Building Parties

Everyone has a right to participate in the improvement of their communities. Yet youth input in community decision making, design choices and problem solving has historically been minimal. Young people remain a vast and usually untapped resource for short- and long-term community development issues. Through this project, we hope to demonstrate the importance and impact of letting kids have their say. They provide new ideas and voices that can spark engagement, enthusiasm, and investment in community planning. As for the kids themselves, this experience will foster a strong sense of ownership, stewardship, and investment. It will help establish a vested interest in long-term participation and contribution to community life.

This charrette is designed to offer solutions to make the downtown more attractive, equitable and convenient – and to reclaim spaces for people. We are hopeful that this project will really influence future town planners and community leaders to implement their ideas as well as engage youth in future planning efforts.

ArchForKids and local architect Kersten Harries lead teen participants in a 2-day design challenge. The teens reimagined real vacant spaces in the village of Sleepy Hollow and learned important lessons related to architecture, urban planning, and design thinking. The teens visited their chosen design site in person, brainstormed in groups to create a new purpose that would benefit the community and then followed the design process to sketch their ideas before bringing them to life in the form of 3D models which will be shared with the community in an exhibit displayed at the Warner Library on December 11 from 11 AM to 12:30 PM. 

Throughout the program teen participants worked closely with experts in the fields of architecture, urban planning and design. They interacted with likeminded peers and got to know adult leaders in their community. At the end of the design challenge teens presented their projects to peers, family, and the community.