ESF DESIGN DAY 2026 l SHA TIN COLLEGE
English Schools Foundation Design Day 2026
PRESENTERS AND SPEAKERS
WORKSHOP
It was such a pleasure to introduce the students to our work at the O-Park 1 during the English Schools Foundation Design Day 2026. The opportunity to share our passion for environmental architecture with the next generation of designers and thinkers was truly rewarding. We were delighted to welcome the students into our creative space and demonstrate how thoughtful design can harmonize with nature while addressing the practical challenges of shelter and protection from the elements.
Our interactive workshop was designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of creating a primitive hut—one of architecture's most essential typologies. By exploring the basic principles of how structures keep the elements out, we guided participants through the core concepts that underpin all architectural design. This hands-on approach allowed students to engage directly with the design process, moving from theory to tangible creation in a single session.
The highlight of the workshop was the collaborative scale model building exercise, where students worked with organic materials sourced from the natural environment. Using materials such as bamboo, weetbix, seaweed, udon and other biodegradable elements, participants constructed miniature structures that demonstrated their understanding of shelter design principles. This tactile experience proved invaluable in helping students grasp how environmental architecture bridges the gap between human needs and ecological responsibility. The use of organic materials also reinforced our commitment to sustainable design practices and the importance of working with nature rather than against it.
At the conclusion of the workshop, we responsibly recycled all the organic materials used in the scale models, demonstrating to the students that environmental stewardship extends beyond the design phase into the entire lifecycle of a project. This closing gesture encapsulated our philosophy: that true environmental architecture is not only about creating beautiful, functional spaces, but also about respecting and regenerating the natural systems that sustain us. We hope the students left inspired to pursue design practices that are both innovative and ecologically conscious.
