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Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu

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Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu

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Where is Machu Picchu? by Megan Stine Illustrated by John O'Brien

Aztec, Inca, and Maya (DK Eyewitness Books) by Elizabeth Baquedano and Barry Clarke

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Lost City: The Discovery of Machu Picchu a book by Ted Lewin and Ted Lewin

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Caldecott Honor-winner Ted Lewin takes readers on a thrilling journey to the wilds of Peru in this story of Hiram Bingham, who, in 1911, carved a treacherous path through snake-filled jungles and across perilous mountains in search of Vilcapampa, the lost city of the Incas. Guided the last steps by…

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Video about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge

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Video about the construction of the Brooklyn Bridge

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One of the most epic engineering feats in history - Alex Gendler

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Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

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Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

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Philip Freelon: An American History
This is a short biography of Philip Freelon by the North Carolina Museum of History.

Kwame Nkrumah Midnight Speech for Independence by Useni E. Perkins Illustrated by Laura Freeman

From African American Architects to African Liberators. Read the story of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah and his declaration of independence from Britain. Read this if you liked Laura Freeman's illustrations!

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Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon a book by Kelly Lyons and Laura Freeman

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Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Finalist, 2021, Jane Addams Peace Association Junior Library Guild Selection Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction, Recommended Title, 2021, National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Choices, 2021, Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC)You’ve seen th…

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Mill by David Macaulay

City: A Story of Roman Planning and Construction by David Macaulay

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Gargoyles, Girders & Glass Houses [Zaunders, Bo, Munro, Roxie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Gargoyles, Girders & Glass Houses

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Podcast: Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan

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Podcast: Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan

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EntreArchitect // Small Firm Entrepreneur Architects

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EA169: Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan [Podcast] Mark R. LePage

EntreArchitect is a proud member of the Gābl Media Network. Click the button above to subscribe to the show.

Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan

One of the main struggles we hear is that the general public is ignorant of what we do as architects. If people don't know what we do, how will they ever value our services? How can we better educate and share our purpose with the world and, in doing so, increase that perceived value of the profession throughout the world.

This week, Mark R. LePage talks with an architect based in New York City and Hong Kong, the founder of a thriving architecture and design firm who has found a way to educate society on the value of architecture one child at a time.

This week on EntreArchitect podcast, Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan.
Background
Vicky is the founder of Avoid Obvious Architects, with offices in New York and Hong Kong. The firm specializes in sustainable design for buildings and cities with a focus on combining art and green technology. He also founded a volunteering organization called Architecture for Children, teaching over 3,000 children about sustainable design and architecture.
Origin Story
Vicky grew up in Hong Kong and his family moved to New York about 20 years ago. He always loved art and science, and didn't immediately realize that architecture was the perfect combination of the two. Throughout his academic studies, he decided to pursue architecture. After graduation, he worked at a large architecture firm, in one season working over 100 hours in a week. He decided then to get out and do something different and fund his own ideas.

Along with wanting the freedom to choose his clients, Vicky began pursuing more sustainable design. Having his own business allowed him to take time out of his week to go to the local school and teach children about architecture.

Vicky knows that most kids won't become architects, but he hopes to influence society toward green design. When the kids that he's teaching grow up, perhaps they'll retain the knowledge they received from him and use it to make decisions on their future homes.

Through teaching children, Vicky has had many opportunities to refocus his values. He also works with special needs children, and, while other children tend to want to design things from their favorite movies or cartoons, the children with special needs want to design hospitals to help others. He learns a lot from the children.

In addition to finding meaning through teaching, Vicky has also found encouragement for more innovative thinking. Instead of getting fancy and complicated, what about looking at design through the innocent lens of a child's eyes? What if the crazy ideas that kids have actually come to fruition in the near future?
What's your inspiration?
When Vicky was in college, he was invited into a program where he went to a local school and teach them math and English. Soon, he was encouraged to do a side project in teaching children about architecture. After that, he realized how difficult it was to teach architecture to children. He worked to refine the idea so that the children could come out with a keyword or key concept. To come up with something simple that the children can complete in a short period of time has helped him a ton with his own design. Finding the simplicity in it make it easier to understand.

