In Romania, improving living conditions means fighting ignorance. Children deserve to understand the world they live in and the complex processes that are changing it. Equipping them with tools to understand their surroundings empowers them to make informed decisions for the future, strengthens their role in society, and fosters a sense of responsibility and agency in shaping their environment.
Since 2011, our interconnected programs have been tailored to cultivate skills rarely emphasized in traditional Romanian education. These include interpretation, abstract thinking, visual expression, spatial awareness, creativity, critical analysis of the built environment, and civic responsibility. Children are excited about these activities, parents appreciate the unique learning experiences, and teachers recognize the potential of a curriculum that seamlessly integrates different subjects. Led by built environment professionals who collaborate with educators, our experiential education approach provides students with a holistic preparation for the real world, bridging the gap between theory and practice.
In recent years, we've diversified our content to include a slightly older audience (youth), community projects (fellowships), and peer-to-peer education that brings together teens and college students to explore the built environment. We've also advanced our digitization efforts and prioritized skill-building activities for our network, emphasizing communication, public speaking, and pedagogical techniques.
Looking ahead, we aim to further empower our educators and equip them to disseminate and expand built environment programs in an underdeveloped field. We're also committed to strengthening our participatory diagnosis project for school improvement, involving all stakeholders (community, local government, beneficiaries) for a more comprehensive and impactful approach.
Since its inception, De-a Arhitectura has continuously evolved by responding to the needs of children, youth, and educators. One of our key current developments is the adaptation of our flagship course, “De-a arhitectura in My City”, for students with intellectual disabilities in grades V-X. Although we piloted this in 2014-2015, the absence of an adapted curriculum posed challenges. This year, we are fundraising to revisit the program with the original team, focusing on making it inclusive, accessible, and impactful. The adapted course will use interactive methods to support not only academic progress but also real-life, practical skills.
In parallel, we are preparing the third edition of “De-a Arhitectura TALKS”, our conference that brings together teachers, architects, and professionals to exchange best practices and explore the role of the built environment in education. This year’s theme, “The Value of Architecture in Education”, focuses on how Built Environment Education can support Education for Sustainable Development and contribute meaningfully to the Sustainable Development Goals. These gatherings strengthen our community’s capacity to co-create relevant, future-ready learning experiences.
Our programs can already be used in different contexts, but we are happy to customize and adapt them to any specific situation (cultural, geographical, etc.). Most of the materials are in Romanian, while some are translated into other languages. In Romania, all teaching materials, workbooks and training courses are free of charge in public schools. Contact us at: office@de-a-arhitectura.ro.
