A young girl with long blonde hair examines a cardboard box, outdoors at a table with craft supplies, while sunlight filters through the trees in the background.

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.

Group of children engaged in a crafting activity at a table, with colorful paper, scissors, glue, and scissors, working together.

OUR MISSION

EDUCATE

Explore and learn what a city is, who makes them, and how we all, as a community, live, work, move, and play in it.

ENGAGE

Observe, understand, and talk about architecture and urbanism. Play and create around the build environment of yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

INSPIRE

Contribute to the development of children as citizens and empower them to become more involved within their cities.

SEE ALL PROGRAMS

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 

Children working on craft projects at a large, cluttered table with paper, scissors, glue, and printed house floor plans.
Children seated at tables working on wooden architectural model projects in a classroom, with adults supervising.
Children wearing hats sitting at a table, constructing with wooden sticks, scissors, glue, and instruction sheets, outdoors with an adult supervising.

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.

Autodesk logo

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.

Children and adults engaged in a craft workshop around a table with plants, craft supplies, and cardboard decorations.
Four children working on a creative project with colorful paper and craft materials on a table, with storage shelves in the background.
A young boy with curly blonde hair, sitting on the floor, smiling and playing with a large wooden Jenga tower. Several other children and adults are in the background at a group activity or event.
A classroom filled with young children engaged in arts and crafts. They are working on paper projects at a long table with various colored paper, bags, glue, scissors, and other craft supplies. An adult teacher is assisting the children.