Partner Article

Students in a puzzle with a construction conundrum

34 students from the Unity City Academy in Middlesbrough took part in a construction conundrum to raise the game amongst budding architects. Held at Teesside University during Enterprise Week 2007, the challenge was delivered by local architects, Xsite Architecture, and Digital City. Students worked in teams of four on the ‘bridging a gap’ puzzle, using a limited number of resources and taking part in a role play exercise.

Each group chose who will play the architect, planner, developer and neighbour and delivered a role-play to see whether the solution to a planning application problem could be negotiated.

The brief involved a piece of land that was to be developed for two houses, previously occupied by one house. The planner had to think it was ok within certain limits, the developer needed it to happen to make a profit the neighbour had to think that one of the houses, came too close to them and caused them to be overlooked and the architect was tasked with trying to please all parties.

The solution will also be illustrated as a diagram of where the two new proposed houses will be positioned or the alternative solution.

Head of the Make Your Mark campaign Pamela Hargreaves said: “Throughout Enterprise Week, over 50 activities have been delivered by a variety of organisations across the Tees Valley aimed at lighting a spark in young people in the region and I believe we have been successful at doing so.

“The campaign is about encouraging business start-ups, social enterprises and the development of an enterprising workforce and all the young participants that we have worked with throughout the week seem to have been really engaged and fired up into thinking ahead to make their future a real success in the world of business and enterprise.”

The event that was backed by the Make your Mark campaign was one of a string of events being held during Enterprise Week 2007, which runs in November every year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .