Architectural Thinking School for Children

Architectural Thinking School for Children
Formation2016 (2016)
FoundersAlexander Novikov, Elena Karpilova
TypeEducational project
Location(s)
  • Minsk, Belarus (2016–2022)
    Lisbon, Portugal (2022–present)
MethodsProject-based learning
FieldArts education with focus on architecture and innovative methodologies
Websiteaschool.org

Architectural Thinking School for Children is an interdisciplinary supplementary education project founded in 2016 by architect Alexander Novikov and artist Elena Karpilova in Minsk, Belarus.[1][2] The school focuses on developing "architectural thinking" – an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving – in children aged 6–14 through project-based learning.[1][3] Since 2022, it operates in Lisbon, Portugal, working primarily with migrant children.[4]

History

Founded in Minsk in 2016, the school began offline operations.[1] In 2022, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its regional impact, the school relocated to Lisbon. There, it established activities in Lisbon through partnerships with Portuguese cultural institutions[4][5] and was registered as a non-governmental organization (NGO).[6]

Methodology

Architectural Thinking School for Children Programme

The school's program integrates architecture, urban design, ecology, film and contemporary art through project-based learning.[1][3] Each term culminates in tangible projects like exhibitions or publications.[1] Professional practitioners teach classes after pedagogical training to adapt their expertise for children.[3] This approach has been documented in international publications including the field guide Archifutures Vol. 5: Apocalypse[7] and featured in the Mexican architecture journal Arquine.[8]

Notable projects

  • HOUSEДОМДОМ: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture (2019): Book of children's architectural projects featured in ArchDaily,[9] Tatlin,[10] Afisha Daily[11] and The New East Archive.[12] Listed on Goodreads.[13] and Google Books.[14]
    HOUSEДОМДОМ: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture. Altiora Forte, 2019
  • Bambini Ovunque - Children Everywhere (2024): Unofficial participatory project at the Venice Art Biennale 2024, part of the Foreign Pavilion initiative. Announced in ArchDaily[15] and covered in Die Presse.[16]
  • Children's Spaces of Protest, Civic Activism, and Play (2025): Public talk at Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 (GENS Public Programme).[17]
  • IntelliGens Play Lab (2025): Unofficial participatory project at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025, part of the Foreign Pavilion initiative. Announced in ArchDaily.[18]
Children-led urban play interventions tackling global crises during Venice Architecture Biennale 2025

Exhibitions

  • House/Дом/Casa at Lisbon Architecture Triennale (2022)[19]
  • Projects at Museum of Contemporary Art MAC/CCB, Lisbon (2023-2024)[20]

Awards and nominations

Year Category Nominee Result Ref.
2021 Individuals of the Year Elena Karpilova and Alexander Novikov Nominated [21]
2021 Best Organisation Architectural Thinking School for Children Nominated [21]
2022 Diversity in Action Architectural Thinking School for Children Won [22]
2022 Best International Organisation Architectural Thinking School for Children Won [22]
2024 Best International Organisation Architectural Thinking School / Bambini Ovunque Nominated [23]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "From Little Acorns: The Architectural Thinking School for Children". KoozArch. 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  2. ↑ "Architectural Thinking School for Children, una Moderna Bauhaus per Bambini". Elle Decor Italia. 2020-05-15. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  3. 1 2 3 "Educational Strategies through Architecture" (PDF). Proyecto, Progreso, Arquitectura. 29. University of Seville: 124–141. 2023. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  4. 1 2 Pereira, Ana (2023-08-11). "Do Leste para Lisboa, uma escola artística exilou-se da guerra para apoiar crianças imigradas". Público. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  5. ↑ "Escola em Lisboa junta crianças russas e ucranianas. Aqui pensam a cidade e reencontram casa". Sábado. 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  6. ↑ "ATSFC Association - The Architectural Thinking School for Children". RACIUS (in Portuguese). 2023-02-15. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  7. ↑ "Children Know". Archifutures Vol. 5: Apocalypse. A Field Guide to Surviving the Future of Architecture. dpr-barcelona. 2019. pp. 148–157. ISBN 978-84-949388-1-8.
  8. ↑ "Niños y niñas que saben" [Children Know]. Arquine (in Spanish). 2019-10-03. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  9. ↑ "HOUSEDOMDOM: A Book of Children's Projects and other Avant-Garde Architecture". ArchDaily. 2020-02-18. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  10. ↑ "Что такое HOUSEДОМДОМ". Tatlin. 2019-11-07. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  11. ↑ "Книга, в которой дети переизобретают здания авангардных архитекторов". Afisha Daily. 2019-11-20. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  12. ↑ "Kids in Minsk are designing their own avant-garde homes. Now they've published a book". The New East Archive. 2020-05-05. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  13. ↑ "HOUSEДОМДОМ on Goodreads". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024.
  14. ↑ Novikov, Alexander; Karpilova, Elena (17 October 2019). HOUSEДОМДОМ on Google Books. ISBN 978-985-7175-86-4. Retrieved 26 August 2026.
  15. ↑ ""Children Everywhere" Happening at Venice Art Biennale 2024". ArchDaily. 2024-04-09. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  16. ↑ "Österreicher überall bei der Biennale Venedig". Die Presse. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  17. ↑ "GENS Public Programme". La Biennale di Venezia. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  18. ↑ "Intelligens Play Lab Happenings in Venice". ArchDaily. 2025-05-07. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  19. ↑ "House/Дом/Casa". Lisbon Architecture Triennale. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  20. ↑ "Architectural Thinking School Exhibition". CCB. Retrieved 2025-07-06.
  21. 1 2 "IFG Awards 2021 Shortlist". Thornton Education Trust.
  22. 1 2 "IFG Awards 2022 Winners". Thornton Education Trust.
  23. ↑ "IFG Awards 2024 Finalists". Thornton Education Trust.
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