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Miami Herald: Young architects design dog park, video game room and more for The Underline

June 21, 2016
by Meg Daly

Architects gathered June 3 to show six months of ideas for land underneath the Miami Metrorail. Drawn on poster board and molded out of clay, ideas included a butterfly park, dog parks and a video game room.

But these ideas didn’t come from experienced architects. These exhibits were from the minds of kindergartners at KLA Schools of Brickell.

The display marked the second time the school has opened its doors to showcase the graduating kindergarten class’s semester-long project. This year, 15 students decided to focus on developing ideas for the land underneath the Miami Metrorail, which is known as the Underline.

“They came up with the same idea as the city, which I think is really cool,” said Lucia Thoss, a parent at the school.

Thoss said she had seen glimpses of the project from updates sent by her daughter’s teacher, but had yet to see the designs in person. While rain kept the exhibit from being displayed outside under the Metrorail, Thoss and other parents were still impressed by the models and drawings their children had created.

“I think it’s a great project,” said Maarten Boute, whose 6-year-old daughter, Gabrielle, designed a dog restaurant for the space. “I think they became aware of their environment. I’m very proud.”

Kara Kersting, one of the teachers, said the idea for the exhibit came after the teachers suggested the class visit the Underline, which can be seen from their classroom.

“For me, it’s been very eye-opening in terms of what knowledge they have,” she said. “I never would’ve thought this could happen because I underestimated what the children can do — the ideas, it’s limitless for them.” KLA StudentsRead more here.