op Island architect Stanley Kennedy is building for the future -- by teaching a love of buildings to youngsters attached to his practice.

And Mr. Kennedy started his summer programme from the ground up -- with a back-to-basics approach using simple geometric shapes to tutor his two pupils in the foundations of the profession.

But he stressed that architecture teaches more than just design -- it broadens cultural horizons and imparts an appreciation of different societies.

Mr. Kennedy, who works in St. George's, said: "I thought the best thing to do with them was to introduce them to some simple principles first.

"I took a box of toothpicks and made a series of rectangles first, which are basically not stable.

"But when you turn the toothpicks into triangles, you can see how stable they are.

"And if you take a pattern of triangles and fit them together, you can make a very stable structure.'' And he introduced them to the work of ground-breaking architect and inventor Buckminster Fuller, whose geodesic domes -- spheres built out of triangles -- are reckoned to be among the most efficient space enclosers and strongest structures on earth.

Now schoolboys Lyle Butterfield and Carlton Butler are looking at the buildings around them with a new set of eyes.

Berkeley Institute pupil Lyle, 15, said: "It's been fantastic. I still have to choose what I'm going to do, but architecture is definitely one of my choices.

"I didn't know that much about architecture and that's why I wanted to come here.

"Now I've learnt how to keep a structure up -- triangles are basic building blocks.

"And when I see construction, I look at the way they're doing things and I understand why they're doing what they do much better.'' Mr. Kennedy said the youngsters were given a free rein to design their own buildings -- with Kyle starting off on a castle design which evolved into a stage for a rock concert.

He explained: "I know the impressions they gained will be lasting because they worked with their hands and did a little research on project systems, going on the Internet and pulling down information on Buckminster Fuller.'' And Mr. Kennedy -- a graduate of the prestigous Columbia University, New York, with a Masters degree in Urban Design -- said architecture was not just bricks and mortar, but designs for living.

The architect -- in charge of the back-to-the-future blueprint for St.

George's -- added that the built environment offered valuable insights into the culture and philosophy of different civilisation.

Mr. Kennedy said: "Now, when these young men move on, they will begin to see things they'll now recognise in a different light.

"And regardless of what the field might be, where it's architecture, law or theology, once they get a little hands on experience, it increases the depth of their appreciation and they can see a sense of purpose.'' Mr. Kennedy added: "I believe that youngsters from a very early age should be taught to realise that there is an importance in architecture and in being able to experience and sense architecture.

"As they move about from place to place, country to country, they can see the differences in architectural expression and come to realise that variety of expression is really the variety of cultural expressions from one people to another and one culture to another.

"It's important for them to understand these distinctions -- and the more they do, the more they understand, appreciate and accommodate the differences in people.''