Buildings All Around Us: What Architects Do
Look around you right now. Are you inside? Somebody planned that room! They picked where the door goes, how tall the walls are, and where to put the windows so sunshine can come in. That somebody is called an ARCHITECT. Architects draw buildings before anyone builds them. Today you will find out how they do it, and you will even design a building of your own!
What You'll Learn
Today you will: - Learn what an architect does. - Name three parts every building needs. - See why we use different shapes to build. - Draw your very own building plan.
Architects Plan Before We Build
You would not build a tall block tower without thinking first, right? You might stack the big blocks on the bottom and the little ones on top so it does not tip over. Architects think that way about real buildings. They draw a plan, like a picture map, that shows the workers exactly where every wall, door, and window goes. The plan comes first, then the building!
Every Building Needs Three Things
A good building needs three important parts. It needs a FLOOR to stand on, WALLS to hold it up and keep the wind out, and a ROOF on top to keep the rain off your head. Think of your own home. The floor is under your feet, the walls are on the sides, and the roof is way up high. A tent, a doghouse, and a castle all have these same three parts!
Did you know a triangle is one of the strongest shapes? That is why many roofs are shaped like a triangle at the top. The pointy shape is sturdy AND it helps rain and snow slide right off instead of piling up!
Buildings Come in Many Shapes
Not all buildings look the same. A house might be short and cozy. A skyscraper is SO tall it seems to touch the clouds, with lots of floors stacked up like a giant cake. Architects pick the shape to fit the job. A round barn keeps animals warm. A flat store is easy to walk into. A tall apartment building lets many families live close together in one place.
Match each building part to what it does.
Terms
Definitions
Drag terms onto their definitions, or click a term then click a definition to match.
What does an architect do FIRST, before a building is built?
Why are many roofs shaped like a triangle?
Design Your Dream Building
Be an architect and draw your own building plan! Step 1: On paper, draw a big shape for your building. Step 2: Add the three must-have parts: a floor at the bottom, walls on the sides, and a roof on top (try a triangle roof!). Step 3: Draw at least one door to go in and two windows to let in light. Step 4: Add one fun thing YOU want, like a slide, a tower, or a garden. Step 5: Show your plan to a grown-up and tell them what each part is for!
Flashcards — click each card to reveal the answer
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