Introduction to Design & Architecture 2 - Term 3

Course Overview

Introduction to Design & Architecture 2 is an advanced continuation program designed for students who have completed Level 1 (4 terms). Over this journey, children build on their foundational design knowledge and take on more sophisticated architectural challenges.

Curated and led by DesignTinkers' experienced teachers-including educators, architects, and designers-the course deepens their understanding of space, function, and creativity. By blending science, engineering, math, art, and architecture, this program guides students to design advanced structures, collaborate on complex briefs, and refine their design thinking and model-making skills.

Course Content

The program features a fun and exciting range of weekly mini-projects split across two highly engaging, progressive terms:

Redefining the Horizon: The Sustainable Urban Cities Series (Jul - Sep)

Spanning 9 weeks from Jul to Sep, the Sustainable Urban Cities series invite students to tackle real-world challenges through the lens of Singapore's distinctive landscape and global urban innovations.

During these two-hour sessions, students step into the roles of urban designers and environmental engineers to explore the intersection of human necessity and ecological harmony. Participants can look forward to planning and building Eco-Cities, designing adaptable coastal defenses against rising sea levels, and constructing original skyscrapers that fit seamlessly into the iconic Singapore skyline.

By navigating the setbacks of land scarcity and high-density living, students develop essential skills in systems thinking, spatial awareness, and climate-responsive design. Our mission is to foster a generation of confident young leaders equipped to transform global urban challenges into the sustainable, resilient, and future-ready environments of tomorrow.

Human-Centric Design (Sep - Nov)

As the curriculum progresses into the final term, the lens shifts toward the objects and systems that move us through the world. In order to bridge the gap between human necessity and futuristic technology, this phase examines industrial innovation and emboldens students to apply their design thinking to a more personal and mobile scale, bridging the gap between human necessity and futuristic technology.

Throughout the sessions, the studio transforms into a hub for inventive prototyping. Students will transition from conceptual sketches to physical models as they imagine automobile of the future, mobile community hubs- mobile clinics/ libraries, and multi-functional furniture. The term culminates in the creation of protective wearables, pushing students to consider how design can safeguard and enhance our daily lives in an ever-changing environment.

By experimenting with form and function, students master the art of adaptive problem-solving and technical prototyping. Our objective is to cultivate a versatile mindset from the get-go, ensuring these young designers are ready to create the functional, intelligent, and human-centric solutions of the future.

The second-to-last week of the term (Week 17) will focus on presentation and communication skills, guiding students to craft a clear and professional showcase of the ideas and models they have developed throughout the term. Week 18 culminates in an open showing, where parents are invited to view and celebrate their child's learning journey, creativity, and accomplishments.

Learning Outcomes

Students will expand their foundational architectural knowledge to solve advanced structural and urban planning challenges using sustainable, eco-friendly design principles. They will also apply Human-Centric Design thinking while honing technical skills like drafting, scale model-making, and 3D prototyping to creatively address spatial problems. Ultimately, participants will enhance their communication abilities to compile a strong, tangible portfolio that is highly competitive for Direct School Admission (DSA) applications.

Teaching Methods

DesignTinkers programs provide a highly supportive, studio-like environment where children can freely explore, create, and collaborate while guided by experts. Utilizing a hands-on, project-based learning framework, instructors act as design mentors. Students are given open-ended challenges that encourage critical thinking, spatial experimentation, and iterative problem-solving without the restriction of prescriptive kits or rigid instruction sheets.

Prerequisites

Must have successfully completed all 4 Terms of Introduction to Design & Architecture 1.

Important Notes:

• No class on Public Holidays
• If a student is unable to attend lesson last minute but with a valid reason, only 1 make-up session is allowed per term
• Term 4 will resume based on the demand

Parent Testimonial:

"My child has been with DesignTinkers for over a year with more than 20 proud "masterpieces". What makes the program so unique is the incredible team committed to nurturing creativity and independent thinking for young minds. It's way beyond just crafting and building." Michelle S.

"Thank you for sharing the class summary as well as the photos. This really helps a lot in understanding what the kids had focused on during their class. I also appreciate your "growth mindset" approach, which helps them build the resilience and know how to get better at what they do. My child and I look forward to another class in the coming weekend." Sabrina W.

Why take this course at Agora?

Education providers and courses conducted at Agora Colearning are carefully selected by our team. Agora provides a stress-free experience for parents allowing for online searching for courses, booking and payments as well as knowing that your child is safe and secure. At the same time, Agora Colearning offers your children a multitude of educational options, coupled with active spaces, an outdoor space, and quiet zones - all under one roof at HarbourFront Centre. Click here for directions to Our Centre.

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