Architectural Thinking School for Children
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Formation | 2016 |
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Founders | Alexander Novikov, Elena Karpilova |
Type | Educational project |
Location |
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Methods | Project-based learning |
Field | Arts education with focus on architecture and innovative methodologies |
Website | aschool |
Architectural Thinking School for Children is an interdisciplinary supplementary education project founded in 2016 by architect Alexander Novikov and artist Elena Karpilova in Minsk, Belarus.[1][2] The school focuses on developing "architectural thinking" – an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving – in children aged 6–14 through project-based learning.[1][3] Since 2022, it operates in Lisbon, Portugal, working primarily with migrant children.[4]
History
[edit]Founded in Minsk in 2016, the school began offline operations.[1] In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its regional impact, the school relocated to Lisbon. There, it established activities in Lisbon through partnerships with Portuguese cultural institutions[4][5] and was registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO).[6]
Methodology
[edit]
The school's program integrates architecture, urban design, ecology, film and contemporary art through project-based learning.[1][3] Each term culminates in tangible projects like exhibitions or publications.[1] Professional practitioners teach classes after pedagogical training to adapt their expertise for children.[3] This approach has been documented in international publications including the field guide Archifutures Vol. 5: Apocalypse[7] and featured in the Mexican architecture journal Arquine.[8]
Notable projects
[edit]- HOUSEДОМДОМ: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture (2019): Book of children's architectural projects featured in ArchDaily,[9] Tatlin,[10] Afisha Daily[11] and The New East Archive.[12] Listed on Goodreads.[13]
HOUSEДОМДОМ: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture. Altiora Forte, 2019 - Bambini Ovunque - Children Everywhere (2024): Unofficial participatory project at the Venice Art Biennale 2024, part of the Foreign Pavilion initiative. Announced in ArchDaily[14] and covered in Die Presse.[15]
- Children's Spaces of Protest, Civic Activism, and Play (2025): Public talk at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 (GENS Public Programme).[16]
- IntelliGens Play Lab (2025): Unofficial participatory project at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, part of the Foreign Pavilion initiative. Announced in ArchDaily.[17]

Exhibitions
[edit]- House/Дом/Casa at Lisbon Architecture Triennale (2022)[18]
- Projects at Museum of Contemporary Art MAC/CCB, Lisbon (2023-2024)[19]
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2021 | Individuals of the Year | Elena Karpilova and Alexander Novikov | Nominated | [20] |
2021 | Best Organisation | Architectural Thinking School for Children | Nominated | [20] |
2022 | Diversity in Action | Architectural Thinking School for Children | Won | [21] |
2022 | Best International Organisation | Architectural Thinking School for Children | Won | [21] |
2024 | Best International Organisation | Architectural Thinking School / Bambini Ovunque | Nominated | [22] |
Gallery
[edit]-
The Endless Rain War Short Film. 2019
-
Green House — Green Town apartment house of the future (2067). 2017
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e "From Little Acorns: The Architectural Thinking School for Children". KoozArch. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Architectural Thinking School for Children, una Moderna Bauhaus per Bambini". Elle Decor Italia. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b c "Educational Strategies through Architecture" (PDF). Proyecto, Progreso, Arquitectura. 29. University of Seville: 124–141. 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b Pereira, Ana (2023-08-11). "Do Leste para Lisboa, uma escola artística exilou-se da guerra para apoiar crianças imigradas". Público. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Escola em Lisboa junta crianças russas e ucranianas. Aqui pensam a cidade e reencontram casa". Sábado. 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "ATSFC Association - The Architectural Thinking School for Children". RACIUS (in Portuguese). 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Children Know". Archifutures Vol. 5: Apocalypse. A Field Guide to Surviving the Future of Architecture. dpr-barcelona. 2019. pp. 148–157. ISBN 978-84-949388-1-8.
- ^ "Niños y niñas que saben" [Children Know]. Arquine (in Spanish). 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "HOUSEDOMDOM: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture". ArchDaily. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Что такое HOUSEДОМДОМ". Tatlin. 2019-11-07. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Книга, в которой дети переизобретают здания авангардных архитекторов". Afisha Daily. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Kids in Minsk are designing their own avant-garde homes. Now they've published a book". The New East Archive. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "HOUSEДОМДОМ on Goodreads". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024.
- ^ ""Children Everywhere" Happening at Venice Art Biennale 2024". ArchDaily. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Österreicher überall bei der Biennale Venedig". Die Presse. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "GENS Public Programme". La Biennale di Venezia. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Intelligens Play Lab Happenings in Venice". ArchDaily. 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
- ^ "House/Дом/Casa". Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ "Architectural Thinking School Exhibition". CCB. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
- ^ a b "IFG Awards 2021 Shortlist". Thornton Education Trust.
- ^ a b "IFG Awards 2022 Winners". Thornton Education Trust.
- ^ "IFG Awards 2024 Finalists". Thornton Education Trust.