my archischool students experiment with wooden architecture

my archischool educates about wooden architecture

With growing concerns over carbon footprints and the push for sustainable urban design, My Archischool introduces its next generation of architects and designers to the possibilities of wooden architecture. In dense urban environments, adopting wooden structures presents challenges, particularly concerning maintenance, fire prevention, and weatherproofing. Through digital tools and physical models, the Hong Kong-based institute tackles these issues, engaging students aged 6-17 in hands-on projects to redefine the potential of wood as a primary building material.

designing my mini city – architectural design with digital model by Albus Oscar Chung | all images courtesy of My Archischool

hands-on learning meets digital design

Facing such a global trend of going wooden, My Archischool encourages young minds to design and build models that not only embody their architectural visions but also withstand the realities of city living. The school supports this with cutting-edge tools and techniques. The 3D Library – a 3D website platform developed in-house – works to digitally present the designs of its cohort of young architects as well as protect their intellectual property. Used by leading architects like Frank Gehry and Zaha Hadid Architects, modeling software like Rhino3D and Grasshopper then allows students to test and refine their designs, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges in sustainable architecture.

designing my mini city – architectural design with digital model by Albus Oscar Chung

experimenting with wood for sustainable cities

In their wooden architecture projects, My Archischool students start by creating paper models of their designs, ranging from mini-cities to hideaway houses. These models then evolve into wooden structures, where the participants experiment with different building components like shading devices and interior decking. They gain an understanding of wood’s natural properties, from its tactile qualities to its lighting effects. Students further explore the complexities of wood joinery, using modeling software to test various joint designs, some incorporating anchors and curved sub-frames.

designing my Hideaway House – architectural design and wooden model by Alexander Zhang

The exploration extends to larger-scale projects, where students tackle the challenge of applying wood in high-rise buildings and skyscrapers. This involves addressing structural concerns such as wind resistance, especially in the context of Hong Kong’s frequent typhoons. To deepen their understanding, students participate in the school’s ‘Wooditectonic’ competition, where their models undergo rigorous loading and wind tests, simulating the demands of real-world architecture. The results of this contest will be announced in late 2024.

designing my Hideaway House – architectural design and digital model by Alexander Zhang