Watch this animated video showing what an architect does. While you are watching, list all the different tasks and stages of creating a building.
What Is An Architect?
An animated video showing what architects do and the stages of creating a building.
What Is An Architect?
An animated video showing what architects do and the stages of creating a building.
Video Transcript
Intro song:
Yeah, we'll make it right on City Island.
Created by Aaron Augenblick.
Frank: Hey Watt, are you excited for Take Your Kid to Work Day?
Watt: I guess, but I don't have a kid.
Frank: You are the kid, Watt. You're going to see what I do all day.
Watt: You mean take naps, lose the remote, and make sandwiches?
Frank: No, what I do at my job. I'm an architect. I build buildings.
Watt: All by yourself?
Frank: Not quite. I'll explain.
Frank: This is my office.
Watt: Wow, you build buildings in here? They must be small buildings.
Frank: No Watt, they're normal buildings. I come up with the ideas for them in here. Then I turn my idea into a drawing.
Watt: Hey, I like to draw! My specialty is robot battles, but buildings are cool too.
Sketch: Thanks. I'm Sketch. I'm a drawing that becomes a real building.
Watt: That sounds like a really important job.
Sketch: It sure is. I know everything about the building.
Watt: I like your antenna.
Sketch: I have an antenna? Now I know everything. Nice touch, Frank.
Frank: Thanks, Sketch. Come on Watt, I think you're really going to love this next room.
Frank: Morning team!
Team: Hi Frank!
Frank: This is the drafting room, where they turn my sketch into more detailed plans.
Model: Hello. I'm Model. My job is to show everyone how beautiful the building will be once it gets built.
Model: Windows, doors, foundation.
Model: I was born to be a model.
Watt: Nice!
Frank: Once we have a sketch and a model, we create a more detailed drawing of exactly what we need to build.
BP: And that's where I come in. I'm a blueprint, but you can call me BP. That stands for Bob Peters.
Frank: Takes a whole team to make sure the blueprint is perfect.
BP: Did you hear that? I'm perfect.
Frank: Psst, you're upside down, BP.
BP: Oops! Another good catch, Frank.
Frank: Are you ready to see the real building?
Mayor Sitwell: Frank, the new building looks great.
Watt: Mayor Sitwell!
Mayor Sitwell: Hey there, Watt.
Watt: Dad! You work with the mayor? That's so cool!
Frank: Of course, Watt. The city has to approve every new building in City Island.
Mayor Sitwell: Do you want to see the new community center? Take a look.
Frank: Everyone's working together to build the building. I came up with the idea, but I could never build it alone. It takes a whole team of talented craftspeople to finally bring the building to life.
Frank: So, what do you think, Watt?
Watt: I think you do a lot more than sleep, lose the remote, and make sandwiches all day.
Frank: Well, I do all that too. So, do you approve of the building, Mayor Sitwell?
Mayor Sitwell: I love it! Only one thing. It looks a little shorter than I imagined.
Tape Measure: The mayor's right. I just measured the building and it's too short.
Watt: Hmm... I know! The building is missing its antenna.
Frank: Good eye, Watt! You're right.
Mayor Sitwell: He's a chip off the old bulb. We'll get to work adding that antenna.
Frank: Another job well done, Watt. You're the brightest bulb in the building. You saved the day.
Crowd: Hooray!
Narrator: Find more of your PBS Kids friends on your local PBS station and the free PBS Kids Video app. Also subscribe to the PBS Kids Prime Video channel.
Driving Questions
Look at the three Driving Questions below and in your groups, decide which question you would like to answer. Each group can answer the same question or each group can answer different questions. The choice is yours!
- How can tiny homes be used to help people in our community?
- How can we build, share, and maintain a tree house for the community to use?
- How can we showcase the architecture in our city to others?
Possible Ideas
Tiny Homes Tree House Architecture Tour
How can tiny homes be used to help people in our community?
Possible Idea: Tiny Home Community
Activities:
- Students investigate community needs and consider stakeholders (government, neighbours, residents).
- Students create plans for a tiny home community including floor plans, costs, models, and upkeep.
- Students bring their proposal and plans to leaders in the community.
How can we build, share, and maintain a tree house for the community to use?
Possible Idea: Community Tree House
Activities:
- Students investigate sites, requirements, materials, costs, etc. for creating a tree house for the community.
- Students design the tree house and include input from the community.
- Students bring their proposal to the community for approval.
- Build the tree house together!
How can we showcase the architecture in our city to others?
Possible Idea: City Architecture Tour
Activities:
- Students plan a tour around the city including information about each stop, focusing on the buildings.
- Students create a vlog, podcast, or video of the city tour.
- Students share this tour information with others.
- (A booklet can also be made to go along with the tour for those who prefer to read.)
Thinking Time
What will your group do or make to answer your Driving Question? Use the space below to draw some ideas with your group. Remember to download or save your picture for future use!
Need To Knows
Now that you’ve chosen your question, think about your “Need To Knows.” These are the questions that you need answers to in order to help you answer your Driving Question. Follow the steps below to help you create and refine your questions.
