Creative Spaces event focusses on design and construction
Last updated | 29/03/2008
S2 pupils from Perth and Kinross schools will be competing next month in an event focussing on design and construction.
This year's Creative Spaces Challenge, being held at The Space at Dundee College's Kingsway Campus on Wednesday 16 April, will be the biggest yet, with 21 schools from across Tayside and Fife taking part. S2 pupils and staff from Breadalbane Academy, the Community School of Auchterarder, Perth High School and last year's winners, Perth Grammar School will represent Perth and Kinross at the event.
Creative Spaces is designed to introduce pupils and teachers to the world of design and the construction in a creative and inspiring environment, with a competitive edge. Each team of four can expect professional support provided by experts from the design and construction industries, with which they must interpret a brief, produce a design and create a model of the building they have designed, and then give a presentation to four judges and the other teams taking part. To add to the challenge and excitement, the teams only see the brief on the day of the event.
Creative Spaces maintains a ‘green’ approach to construction and once again in 2008 the pupils must incorporate recycled and sustainable materials in their design.
“Every year we have been astounded, yet delighted with the enthusiasm displayed by the young people taking part,” said Doug Binnie of Nicoll Russell Studios, who is one of the organisers. “Witnessing their enthusiasm and commitment on the day makes all the preparation work worthwhile.”
Substantial preparation work is required to stage Creative Spaces, which links the four Councils' education departments, Dundee Institute of Architects, Dundee College, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and ConstructionSkills, all of whom have sponsored the event.
This year the organisers have also invited the Directors of Education and the Councils' Education Conveners, as well as representatives from Careers Scotland to experience the stimulating atmosphere that accompanies the event.
Lifelong Learning Convener, Councillor Liz Grant said: "This will be an exciting and interesting day for the schools taking part. I welcome the opportunities it provides for a connection between education, design and construction to encourage young people's interest in the built environment as a potential career."
