Archikidz will return to Sydney’s historic Carriageworks on Saturday 5 October.

Part of last year’s Sydney Architecture Festival, the inaugural event sold-out. Archikidz is a joint initiative of Sydney-based design practice ARQUE and the Australian Institute of Architects (NSW).

All made possible with the generous support of the City of Sydney and sponsors.

Archikidz, an architectural workshop for children, has been an annual event in Amsterdam (The Netherlands) for more than 10 years and is now also held in Rotterdam, Barcelona and Buenos Aires.

It offers hundreds of children aged seven to 12 years the opportunity to imagine and create architecture, making models on an epic scale, in a workshop environment facilitated by more than 100 architects and architecture students.

Archikidz creative director Emma Rees-Raaijmakers says it aims to inspire, excited and educate children – the future city-makers – about architecture and the built environment.

“Archikidz seeks to instil in participants an understanding that they as an individual have a role to play in shaping the world around them and that the decisions they make can help to create better communities, cities and a more sustainable future.”

AIA NSW chapter president Joe Agius says Archikidz is a unique opportunity for children to experience design and learn about its importance for the city’s built environment from architects working across all areas of the profession – from leading international firms to award-winning small practices.

Rees-Raaijmakers’ long-term ambition is to see the Archikidz program take place in other capital cities and regional centres across Australia.

“An event prototype is currently being developed which would enable Archikids to be staged anywhere at different scales,” she says.

As a not-for-profit event, Archikidz is made possible through sponsorship and donations. It will remain free this year, but will offer participating families the option to make a donation to help support the program as an ongoing event.

Online registrations open on Saturday 10 August via the Archikidz website: www.archikidz.com.au. Bookings are essential as places are limited.