Spatial Design with Children: How to do it

Architects and designers have been fascinated and inspired by working with children and young people, leading to new thinking about the design of our built environments. This book helps practitioners and students gain the most out of their interactions with children in the design process, providing a range of inspiring examples of educational and participatory design projects from around the world. It categorises stages and phases of involvement and the roles of participants, allowing readers to critically deliberate which approaches will be appropriate in which contexts.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Architects and designers have been captivated by the endless possibilities of working with children and young people, recognizing the profound potential for learning and growth that exists within this relationship. The interaction between a designer and a child can be a rich source of innovative ideas and fresh perspectives, leading to a reimagining of our built environments. This comprehensive book is designed to empower practitioners and students to maximize their interactions with children in the design process. It offers a comprehensive exploration of the theory and practice of engaging children and young people with architecture and the built environment.

The book is structured around a series of roles that children and young people can play in the architectural design and build process, providing readers with a broad understanding of the principles underlying the field while offering a supportive framework for their practical application. These roles include advocates for change, creative inspirers, researchers, (co) designers, trailblazers, builders, clients, placemakers, and expert consultants.

Written specifically with a design audience in mind, this book showcases a diverse range of inspiring examples of educational and participatory design projects from around the world. These projects have been successfully implemented in countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Poland, Germany, France, and Turkey. Each example is carefully documented, providing detailed insights into the design process, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.

The book concludes with a comprehensive 'how to guide' for those who wish to design their own participatory or educational design process. This guide is designed to be practical and accessible, offering diagrams and cross-references to the examples discussed throughout the book. It categorizes stages and phases of involvement, as well as the roles of participants, allowing readers to critically evaluate which approaches will be most effective in specific contexts.

Beautifully illustrated and presented in full color, this book is a must-have for anyone involved in engaging children and young people in the design process. It serves as a valuable resource for architects, designers, educators, policymakers, and community members who are committed to creating inclusive and sustainable environments that promote the well-being and empowerment of all individuals.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780415818681