Auckland Grammar School

Year 9

Zoomorphic animal architecture

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Context

The unit involved research into the phenomenon of buildings that have been inspired by animal forms, with a focus on relevant work by international architects. It richly interweaves the consideration of organic and inorganic forms with skeletal structure and design concepts. The students compare buildings from their own environment with those by the selected architects.

Learning sequence

The motivation for this unit was an exhibition called "Zoomorphic" at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, on zoomorphic architectural trends in contemporary architecture. Students were introduced to and researched the work of relevant architects (for example, Aldo Rossi and Paolo Portoghesi). They made detailed drawings of the form of animals such as crustaceans, beetles or birds. They then simplified and morphed the animal forms into buildings.

To conclude, students developed quasi architectural drawings of their zoomorphic buildings using a limited colour palette and illustrating scale, function and the utility of the building. A number of wet and dry media techniques were investigated throughout the process (for example, shellac, white paint, ochre paint, charcoal, drawing pencils, gesso, and impasto mediums).

This proved to be an excellent programme for extending pupils with ability but it also catered for those of limited ability through mimetic drawing. Keeping materials monochromatic was a major factor in the success of the final images. Extension activities could be explored, such as model making, or design promotion.

Curriculum strands and objectives

For curriculum strand relationships and student learning objectives go to Curriculum strands and objectives.