Design Camp: Waterpark Architecture for 8 to 11 year olds

In this full-day workshop, participants will explore the design of waterparks and how they can become fun spaces for people to enjoy. They will delve into the design of leisure pools and create their own waterpark through discussion, drawing, collage, and scale models.

The morning will involve a visit to Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style. Drawing inspiration from the exhibition, children will discuss their individual experiences of waterparks and pools and what is important to them about these spaces.

Designer and artist Madeleine Famurewa will introduce her practice, and the group will explore storytelling in waterparks through their depiction on film, TV shows, videogames and social media.

Participants will consider what waterparks of the future or past would look like and who would use them. Through large-scale collages and drawings with projections, they will develop stories and characters to interact with their utopian waterparks and consider how these can be designed with a user in mind.

The group will then investigate how to bring their designs to life by creating scale models from simple household materials and waste. Next, they will bring their designs together to explore how the ideas can be combined to become a superpark, and consider what atmosphere can be created through light and sound.

By the end, participants will have a set of sketches and a working model of their imagined waterpark.

What will participants learn?

• An understanding of waterparks as spaces for people

• Considerations around user-centred design

• Basics of storytelling in architecture

• Sketching and exploratory drawing

• Working to scale

• Quick modelling and prototyping

Please note:

• This workshop is suitable for children aged 8-11. All participants must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. You can find additional information in the sections below

• Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment

• All equipment, materials and light refreshments will be provided, but participants will need to bring a packed lunch

• Please note all participants must be dropped off and picked up by an adult. You will be greeted and signed in by a member of our team

• We ask all bookers to provide an emergency contact name and number. Please ensure that this person is available for the duration of the workshop

• Please note that the content has been tailored to a specific age group. Participants older or younger than the specified age range might struggle to engage with the group or follow the session

• If you would like to let us know about any access requirements, including neurodiversity, there is an option to notify us at the ticket checkout

• This session has a capacity of 20 participants, and one or two facilitators will be leading the sessions, so the ratio of participants per facilitator will be 10:1

• If your child receives additional support in their formal education setting, you are welcome to bring a carer/additional adult at no cost, but we are unable to provide 1:1 support.

• If you have any questions, please contact DMAcademy@designmuseum.org

Background and carousel images: Madeleine Famurewa.