dreamArchitecture is a community outreach program sponsored by AIA Birmingham and the Birmingham Architectural Foundation. Open to kindergarten through 5th grade students in the greater Birmingham area, the contest encourages children to think about the built environment. This year’s theme was “Draw your dreamPark!” Students were asked to submit an 8” X 11” drawing and a brief “dreamStatement” describing their park. In August of 2012 the dreamArchitecture committee presented to the art teachers of Jefferson County schools to explain the competition and theme. There was another teacher workshop held in January of 2013 during which architects and landscape architects worked with teachers on the different varieties of parks. There were close to 800 entries from 16 Birmingham area schools: Advent Episcopal Day School, Brown Elementary, Center Point Elementary, Evangel Christian Academy, Highlands Day School, Lipscomb Elementary, Meadow View Elementary School, NE Miles Jewish Day School, North Highland Elementary, Robinson Elementary, Rocky Ridge Elementary, Shades Cahaba Elementary, Trace Crossings School, Valley Elementary, Vestavia Hill Elementary Central, and WJ Christian School.
Submissions were juried in April of 2013, and the awards ceremony was held May 3rd at Saw Works Studio in downtown Birmingham. Proud students, families, teachers and architects flocked to view the winning artwork, chow down on hot dogs, and receive their prizes. Winning students from 3rd through 5th grades were invited to a “Hands on Workshop” the following Saturday at Architecture Works, during which they got a glimpse into the architectural profession. The competition would not have been possible without the generous support of the Alabama Power Foundation, Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds, Dungan Nequette Architects, Gresham Smith & Partners, Hendon + Huckstein, and Rob Walker Architects. Winning artwork and dreamStatements are below. (click the artwork to see the larger artwork.)
To see all the photos from the ceremony, click here.
