New
New
Architectural materials: experimenting with form
I can create a maquette for a building design.
Lesson 2 of 6
New
New
- Year 8
Architectural materials: experimenting with form
I can create a maquette for a building design.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Architects make choices about the materials they use and this impacts how a building looks and feels.
- Different materials allow architects to create unique designs that push visual and structural boundaries.
- Architectural materials can have eco-friendly properties, enabling sustainable building designs.
- Small components can be built up to make larger structures.
Keywords
Sustainability - using resources in a way that can be maintained over a long period of time without depletion or harm to the environment or future generations.
Maquette - a small scale model that is used for planning and testing before a building is constructed.
Form - the three-dimensional shape and structure of an object.
Common misconception
Buildings are all made from solid materials, brick, stone or concrete.
Buildings can be constructed from different materials. These may include traditional stone and brick or modern sustainable materials.
This lesson can be adapted to your local environment by using examples of buildings and building materials in your local environment.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Paper, pencils, scissors, glue, tape, mixed recycled boxes and tubes, paper straws, white paint and brushes.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Who decides what a building looks like?
Who decides what a building looks like?
A police officer
Q2.What does an architect do?
What does an architect do?
They decide how many schools are needed in a town.
They decide where the bus will stop near a building.
They decide what colour an interior sofa will be.
Q3.What materials are buildings made from?
What materials are buildings made from?
Buildings are constructed from bricks and glass only.
Buildings are constructed from concrete and steel only.
Buildings are constructed from earth and wood only.
Buildings are constructed from paper and plastic only.
Q4.Match the correct definition to these keywords:
Match the correct definition to these keywords:
Q5.Buildings should provide to people who live or work in them.
Buildings should provide to people who live or work in them.
Q6.What does sustainability mean?
What does sustainability mean?
Using resources in a way that depletes them for future generations.
Ensuring that economic growth always outweighs environmental concerns.
Focusing only on the short-term use of resources.
Maximising industrial production regardless of environmental impact.
Assessment exit quiz
5 Questions
Q1.What do we mean when we talk about the form of a building?
What do we mean when we talk about the form of a building?
What the building is made from
What the building is used for
How many windows a building will have
Q2.Can you match the building material to the type? choose between traditional or sustainable.
Can you match the building material to the type? choose between traditional or sustainable.
Q3.Why do sustainable buildings often have big, insulated windows?
Why do sustainable buildings often have big, insulated windows?
To make them look modern
So people can see their neighbours
To keep out animals
Q4.What is a green roof?
What is a green roof?
A roof that is painted green
A roof that is always green
A roof that collects rainwater
Q5.What is an architectural maquette for?
What is an architectural maquette for?
To build a real house.
To test a wallpaper design.
To purchase architectural supplies.
