We believe that architecture transforms lives. It influences our everyday experience, from the interiors of our houses to our landscape, our cities and our towns. In its school’s programme, the IAF has worked to help 14-16yr olds to understand how buildings are designed by experiencing the process first-hand.

The programme is a pivotal part of the Irish Architecture Foundation’s work to introduce architecture at a crucial point in our education system. With Sustainable Design and Innovation a major area of focus for our future, we truly believes that the quality and sustainability of our built environment in the future will be in the hands of the young people of today. They are the future citizens, clients, policy makers and participants in shaping the built environment.

In a bid to explore the theme of sustainable architecture and green technologies within the Irish Architecture Foundation’s National Architects in Schools Initiative, and to bridge the study of architecture with the STEM subjects, we partnered with BTYSTE 2017 to present a Special Award with the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs for Sustainable Design and Innovation in the Built Environment, sponsored by the Government Policy on Architecture 2009-15.

This new venture has connected us to an audience of 50,000 primary and secondary level students, teachers and principals, as well as higher level educators and industry professionals. In addition to the presentation of the Special Award at the January 2017 event, we held a stand in the exhibitors hall for the duration of the exhibition in January (11 – 14), where we engaged visitors in the mission of the Irish Architecture Foundation and the National Architects in School Initiative.

To launch this project, we created a promotional video featuring architecture, engineering, education and policy specialists who talk about the importance of sustainable design and built environment education at second level, and how the Special Award will make a positive impact and you can watch it below.

Wanna know what BY Young Scientist & Technology was like for us this year? Check our recap video also!