Architecture and Colour - Luminarium Workshop

The Luminarium creates an immersive environment where light, colour, pattern and architecture can

be experienced in an unusual and sensory way. SCT’s programme will extend this experience through

accessible, hands-on creative workshops based at the Greenhouse, inviting audiences to respond to

what they have seen and experienced through making, drawing, building and sharing their thoughts.

The programme will explore the relationship between light, colour and architecture through simple

creative activities suitable for children, young people, families and other members of the public.

Participants will be encouraged to look closely at structures, patterns, materials and spaces, and to

consider how colour and light can change the way we experience a building or environment.

Across the weekend, SCT will deliver two facilitated workshops each day, with the first workshop

beginning at 12pm and the second at 1pm.

The main activities will include stained-glass-inspired windows and colourful brickwork. A special clay

tile-making workshop will take place on Saturday only, introducing participants to traditional craft,

architectural detail and heritage-inspired design.

The Greenhouse will also provide an opportunity to introduce visitors to SCT and its wider creative

heritage programme. A screen will show video documentation of previous SCT work, including

material prepared for the Dutch Exchange visit, subject to equipment availability. Visitors will be

signposted towards SCT workshops and courses, the Portsmouth 100 Buildings project and other

opportunities to engage with SCT.

Preview Event:

Date: Thursday, 10th September 2026

Time: 5:00 PM

Location: Victoria Park

Day 1: Friday, 11th September 2026

Workshop 1: Stained-Glass-Inspired Windows

Time: 12:00 PM

Participants will create their own small stained-glass-inspired window using a simple cardboard

frame and coloured tissue paper.

Participants will experiment with colour combinations, patterns and shapes, transparent and

overlapping materials, and the way light changes the appearance of colour.

The activity will encourage participants to consider how windows, colour and architectural details

can influence our experience of a space.

Workshop 2: Colourful Brickwork

Time: 1:00 PM

Participants will also be invited to explore architectural form through a playful brickwork activity.

Coloured play-doh will be used to fill the gaps within a brick pattern, introducing ideas of colour,

texture, pattern and construction.

The activity will encourage participants to think about how adding colour to an architectural

structure can change its appearance and character.

Day 2: Saturday, 12th September 2026

Workshop 1: Tile-making workshop will run simultaneously with workshop 1.

Time:12:00 PM

Saturday will include SCT’s core light, colour and architecture activities alongside the weekend’s

special clay tile-making activity.

Stained-Glass-Inspired Windows

Participants will have the opportunity to create their own colourful window using coloured tissue

paper and a simple cardboard frame.

The activity provides an accessible way to explore the relationship between light, colour and

architectural form.

Workshop 2: Colourful Brickwork

Time: 1:00 PM

The play-doh brick activity will provide a simple, tactile way for visitors of different ages to

experiment with colour, texture and pattern while considering the visual qualities of bricks, mortar

and architectural structures.

Clay Tiles and Architectural Detail – Saturday Only

Saturday’s workshops will also introduce participants to traditional craft, architectural detail and the

use of clay as a building and decorative material.

Participants will look at examples of historic tile designs, signage, textures, patterns and architectural

ornament before designing and making their own small clay tile or heritage-inspired component.

Designs might include decorative patterns, text or lettering, signage, relief work, textures,

architectural fragments or abstract responses to shapes and details observed in the surrounding

environment.

Participants will be encouraged to consider how traditional architectural details and materials can

provide inspiration for contemporary creative work.

Clay pieces will be collected by SCT following the workshops for drying and external kiln firing.

Participants will be able to receive their fired pieces once the firing process has been completed,

subject to the final arrangements for collection or distribution.

Day 3: 13th September 2026

Workshop 1: Stained-Glass-Inspired Windows

Time: 12:00 PM

The final day will provide another opportunity for visitors to respond creatively to their experience of

the Luminarium.

Participants will create a small stained-glass-inspired window using cardboard frames, black tape and

coloured tissue paper.

They will be encouraged to experiment with colour, shape, pattern and transparency before taking

their finished piece home.

Workshop 2: Colourful Brickwork

Time: 1:00 PM

Participants will use coloured play-doh and modelling tools to explore brick patterns, architectural

structures, texture and colour.

The activity provides an accessible and tactile way to consider how materials, pattern and colour

contribute to the character of buildings and spaces.