aquascape...

Last Wednesday I went to the opening night of the Aqua-scape exhibition at the Beam gallery in Wakefield. It was a really good evening and I was able to chat again with the Japanese architects that built the sculpture along with five Japanese students. I had previously met the students on the previous Friday when I accompanied them to the degree show exhibition.

"Inspired by diverse sources such as origami and jellyfish, Aqua-scape is a remarkable ‘floating’ structure in the cool green seas of The Orangery gardens. Aqua-scape is a cocoon like urban folly or hide out designed and constructed by the Japanese designers Ryumei Fujiki and Fujiki Studio, where the principles of folding paper have been adapted to folding plastic." The sculpture itself is very impressive, a weave of plastic and mesh. I really like how the structure is rigid and angular however the softness of the materials used make the sculpture seem almost fluid in its appearance.

The sculpture incorporates led lights which cause the sculpture to glow at night, sadly I was unable to see the glowing sculpture however I am planning to go back sometime soon when there is a late opening at the gallery.

colours on trend...

During my recent tutorial with Rod, he suggested that I begin to bring some colour into my sketches so I decided that I needed to investigate into what colours will be on trend in Autumn/Winter 2009/10. Having looked at WGSN, I have managed to find the colours that will be on trend...Black/Grey/White - A range of monochromatic tones from flawless black, through warm or cool greys, to purest white.

Blue - Mainly flat tones of blue, underpinned by navy. Ranges from cool blue greys to vibrant royal blues.
Brown/Purple - Ultraviolet colour, combined with cool browns and pale tones.

Ginger - A selection of warm orange shades with a hint of gingery metallic.

Green - A variety of greens ranging from warm olive to darkest evergreen.

Pink - A collection of fresh, muted, and powdery shades.

Red/Pinks - Lacquer red and India pink infuse an exotic orientalism, complemented by blue-cast darks.

Yellow - Soft enamels, golden yellows and Dijon mustard tones.

In terms of my design project, I will probably only use a selection of these colours. The selected colours will tend to be earthy and represent sustainability. I want the container itself to be a copper colour, similar to pantone 876C. The palette of colours to be used within the interior will be taken from the green, ginger, yellow and brown/purple ranges.

monday sessions...

We are about half way through this term, so I thought I'd give an update on the Monday sessions so far...

This term the sessions have been themed, so we are able to focus on specific areas within design. The new format has been interesting, whilst they have provided an opportunity to concentrate on different areas each week they have started to become less spontaneous, as everyone is forced to research on that specific area rather than presenting on something they came across during their subject research.

Week 1 - Sustainability and Eco-Design
This was the first themed presentations and it seemed to go really well...The research presented reflected the individuals specific subject but I also found that many of the issues covered are a feature in many of our specific subjects. There was rather a lot of emphasis on products to aid sustainability and eco-design, this was probably because Stella and Hoda (two spatial designers) and Adarsh (a 3D digital designer) were amongst those that presented. The presentations really stuck a chord with myself as my current design project is very focused on being eco-friendly, both in its message and its materiality. One of the more interesting presentations was regarding a filtration system called Bel-Air which uses plants to cleanse/purify the atmosphere, absorbing toxins in the air. It was a very innovative product and one that may feature within my final design.

Week 2 - Discussion regarding Applied Research & Enquiry Individual project
This was a useful discussion, rather than presentations, as in the previous week we had been briefed on the individual project by Joe for this module. It was really good to hear how other people were considering approaching the brief. Nicola provided the group with various forms of visual communication, from jewellery created from sound waves, paper folding, and digital printing/transferring onto a variety of materials. Emma also explained how she was thinking of using a advertising campaign to approach the brief. Many ideas were generated as the group became aware of what was expected. I found it a very useful session as I began to consider how my own project would link with the main group project, as I wanted to explore the brief from a spatial aspect.

Week 3 - Design Process
The presentations for this topic took on two roles, ourselves as students within a design project, and how this might differ when working with clients. Ashley described how he simplified his life in order to release his creativity and posed the question that everyone has a drive that forces them to make design decisions. It got me thinking about that is my drive and I struggled to find an answer...I suppose one of my drives is to produce new and exciting designs that have the power to change, but as a Masters student my drive is to learn about new things, and utilise and challenge them. Over the last few weeks, I think my drive to learn about sustainable products and recycling within a design project has become rather strong and may persuade me to explore this area further within my thesis.

Week 4 - Influences
I was one of the presenters for this theme...I decided to explain how no one person can have one single influence as we are constantly aware of what is around us, all of which can influence us. I showed the group a collection of images from my field trip to Switzerland in 2008 where I saw many different buildings, all of which inspired me for different reasons. Following my presentation, we discussed how we find influences from different media forms, such as books, magazines, newspapers, television shows and galleries/museums. I do think its wrong to say we can only have one influence in our design work, as even that will alter over time, influences comes from everything.

