Film Lens
If You Build It is a documentary directed by Patrick Creadon that follows a year in the life of a design-based high school program in Bertie County, North Carolina, the poorest county in the state. The film centers on the curriculum named Studio H, created by designer Emily Pilloton-Lam and architect Matt Miller, which empowers students to tackle community problems through design and construction. The program culminates in the design and construction of a farmer's market pavilion, the only one in the U.S. built by high school students.
The documentary features ten students from Bertie Early College High School as they engage in various projects, including building water purifiers and chicken coops, leading up to the farmer's market. The film captures the transformative impact of this educational initiative, highlighting the leadership of Superintendent Chip Zullinger and the innovative teaching methods employed by Pilloton-Lam and Miller. Through hands-on learning, students develop critical skills and gain a sense of agency in their community.
Why Watch
- •Meet Chip Zullinger, a renegade school superintendent.
- •Follow ten students as they build a farmer's market pavilion.
- •See how design can solve community problems.
Did You Know
•Chip Zullinger was hired in 2010 to address serious school district issues.
•The farmer's market pavilion was built over sixteen weeks by high school students.
•Stevie Mizelle was the first male in his family to graduate high school.
Perfect For
Educational innovationCommunity developmentHigh school design programs