Multiple hands gather around a table, working together to assemble a small town.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Our students learn about design thinking and problem solving in a fun, hands-on, low-tech, creative way! They have fun with materials, learn about materiality, and the environment around them.

    During class, they will conceptualize, measure and prototype their own creations, design with their creativity, build with their hands, and learn all about architecture!

    Our goal is to empower kids to become designers of a more beautiful, welcoming and sustainable world.

  • 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 reuse as much as we can and rely on donations from architecture firms and friends. (Want to donate? Please contact us!) We also continuously teach about how important it is to be eco-conscious around the home and in our communities.

  • All of our teachers have a design background. Some are professional architects or interior designers, while some are still studying. We have an amazing group of teachers who are very passionate about architecture as well as teaching about it!

  • We encourage a creative, mindful, environment in our classes. If your child is able to work with minimal assistance and can work in a classroom environment (ex: can cut things on their own, can follow directions well), then yes! But please contact us and let us know first.

  • Our classes are not the cookie cutter type. Each student is invited to use their own creativity to design something unique. We focus on process AND product. Our students Design with their creativity, Build with their hands, and Learn all about architecture!

  • Mornings are spent in our classroom where we work on our architecture projects. We typically have lunch outside and do some active play to move our bodies then, depending on the weather, we either do an outdoor architecture activity individually or in groups, or go back inside. We balance individual activities and group ones, as well as indoor and outdoor time.

  • Tiny Architects was designed for younger kids (ages 4-6) with a shorter time frame of 45 min. Children will develop their fine arts and motor skills, while learning what about architecture and design. No drawing is involved and we don't use the hot glue guns. This class is only located at our studio in Ste Mary of Kerrisdale.

    In Design Thinkers and Makers, students will learn about the entire design process (ideating, prototyping, testing, making and sharing about their design), and will be encouraged to work on the same project through several sessions, using their creative problem-solving skills. This class is only located at our studio in Ste Mary of Kerrisdale.

    Architecture for Kids (age 6 to 9)is a class taking place in community centres as well as our studio. It is the same throughout all of our locations. Each term is different with one project/activity per class. We alternate 2d drawing and 3d building each week, so our students will learn the full spectrum of architectural drawing and techniques (floorplans, elevations, sections, perspective drawing, model making…) We introduce our students to different architects and buildings around the world and every week, they go home with their projects of the day!

    Architecture for (Older) Kids / Tweens is similar to Architecture for Kids but tailored to older age group of 10+ with longer, more complex projects.

    Intro to Architecture (in Richmond only) is the same as Architecture for Kids.

  • We don’t offer any online classes at this time but teachers, if this is something you're interested as a workshop for your class, plus reach out at info@petitarchitect.com

  • We don’t focus on adults but are now offering a new kind of workshops for families! Adults are welcome to register with or without kids. Find our next family crafting workshop here!

    We also love hosting team building workshops for adults where we create projects together while learning about the environment around us.

  • For classes and camps at community centers, refunds must be requested directly at the centers.

    For classes at our Kerrisdale studio, all classes are final sale. If you have to cancel for a serious reason, we will issue a credit you can use towards another class at the same location, minus a 25$ admin fee.

  • The best ways you can help are to tell your friends about us, share and comment on our social media posts, and leave us a review on Google or Facebook!

    If you have cardboard and materials donations, we happily will accept them at our Kerrisdale studio. Please contact us to donate:)

  • We are following all government guidelines when it comes to COVID. Masks are not mandatory in our classes. We are continuing with our smaller class sizes of a maximum of 12 kids. Most of our locations have a very good air filter system (at community centers) and all of our teachers are fully vaccinated.

    We are not able to guarantee a COVID free environment, by participating to our classes, you acknowledge that risk. We encourage everyone to stay home if they are feeling sick or tested positive.