On April 29th – 30th, 2021, the G7 students from SUIS Qingpu, went to Shanghai Architect Model Museum to enjoy their field trip of an immersive Museum exploration.
During this semester, G7 students have studied the architectural model design in depth, so we choose the Architect Model Museum as our base for expansion with the learning objectives designed by our teachers. Students acquired artistic inspiration from the museum by listening to the staff introduced collection of art, recording the characteristics of the models, and finding their favorite architectural style.
In our field trip, students made preparation before class, exploration during class and summary after class respectively. Before that day, we introduced the venue and important collections of this event in class, and sought the exhibition for the architectural models made by our students. In the museum, we all tried to learn from the architectural model design and exhibition form, and quickly recorded of sketch and reflecting back to class for discussion after that.
These architectural models demonstrate the development of engineering and the history and innovation form their designs, which reflect the diversity and creativity in its miniature design.
Let’s have a look these fantastic model designs that were made from our students.
From the design work to creation of these structures which have been polished numerous times, and finally combined into a futuristic urban city block. Creativity, texture design, construction techniques, and materials were used by the students not only to learn the scaffolding of a structure but to determine the size and ratio of the building but also understood that a building should be combined with history, culture, urban functions and cultural heritage, so as to design works in harmony with it.
Students learned about some of the concepts behind old, new, and futuristic architecture during this semester. They created structures that have Traditional Chinese qualities, as well as futuristic elements, and some even resemble Western Cathedrals. After all of this research and creation, we continued to learn about museums, displays and professional model artists. As you see, we went to a museum specifically about models. We saw creations of traditional, modern, and futuristic structures. Students wanted more time there and were fully engaged. This surely was due to the amazing museum; yet having been so engaged in a similar project for the semester was another factor, I am sure, to their excitement towards this outing.
Reflections from Students
During the trip, I learnt about when and why gallery opened. I remember that this gallery was inspired by the architecture model garage in Tokyo. In the gallery hall, I saw a variety of models, there were some old-fashioned buildings, modern buildings and there are also some models that are based on a real architecture. For example the building was a real one in Sichuan. After the trip, I was also inspired by the models too, now I’ve learnt that our own designs can be more imaginative, and think out of the box.
——7B Adeline
Firstly, a wonderful building needs to have a novel appearance which can catch people’s eyes. When I choose my favorite building, what I value most is the building’s appearance. Is it modern or traditional? Secondly, it is also important to have a strong structure, which can allow people to live safely.
——7B Amy
Any model can be built into a real house. Similarly, each house has its own model. The model must be accurate and the same as the real object as much as possible. Therefore, it is difficult and time-consuming to build the model. Putting the artist’s imagination into this model is of great significance to the architecture. The model is more three-dimensional than the drawing and can be easily studied, modified, and adjusted.
——7E Yuki W
I think the architectural museum represents the characteristics of design. It is amazing that they can associate various new concepts with architecture. We appreciate the magic of the museum and immerse ourselves in the sea of art.
——7E Hannah