Chicago: It's a Bungalow Out There

By Peter Mavrik in Arts & Entertainment on Oct 1, 2007 5:46PM

We all know that Chicago has great architecture. We burned in 1871 (no, not because of a cow), and up from the ashes rose some of the most original architecture on the continent. But the Chicago Architecture Foundation is taking a more residential stance these days as they prepare their latest educational tool called The Architecture Handbook: A Student Guide to Understanding Buildings.

The textbook is part of a full curriculum for high school students aimed at teaching an entire range of subjects from a Chicago architecture point of view. Sort of a one-stop shop, chock full of group projects, math exercises, critical thinking, design, technical drawing and more, all primarily based on locally designed and built homes.

You couldn't speak about Chicago architecture without mentioning Mies van der Rohe and Frank Lloyd Wright, along with H.H. Richardson and his iconic Glessner House, all of which are covered in the material. And bungalows. Can't forget the Chicago bungalows.

One of the coolest parts of the curriculum is the focus on the F10 House, an award winning "green" residence. Students can learn how to design and build environmentally friendly homes as well as compare them with other historical buildings and even their own houses.

Teaching kids how to go green and learn about the science and history of architecture in Chicago? We're all about that kind of learning. We're also mildly jealous that this wasn't around when we were in school, but maybe someday our kids will be asking us to help with their Chicago-flavored homework.

Image via wikipedia.org.