New
New
Year 8

Architectural materials: experimenting with form

I can create a maquette for a building design.

New
New
Year 8

Architectural materials: experimenting with form

I can create a maquette for a building design.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Architects make choices about the materials they use and this impacts how a building looks and feels.
  2. Different materials allow architects to create unique designs that push visual and structural boundaries.
  3. Architectural materials can have eco-friendly properties, enabling sustainable building designs.
  4. 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.


To help you plan your year 8 art and design lesson on: Architectural materials: experimenting with form, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

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 (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Who decides what a building looks like?

Correct answer: A builder
Correct answer: The community
Correct answer: An architect
A police officer
Correct answer: The client

Q2.
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.
Correct answer: They plan, design and oversee the construction of building.
They decide what colour an interior sofa will be.

Q3.
What materials are buildings made from?

Buildings are constructed from bricks and glass only.
Buildings are constructed from concrete and steel only.
Correct answer: Buildings can be constructed from a wide range of different materials.
Buildings are constructed from earth and wood only.
Buildings are constructed from paper and plastic only.

Q4.
Match the correct definition to these keywords:

Correct Answer:Building,Structures made by people that have walls and a roof.

Structures made by people that have walls and a roof.

Correct Answer:Structure,A construction made by people.

A construction made by people.

Correct Answer:Architecture,The art and science of designing and constructing buildings.

The art and science of designing and constructing buildings.

Q5.
Buildings should provide to people who live or work in them.

Correct Answer: protection, shelter, safety, warmth, comfort

Q6.
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.
Correct answer: Managing resources while protecting the environment for the future.
Maximising industrial production regardless of environmental impact.

Assessment exit quiz

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5 Questions

Q1.
What do we mean when we talk about the form of a building?

What the building is made from
Correct answer: The three-dimensional shape and structure of a building
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.

Correct Answer:bricks,humanmade

humanmade

Correct Answer:bamboo,flora

flora

Correct Answer:stone,traditional

traditional

Correct Answer:rammed earth,sustainable

sustainable

Q3.
Why do sustainable buildings often have big, insulated windows?

To make them look modern
So people can see their neighbours
To keep out animals
Correct answer: To let in more sunlight and save energy

Q4.
What is a green roof?

A roof that is painted green
Correct answer: A roof that is covered with plants to help the environment
A roof that is always green
A roof that collects rainwater

Q5.
What is an architectural maquette for?

To build a real house.
To test a wallpaper design.
Correct answer: To show what a building will look like using a small model.
To purchase architectural supplies.

Additional material

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