Junior Portfolio 3D Design Students Commissioned to Design Site-Specific Outdoor Classroom

The curricular unit was intentionally sequenced to leverage the design thinking process framework to optimize innovation and creative problem solving. Students engaged with the design thinking process from start to finish, first studying the creative process of world famous design firm IDEO and learning about their human-centered design approach. Students explored a product design case study from IDEO to understand the process in practice and context, and to develop an authentic understanding of how it applied to their own creative challenge: to design an original architectural concept model for an outdoor classroom on Archmere’s campus. This multi-faceted interdisciplinary “real world” learning experience combines externships, research and data analysis, interviews and surveys (market research), mathematics, design, and architectural design. 

 

After immersive deep dive research, students then created three dimensional model concepts of their initial ideas. They formulated questions for both students and faculty to assist in the iterative cycle. On Thursday, February 24, student designers met in teams with faculty representatives from each academic discipline as part of their integrated feedback cycle. 

 

In advance of the interdisciplinary interview session, students developed their own series of questions to gather important information to better understand how teachers envisioned using the space and what they would want in an outdoor learning space. Students conducted faculty interviews to determine faculty needs and goals for the space, and also grounded their approach in empathy and human-centered design using resources Silverman acquired from a partnership forged with the Institute for Human Centered Design in Boston, MA.

 

Students in the course have also generated a list of questions for students which will be administered in a survey to determine the needs of the student body, the other primary user group for the space. 

 

As a third dimension of the iterative feedback cycle, Silverman engaged Robert Bianco, a licensed Principal Architect with PKSB in Manhattan, NY, and a friend from her undergraduate years at RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) who specializes in learning spaces and large scale public spaces to serve as a guest critic and provide expert feedback to the student designers. 

 

Students will have the opportunity to interface with Mr. Bianco, who will provide real-world insight on the entire design process and feedback on their designs and exchange ideas as a formalized ‘Mini Externship’ in alignment with the goals for Student Empowerment, a Strategic Area of Focus identified in the 2019 outlined in Archmere’s 2019 Strategic Initiatives. After their feedback and research cycles conclude, students will refine their models and present their completed designs to Archmere’s administration. 

 

“It is so important for students to autonomously self-direct their own learning and discovery, and also to understand the larger context for their learning. Once basic model making and 3D design skills have been acquired, students have the tools and design skills to tackle much more complex and ambitious design projects. I think people often underestimate the brilliance, creativity and capability of teenagers. The opportunity to interface with a licensed Registered Architect and practicing professional who has extensive experience designing educational facilities is but one example of deep, authentic experiential learning we are striving to create for Archmere students in the Art & Design program.” Silverman’s undergraduate degree and background is in furniture and industrial design, and she is eager to infuse design, especially creative opportunities with commercial application, and relevant, real world-contextualized problem solving into the Art & Design curriculum.

This interdisciplinary project is an extension of an original curricular unit emphasizing design thinking, funded in part by a grant awarded to Silverman by the National Art Education Association’s Design Interest Group in 2021.

Pictures from February 24 - Outdoor Classroom Student Designs