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Key Stage 3 and 4 Building the Future film

Empower your students to think critically and creatively about climate change and the built environment

Discover our film for KS3-4 students to explore climate change and the built environment. Featuring exemplary designs and architecture professionals, this film provides inspiration as to how we can tackle the climate crisis through design and innovation so that together we can build a better, more sustainable future for us all.

In this film, students will:

  • learn about the huge role the built environment plays in climate change
  • learn key terms and concepts including: what the built environment is, what role the built environment plays in climate change and the importance of good design
  • explore innovative, real-life sustainable designs
  • be introduced to a range of built environment careers

This resource focuses on the DT, Science and Geography curriculum for key stages three and four.

Temple Quarter Enterprise Campus, University of Bristol by Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios © Mint Cake

The film is broken down into five individual videos. Each video is between three to five minutes long and can be explored consecutively or individually:

  1. Introduction to climate change and the built environment
  2. The University of Bristol’s new environmentally-friendly campus
  3. Transforming existing, disused buildings into energy-efficient homes
  4. Designing sustainably on a strategic ‘masterplan’ scale
  5. Recap on what you have learned about climate change and the built environment

Watch the Building the Future film below.

Explore our curriculum-linked project packs alongside the film. In these packs, you will find:

  • key information for teachers to help deliver learning activities focusing on the sustainable architecture explored in the film
  • creative activities for young people to complete that will help them to learn about sustainable architecture

We offer a free national schools programme for all key stages. Explore climate change and the built environment in school with professional architects through creative and practical workshops. Register your school to take part.

Students making models during a National Schools Programme workshop © Maria Alejandra Huicho Rivera

With special thanks and credit to Anja Grossmann and Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, Scott Abercrombie and John Gilbert Architects, Tara Gbolade and Gbolade Studios, the Harlow and Gilston Garden Town, Mint Cake Productions, Madeline Toy, and LionHeart.

Find out more about what the RIBA is doing to tackle the climate emergency.

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