Castle in the Sky

Research trends and factors affecting how and where people live, then design a fantasy future home.

• 1.

  Find out what the world is expected to be like in the future in terms of the environment, technology, and population. Imagine what houses of tomorrow might look like. Think about where you might want to live. Look at Maxfield Parrish's paintings of futuristic habitats for ideas.

• 2.

  On watercolor paper, use Crayola® Crayons to draw your ideas of homes for the future. Let your imagination soar.

• 3.

  Cover a table top with recycled newspaper. Use Crayola Washable Watercolors and Brushes to paint areas of color. By applying paint over crayon, you change the background color without changing the crayon drawing. This technique is called crayon resist. Dry on a flat surface.

Benefits

• Students research trends in housing, including predictions about environmental factors, population growth, technology, and their effects on housing in the future.
• CStudents become familiar with the work of Maxfield Parrish and his use of "Parrish blue."
• Students imagine future housing possibilities, and design fantasy structures that address factors revealed through research.

Adaptations

• Add outlines and details to your drawing with Crayola Washable Markers. Blend marker colors with water in the watercolors for a colorful effect.
• Imagine clothing that might be worn by people of the future. Use this same technique to draw your ideas. Seal your predictions in a time capsule to open in 50 years.
• Create a 3-dimensional model of your structure using recycled boxes, cardboard rolls, and other materials.