Workshops

Holiday workshops: Build like Bucky (ages 15-18)

This fun and engaging workshop explores geometry and engineering.

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In this advanced workshop, students aged 15–18 explore the radical geometry and systems thinking of Buckminster Fuller—an inventor, designer, and visionary who believed we could “domore with less.”

Through hands-on exploration and team-based challenges, students delve into the mathematics and design principles behind geodesic domes, tensegrity structures, and dynamic geometry. They'll work with a range of models and materials—including modular origami, struts, connectors, and Jitterbug transformations—to understand how Fuller’s ideas combineefficiency, strength, and beauty.

Alongside practical making, students are challenged to apply this thinking to real-world problems in a speculative design sprint. Working in small teams, they develop imaginative responses to design briefs such as disaster relief shelters, climate-adapted structures, or habitats for extreme environments. Projects are presented, discussed, and refined with peerfeedback.

“Build Like Bucky” links geometry, design, and environmental awareness with creativity and critical thinking. It’s ideal for students interested in architecture, engineering, sustainability, or future-focused problem-solving—and provides a portfolio-worthy experience that bridges STEM, art, and the built environment.

This workshop is strictly for ages 15-18 only. We reserve the right to refund or deny entry to those who are not in this age range.

Refunds can only be issued for tickets cancelled at least two weeks (14 calendar days) in advance of the event date. Please note that this supersedes our normal event terms and conditions. Please also note that Eventbrite adds a small booking fee to the amount paid for each ticket option. 

About Philip Wells

Philip Wells is a Chartered Architect and founder of a RIBA-accredited architectural practice, with a passion for creative learning and education outreach. Since 2014, he has delivered architecture-based workshops in schools across Central and SW London and is an active RIBA Architectural Ambassador. His past work includes serving as Lead Architect on the award winning Halley VI Antarctic Research Station (Hugh Broughton Architects) and contributing to the Millennium Bridge in London at Foster + Partners. Philip specialises in using architecturaldesign to unlock creative thinking in young people through hands-on, curriculum-connected experiences.

 

About our workshops

Holiday workshops at the Royal Institution give students a hands-on experience of STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, maths) beyond what they learn at school. Working in groups or pairs, students will get hands-on to complete activities, challenges or projects which help them look deeper at the subject they are exploring. These workshops don’t follow the school curriculum but instead show students the many real world uses of STEM topics, expanding their horizons beyond the classroom to see the amazing possibilities science can give you. Sessions are led by experts from across industry and academia who will share with the students their excitement and knowledge of their areas of expertise.

For any queries regarding this workshop please email events@ri.ac.uk.

Support to attend holiday workshops

The Potential Trust may be able to offer financial assistance to enable children to participate in Ri events and activities if this would otherwise be financially difficult. Please contact Denise Yates, or at their new email address here

 

 

Covid guidelines

Face masks are no longer mandatory and wearing one in our Theatre and at other Ri events is at your discretion, however please do not attend the Ri if you are displaying Covid symptoms or, if you have tested, the result remains positive. Thank you for respecting other people and their choices, and for helping us keep all of our visitors and staff safe and well.

Event terms and conditions