In the Classroom: Benita Cooper x Haddonfield Memorial High School

Here at Makedo we love collaboration between students and experts in a particular field. Benita Cooper, an award-winning architect and designer in the US, recently collaborated with Haddonfield Public Library, to run a project with Haddonfield Memorial High School students. The project was co-led by Allie Hall Westerside, an Art teacher at the high school.

The aim of the project was for students to create functional, structural and beautiful book display stands. Benita provided a framework for the students’ project to guide them through the various stages of the design and making. Along the way students were taught important skills that would help them through the process; schematic design, prototyping, testing and public speaking were identified as some of the key skills required; not to mention grain direction, material thickness and triangulation! The students Makedo creations were showcased in the library lounge. The projects were great, but the smiles on the students’ faces were even better.

Collaborating and sharing your expert skills with the wider community is invaluable. What's the use of being awesome at your job if you can't share that knowledge with future designers? We encourage experts to team up with their local Makedo makers.