange Theatre, Millennium Galleries, The Eden Project, Tate Liverpool, Liverpool Kings Dock Area, Royal Festival Hall and Earthship Brighton.

What makes a great visit?

How Places Work developed a general guide to the different ways buildings can be inspiring:

Strong visual appeal
Some buildings had a ‘wow’ factor, where the scale or creativity of the architectural concept impressed or stirred the visitor. For example one building created illusions through sculpture; another used bio-mimicry in design.
Relevance to sustainability
For example, one building illustrated the evolution of technology over time.
Relevance to the school or curriculum
For example, a school with sports status was taken to a sports stadium.
Interesting setting
Attractive or extensive grounds provided another topic of interest as well as an opportunity for students to walk off energy. A view over a city or space provided a talking point and opportunity for practical exercises or learning about urban design.
Interesting use or users
One visit to Cambridge University was used to break down barriers and encourage pupils to raise their aspirations in terms of higher education.

What makes a great inspirer?

The programme also investigated the qualities needed to capture the imagination of young people:

Ability to engage the students – through personality, passion, sense of humour, local knowledge or experience.
Ability to make information interesting to students - using questions rather than lecturing, using analogies or stories, talking about their own personal background or explaining problems and how they were solved.
Ability to deliver the CABE message. Communicating the built environment,is important and how the design process works
Public speaking skills - projection or in one case, bringing a mega-phone.
Intimate knowledge of the building – sharing the “inside story” of the building, why decisions were made and what impact that had on the building.
Commitment -researching specific interests and curriculum links for each class and to adapt their material accordingly and sometimes preparing packs.

What did teachers think?

Four out of five teachers thought that How Places Work was a great success. They also thought it would benefit students by offering them:

A different way of seeing buildings.
An insight into architecture as a career.
A chance to visit buildings they would not normally visit, either because of the cost or preconceptions about what is ‘cool’.
An opportunity to be in control, to be decision makers.
Greater local knowledge.
A chance for different students to shine.
Contact with professionals who could be role models.
A different learning environment.
Space for children to be more aware of their environment.
A chance to make cross-curricula links.
Access to special buildings and professionals makes students feel privileged and special, which encourages aspiration and self respect.