As we watched my 10-year-old nephew rip the paper off various and sundry electronic goods yesterday, his mother happened to mention that he is starting to show an interest in architecture. Hearing this, I promptly issued an invitation for him to come to Chicago and check out a few downtown buildings. So now I’ve decided to do some research before he visits. I found this Web site, Building the Windy City, which was put together by kids from Sherwoood School in Highland Park and is a great resource for kids, or anyone for that matter. It includes a list of Chicago’s best buildings and a section where top architects, including Ralph Johnson, discuss what kids should know about architecture.
Anyone have any thoughts on what would make a good architectural primer for kids? Being winter, the architectural river cruise isn’t operating, of course, but I’m guessing he’d enjoy seeing the sculptures in Millennium Park and riding to the top of the Sears Tower or the John Hancock building, just generally walking around downtown, and perhaps seeing some sort of exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry.