A fine day with tomorrow’s architects.
Whatever these kids decide to do later in their lives, they’ll will benefit from the fine education they’re receiving at Braeside School in Highland Park.
Braeside School was designed by Prairie School architect John Van Bergen in 1928. In 1936 to 1937, Walter Sobel, then a young draftsman worked for Van Bergen and helped him design additions to the school.
Because they go to school in a historic architectural landmark, all the kids take a class teaching them about the architecture that they spend so much time in. And 5th graders who take this special class with their teacher, Susan Ozawa, get to delve further into architecture.
And so today, architect Walter Sobel (who is now 95!) invited them all to come to his Frank Lloyd Wright house after they finished a many-week class about green building techniques. Each student wrote a short paper, to which Mr. Sobel added a critique and a few notes of his own. The kids were thrilled. Each 5th grade student designed a way to make the landmark school building more energy efficient in the future. To complete the project, together they will build a model of their combined ideas - the model will be made out of recycled materials thrown away at the school.
I got to spend a little more time not only with Walter, but also with two of the classiest ladies in the world (besides the one I’m married to).
Pat Kritzman is the current principal of Braeside (right in photo), and Kathy Ellis is her predecessor (on the left). I haven’t seen Kathy in a couple of years and we had a very pleasant reunion. Even had time after everyone left to sit and have a cup of tea, and catch up.
Left to right in the above photo: Susan Ozawa, Kathy Ellis, Walter Sobel, me (I’m much more comfortable behind the camera!) , Pat Kritzman
Why are days like these so rare?
what a building! and its great to see you in front of the camera for a change.