TDSB Media Room
February 2010

Brock JPS Students Become Young Eco-architects

Imagine a dull Toronto alleyway transformed into an eco-architectural dream.  That’s exactly what Grade 6 students at Brock JPS did.  Then they turned imagination into reality, designing a community of sustainable eco-friendly tree house models for the laneway bordering the school.

The students were introduced to the fundamentals of architectural design through a series of workshops led by artist and professional architect Barb Lilker of Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY). She invited them to imagine the garages torn down and replaced with trees, then tap into their creativity and design sense.

With a variety of design styles to consider, from modern and contemporary to eclectic or traditional, the kids channelled their inner Martha Stewart using eco-friendly, recycled materials.  The project encouraged them to reduce material use by designing small, incorporate a green roof, and use the sun or wind to generate electricity to reduce their footprint on the earth.

“This activity planted the seeds for the students’ future worlds, and for some, their future careers as well,” said principal Maria Pasquino.