ARCHITECTS of the future were tasked with coming up with designs for Greenock’s new early years centre as part of a master class.

The pupils at St Columba’s High School in Gourock, who are studying National Five, Higher and advanced higher graphic communication, put their skills to the test during a special lesson with architect Jenny Fenwick.

Jenny, who works at Holmes Miller Architects, worked on the designs for the new St Ninian’s Primary School in Gourock and also the new early years centre, which is being built at the former Greenock Academy site.

After talking about her career path, Jenny tasked the teenagers to come up with their own draft designs for the new early years centre.

She then compared their work with the designs which are being used.

She said: “I gave them a talk on architecture as a profession and what things you need to know to get into architecture and the places where they can study and how long the course takes.

“I also spoke to them about my work and related that back to St Ninian’s so I spoke about each stage of the process.

“I then gave them a task to come up with a concept design for the early years centre and, once they finished, I showed them what we produced.”

Emily Lightfoot, a fourth year pupil who is studying National Five graphic communication, said the workshop was very helpful as her dream is to become an architect.

The 15-year-old said: “I would like to be an architect as I really enjoy art and graphics.

“This was really good as I didn’t know there was so much involved in the process.”

Charlie McLaughlin, a sixth year pupil who is studying advanced higher graphic communications, also enjoyed the lesson.

The 17-year-old said: “I’m keen to become a mechanical engineer so this has been really interesting.

“It’s really helpful to know what architects do.”
Design and technology teacher Ashley Quinn says it is great for pupils to see how the skills that they are learning in school are essential for their future careers.

She said: “We are trying to encourage the link between employers. This has let the pupils see that what Jenny is doing as a job uses the skills that they are developing now in school.

“It allows them to put that in context.”