A former London Metropolitan University lecturer is looking to inspire the next generation of architects with a series of early years workshops in Islington.

Mum-of-two Cheryl Pilliner-Reeves set up Archimake with fellow architecture aficionado Dominika Fourt in an effort to nurture the craft among children over the age of five.

Cheryl, who taught at the Islington university for 12 years, believes a greater understanding of the industry needs to be fostered by budding architects before they leave school.

She said: “I decided it would be good to change this for future children – children who like making things, but don’t have someone in their family to help them develop their skill and would benefit from being exposed to someone with architectural training to help them flourish.

“This could help to increase diversity in the profession, by increasing the number of girls and ethnic minorities who are interested in creativity at a young age.”

Thanks to parents Esti Gonzalez and Yasmin Mahmoudieh, Archimake has been running through the year at Elizabeth House in Highbury and Thornhill School in Islington respectively.

During the workshops, children learn about geometry, numeracy and materials, while getting the chance to draw and build their own structures as well.

Cheryl said: “Our workshops are very satisfying and allow children to engage with materials and construct forms, shapes, spaces and structures.

“Through presenting work children learn how to describe what they did to others and have the chance to listen to their friends to learn from them too.

“The act of speaking and listening to each other is important in creative thinking and we like to brainstorm together and invite children to contribute and share their ideas equally – again, helping to build their confidence.”

? For more information visit archimake.org. To register your interest for your child to attend a workshop e-mail contactus@ archimake.org. The team is also looking for volunteers to help out at the workshops.