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Announcing . . .
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URBANFRAME !
Building on the success of
First Hand Projects' recent work, we are pleased to announce that as of January 1, 2012, FHP is now URBANFRAME, a new non-profit organization providing expanded programs, events, and resources at the intersection of design, education and community.
Registration is now open for our flagship program, UFyouth the summer design/build project for teens.
structures for learning...
architecture
for communites
upcoming program:
2012 SUMMER PROGRAM FOR TEENS
Location- MIT School of Architecture
UF youth
Check out the URBANFRAME Facebook Fan Page for additionl photos and video of recent projects...
URBANFRAME tel: 617.444.9904 info_urbanframe.org
About
WHAT Architecture Designed and Built by Teens
URBANFRAMES's team-based projects are a chance to develop individual talents and explore new interests and no prior design experience is required for participation.
While our schedule varies based on the phase of the project, a typical day might include team brainstorming in the studio, working with 3D software, making models, constructing our design on site, and meeting with our client.
On Wednesdays we drop everything and head out for full day fied trips to tour great architecture and meet interesting designers in their firms.
The program also addresses:
* Sustainability
* Sketching and Drafting
* Computer Aided Design
* Historical Research
* Presentation Skills
* Carpentry and Construction
* Community Service
* Graphics and Industrial Design
"He's loving every second and said yesterday he really thinks architecture is for him because he likes how he can combine his creativity & analytical skills...and it's hands on."
-2009 Parent
WHY Serving Communities by Design
Young people want to make a real difference...
Most of us would like to solve the big problems in our communities. Even though teens have great ideas and lots of energy, they are not often taken seriously and it can be difficult to find fun ways to make an impact.
With URBANFRAME, they do...
URBANFRAME'S participants apply their creative energy, wild ideas, and optimism to local and global challenges using design thinking? Their clients are communty based organizations in need of new and innovative structures.
Local Solutions to Global Challenges...
URBANFRAME'S projects are designed and built entirely by young people and are given away at no cost to the local community.
Each project is also designed as a research prototype, with global relevence easily where erected structures are a necessity.
If you're curious about design, your own creativity, and community service, consider getting involved in an upcomeing URBANFRAME project.
"He truly benefited from the weeks he participated in your program. Thanks so much for such a wonderful program for the community and our young adults."
- 2009 Parent
WHO Anyone Interested in Design and Service
What kinds of kids like design build project?
Our programs attract high school students from many different towns, with a very wide variety of experiences and interests.
Great ideas rise out of diverse and energetic groups. So we like a mix perspectives. For those curious about design or architecture the program is a hands-on way to see what its all about. If you're just looking for a new experience, URBANFRAME is a great way to spend the summer and make new friends.
Together we have a great time doing cool work.
College & Beyond...
For those already considering design as a possible career path, the studio offers an opportunity to begin the portfolio required for application to accredited design programs. Students receive access to digital copies of project drawings, models, and images of the completed project.
Community Service Requirements
URBANFRAME'S programs allow students to fulfill most Community Service requirements for high school graduation.
"So far I've been accepted to the honors program, waiting to hear from the rest.
I'm really glad I did First Hand Projects. I feel like I'm a step ahead of
everyone else applying to these architecture schools."
-2009 Participant
Past Projects - 2012 Summer Project for Teens
- 2011 Food Truck Architectures
- 2011 SPURS
- 2010 Sugarhouse
- 2010 SPURS
- 2009 SHEd
2012 Summer Project for Teens 
Currently Enrolling
2012 Summer Design Build for Teens
Social Architecture- Catalysts & Activators
New Urban Places for People to Connect?
Architecture is not just buildings. It's the SO MUCH MORE. From street furniture to public spaces and whole cities. This project will be our biggest undertaking yet.
Thirty teens will offer their bold ideas and insights to design and build a coordinated set of architectural structures to reinvigorate several existing public spaces. Led by graduate students in Architecture, Landscape and Urban Design, three teams will design, build and, actually install their structures for long-term use by the community.
Over six weeks, we will explore both awesome and awful spaces and collaborate with local communities to understand what they need. Our time will be divided between design and digital fabrication at the MIT studio and labs, and assembly on site.
Only you and the communiy will decide what the projects should look like, how they should work, how they will get built, and what they mean!!!
No prior design or building experience is required.
Just be ready to try hard as a member of a team to accomplish something huge.
World-class architecture for local communities in just six weeks!
Join us...
Who
Teens Ages 15-19 yrs.
Where
Design Studio MIT- School of Architecture
77 Mass Ave
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Build Sites Local/T-Accessible
Field Trips Weekly (van)
When
Hours Monday-Friday (9:00-3:30)
Sessions Option A 6 Weeks (7/2-8/10)
Option B 3 Weeks (7/2-7/20)
Option C 3 Weeks (7/23-8/10)
Cost
Deposit $500 (reserves seat)
Fees $490/week (discount for Opt. A)
I ncludes T-shirt, T-passes, and supplies.
Scholarship assistance
is available by arrangement.
Enrollment Reviewed on a rolling basis.
Size Limit 30 students
2011 SPURS Underway
2011 Mapping the Informal
Issue:
The impact of limited unregulated public space on ethnic clusters in American cities.
Roads, sidewalks, transit.... In many countries these spaces are filled with a combination of formal and informal cultural activity, often closely linked to the surrounding and adjacent communities. In the US, this richness can be stifled by their strict regulation
What can 15 highly accomplished planners and designers from other cultures offer to improve this American issue?
Approach:
Using their extensive training, expertise, and diverse cultural perspectives, the team is currently defining their project iintervention and identifying potential target sites in Cambridge and Boston
2010 Sugarhouse Complete
2010 Sugarhouse & Ag Pavillion
Codman Community Farm, Lincoln, MA
This summer project challenged teen design/builders to imagine a new and sustainable form for a very traditional building type: the New England Sugarhouse.
