Children's Creative Architecture
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Description:
Little Architect Studio offers creative, hands-on architecture workshops for children, focused on developing imagination, spatial thinking and an understanding of how the built environment is designed and experienced. The workshops are designed to be calm, engaging and exploratory, allowing children to develop their own ideas through drawing and model-making in a supportive studio environment. Montsalvat provides an ideal setting for these workshops, offering a unique and inspiring context for creative learning.
Upcoming Dates:
• Sunday 7 June (King’s Birthday weekend)
• Wednesday 1 July (Winter School Holidays – Week 1)
• Wednesday 8 July (Winter School Holidays – Week 2)
• Wednesday 23 September (Spring School Holidays – Week 1)
• Wednesday 30 September (Spring School Holidays – Week 2)
Where:
Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Ave, Eltham
In the tranquil setting of The White Cottage inside beautiful Montsalvat, children will explore architecture through drawing, design and hands-on model-making in a creative studio environment.
Ages:
Workshops are designed for children aged 8–12 years.
Length of Course:
• Workshop time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Course Structure:
Workshops are designed to be:
• creative and hands-on
• gently structured, with room for individual exploration
• focused on developing each child’s ideas rather than producing uniform outcomes
Children are guided through a simple process of:
• imagining and sketching ideas
• developing spatial thinking
• building small-scale models
Workshop Program Outline:
Each session introduces a distinct architectural theme while maintaining a consistent format and approach.
Workshops are designed to be taken individually or as a series.
1. Treehouse Architects: Design & Build Your Own Hideaway
Children will design and build a small treehouse or elevated structure, imagining a space for play, retreat or exploration. This workshop introduces ideas around:
• designing within a natural environment
• structure and support
• how spaces are accessed and experienced
2. Tiny House Architects: Living in Small Spaces
Children will design a compact dwelling, considering how a small space can be organised to support everyday life. This workshop explores:
• scale and proportion
• spatial planning
• how different functions can exist within a limited footprint
3. Architecture in Nature: Designing for Place
Children will design a structure that responds to its surroundings, taking inspiration from natural landscapes. This workshop focuses on:
• site-specific design
• materials and context
• how buildings can sit within and respond to the environment
4. Mini Worlds: Designing a Small City
Children will create a small collection of buildings or spaces that form part of a wider imagined environment. This workshop introduces:
• relationships between buildings
• pathways and movement
• how spaces connect to form a cohesive whole
5. Dream Spaces: Imagining New Possibilities
Children will be encouraged to design a more open-ended architectural space, guided by their own ideas and imagination. This workshop supports:
• creative confidence
• individual expression
• development of personal design ideas
Workshop Structure
Each workshop follows a consistent and accessible format:
• Introduction to the theme and key ideas
• Sketching and developing an initial concept
• Hands-on model-making using simple materials
• Time for refinement and reflection
This structure provides enough guidance to support learning, while allowing space for individual creativity and exploration.
Why Architecture Matters
Architecture influences the way we experience the world around us - from homes and schools to parks, streets and cities.
As a creative STEAM discipline, architecture combines art, design, creativity and problem-solving to help shape the built environment.
Through drawing and hands-on model-making, these workshops encourage children to explore ideas, develop spatial thinking and imagine new possibilities for the spaces around them.
Why Join?
Children will:
- explore architecture through creative hands-on activities
- develop drawing, design and model-making skills
- build confidence in expressing their own ideas
- strengthen creativity and spatial thinking
- learn to observe and think like architects in an engaging and supportive environment
No prior experience is required.
Cost: $75 per child including all materials.
Details
You will learn
- Discover the amazing world of architecture!
- Imagining and sketching ideas
- Developing spatial thinking
You will get
- All materials provided
- Lots of fun and smiles with Charlotte!
- Creative and hands-on gently structured, with room for individual exploration
Appropriate for
Children aged 8 - 12 years. Suitable for beginners and creatively minded children interested in drawing, design, and model-making. No prior experience needed!
Preparation
What to bring
- All materials will be provided.
What to wear
Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing suitable for drawing and model-making activities.
Your Teacher
Charlotte is an architect and founder of Little Architect Studio, with a passion for helping children explore creativity through architecture and design.
Her workshops are calm, thoughtful and hands-on, encouraging children to develop their own ideas through drawing and model-making in a supportive studio environment.
Drawing on professional architectural experience and a love of creative education, Charlotte guides students to think imaginatively about the spaces around them while building confidence in their own creative process.