Vicky also learns from different cultures when teaching children in both New York and Hong Kong. In general, kids in New York are exposed to more art and are more imaginative and creative, whereas the children in Hong Kong are more practical. He works to encourage the children to fail and try things they aren't sure of so they can learn from what doesn't work.
How often do you teach?
Vicky teaches with three local schools up to twice a week. He also has volunteers who study architecture, design, marketing and math, and each comes in and teaches their field to the children. They work mostly with kids after school.
How have you seen children's innocence influence your work?
One child proposed that when a wind turbine she was designing was not in use, they could turn it into a ceiling fan. Though that's not possible, it made Vicky think about dual-purpose design.

Additionally, one child told them that they wanted a hole in the middle of their roof so that they could open it in the middle of the night and see the stars. Vicky presented the idea in a similar way in one of his other projects.
What's some advice you can give someone who may want to start a program of their own?
When Vicky first moved here, he had no connections. He set up a page on his website and printed some booklets and sent it out to various schools. The best advice he can give is to reach out to your community. It's not hard to tell a school that you want to teach their kids for free!

Since they're a non-profit, they have to be very conservative with their materials. For necessary supplies things like pencils and scissors, they found a company that donates supplies for educational purposes.

Last, come up with something that the children will remember. Their attention span is so short that it's hard to keep them focused, but, many times, Vicky holds competitions to motivate the kids to finish well.
What ages do you teach?
Often 6 - 12 years old. On the older edge is his primary focus, but he teaches anywhere in that range.
Where did the name "Avoid Obvious" come from?
Since their architecture firm was fairly young, they wanted to shake things up and tell people that they were more than capable. Instead of naming it after someone's last name or something standard like that, they openly encourage potential clients to do things out of the normal and "avoid the obvious". Unfortunately, the phrasing doesn't translate perfectly to his Hong Kong clientele.
Are you considering a rebrand?
Not presently. They work to rebrand following ABC; A for architecture, B for branding, and C for children. They're working to get their name out there and create a presence.
What is the one thing that small firm architects can do today to build a better business tomorrow? "Write an app. It can help automate something and tell your client that you're not just doing architecture, but you're trying to be efficient and diversify." - Vicky Chan
Connect with Vicky about online at AOArchitect.us or via Facebook for Avoid Obvious and Architecture for Children.

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Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan

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EA169: Architecture for Children with Vicky Chan [Podcast] Mark R. LePage EntreArchitect is a proud member of the Gābl Media Network. Click the button above to subscribe to the show. One of the main struggles we hear is that the general public is ignorant of what we do as architects.

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Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí 

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Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudí 

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Miró's Magic Animals by Anthony Penrose
Explore one man's interaction with another Spanish artist, Joan Miró. Though it isn't architecture, you can expand your horizons in the art world by exploring a painter from the same country.

Patterns from Nature by Myeong-hwa Yu Illustrated by

Seung-Beom Yu

Look into an artist that, like some buildings and people featured in the other books featured here, used nature as an inspiration for their art.

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His home is in Catalonia, a place of jagged mountain peaks and silvery olive trees, splashed by the sparkling sea. The wild beauty of this landscape makes a deep impression. He thinks of it as the Great Book of Nature, and he will read from it all of his life.

Gaudí becomes an architect, learning the rules of form and structure that buildings are supposed to follow. But the shapes and colors of the natural world still inspire him, and he works them into his buildings. Leaves climb up walls. Pillars are giant animal feet. A long bench snakes around a playground.

Antoni Gaudí turned nature into art, and in the process he revolutionized the world of architecture.

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Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi

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Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi [Rodriguez, Rachel Victoria, Paschkis, Julie] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Building on Nature: The Life of Antoni Gaudi

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I selected architecture because I think it is fascinating to understand what goes into the construction of buildings or what did go into them. It is also a field that I do not feel that is a field to which children get ample exposure. I would include this shelf as a part of a series, possibly in a STEAM series of shelves for late elementary and middle school students.  This was a critical part of my thinking as I went through, I was thinking how I would use this as a public librarian for young people It was a great starting point because I was able to imagine myself doing this as a part of a larger project.

I thoroughly enjoyed putting this virtual shelf together. It was interesting to explore one topic thoroughly and see the range of books that were available on the topic. It was  a struggle to find 45 books, though I think it was beneficial overall because it forced me to expand out from architecture and to find different connections fro read-alikes.. I think it is great exposure for them, whether they want to go into construction, or engineering, architecture or any of the trades.

