A critical review from those in the know

Rice graduate students of Dawn Finley, an associate professor of architecture, recently had the chance to hear from architecture critics typically left out of the conversation: third-grade students from Houston’s Poe Elementary School. The youngsters participated in a workshop focused on the design of elementary schools, including the chance to critique school designs by the Rice students.

The workshop included guided tours of Rice Architecture’s Anderson Hall studios and fabrication lab, a lesson on the principal types of drawings used by architects and an opportunity for the visitors to design their own plans for an elementary school. Above, graduate student Kayla Bien, herself a former elementary school teacher, talks to students about her own school design. Below, two Poe students view one of the models on display. (Photos by Shawna Forney)