city/buildIssue 2- Spring 2011

UNDA 21 drydock 7th floor boston, ma 02210 t 617 426 5401 f 617 426 5491 www.undalliance.org

Founded in 2010, UNDA believes that Boston is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in the world and this is largely a result of the varying neighborhoods in and around the city. Our mission is to provide support for community planning, offer educational opportunities, and advocate for healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The urban fabric is the backbone of the city, and we want community members to understand how they can positively infl uence the built environment around them. We aim to expose people to new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.

city/build aims to demystify school lessons by introducing students to careers and professions that directly apply to their current coursework. city/build engages students through a hands on practical approach to learning. city/build exposes students to a new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to hopes to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.city/build

Spring 2011 Partners

Boston Public Schools: Brighton High School

Skanska Construction

Payette

Harvard Capital Planning and Project Management

map-lab

Students are introduced to development, design, and construction through skill-building lessons and hands-on activities. Students gain understanding of these professions, as well as the context under which urban development takes place by exploring a neighborhood site.

Students are introduced to positive initiatives in their school’s neighborhood and in the neighborhoods where they reside. Understanding how neighborhoods develop allows students to gain perspective on the impact buildings have and the variety of professions involved in a collaborative building project.

Volunteer professionals from the Construction Partnership give students an overview of their project in class and host the students at the construction site. This real world application connects students with local professionals, allowing them to see first hand the scope of various jobs.

Students work on a final design project. Projects reflect students’ lessons on design and development. The Final projects may relate to the local neighborhood, school or the Partnerʼs site, allowing students to express their personal interests. Projects may include developing original site or floor plans or creating models.

Overview:

Neighborhood Context:

Construction Partnership:

Design Project:

city/build

Figure 1: 143 students from grades 8-12 participated.

2001

Figure 2: 87% of participants were of minority background.

Figure 3: City/Build was offered in 6 classes at 6 Boston High schools.

Figure 4: The program received support from 100 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.

Figure 5: 147 students from grades 9-12 participated.

2002

Figure 6: City/Build was offered in 6 classes at 5 Boston high schools.

Figure 7: The program received support from 117 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.

Data reflects last two city/build classes held under the direction of the historic neighborhoods foundation

PROGRAM DEMOGRAPHICS

2010

Figure 9: 95% of Participants were of minority background.

45% Asian35% Hispanic15% African American5% Caucasian

45% Asian35% Hispanic15% African American5% Caucasian

Figure 10: City/Build was offered in 1 class at 1 Boston high school.

Figure 8: 20 Students in grades 9 & 10 participated.

Figure 11: The program received support from 17 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.

45% Asian35% Hispanic15% African American5% Caucasian

2011

Figure 13:95% of Participants were of minority background.

45% Asian35% Hispanic15% African American5% Caucasian

63% Hispanic32% African American5% Caucasian

Figure 14: City/Build was offered in 2 classes at 1 Boston high school, with interest from 3 teachers at 2 other Boston high schools.

Figure 12: 38 Students in grades 9 -12 participated.

Figure 15: The program received support from 15 volunteers from the design, development and construction fields.

63% Hispanic32% African American5% Caucasian

Data reflects first two city/build classes held under the direction of the urban neighborhood design alliance

This bridge activity was fun because we worked in groups, trying to figure out what will be the best way to make the strongest but cheapest bridge. I learned about all types of bridge building structures and how they make the bridge stable.

-Tre Dowman, 11th Grade Brighton High

I think the architect’s presention was interesting because we learned about insulation and how they had to work hard to find a way to make the building look great.

- Herbin Berreendo, 11th Grade Brighton High

From the cantilever activity I learned about a new formula used to build creative buildings. Many factors go into making the building and putting the right amount of weight on both sides. When the architect came to visit our class I learned about heat transfer in houses. Windows loose heat very quickly and a crack can cause air to penetrate into the household.

-Ricardo Delice, 11th Grade Brighton High

We measured the classroom and drew it in plan view to scale. I learned that if you have measured the complete area of a space its easy to measure the things in the area with knowing a side of an object that sits in the space.

-Chabelyz Mejia, 11th Grade Brighton High

It was rewarding to share our project with the students. Their enthusiasm was contagious and allowed us to look at our every-day work in a new light. It was a pleasure and a joy to be a teacher for an hour. Thank you for the opportunity and I also hope our relationship with City/Build will continue. -Sarah Bush, SKANSKA

Thank you for all your work. My students and I appreciate the program and love when you come and work with us .The trip to the Harvard Fogg Museum construction site was incredible. The Skanska team was awesome. It is easy to see why they are considered the best in the world. The students loved the experience and are asking how they can follow up on some of the opportunities mentioned to them.

-Elly-May O’Toole, Physics Teacher, Brighton High

participant reactions

We took a trip to the Fogg Art Museum Construction site in Harvard. The trip was very interesting and I learned a lot from be-ing escorted through the building while it was being worked on. I learned the most from the briefing we received in the trailer. Sarah from Skanska explained that building a building is a very difficult process. We were shown how architects, contractors and engineers plan a building’s floors and levels. My favorite part was when we went exploring. Claude, who was clearly the boss, gave us a tour through the building. The most intriguing part was watching the clamshell machine dig through the rock. The entire trip was an amazing learning experience and I hope we can do it again soon. I just want to thank you and every-one for the amazing trip and allowing us to see what an interesting job you do for a living, and I want you to know you’ve truly inspired me to find work in construction or designing.

-Orrin Simmons, 11th Grade Brighton High

The trip to the Harvard Fogg Museum was a great experience for me. The BIM (3D models) that Sara showed us were really fascinating. We were able to see how the top of the museum is going to be covered by 60 or more pieces of glass. Claude took us to the building where the construction workers were still working. I saw a machine that gets rid of the underground mud. This allows them to place temporary support where the building will stand. Overall, my experience was great. I am really very interested in engineering and after visiting the museum I am much more likely to do something in the field. Thank you for giving Brighton High students this great opportunity to visit.

-Sara Ayaz, 12th Grade Brighton High

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UNDAurban neighborhood design alliance

We believe that Boston is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in the world and this is largely a result of the varying neighborhoods in and around the city. Our mission is to provide support for community planning, offer educational opportunities, and advocate for healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. The urban fabric is the backbone of the city, and we want community members to understand how they can positively infl uence the built environment around them.

We are designers, educators, thinkers and knowledge seekers who love a challenge.

We consider ourselves perpetual learners; this spirit is embodied in our creative educational programs and community involvement.

Our programs employ a sustainable approach, hoping to inspire and motivate community members to keep their urban environments active, thriving and healthy.

We aim to expose people to new ways of thinking about their physical environments and to involve them in ways that can lead to lasting impacts on their communities.

UNDA 21 drydock 7th floor boston, ma 02210 t 617 426 5401 f 617 426 5491 www.undalliance.org