Modesto High architecture club built from student’s passion

Schools, museums, temples, homes – architecture is everywhere. And while buildings generally are created for practicality and durability, they’re also appreciated for beauty and style. Modesto High School’s Architecture and Design Club embraces the technical and artistic sides of architecture and is dedicated to its art and design.

Members of the club devote Wednesday lunches to appreciate and discuss styles of architecture, ranging from local buildings to famous works around the world. They also draw their own designs and aim to set up design programs such as SketchUp to help members design more efficiently.

Also service-minded, the club hosted an Ugly Sweater Run as part of an event to benefit Modesto Gospel Mission, a nonprofit organization created to help and provide refuge to the poor and homeless.

The Modesto High Architecture and Design Club was started by junior Graham McAllister in fall 2014, who said its aim was not only to encourage students to explore the art and design of the architectural world, but also to create an impact on the community and school.

McAllister was inspired to create the club after participating in the architecture summer program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At MIT, he learned about architecture and participated in creating a community-based project where he designed and built a garden of vegetables and fruit for those in need. He created 3-D models and interviewed people on site in order to create an efficient design. After making the design, McAllister went out and helped build the garden.

His hard work paid off when he was able to experience how his architecture impacted the community and helped others live a better life.

“I created the club because I wanted to gain a greater knowledge of architecture, but also because I wanted to do something that served a purpose,” McAllister said. “By creating the club, I hope to get more people involved and just have fun while learning.”

The club’s current goal is to be able to take its members on a tour to study Modesto’s architecture. Members also hope to be able to create new ways to improve the Modesto High School campus and the community by collaborating with other clubs and organizations.

This story was originally published April 25, 2015 at 9:25 PM with the headline "Modesto High architecture club built from student’s passion."