Amidst the bustling streets of Bushwick, New York, a remarkable partnership is unfolding between the AUPE (Academy of Urban Planning and Engineering) high school and the Center for Architecture Foundation (CFAF). Through the “Learning By Design:NY” residency program, CFAF’s design educators have worked closely with AUPE students, introducing them to the fundamentals of architectural design, urban planning, and sustainable engineering.
Exploring the Neighborhood’s Architectural Landscape
The collaboration began with AUPE students embarking on a journey of discovery, exploring the architectural landscape of their local community. Armed with keen observation skills and a thirst for knowledge, they examined the buildings, streetscapes, and vacant lots dotted their neighborhood. This hands-on exploration allowed them to “read” the city, gleaning insights about its history, design, and the forces that shaped it over time.
Uncovering the Secrets of the Built Environment
As the students delved more profoundly, they learned to identify the architectural elements and styles that characterized their surroundings. From the ornate facades of historic structures to the sleek, modern designs of newer buildings, they developed an appreciation for the diverse architectural language that defined their community.
Designing for the Future
Armed with this newfound understanding, the students then turned their attention to the future, focusing on the vacant lots and underutilized spaces within their neighborhood. They embarked on a collaborative process to envision transforming these spaces into vibrant, sustainable community hubs.
Designing Sustainable Community Spaces
Guided by the CFAF design educators, the AUPE students engaged in a series of hands-on workshops that challenged them to think like urban planners and architects. They explored sustainable design principles, learning about energy-efficient techniques, renewable materials, and integrating natural elements into the built environment.
Putting Theory into Practice
Using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) framework as a guide, the students designed their green structures and reimagined their neighborhood as a sustainable community. The students demonstrated their growing mastery of the design process, from creating scaled architectural plans and models to engineering innovative solutions for the identified sites.
Collaborative Problem-Solving
The project-based learning approach fostered collaboration and teamwork among the AUPE students. Working in small groups, they engaged in lively discussions, exchanged ideas, and leveraged their strengths to tackle the design challenges.
Showcasing Student Achievements
As the semester-long partnership drew to a close, the AUPE students had the opportunity to present their remarkable work to a broader audience. A select group of students were invited to showcase their designs at the Center for Architecture, where they had the chance to discuss with design professionals and receive valuable feedback.
The impressive work produced by the AUPE students did not go unnoticed. Two students, Sebastian Espinal (Class of 2025) and Valentino Ramos (Class of 2025), were selected to represent their school at a city-wide expo, where they could showcase their high school urban engineering and architecture projects to a broader audience.
Conclusion
The partnership between AUPE High School and the Center for Architecture Foundation has proven to be a transformative experience for the students involved. Through the “Learning By Design:NY” residency program, they have gained invaluable insights into the world of architecture, urban planning, and sustainable design while honing essential skills like collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.
As the students continue to build upon the foundations laid during this collaboration, they are poised to become the next generation of architects, urban planners, and design innovators, shaping the future of their community and beyond.