YOUNG DESIGNERS

designers

Kids Think Design invites young designers to share their projects on our website. We will feature outstanding student projects regularly. Submit your original architecture projects.

architecture designer imageMEET A DESIGNER: Ever since the first skyscraper was built, there has been a race to design the world’s tallest building. Architect Adrian Smith designed the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which currently holds the title ... but probably not for long! He first thought about becoming an architect when he was a kid. Learn more about Adrian Smith's skyscraper.

PHOTO: AS + GG

  • Designers created a drawing called a site plan which shows the inside and outside of the building in the context of its surroundings.
  • Young visitors to Kidzu were asked to share ideas for what they would like to see and do at the new museum.
  • Based on the architects’ sketches, kids imagined how the space inside of the museum could be used for many different activities.
  • Diagrams that outline the museum’s proposed layout show how space might be utilized when the museum is built.
  • Existing exhibits and new ideas are being tried, or prototyped, in a space that serves as a LAUNCH PAD for the new Kidzu!
  • Kidzu’s GRAVITRON engages young visitors’ problem-solving skills as it launches balls with a giant Archimedes screw. Children can arrange tubes or “tracks” and watch balls race through them.
  • A wooden BEEHIVE wall greets visitors to the Kidzu Launch Pad. Sections of its honeycomb pattern open to reveal many surprises!
  • STAGE SETS offer children environments for dramatic play.
  • A giant marionnette created by Paperhand Puppet Intervention looks poised to take flight, powered by kids’ imaginations.
  • A cozy BOOK NOOK is decorated with art by textile artist Elaine O’Neal and butterfly puppets by Paperhand Puppet Intervention.
  • THE MAKERY is a place to bring creative ideas to life. Kids design, tinker, explore materials, and try out cool tech tools.
  • The elegant “Spoondelier” that hangs in The Makery was created from 8,000 plastic ice-cream spoons by a former Kidzu employee!
1 2 Designers created a drawing called a site plan which shows the inside and outside of the building in the context of its surroundings. 3 Young visitors to Kidzu were asked to share ideas for what they would like to see and do at the new museum.4 Based on the architects’ sketches, kids imagined how the space inside of the museum could be used for many different activities.5 Diagrams that outline the museum’s proposed layout show how space might be utilized when the museum is built.6 Existing exhibits and new ideas are being tried, or prototyped, in a space that serves as a LAUNCH PAD for the new Kidzu!7 Kidzu’s GRAVITRON engages young visitors’ problem-solving skills as it launches balls with a giant Archimedes screw. Children can arrange tubes or “tracks” and watch balls race through them.8 A wooden BEEHIVE wall greets visitors to the Kidzu Launch Pad. Sections of its honeycomb pattern open to reveal many surprises!9 STAGE SETS offer children environments for dramatic play.10 A giant marionnette created by Paperhand Puppet Intervention looks poised to take flight, powered by kids’ imaginations.11 A cozy BOOK NOOK is decorated with art by textile artist Elaine O’Neal and butterfly puppets by Paperhand Puppet Intervention.12 THE MAKERY is a place to bring creative ideas to life. Kids design, tinker, explore materials, and try out cool tech tools.13 The elegant “Spoondelier” that hangs in The Makery was created from 8,000 plastic ice-cream spoons by a former Kidzu employee!14 16

DESIGNING A MUSEUM

A museum is a place to explore, learn and create! Kidzu Children’s Museum in Chapel Hill, N.C. has teamed up with Kids Design Collaborative (creators of this website and the Design Dossiers book series) to bring hands-on design challenges to children of all ages.


The collaboration is a unique partnership between a non-profit group of professional designers and educators and an innovative children’s museum. It will give kids, teachers and parents the chance to experience the creative process from ideation through problem-solving, and the opportunity to tinker and build prototypes in Kidzu’s new Makery space.


The Kids Design Lab is just one part of an innovative community-based museum experience, whose design and programming is shaped utilizing the expertise of professionals — and children themselves! Scroll through the slideshow above to see the new Kidzu as it comes to life. If you could design your own museum, what would YOU imagine?

SLIDESHOW PHOTOS: KIDS THINK DESIGN


e-mail your projects to studio@kidsthinkdesign.org click here to design a project Send us your design projects