Ink & Foamboard Architecture
By Paula Briggs
Following on from the sessions in which children aged 10, 11 & 12 made drawings and collagraphs inspired by “Amphis” by Folke Köbberling and Martin Kaltwasser at Wysing Arts Centre, this post shares how the children went on to make architectural models based upon their exploration.
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Andrew T
March 12, 2022 @ 11:28 am
I haven’t used foamboard before, can I ask what tools the children used for cutting the board? Will a pair of scissors suffice or do they need to use a craft knife?
Paula
March 18, 2022 @ 7:00 am
Depends on the age of the children and the project. With younger children and big classes, we cut a variety of blocks of different shapes and sizes and then children can use them like “building blocks” making changes as they wish. They can use scissors to make simple changes and straight lines. But if you can manage it, do consider teaching children how to use a child’s craft knife. It’s important they learn these skills and we shouldn’t be afraid, all safety considerations and assessments in place. Have a cutting station and have one or two knives which are always used supervised with an adult, and don’t leave the knives (ir keep them on the adults person).
Verity B
April 21, 2023 @ 9:48 am
What size foamboard and how many sheets would each child require? Thanks
Rachel
May 3, 2023 @ 11:37 am
Hi Verity, we would say you’d need A3 sheets to allow for the scale, and 1-2 sheets per child. For a more budget (and environmentally friendly) option you could use discarded cardboard boxes as long as they were relatively thick and had some structural integrity (so more packing boxes rather than cereal boxes) – I hope this helps!
Trevor Horsewood
May 18, 2023 @ 10:27 am
Also make sure you get the foamboard with paper covering it, not the quick print foam. Some of the cheaper foamboard doesn’t have the paper surface, which you need if you want to use inks/paint on the surface. You could use one or more packs like this (of course you can run it to more) and then supplement with cardboard and other construction materials as Rachel suggests:
STARVAST A3 Foam Board, 16 Pack Polystyrene Sheets 5mm White Hard Paper Outer Foam Boards Photo Mount Board Wedding Signs (297 × 420mm) : Amazon.co.uk: Stationery & Office Supplies