Studio Sunday: Building Blocks

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About the Studio Sunday Activity

Design a floor plan with LEGO of a building from the future inspired by the exhibition Spring on the Prairie: Kiyoshi Izumi and the Work of Izumi, Arnott, and Sugiyama on view at the MacKenzie Art Gallery from 13 September 2024 to 19 January 2025.

This workshop is led by one of our amazing Gallery Educators.

About Studio Sundays

It’s an art party! Weekly Studio Sundays at the MacKenzie Art Gallery, presented by Canada Life, is an opportunity for individuals and families to drop in and create artwork.

Learn about the artists and artworks in MacKenzie’s Permanent Collection and featured exhibitions with weekly in-person hands-on workshops that can be modified for all ages. Visit our studio to make art with Gallery Educators and guest artists, exploring new and beloved techniques and art materials.

There is no cost to attend these drop-in sessions. All materials are provided.

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The Architect that Inspired Us

Architectural sketch of the proposed Regina Public Library building, showcasing a modern, single-story structure with large windows and surrounding trees. Two people are drawn walking on the sidewalk, and a car is parked on the street in the foreground, illustrating the building blocks of community engagement.
Architectural drawing of the Regina Public Library. The building blocks embody a modern design with large windows and a flat roof. The image includes a street with a classic car and a few human figures for scale. The architects are Izumi, Arnott, and Sugiyama.

Kiyoshi Izumi is a Japanese-Canadian architect who lived and worked in Regina, Saskatchewan. He designed the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts (Conexus Arts Centre) and the Regina Public Library Central Building with his partners Gordon Arnott and James Sugiyama.

Izumi lived through World War II and its aftermath. This was a difficult and complicated time for Japanese people in Canada. Despite this, Izumi and his partners made significant contributions to the architectural heritage and cultural landscape of Saskatchewan.

About Modern Architecture

Modernism is about experimenting, trying new things, and moving towards the future. It spans all kinds of art, from painting to architecture.
Modern architecture is a response to fast population growth in cities. These designs are usually thoughtful about materials and usefulness. Because of this, Modern architecture can look very different from place to place.

For more information about treaties, visit otc.ca.

Studio Activity

Design a floor plan with LEGO of a building from the future.

MATERIALS

  • Mixed LEGO bricks
  • LEGO plate
  • Drawing materials (paper, pencils, and markers)

STEP 1

On a LEGO plate, use LEGO bricks to design a floor plan. You can build a house or any other kind of building, like a library or an airport. Think about making something new or different. Keep in mind how imaginary future people will move around inside your building. What kind of lives do they live? What are they doing inside your building?

Test out different floor plans. Feel free to build something just to try it. If it doesn’t work, try again. Be imaginative and play around! Keep testing new designs until you come up with something that you like and that excites you.

STEP 2

Test out different floor plans. Feel free to build something just to try it. If it doesn’t work, try again. Be imaginative and play around! Keep testing new designs until you come up with something that you like and that excites you.

STEP 3

When you’re done, draw your design on a piece of paper to take home.

Please leave the LEGO behind for future artists to play and experiment with.

Things to think about

  •  How do people move inside a building?
  • How does the design of a building change depending on what it’s used for?