Art-itecture
By John W. Healy

A dream house is a creation of one's imagination that stays with many of us throughout our lives. It is a reflection of personal and family needs; a gathering place for all those we care about; a location to which we would like to come home. This is the place that embodies much of who we are and how we would like others to see us. A dream house is both a symbol of our position in society and a respite from the world at large.

This otherworldly house changes in our mind's eye as we change. One's childhood dream house may be a precariously perched residence in a favorite backyard tree, from which to survey the outlying limits of one's royal kingdom. The house one dreams about when approaching retirement may be quite different – a one-level, modern home with all the amenities of convenience and comfort and with no renovation work required. A dream house is an enjoyable reflection that is not inhibited by one's financial position or social status. The sky's the limit!

Drawing up plans
Art education can provide your students with a fundamental way to take the first steps in creating their own dream house.

1. Introduce this lesson by asking the class a question: Which of these buildings would you like to live in? Show the class pictures of a selection of classic historical buildings spanning the centuries. When possible, name the architect associated with a particular, innovative building design. These structures should be individually identifiable to clearly establish original architectural styles.

2. Ask your students to review the following list of priorities when designing their dream houses:
   • Consider how your house is to function based on your and your family's needs. A dream house ought to lift one's spirits, improve one's life and provide for the diverse needs of a homeowner.

   • Where is the house to be built? Consider climate, terrain and population density of your dream location.

   • What is the particular style of your house? Select an architectural style and stick with it. Varying styles may create a confused design that lacks continuity. Mixing and matching different architectural styles is possible, yet has a higher degree of difficulty to develop.

   • What building materials are to be used? Take energy efficiency into account; is your dream house in a location where you may be able to incorporate alternatives such as solar panels? Utilize materials that are commonly found in the area where you are building. This will contribute to cost-effectiveness as well as enable the house to fit into your selected location.

3. Construction site
   Have the students rough out a pencil sketch on paper without rulers or T-squares of their dream house . This initial concept sketch will allow students to express a broad range of ideas.

Ask your students to look at their rough drawings and see if their houses lean to one side or another. Using a T-square, large, white paper and a black marker so the lines are clearly seen by the class, demonstrate the following:

• Level – Hold the T-square on the right side of the paper and draw a long, horizontal line. Be sure the guide at the top of the T-square is flush with the edge of the paper.

• Plumb – Holding the T-square at the top of the paper, draw long, vertical lines.

Have the students go over their concept drawings with a T-square, making their lines level and plumb when possible. Using this sketch as a guide, they should repeat the sketch first as a light, precise pencil drawing, then go over this same drawing with colored pencils.

Finish work
Perspective drawing is a good follow-up to this lesson. It's important that the kids are not inhibited by technical concepts from freely exploring their dream house ideas. After all, envisioning and designing one's dream house is a practical step towards what may someday be crafted from mortar, stone and wood.

Dr. John W. Healy teaches art at Woodland Middle School, East Meadow, NY.