My favorite read-alike that I provided was the set of tools in the learning about architecture section. I would hopefully be able to make this a part of the STEAM shelves series. I think it is critical for students to be exposed to the knowledge and the the tools of the trade.

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Virtual Shelf Instructions

1.               Browse the titles and read alikes

2.            Choose one that interests you

3.            Rate your book using the stars rating feature

4.            Leave your review in the comments

5.             Add any related books that you have read

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Building the Brooklyn Bridge, 1869-1883: An Illustrated History, with Images in 3D

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Building the Brooklyn Bridge, 1869-1883: An Illustrated History, with Images in 3D

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Where is the Brooklyn Bridge by Megan Stine and John Hinderliter

One of the Most Epic Engineering Feats in History - Alex Gendler

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Building the Brooklyn Bridge, 1869-1883: An Illustrated History, with Images in 3D a book by Jeffrey I. Richman, Richard Haw, and Erica Wagner

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“If you love Brooklyn or bridges or New York City or cities or 19th century marvels--or all of the above, as I do--Building the Brooklyn Bridge is a perfect feast, a would-be time-traveler’s delight, overflowing with rare and evocative and fascinating images. It’s a terrific book.” --Kurt Andersen T…

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Architecture: The World's Greatest Buildings Explored and Explained

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Architecture: The World's Greatest Buildings Explored and Explained

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Building (DK Eyewitness Books) by Philip Wilkinson, Dave King, and Geoff Dan

Eyewitness Companions: Architecture by Jonathan Glancy

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Explains and illustrates the structure of fifty of the world's greatest buildings through hundreds of photographs, floor plans, and cross sections, as well as each architect's philosophy and the stylistic context of each building.

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Architecture: The World's Greatest Buildings Explored and Explained

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Explains and illustrates the structure of fifty of the world's greatest buildings through hundreds of photographs, floor plans, and cross sections, as well as each architect's philosophy and the stylistic context of each building.

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Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction 

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Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction 

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Castle by David Macaulay

Mosque by David Macaulay

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Cathedral: The Story of Its Construction a book by David Macaulay

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“This marvelous book recreates the building of a French Gothic cathedral from the hewing down of half a forest to the placement of the last sheet of lead on the spire. Macaulay uses voluminous knowledge and pen-and-ink sketches accompanied by a brief clear narrative.” -- Time

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20 Fun Facts about the Empire State Building

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20 Fun Facts about the Empire State Building

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Where is the Empire State Building? by Janet B. Pascal Illustrated by Daniel Colon

Sky Boys: How they Built the Empire State Building by Deborah Hokinson Illustrated by James E. Ransome

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20 Fun Facts about the Empire State Building a book by Emily Mahoney

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Have you ever been to New York City and seen the Empire State Building? This beautiful skyscraper is known as one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Details about its construction, early days, and stories about interesting and unique events that took place here delight and engage, and graphi…

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Where Is the Colosseum? by Jim O'Connor and Illustrated by John O'Brien

20 Fun Facts about Tenochitlán by Emily Mahoney

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20 Fun Facts about the Colosseum a book by Drew Nelson

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For thousands of years, the Roman Colosseum has been a source of entertainment and awe. Ancient Romans flocked to the amphitheater to see gladiatorial fights, exotic animals, and even naval battles. Although it fell into disuse, today people from around the world come to Rome to see this amazing his…

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Architecture: Cool Women who Design Structures

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Architecture: Cool Women who Design Structures

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The World Is Not a Rectangle: A Portrait of Architect Zaha Hadid by Jeanette Winter

Zoom in and learn more about the life of famous female architect Zaha Hadid!

Women in Art : 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World by Rachel Ignotofsky
Zoom out and look more broadly a the impact that women have had on the world through various art media!

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Architecture: Cool Women Who Design Structures a book by Elizabeth Schmermund and Lena Chandhok

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What style building do you live in? Is it a skyscraper, a Victorian home, or a modern building? In Architecture: Cool Women Who Design Structures, readers ages 9 to 12 examine the stories of women who are today designing the houses, schools, museums, and public spaces where we spend our time. Archit…

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Architecture for Kids: Skill-Building Activities for Future Architects by Mark Moreno and Siena Moreno

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Architecture for Kids: Skill-Building Activities for Future Architects by Mark Moreno and Siena Moreno

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The Future Architect's Handbook by Barbara Beck

Learn what the real work of being an architect is like! You can explore the process of building a structure from the beginning to the end with this book!

