Lesson IV: Other Examples of Alternative Architecture
Objective
In this lesson, my students will identify more examples of alternative architecture in both the private and public sector. They will use the information gained to create their own forms of alternative architecture.
Materials
Computer lab and library
Posters and art materials
Activity 1
Students will form groups and research various forms of alternative architecture. Types of construction that could be examined are straw bale, rammed earth, paper adobe, adobe, and underground. Examples of alternative housing can be found at Earthship Biotecture and Building Circles Organization. "Green" public buildings include the Conde Naste Building in New York City, and a new Shell Research facility in Houston. American cities such as Seattle, Chicago, and Houston are adopting "green" building codes in an effort to lessen CO 2 emissions. The Power to the People website provides links to sites showing works in progress and proposed plans for urban areas.
Each group will research at least two of the above categories. They will present their findings to the class in PowerPoint form. Each member of the group must participate in the presentation.
Activity 2
Most of my students live in apartments. Groups of five will be asked to use the
knowledge gained from this unit to create an alternative, urban, multi-use development.
Assessment
A group grade will be given for the PowerPoint. Individual grades will be given for the oral presentations accompanying the PowerPoint. They must discuss whether or not they would use the alternatives they studied and why. For the final assessment, each student will submit a paper and blueprint diagram of the group urban plan.
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