A vision of a city - through kid's eyes

   The city of the future would at least be colorful, if a band of pint-size architects had their way.

   Tall buildings in hues of blue, green, pink and orange would tower over parks, zoos and hospitals. Art would flow with the architecture, with some buildings adorned with pipecleaner accoutrements. And some of the buildings might look a bit like the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

   Saturday, Doug Abernethy, president of the local chapter of The American Institute of Architects, and fellow designers held the group's second annual Box City event. The exercise, held at Steele Elementary School, lets youngsters try out planning and building skills by constructing their vision of a model city.

   The taller architects were paying close attention.

   "There's no inhibition as a child," Abernethy said. "For them, you don't have zoning, codes or whether it stands up or how much it costs."

   The event is designed to help children understand urban design and city planning by running them through a rudimentary version of what it takes to design and erect real buildings.

   Jacob Cook, 7, drew a design and got permits before he started the arduous process of constructing his 5-foot orange replica of New York's Empire State Building.

   "The toughest part is from here up," he said while pointing out the difficult-toreach parts of the structure that dwarfed his small frame.

   And it takes a lot of cardboard, construction paper, tape and know-how to keep the diminutive skyscrapers from toppling.

   "Your building really has to be stable," Jacob said as he inspected his creation.

   Noah Robinson, also 7, was working on his intricate version of Chicago's Sears Tower, complete with underground parking.

   His version has an observation deck for tourists slung from the top of the building with pipe cleaners.

   "I like the deck," he said while making final improvements for his addition to the city.

   Organizers estimated that the event drew more than 100 kids Saturday, doubling the crowd that came to the first Box City gathering last year.

   Bob Maixner, an architect from Monument who designs houses, said the professionals learned from the kids.

   "It's the imagination of the kids," he said. "It's unbelievable."

   Maixner said he hopes some young designers would grow up to take his place in the industry.

   "We need more creative people," he said.