EDUCATE, ENGAGE, AND INSPIRE
THE NEXT GENERATION
Petit Architect is a Vancouver-based architecture education studio offering hands-on design classes, camps, and workshops for kids that combine creativity, sustainability, and STEAM learning.
We believe architecture is for everyone and that children are natural designers. By encouraging kids to imagine, experiment, and build, we help them understand how the spaces around them are created and how they can make a positive impact on the world.
OUR STORY
Petit Architect was founded in 2017 by French architect and sustainability advocate Maïa Tarassoff with a mission to make architecture and design education accessible, inspiring, and hands-on for children.
Our curriculum is designed to encourage creativity while helping children understand the world through architecture and design. Every program combines hands-on building, creative problem-solving, and design thinking with real-world topics like sustainability, engineering, cities, culture, and the environment. Through open-ended projects, children learn to think critically, collaborate with others, and discover how thoughtful design can create healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable communities.
At Petit Architect, we empower young minds to imagine better tomorrows and discover how thoughtful design can make a positive impact on people, places, and the planet.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR FOUNDER
Our team of experienced educators and architects has designed a comprehensive curriculum that covers the basics of architecture and design, while also encouraging kids to express their individuality and imagination. Our classes are interactive and engaging, allowing students to bring their own ideas to life through hands-on projects and activities.
We believe that every child has the potential to become a creative problem solver and impactful designer, and our goal is to provide them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Whether your child is interested in pursuing a career in architecture or simply loves to build and create, our classes are the perfect platform for learning, discovery and growth.
We are excited to be part of your child's educational journey, and look forward to helping them unleash their creativity and develop their passion for architecture and design.
Sincerely,
Maïa Tarassoff
Our Mission
We empower young minds with the tools to imagine better tomorrows and build sustainable futures. Through hands-on architecture and design experiences, children develop creativity, confidence, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Our Vision
We envision a society that is creative, designed for inclusion, and healthy for people and the planet. We believe today's young designers have the potential to shape more thoughtful, sustainable communities for the future.
Sustainability
We inspire children to think about how thoughtful design can create healthier communities and a better future for our planet.
Inclusivity & Community
We believe great spaces are designed for everyone. Our programs foster empathy, collaboration, and respect for diverse perspectives.
Beauty with Purpose
Good design is both functional and inspiring. We encourage children to create spaces that are thoughtful, welcoming, and meaningful.
Our Values
Design Thinking
We encourage children to ask questions, explore ideas, and solve real-world challenges through creative problem-solving.
Creativity & Curiosity
Every child has unique ideas worth exploring. We celebrate imagination, experimentation, and lifelong learning.
Hands-On Learning
Children learn best by making. Our programs are screen-free, collaborative, and built around creating, testing, and refining ideas.
Sustainability Practices
Sustainability is at the core of our curriculums and practices. We avoid single use plastics and most of the craft materials we use class are either reused, recycled, or recyclable. We rely heavily on donations from architecture firms and friends. (Want to donate? Please contact us!) Not only do we focus on recycled materials in our classes and camps, but we teach about the challenges of building socially and environmentally friendly cities and how important it is to be eco-conscious around the home and in our communities.
We’re excited to to have joined the Autodesk Technology Impact Program. Thanks to Autodesk for awarding us with software that will advance our mission to create positive impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Petit Architect?
Petit Architect is a Vancouver-based architecture and design education studio offering creative programs for children, including camps, classes, school workshops, and community events.
What age groups does Petit Architect teach?
Petit Architect programs are designed for children ages 4-14 and can be adapted for different age groups, from early elementary learners to older kids interested in architecture and design.
What do kids learn in architecture classes?
Children learn about architecture, design thinking, creativity, sustainability, structures, and problem-solving through hands-on building projects and creative challenges.
Does Petit Architect offer school programs?
Yes. Petit Architect works with schools to provide architecture and design workshops that support classroom learning and curriculum goals.
See more FAQs about our programs here.
“Petit Architect is great for development and fun mixed together. Teaching kids about buildings and structures while they get to be creative. Such a great class and always interesting to see what they build.”
“I write to thank Petit Architect for creating an amazing environment for young architectures to learn, to build some skills, to evolve their interest to architecture. My son took already several programs and we are looking forward to participating in more challenging and developing programs/classes with Petit Architect.”