Week 5 - Design & Disability or Design for old age
Unfortunately I was unable to attend this session, owing to a large amount of work within my design module, so I cannot comment on the presentations but can offer my thoughts on this topic. Within spatial design, you constantly have to consider the disabled (its the law). This has been evident within my current project as I am using a container shell as an exhibition centre. Following a conversation with my tutor on Wednesday, it is evident that I will have to consider the use of ramps for when the ground is not flat, as hydraulic feet will be used to level the container.

That's the Monday sessions up to date...I will post the final weeks later on!

angled architecture...

Within my design, I'm looking to create an angled roof for the pavilions which will enable the solar panels to capture the maximum light possible and create an aesthetically/interesting element to the design...In order to design the impact roof, I have been looking at other pieces of angled architecture for inspiration.

Upon searching for 'angled architecture' I came across a blog which featured some interesting architecture http://funinthegym.blogspot.com/2007_06_01_archive.html.

This web-like sculpture named 'Mist' is constructed from plastic film, bamboo and steel wire. It appeared in 2007 within the Toronto Sculpture Garden. The creator Ludwika Ogorzelec wanted to create a sculpture to articulate invisible space through lines and the space it encloses. I really like how the sculpture blends with its environment and creates an exciting spatial experience. I think I could use the 'spider-web' effect within my design, including a selection of planes from different materials to provide shelter from the elements.

An architect that regularly produces angled architecture is Daniel Libeskind. I have a few selected pieces of Libeskinds work that I find particularly interesting. The first are some of his drawings, created during his time as the head of the Architecture Department at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. They are named 'Chamber Works' - Architectural Meditations on Themes from Heraclitus.

I really like the dynamic of each drawing: how the energy of the act is captured within the drawing. They seem to represent movement within a space, a drawing that I aim to create for my own project. The below set of images are of the London Metropolitan University Graduate Centre and the Military History Museum in Germany. I chose these images as they feature cuts in the exterior surface in order to bring light to the interior surfaces. This technique is something I look to use within my own design, in order to add an extra layer to the shipping container.

degree show 2009...

Last Friday 12th June, I went to the degree show at university...I found it a extremely rewarding experience as I was able to look at the different presentation techniques used. This is especially important at the moment, as I am starting to think about how I want my own project to be presented at the end. Below are a selection of images from work I found particularly interesting.

I really liked how the student has used tags to note the material information and show where the material will be used within the design.

I thought the composition and relationship between line drawing and materiality was really good in these images. It is a technique that may become useful within the presentation of my own project as materiality is a key component within my design.

I really liked how the student has over layed hand drawings with computer graphics to create a more personal and thoughtful visual.

Again I thought the way the student had ghosted specific elements of the design into this line drawing was very affective is describing the space.

model building...

Aghh, why is it so hard to make models of square-ish elements...I'm having real difficulties constructing a scale model of my concept.

We have been told that within the next two weeks, we need to finalise our design concepts: this incorporates design, materials and details so I think I might resort to small 1:50 models whilst I am still finalising the design. The small models will enable me to make changes to the design and document the process.

I'll post some images of these models later on...

journal madness....the result

So as previously mentioned, I went a bit mad collecting journal articles on Friday. I finally managed to read them all and there was some interesting points raised within a couple that I want to share with you...

The two articles I found of particular interest were 'Here today, gone tomorrow' Henrietta Thompson (Design Week 31.07.08) and 'Comment' Jes Fernie (Blueprint October 2008). What is interesting is that both articles were written within four months of each other which resulted in several temporary structures being discussed in both articles. Within the 'Here today, gone tomorrow' article, Thompson discusses how temporary structures are slowly transforming our cities and states there are many reasons for this:

"Its easier, for one reason. Easier to get planning consent, easier to build and there's no need to worry about the neighbours and the surrounding context much either. It also provides much needed space to experiment: new technologies, advances in materials and modern construction methods mean that today architecture no longer needs to be static, dependable, solid or even permanent."

I am inclined to agree with her statement, as it has been evident that many companies are turning to the temporary structure to increase brand awareness and create a sense of excitement around the brand. Temporary structures have allowed brands to take risks and experiment, which they weren't able to do with the permanent store. The temporary structure also allows brands to reach customers and ares unfamiliar with the product: this is something that is important within my own design. By sending the pavilions to towns and cities around the country, a maximum amount of exposure can be generated.

The article 'Comment' by Jes Fernie discusses the practicalities of temporary structures and whether they currently go far enough to challenge beliefs and ideals. An interesting statement from the article has caused me to think about the nature of my temporary installation:

"These structures quite clearly enliven our streets and create extraordinary opportunities for artists and architects to play a part in shaping our public realm, (however) more subversion, dirt and dissonance needs to bred into these structures; we need more public realm equivalents of Velvet Underground's Venus in Furs."

