Possibility Through Design: Architecture Workshops in Orange County

Exploring Architecture has expanded into Orange County Schools!

Bringing these workshops to OCS makes hands-on design experiences more accessible to young minds in rural communities.

At Central, New Hope, and River Park Elementary, 5th graders stepped into the role of architect—dreaming up one-of-a-kind structures using Lego bricks as their creative tool. We kicked off each workshop with an engaging conversation about how architecture shapes our daily lives, and how design can tell a story. From there, students worked together to build models and describe their vision: the purpose of their structure, its standout features, and the environment it was designed for.

Back at the Prism Studio, we brought their ideas to life by transforming photos of their Lego models into vibrant AI-generated renderings. Sharing these images with the students was a highlight—watching their eyes light up as they saw their creations rendered as real-world designs. It’s moments like these that show how imagination, creativity, and design can open up new ways of seeing the world.

This program is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.