The Architech
Project
Co-Designing with Children: Empowering Young Minds through The Architect Project
The Architect Project is reshaping how we think about design by putting children at the heart of the process. This innovative programme invites children to play a central role in shaping their learning environments through the creation of therapeutic Pods- ergonomically designed bean bags that offer comfort,support, and emotional regulation.
In a world where design often reflects the expertise of professionals, The Architect Project is changing the paradigm by recognizing children as experts in their own lives.
The Architect Project is reshaping how we think about design by putting children at the heart of the process. This innovative programme invites children to play a central role in shaping their learning environments through the creation of therapeutic Pods- ergonomically designed bean bags that offer comfort,support, and emotional regulation.
At the heart of The Architect Project lies a profound understanding of the connection between our environment and emotional
well-being.
As inventor of the Safety Pod Palkesh D Crawford states
“Pods are more than just furniture, they are personalised spaces that help children manage their emotions, self-regulate, focus, and find calm. Our Education Director Shabnam Kirk, has fused aspects of Art Therapy together with her wealth of experience in teaching, to design a project which inspires children to express their feelings and explore their emotional landscapes using colour, texture, and illustration. In doing so, they can create environments that are not only therapeutic but deeply personal”.
By empowering children to take on the role of co-designers, The Architect Project values children as experts in their own lives, fostering self-expression and a sense of ownership. Through this collaborative approach, children gain the confidence to shape spaces that directly impact their well-being, making the project a powerful tool for personal and emotional growth.
Inspiration Behind The Architect Project: The Power of Environment and Self-Expression
At the heart of The Architect Project lies a profound understanding of the connection between our environment and emotional well-being. Research has shown that the spaces we inhabit can deeply affect how we feel, think, and interact with the world around us. Recognising this, the project empowers children to design therapeutic Pods with an understanding of how they can help regulate emotions, encourage relaxation, and foster focus. By allowing children to participate as co-designers, the project promotes the idea that, just as adults are experts in their fields, children are experts in their own emotional needs and experiences.
Children often find it difficult to express their emotions verbally, yet they are highly skilled communicators in many other ways. The project taps into these diverse modes of expression, whether through art, play, or body language, providing children with the tools to communicate what they need in a safe and creative way. The result is a collaborative design process where children are not just passive recipients of an environment but active agents in shaping it.
The Project: Collaborative Co-Design with Children
The design of the Pods is more than just about aesthetics, it’s about creating an environment that reflects the child’s inner world. In a recent collaboration with children at Richmond Foundation in Malta, the project reached new heights of creativity and emotional insight. For two weeks, the children worked on a mission to design ‘Power Pods’ that would help individuals channel one of three powers: reflect, relax, or focus.
Using art therapy-based tools and materials, the children explored their emotions through discussions and creative exercises. They created mood boards, capturing the sensory experiences tied to each of the three powers, and then translated these emotions into Pod designs.The final presentations were a testament to the children’s creativity and thoughtfulness, with detailed explanations of how their colour choices, textures, and illustrations would encourage the intended emotional responses. The. results were nothing short of inspiring.
The process not only provided valuable design insights but also deepened the children’s sense of ownership over the project. As one of the children expressed, “It was very positive as we were able to express our emotions and feels in a creative way. It was amazing to present our designs to Palkesh!” Their sense of pride in their work was evident, and the excitement to see their designs come to life was palpable. The children have now set their sights on the next phase: seeing their designs turned into actual therapeutic Pods.
International Pilot Feedback: Insights from Malta
The international pilot in Malta has provided valuable feedback that highlights the transformative potential of The Architect Project for children in educational and care settings. Here are some insightsfrom the pilot:
“This project is excellent in empowering the children who are often disempowered by the system or due to their limitations. It increased the children’s confidence and senseofself-worth.”
Deborah Francalanza
Forensic Psychology Practitioner
and ServiceManager
Initial Thoughts
The excitement around the project was immediate. Staff members at Richmond Foundation in Malta were eager to bring the concept to life, recognizing the immense benefits of having children actively involved in the design of their own therapeutic spaces.
Resources and Delivery
The resources provided were highly appreciated by the children, with one staff member noting, “The children were very happy to receive the parcel all the way from the UK…it really piqued their interest and increased their investment in the project.”
Consultation Process
The planning and consultation sessions proved to be crucial in ensuring that the project was tailored to the specific needs of the children. The collaborative spirit between the project team and the Malta team ensured that the sessions were both relevant and engaging.
Virtual Delivery
While in-person interaction would have been ideal, the virtual sessions were surprisingly effective, with the children actively engaging despite challenges such as language barriers.The flexibility of the project’s delivery method made it accessible and impactful, even in a virtual format.
Emotional Insights
The project provided a unique opportunity to observe and understand the emotional needs of the children. As one staff member shared,
“Letting the children guide the project was an excellent opportunity to understand them more profoundly.”
Children’s Participation
While not all children participated to the same degree, most were highly engaged in the design process. The sense of ownership and creative expression fostered through the project helped build confidence and self-worth in the children.
Feedback from the Children
The children’s feedback was overwhelmingly positive. One child shared, “It was very positive as we were able to express our emotions and feelings in a creative way,” while another stated, “I found this very inspiring. I have hope that I too can make something that is worthwhile.”
These comments reflect the profound impact the project had on the children’s self-expression and emotional development.
Impact on the Setting
The co-design process has been instrumental in increasing the children’s sense of ownership over the Pods, which will likely result in greater respect and usage of the Pods. As one staff member noted,
“This increased the sense of ownership, and in turn, the children will hopefully be more likely to use the Pods when they need to de escalate.”
Looking Ahead: The Architect Project’s Global Reach
As The Architect Project continues to grow, we are excited to announce that we are already running successful projects in primary schools across the UK. These collaborations are allowing more children to experience the power of co-design and take an active role in shaping their own learning environments through the creation of therapeutic Pods.
Looking ahead to 2025, we are thrilled to offer a unique opportunity for pupils to visit the Pods factory and meet Palkesh, the inventor behind the Safety Pods.This visit will provide a behind-the-scenes look at how the Pods are made and allow students to see their creative ideas come to life in a tangible way.
We are looking forward to working with more schools and pupils in 2025, and we can’t wait to see the impact personalised Pods will have on children’s emotional and mental well-being in their school settings. For more information on how to bring The Architect Project to your school, contact Education Director, Shabnam Kirk: Shabnam@safetypodinternational.com
“Pods present a wonderful opportunity for pupils to create personalised,safe spaces within their learning environments—spaces they can access for a variety of activities,from moments of relaxation to focused work,or simply to find comfort and calm when needed.The project’s potential to support children in navigating their emotions and fostering a sense of ownership and well-being is truly inspiring.
Shabnam Kirk
Education Director at Safety Pod
International