Organized by
Montsalvat Arts Education
1279 reviewsNestled within Montsalvat—Australia’s oldest continuously active artists' community—our studios offer a diverse range of creative outlets. Clay Talk is one of several studios, providing ceramics classes in wheel throwing and hand building for all levels, alongside specialised programs led by established artists.
In addition to ceramics, we also offer classes in drawing, painting, and mosaic, with an expanded repertoire of educational offerings planned for 2025. This dynamic environment supports learners across various disciplines, all within the inspiring setting of Montsalvat, where art is created, taught, exhibited, and experienced.
Pottery is one of the best art activities for stress relief.
New students can start with pinch pot pottery techniques.
Explore more about the raku pottery process.
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a transfer or credit note.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
You may cancel anytime before class starts and claim a full refund or transfer or credit note.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Terms & Conditions
TERMS & CONDITIONS
These Terms and Conditions apply to all Montsalvat Arts Education programs, including term classes, workshops, short courses, and special events such as the Fire & Clay Festival.
Bookings & Payments
Full payment is required at the time of booking to secure your place.
All bookings must be made through our online portal:www.claytalk.weteachme.com
Payments are accepted exclusively through this platform.
Places are limited and cannot be held without payment.
Access to Clay Talk & Other Montsalvat Arts Education Studios & facilities
Montsalvat Arts Education coordinates all art programs located on the grounds of Montsalvat. For safety and security, access is restricted to enrolled participants.
Upon booking, you will receive an Information Kit outlining access procedures.
Please follow these instructions carefully to ensure safe entry to studio spaces relevant to your program.
Refunds, Absences & Transfers
We do not offer refunds for change of mind after booking.
Transfers may be requested, subject to availability and approval.
Please ensure you can commit to the scheduled dates and times before booking.
Refund Requests (Before Program
Commencement)
Refunds prior to program
commencement will only be considered under exceptional personal circumstances, such
as the loss of an immediate family member, and are subject to management discretion
and approval. Where a refund is approved, a 4% administration fee will be deducted
from the total amount paid.
Missed Classes or Sessions
Requests for alternative arrangements must be made within five (5) working days of a missed session by emailing:claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
Retrospective requests will not be accepted.
Studio access sessions are not considered make-up classes.
Cancellation by Montsalvat Arts Education
Montsalvat Arts Education reserves the right to cancel programs due to unforeseen circumstances, including insufficient enrolments. In such cases, participants will be notified and provided with a pro-rata refund.
Illness & Medical Absence
If you are unable to attend due to illness:
Please notify us as soon as possible by emailing:claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
Where applicable, alternative arrangements, credit, or a pro-rata refund (less an 8% administration fee) may be offered at our discretion.
Gift Vouchers
Gift vouchers are available exclusively through:www.claytalk.weteachme.com
Minimum value: $20
Valid for three (3) years from purchase
Redeemable only for Clay Talk programs via the online portal
Not redeemable for cash and non-transferable
Gift vouchers are intended to support your creative learning and artistic development.
Firing of Work – Clay Talk Term Classes Only
Many workshops and classes include firing and glazing of a specified number of pieces. Please refer to individual course listings for details.
General Requirements
All work must be clearly labelled with the name used for booking.
We take great care with all work; however, ceramics involves inherent risks.
Clay Talk cannot guarantee successful firing outcomes and accepts no liability for breakage, cracking, or firing faults.
Clay Talk Term Classes – Firing Conditions
For most term classes:
Up to 10kg of finished work per student is included in fees
Additional firing will incur extra charges
All pieces must be labelled with your Maker’s Mark(Initials + Class Code, e.g. John Adam Smith = JAS)
Unmarked work will not be fired.
Damage of pieces in Clay Talk only
Damage caused by inappropriate clay bodies or glazes may result in replacement costs for kiln shelves.
Significant kiln damage may incur additional repair fees, assessed by the Studio Coordinator.
Fire & Clay Festival – Work & Firings
For Fire & Clay Festival participants:
Firing allocations and work limits are outlined in your festival registration pack.
All work must be labelled clearly and handled in accordance with staff instructions.
Due to the experimental nature of atmospheric and wood firings, outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Collection of Work
Processing, firing, glazing, and packaging typically takes 2–4 weeks after program completion.
You will be notified by email when work is ready for collection.
Work must be collected within one (1) month of notification.
Uncollected work, materials, or tools may be disposed of or donated to Clay Talk fundraising initiatives after this period.
Contact
For all enquiries relating to bookings, attendance, or policies, please contact:
\U0001F4E7 claytalk@montsalvat.com.au
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Children's Creative Architecture
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