The 2nd Edition of the “Exploring Orange County Architecture” Coloring book is now available for use by local teachers and parents. The book was produced jointly by The Architecture Foundation of Orange County (TAFOC), an organization dedicated to advancing public awareness and appreciation of quality environmental design, and the Society of Design Administration’s Orange County Chapter (SDA/OC), an affiliate of the American Institute of Architects dedicated to the educational advancement of its members and the community.

The coloring book is intended to be used by teachers and parents as a tool to introduce young people to architecture and environmental design, and to promote awareness about the built environment in which children live and play. According to H.C. “Chip” Clitheroe, Jr., author of the book’s text and activity concepts, the coloring book was specifically designed to serve as an affective classroom aid.

“Elementary school educators will find the book useful as both an art project and an introduction to the world of design and architecture.”

“Teachers are free to copy and use individual pages that fit with their students’ abilities and other classroom activities.”

For example, teachers can use the book as a guide for fieldtrips where students have the opportunity to learn first hand about interesting buildings and places in their community and how the environmental design affects their quality of life.

The coloring book images are architecturally rendered line drawings by Michael Brown of Huntington Beach, of everything from the Tustin Marine Base Blimp Hangers to an enchanting example of HomeAid Orange County’s Playhouse.

Coloring books are being distributed free to local elementary schools to use as library and instructional resources. Coloring books are also available to the public for a $10 donation, which is used to defray the costs of printing, production and distribution of the books.