Our team would collaborate with Balmoral Hall School to introduce and guide their students through the design process using our design-build curriculum. For five days, students worked in groups and navigated this process using collage making, site analysis, programming, sketching, and physical and/or digital modeling to conceptualize and design a small-scale structure for their school. Students were able to explore and discover new skills, tools, and passions, as well as develop a whole new perspective weaving together both modern and traditional ways of knowing.

Introducing our first collaboration with a post-secondary institution, members of our team would guide students from Sheridan College through our design-build curriculum to conceptualize their own idea. Over the span of a single semester and working remotely, we were able to engage with the students by emphasizing certain creative and critical thinking practices using storytelling, land-based teachings, and immersive technologies. The intent of this workshop was to introduce a new perspective to their design approach and weave together new and traditional ways of knowing.

From the storytelling module of the Grey & Ivy curriculum, Playhouse 04 emerges as a small, personal place for the owner to express herself. Her interest in art and food formed the primary programs of the playhouse. The structure responds to her interest in art, providing a space to make and display works of art. Meanwhile, an attached kitchen space offers a fun and casual space. A place for gathering, sharing stories, and enjoying good handmade food is all one needs to have a good time.

Playhouse 5 showcases what can be created with the Grey & Ivy curriculum without formal design and architecture training. Deliberate and expressive design can be achieved by unlocking and harnessing the power of imagination. The spirit of making then translates into a feeling of empowerment that allows us to leap over obstacles. Despite the lack of professional 3D modelling tools, the designer built the playhouse in the video game Sims 4, sharing her story through a unique and thoughtfully designed playhouse.

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As an architect running his practice, Grey & Ivy founder Nate Kasten always felt that traditional practice often does not leave knowledge, skilled work, and economic opportunities in the community that could last beyond a single project. He considers this a big missed opportunity. To keep his two daughters occupied during the pandemic lockdown, the three of them went through a simplified version of the architectural process, producing a workable drawing set to build their creation. The feeling of excitement and empowerment from the design and making process became the inspiration for Grey & Ivy. Through workshops, knowledge centres and technology, we provide the tools to bring Spatial Agency to the world.

The site of Playhouse 03 is a walkable suburb populated by small businesses with a sense of community. The Playhouse sits on an empty lot along one of the principal streets of the neighbourhood, between one-storey commercial buildings. The structure is designed with the four pillars of sustainability in mind, following the process outlined by the Grey & Ivy curriculum. It is a place for children to gather, meet new friends and play outside. The tall, slender form takes advantage of the sun and wind of the site, encouraging kids to climb higher and higher, eventually feeling the breeze and sunlight at the top. The immediate surrounding also becomes a place of social interactions, to see people, say “hi” to friends and neighbours, listen to the sounds and enjoy the weather. The pedestrian traffic can then dissipate and spread into various businesses, contributing to the local economy.

Situated at an open field within an urban park in downtown Calgary, Playhouse 02 encourages more people to utilize this space for what it is: a beautiful play area and a space for gatherings. Going through the Grey & Ivy curriculum, the need for a small designated play structure is identified, something for children to interact with. Inspired by the Rocky Mountains and the form of a tent, Playhouse 02 evolved into an A-frame rock climbing playhouse for kids. The simple structure makes it obvious for children that they could climb and play almost anywhere inside, on top and around the playhouse. The small, transportable design becomes a node that invites children and families to experience the open green space.

Located in the heart of Treaty One territory, this project was born from the shared vision of the many great leaders, communities and nations involved. Utilizing augmented reality technology, our team collaborated with the Naawi Oodena master planning team to research and develop an immersive 3D site model that would allow people to experience the vision in a total new perspective. This project allowed us to explore the potential of immersive technologies as an important tool to communicate ideas and engage with communities on a completely higher level.

In collaboration with the Frontier School Division, the northern Manitoba communities of Churchill and Lynn Lake were selected to participate in our first design-build workshop. Using remote learning practices, we were able to collaborate with a group of local junior high and high school students to develop a concept for a small-scale project located within their home communities. The intent of this workshop was to introduce students to the plethora of ideas, skills, and tools used within the design-build process.