Temporary structures are now being used as a tool to engage, involve and challenge the public, which is what I am hoping to achieve within my design project. However after reading this article I can't help but think that perhaps my design need to be more controversial in it direction and the message it is giving out to the public realm.

journal madness...

So...following a seminar on Wednesday from Tanya Williamson on the library, I went a bit mad looking for articles within journals about temporary architecture and the pop-up store! In total, I collected nine articles and I'm now off to read them. Will let you know if there was any interesting discussions within them later on...keeps your eyes open!

serpentine pavilions...

During my project review last week, my tutor Rod suggested I look at the Serpentine pavilions for inspiration as I have begun to distinguish the different pieces of the container as pavilions.

The Serpentine Gallery itself is an art gallery based within Kensington Gardens, London. The gallery focuses on modern and contemporary art and features a range of exhibitions. Each year the gallery commissions international architects to design a pavilion on the gallery’s lawn that will provided a unique showcase for contemporary architectural practice. The pavilions are also designed to host film screenings, talks, the BBC proms and a cafe.

Below is a comprehensive list of the architect commissioned to build the Serpentine Gallery Pavilion over the last 10 years:

• 2000: Zaha Hadid
• 2001: Daniel Libeskind
• 2002: Toyo Ito
• 2003: Oscar Niemeyer
• 2005: Álvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura
• 2006: Rem Koolhaas
• 2007 pre-pavilion: Zaha Hadid
• 2007: Olafur Eliasson and Cecil Balmond
• 2008: Frank Gehry
• 2009: Sanaa

I have a few favourites out of the ten...

The first is Frank Gehry's pavilion from 2008. I like the way Gehry has used a complex network of overlapping glass planes to create a dramatic, multi-dimensional space. Gehry says 'The Pavilion is designed as a wooden timber structure that acts as an urban street running from the park to the existing Gallery'. I think the effect created is similar to what I am hoping to achieve within my own pavilions. I am looking to use angled solar panels on the roof, so the use of overlapping panels may add the dramatic effect I need within my own design.

This pavilion was designed by Zaha Hadid, as was the preview pavilion in 2007. I like the composition of the three elements and how they intertwine to create an covered, open area. Each element was developed from a small articulated base to a large cantilevered diamond shape, however the interweaving elements do not touch allowing air, light and sound to travel through the narrow gaps.

My third favourite pavilion was commissioned in 2001 and designed by Daniel Libeskind. The design incorporates sheer metallic planes assembled in a dynamic sequence. I specifically like how the aluminium panels create brilliant reflections of light, and also reflect the surrounding environment revealing a new perspective of the greenery of Kensington gardens and the brick from the gallery. Following a conversation with Rod on Friday, it was discussed that my design needed an edge to it...I think the combination of material from Libeskind's design and the dynamic shapes created in Gehry's design may influence the final design of my own pavilions.

thoughts for today...

Presentation

Today, I presented my project concept to the rest of the MA group including Rod and Rob. I got some good feedback from my presentation particulary from my tutors, however many of my fellow students were impressed with the scope of my project.

I did have a very positive conversation following my presentation with Ashley, one of the textile designers, who seemed keen to collaborate research and possible future work as our projects are very similar in style and philosophy. I'll let you know what happens...

Pattern research

This weekend I have been working on the design for the communication wall within one of the pavilions. I am looking to include some surface pattern design as a background behind the main messages. I was reading through the latest blogs on Design Sponge and noticed a blog by a swedish wallpaper designer Lena Hautoniemi. There are some really interesting designs, especially the one below;

review of concept...

Well I had my first formal review of my project on Friday...It went very well, Rod was impressed with my progress so far and felt that the project has good potential.

My current proposal is to take a 6m shipping container and to split it into three pavilions with each pavilion taking on a different role within the installation. The purpose of the installation is to engage the public into communicating about climate change using the governments 'Act on CO2' initiative.

As previously mentioned, the container will split into three pavilions. Once split the container sides fold down to create walkways, which will be used to join the pavilions together. The installation will be placed in town and city squares around the country and I want the pavilions, especially the walkways to become an extension of the street. This will result in a open relationship between location and installation, as shown in the image below.
I have a very strong philosophy that runs throughout the installation, from its purpose, materials and transport. The philosophy 'reuse, recycle, dissolve' means that every decision made regarding the scheme must meet one of the requirements.

There are three pavilions, with each one providing different information for the public. Pavilion One is designed to be an information centre for the 'Act on CO2' initiative, Pavilion Two is a communication area where the public can post tips and leave comments about climate change and Pavilion Three will provide a visual display denoting key events in the history of climate change.