Mr. Pen- House Plan, Interior Design and Furniture Templates, Drafting Tools and Ruler Shapes for Architecture

Check out a set of architects tools so that you can get some practice drawing and looking at house plans!

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Architecture for Kids: Skill-Building Activities for Future Architects a book by Mark Moreno and Siena Moreno

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A hands-on introduction to drawing and architecture for kids 8 to 12 Architects play an important role in helping buildings, cities, and communities thrive. If you’re interested in architecture, Architecture for Kids will introduce you to all of the most important terms and skills every aspiring arc…

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The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond by Patrick Dillon and Illustrated by Stephen Biesty

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The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond by Patrick Dillon and Illustrated by Stephen Biesty

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Stephen Biesty's Incredible Cross-Sections by Steven Biesty

You have seen the history of buildings and looked at their cross-sections. Now explore more cross sections of buildings as well as other things like helicopters, mines, and submarines!

Watch China’s 57-Story Skyscraper Built in 19 Days Timelapse

Watch this video to see how a skyscraper was actually built and you will see the parts you've seen in the book in real life! See how they take parts built in factories and put them together to make the building.

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The Story of Buildings: From the Pyramids to the Sydney Opera House and Beyond a book by Patrick Dillon and Stephen Biesty

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Aspiring architects will be in their element! Explore this illustrated narrative history of buildings for young readers, an amazing construction in itself. We spend most of our lives in buildings. We make our homes in them. We go to school in them. We work in them. But why and how did people start m…

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Who Built That? Skyscrapers: An Introduction to Skyscrapers and Their Architects by Didier Cornille

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Who Built That? Skyscrapers: An Introduction to Skyscrapers and Their Architects by Didier Cornille

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Who Built That? Modern Houses: An Introduction to Modern Houses and Their Architects by Didier Cornille

Find out more about some famous houses around the world and about the people that designed them!

Who Built That? Bridges: An Introduction to Ten Great Bridges and their Architecture by Didier Cornille Translated by Yolanda Stern Broad
Expand your understanding of architecture by exploring famous bridges and their architects!

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Who Built That? Skyscrapers: An Introduction to Skyscrapers and Their Architects a book by Didier Cornille

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Nothing in the built world captures the imagination like the skyscraper. Behind every soaring tower stands a designer with courageous vision and enough engineering know-how to pull off incredible feats of architectural derring-do. Who Built That? Skyscrapers is a colorful tour of the world’s tallest…

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Share your favorite books about architects, buildings, or architecture in the comments!!

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Share your favorite books about architects, buildings, or architecture in the comments!!

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Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece

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Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright's Masterpiece

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Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright by Ellen Labrecque, Illustrated by Gregory Copeland
Zoom in and learn more about the architect Frank Lloyd Wright, his life, and the things he built!

Frank Lloyd Wright for Kids: His Life and Ideas by Kathleen Thorne Thomsen
Zoom out and explore the ideas and impact of Frank Lloyd Wright on the world of architecture.

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Fallingwater: The Building of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Masterpiece a book by Marc Harshman, Anna Egan Smucker, and Leuyen Pham

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In Bear Run, Pennsylvania, a home unlike any other perches atop a waterfall. The water’s tune plays differently in each of its sunlight-dappled rooms; the structure itself blends effortlessly into the rock and forest behind it. This is Fallingwater, a masterpiece equally informed by meticulous resea…

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The Homes We Build: A world of Houses and Habitats

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The Homes We Build: A world of Houses and Habitats

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Wild Buildings and Bridges: Architecture Inspired by Nature by Etna Kaner, Illustrated by Carl Wiens
Zoom in and learn about how architecture has been inspired by nature and natural formations!

The Houses We Build (EcoSTEAM) by Georgia Amson Bradshaw
Zoom out and explore what effect our building of houses and  other structures has on the environment and learn what we can do to reduce that effect!

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The Homes We Build: A World of Houses and Habitats a book by Anne Jonas

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Learn how humans have built dwellings to suit all kinds of habitats.Adapting themselves to all kinds of landscapes and climates, over the centuries humans have used their architectural ingeniousness to build amazing dwellings: find them here, from houses on stilts and igloos to tree houses and skysc…