Mackey Mitchell Boosts Youth Architecture

Date Posted: September 20, 2015

Posted In: Ideas, Organizations, Workforce,

A program that introduces underserved kids to architecture will be featured at Mackey Mitchell Architects’ open house on Sept. 29. The firm will be showing off its offices and new website. But the event will also serve as an introduction to the Alberti Program.  Mackey Mitchell has created an Alberti Program awareness page on its new website.

The Alberti Program is a problem-solving studio workshop, combining architecture, community, and the environment for 4th-9th grade students from underserved schools in the St. Louis Public School District and surrounding districts. Students get an extraordinary opportunity to learn creative and critical thinking, and throughout the course, develop communication skills through group activities and presentations.

Spring, summer and fall sessions are all held in the architecture studios at Washington University in St. Louis.

The program was created by Bruce Lindsey, dean of the College of Architecture and the Graduate School of Architecture & Urban Design, and is directed by professor Gay Lorberbaum. Washington University undergraduate and graduate students teach small groups of students working on creative questions that engage sustainability and design.

Mackey Mitchell has provided guest lecturers and financial support to the Alberti program. The website page was created to perhaps motivate others to contribute time, materials and funding.