Computer architects - Architecture in the Art Room - Cover Story - Brief Article

Architecture on the computer is a captivating assignment for all students. While they do not need a fancy computer program to make the gingerbread on the houses, Appleworks or Claris Works paint program can easily make intricate houses for my high school students.

They become so involved in the project that they can spend almost a week in a block class designing their house and then creating a "painted lady," or painted house. Parents and students are amazed that this detailed project is done on such a basic computer program.

The students are shown different styles of architecture: Federal (1775-1820), Greek Revival (1820-1860), Gothic Revival (1840-1870), Italianate (1840-1875), Second Empire (1850-1875) and Queen Anne (1876-1900).

Then, different architectural facets are pointed out and terms are discussed. These terms include keystones, cupola, fanlight, mansard roof, pediment, tower, sidelights, gingerbread decorations, gables, portico, dormer, foundation, bay window and eaves.

Pictures of homes in their vicinity are studied. Sometimes field trips are taken to not only see the outside of a home, but the inside too.

Through a series of basic assignments, students master the basic computer drawing and painting tools and commands: cut-copy-paste, paintbrush size, flip horizontally/vertically, fill/spray paint, rotate, shapes, resize, straight line tool, patterns, erase, gradients and, perhaps most important, "save as you work."

With these basics, the students are ready to start creating their houses. They first choose an architectural style they wish to portray, and then collect several pictures of the housing style to use for reference.

Starting from the roof, they slowly construct their version of the home. When the basic house is completed they go back and work on details like paneling, bricking, landscaping or window treatments.

When the details have been completed, students start the process of selecting color schemes for the houses. The computer makes changing color schemes an easy process. The students are required to print out two colored houses, called "painted ladies," and one black-and-white house.

Through this project, high-schoolers become familiar with architecture and gain important computer design experience. Our completed projects look top-notch and made for a great exhibit. This past year, they were even used for our school calendar.

ARCHITECTURE TERMS

* Bay window
* Cupola
* Dormer
* Eaves
* Fanlight
* Foundation
* Gables
* Gingerbread decorations
* Keystones
* Mansard roof
* Pediment
* Portico
* Sidelights
* Tower

ARCHITECTURE STYLES

* Federal (1775-1820)
* Greek Revival (1820-1860)
* Gothic Revival (1840-1870)
* Italianate (1840-1875)
* Second Empire (1850-1875)
* Queen Anne (1876-1900)

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Students will:

* learn about different variations in styles of houses.

* learn the names of different styles of houses.

* be able to identify key architectural facets.

* learn to successfully master computer drawing skills.

Janelle Lyon Betts is a K-12 art instructor for the North Tama Community Schools in Traer, Iowa.

COPYRIGHT 2001 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2001 Gale Group