With a seemingly never-ending spring break turned longest summer ever for kids and parents, our team aimed to create an AEC-focused activity book to get kids interested in the field and to provide educational, yet fun activities during the summer of 2020. The idea originated with Method Architecture’s Method Cares committee who organize an annual “Architect for a Day” event for local youth. Since this event could not be held in-person in 2020, the committee came up with a solution to engage local youth in these activities from their own homes through the Adventures of Archie Activity book.

The book features 10 activities as well as pages for coloring to suit younger age children. Activities range from space planning and color theory to soil testing and lateral loads all while following the storyline to help Archie build her community center.

Our team thought through each detail and wanted to make this activity book accessible to all children, no matter their resources. Supply lists were planned with household items in mind and the team partnered with the local AIA chapter and Alphagraphics of West Houston to print and distribute 1,000 copies to local youth groups and non-profit organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Girls Scouts of America.

The activity book was a success garnering over 1,045 pageviews since its launch in 2020 and 1,000 copies into the hands of local kids. The Houston Chronicle wrote an article on it and it received great engagement on social media.