2 May 2012
Seventy Five students from across the Rhondda Cynon Taf
borough were given an opportunity to learn more about the fields of
engineering and architecture at the ‘Building Bridges’ event at the
Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff recently.
Year 9 and 10 pupils from St John’s Baptist,
Porth County Community, and Tonyrefail Comprehensive schools were
given an insight into the links between civil engineering,
architecture and art in modern construction by Jonathan Adams,
Liane Sheppard and Ian Walsh of Capita Symonds, the
multidisciplinary consultancy responsible for designing the Wales
Millennium Centre.
The pupils also attended an arts workshop
where they learned more about the materials used to build the
centre while local artists led workshops for the students where
they worked with metal, plastic and wicker to develop visual
artworks.
Capita Symonds’ construction ambassadors - who
promote construction and civil engineering in schools - also gave
presentations explaining the various routes to becoming a graduate
in civil engineering or architecture.
Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director at Wales
Millennium Centre says, “It was great
pleasure to welcome Capita Symonds and the schools involved to the
Centre today. The talks provided by representatives from
Capita were very insightful and the work produced by the students
in the workshops resulted in some beautiful pieces of work.”
Ian Walsh, Director at Capita Symonds, said:
“It was very rewarding working with the staff of Millennium Centre
and the various artists in delivering this opportunity for the
students of the three schools. They were attentive and asked
pertinent questions, illustrating their understanding of the
information presented. Now they understand what civil
engineering and architecture are about, they will be able to
consider their option subjects with greater awareness.”