Architecture
is a mix of art and science.
Anyone can imagine a building with four
walls and a roof. It takes creative talent and
strong science and math skills to design
buildings that have both form and function.
Form is the way a building looks. Function
is the way it performs. For example, an
architect is successful when he or she
designs homes that are beautiful to look at
and comfortable to live in.
Architects start with ideas to create new
structures. Ideas for the world’s tallest
skyscraper might start out as scribbled
sketches in an architect’s notepad. Then the
architect plans out every possible detail
for how to turn those ideas into an actual
skyscraper where thousands of people will
visit and work. Technology like
computer-
aided design
allows architects to create
the extremely detailed plans that builders
and
engineers
will use to construct the
structure.
Frequent visits to job sites are also part of
an architect’s job. That’s where they see
their ideas turned into reality.
Check It Out!
See what you can find out
about architecture at
.
org
Start Now!
Create a chart showing
features of the “world’s
tallest skyscrapers.”
Make a sketch of what your
family’s home looks like.
Play computer games like
Minecraft and SimCity to
hone your architectural
skills.
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