Students Draft Big Ideas, Build Creative Solutions, and Design the Future
by Alex Vallejo-Lopez
June 05, 2026
Every spring, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) hosts Architecture Week across the nation to introduce and discuss architecture with K-12 students. During the Spring 2026 school year, thirteen local architects from the AIA Idaho Mountain Section visited classrooms at Hemingway Elementary, Sun Valley Community School, and Wood River High School, connecting with over 80 students.
Architecture week reminds us that great communities are shaped not only by the buildings we construct, but also by the curiosity and civic engagement we inspire in future generations.
At Wood River High School, students participated in a focused design charrette exploring concepts for the Bullion Street Bridge in Hailey. The workshop was built on the idea of modifying what is already there, also introducing concepts of adaptive reuse and the question “What could/should this bridge become?”.
Throughout their projects, students addressed a variety of topics such as safety, connectivity, placemaking, environmental benefits, reduced dependence, and cost-conscious strategies. Students finished the workshop by creating their models in the classroom and showcasing them to a jury consisting of teachers, engineers, architects, and members of the Hailey City Council.
At Hemingway STEAM School and The Community School, the students were given burlap potato sacks. The idea was created in part to tap into the students’ creative sides by using natural materials along with reading and learning about the world of architecture. Students were asked the questions of “What is an architect?” and “What is architecture?”.
This generated a narrative that sparked curiosity in the students, which led to designs in burlap sacks of dream houses/bedrooms, dog houses, castles, stadiums, and landscapes. Ultimately the burlap sack revealed the student’s response to the idea of “What is community?”.
Architect Casey Burke reflected on the experience, noting, “There aren’t many offerings or courses on architecture, so it has been fun to collaborate with local teachers and make an introduction to architecture in the school. We have math, science, and art; and then architecture can tie it all together! It’s important to introduce students to another field to explore at an early age.”
When asked about his favorite part of the program, Burke shared, “I was most taken by the inquisitive nature and creativity of the students! Whether elementary schoolers or high schoolers, the students were captivated and dove into the project on their own accord, offering a new perspective for all of us.”
Architecture week reminds us that great communities are shaped not only by the buildings we construct, but also by the curiosity and civic engagement we inspire in future generations.
By connecting with students, it encourages new possibilities for the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and community leaders.
We invite you to visit the Betty Olsen Carr Reading Room at The Community Library to view the students’ work, which will be on display Summer 2026.
Below, you can also watch a video shared by the AIA of the local students in action during Architecture Week
