Beijing Architecture with Grades 5 and 6

On January 13, Grades 5 and 6 took a field trip to Beijing, to aid their inquiry into the factors that influence architectural design. Beijing architecture is an array of styles and time periods. Students visited wonders of the ancient world, including the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, and the Forbidden City; they spent time in hutongs, to experience the mode of living that prevailed in China’s population centres through the 20th century; they visited the Summer Palace; and they observed the ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium and the ‘Water Cube’, as well as other examples of modern architectural priorities. It was an exciting way to compare the resources, uses, and other considerations in building design throughout the history in China’s vibrant capital.