To do so, they first had to find an environmentally friendly building use for the 46 weeks each year when no on is making maple syrup. They did.
In interviews with the head farmer, it was discovered that the farm was in desperate need of a place to provide veterinary care to its many animals without moving them out of the field.
In response, the designers decided occupy two worlds: the woodlot (sugaring) and the field (veterinary care). They create a pavilion that crosses a fence line, opening into both areas.
Next they developed an ingenious framework suitable to both uses. One end, the walls are made by inserting hay bails to feed the animals and, on the other, firewood to feed the maple sap evaporator. Simple and efficient!
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Check out the FHP Facebook Fan Page for photos and video of recent FHP Design/Build Projects...
2010 SPURS Complete
2010 Chicken Arc & Policy Brief
MIT, Cambridge MA
This two-part service project applies the MIT SPURS Fellows' remarkable cultural diversity and expertise in urban and social policy to the resolution of a local controversy.
The practice of keeping chickens on residential lots for family food production can be controversial. In Cambridge, two camps had formed, divided over concerns of public health, sound pollution, and smell.
Hailing from 16 countries, mostly in Africa and Asia, the SPURS Fellows studied the problem, and developed a ten point policy recommendation for the City of Cambridge Heath and Building Departments
A prototype "Chicken Arc" that offered an alternative to the problems associated with traditional hen houses in urban settings. Materials were submitted to the Commisioner of Buildings and Commissioner of Health prior
The City Manager presented the Ciy Council with a report finding little validity in the highly publicised concerns and objections to urban/domestic egg production, clearing the way for the drafing of guidelines that will allow Cambridge residents to keep chickens as pets and for family egg production.
2009 SHEd Complete
2009 Share Harvest | Educate
Sudbury, Massachusetts
An extraordinary project designed, built, and given by FHP teams to 50 community gardeners in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
As always... a real client, real site, and real challenge.
FHP teams visited the site, took measurements, and interviewed town officials and gardeners to understand exactly what was needed. The teams brainstormed, drew, and modeled their ideas in 3D and CAD, as they would in any architecture firm.
Then, on the site of a 100+ year-old abandoned farm, they built their design: a modern, sustainable community building using simple tools and recycled materials, including wood from 300 discarded shipping palletes and over 3000 plastic bottle caps.
Each day was different, with approximately half the time spent designing, drawing, and modeling, and half spent outdoors measuring, building, and on full day field trips.
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Check out the FHP Facebook Fan Page for photos and video of recent FHP Design/Build Projects...
Bio Staff, Volunteers &
Supporters
Meghan Archer
Judy Belliveau
Scott Carpenter
Judy Chang
Aaron Corin
Noah Corin
Rob Cayer
Michael Fee
Greg Gale
Sarah Gould
Michael Griffen
Brij Hewett
Meena Sonea Hewett
Noah Hupert
Jen James
Richa Kapse
Kristen Lee
Peter Merrill
Nawaz Namthewala
Larry OBrian
Mike Prattico
Maria Rader
Christine Rankin
Chloe Rein
Lawrence Sass
Kate Sherrer
Jack Sherman
Design/Build
Teams
Alexander Abramson
Elizabeth Abramson
Kenny Amici
Tatianna Auguste
Dan Bernstein
Lucas Black
Ethan Blackwood
William Boyajian
Justin Burke
Alejandro Chavez
Dara Cohen
Shaun Crofton
Deven Dayal
Mira Dayal
Stephen Ellias
Grant Farrington
Greta Gomez
David Goodman
Sarah Goodman
John Grumbach
Lila Hewett
Elliot Holden
Austin Howell
Sean Hussey
Michelle Isong
Ian Jackson
Emma Jarczyk
Nicholas Leong
Program Director
Aaron Lehr
Aaron is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Designss Depatrtment of Interior Architecture and is a recipient of its award for academic excellence. He directs the projects computer aided visualization (AutoCad Architecture, Autodesk Revit, Rhinocerus, Podium, Adobe CS4, and Sketchup) and digitial laser cutting.
Also an experienced carpenter and cabinet maker, Aaron is able to thoughtfully link conceptual design and the craft of construction. He has worked in Boston and Delaware.
Founder & Director
Daniel Hewett, AIA LEED
Daniel Hewett is an architect and teacher. He founded First Hand Projects (URBANFRAME) to give young people opportunities to design and build architecture in response to needs within their communities.
He teaches architecture and landscape architecture at The Rhode Island School of Design, Northeastern University, and at MIT lectures in the Special Program on Urban and Regional Studies. His studio research examines architecture's capacity to mediate transition.
Mr. Hewett received his Masters degree in architecture from Rice University and has served as a critic on juries in the US and abroad.
Meena Sonea Hewett
David Swetz
Jennifer Taylor
Bridgette Treado
Mary Wentworth
Shalini Vimal
Joe Yacobellis
Ellen Lowry
Tamara Kalo
Hayley Kats
Naavin Karimbux
Adib Khoury
Jennie Lytel-Sternberg
Alexandra Maloof
Dillon Mariano
Juan Mascareñas
Alfonso Mascareñas
Peter McAuley
David McIvor
Alexander Nardozzi
Mariah Nuzzo
Sara Pearce-Probst
Joe Pincus
Jonah Rader-Gale
Loch Roberts
Alec Robins
Alexandra Sanyal
Mark Schapiro
Dennis Smith
Hugo Sousa
Sara Stackhouse
Daniel Wanger
Jeremy Vale
Jillian Valpey
Serhiy Zadorozhnyak
First Hand Projects is made possible by grants, individual donations, project fees, and the generosity of numerous volunteers.
