Life, Landscape and In between

Bring on the summer!

2008-05-12T01:06:00.000-07:00

Only twelve days stand in the way of it now!!

Interesting forms

2008-05-11T09:39:00.000-07:00

Playing with some tin snips and found the metal curved naturally when I made straight cuts. I made diagonal cuts, so each length was a little longer than the last, therefore had a bit more curve. The final form is really interesting: quite leaf like and organic. It retains an organic quality to it as my involvement was minimal - it took its own form, which is amazingly regular. I would like to experiment with some larger pieces of metal - maybe it could be used as inspiration for a proposal of some form, architectural or landscape based.

Tree Art - Literally!

2008-05-08T10:14:00.000-07:00

Don't know who the artist is, but I came across this the other day. Visualising the movement of a willow in the wind with pens tied to the branches- mapping the tree's movement and to an extent measuring the wind. Wonder what other plants can draw?

Edible Urban Party Jungle

2008-05-08T10:00:00.000-07:00

An installation at the Jogja National Museum in Indonesia by artist Namaiki. 'Using permaculture principles to create gardens focusing on edible perennials and trees (both useful and support species) in a compact food forest garden type system',. The installation included workshops and played host to a variety of events. London?
Namaiki's site is well worth a look: he / she (?!) has many ecelogically interesting projects, as well as some really nice graphic illustrations.
Namaiki here

Millennium Village, Greenwich

2008-03-27T02:22:00.001-07:00

In principal the millenium village is an admirable development: it strives to be energy efficient and actively sustainable, whilst providing a very community based experience. Materials have been selected for green credentials and the latest technology ensures the construction of an environmentally sustainable village. GMV was the first development in the UK to achieve Ecohomes excellent. Homes benefit from large high performance windows, thermal insulation standards and non-polluting paint. The Combined Heat and Power system reduces CO2 emissions by producing heat through energy generation.

Greenwich Park

2008-03-26T15:06:00.001-07:00

Designed by Desvigne and Dalnoky, french Landscape Architects, it evokes mixed emotions. It really is a pleasant space to experience: it is well finished, well maintained and picturesque. The rigid linear formality that extends to the Millenium village guides users efficiently through the space with an open view of the landscape. Strong geometric lines are maintained throughout the space that are complemented by very precise planting schedules that create sight lines via avenues of trees. It really is a 'heavily designed' space, probably too anally concieved for it to be a friendly space. This could possibly stem from the French greater concern with formality and geometry.

We saw a total of 7 people in the park when we visited, admittedly it was a tuesday, but it was lunch time ish. To witness it being so drastically underused starts to raise questions of its goals. It does concern me that all it will ever be is a physical connection with a few green frills between the Millennium Village and the Dome. It somehow seemed to fit in well with the forced nature of the surrounding peninsula that was created in such a mad rush for the Millennium.

If it had been a beautiful summers day and the huge grassy expanses had been teeming with activity and life I am sure I would have been praising the careful, considerate nature of the design, but as an empty space it just seems like a wasted formality. In years to come it may flourish into the social binding of the Greenwich peninsula?

Jean Prouve, Maison Tropicales at the Tate

2008-03-26T12:31:00.001-07:00

The ultimate in flat pack accessories. Designed in 1951, the Maison Tropicales was intended to address the problem of housing shortages in West Africa. 3 prototypes were made but although intended to be economically viable they were in fact no cheaper than locally produced housing.

The view of St Pauls and the Thames was abstracted by the blue windows which created a very different conception of the landscape. What do different landscapes look like in different colours? Would certain colours suit specific landscapes? I need some coloured gels!!

Canary Wharf

2008-03-26T12:15:00.001-07:00

I was generally disappointed with the landscape of Canary Wharf. It left me feeling expectant and unfulfilled: large empty, stark spaces that were drowned in the shadows of the towering buildings. There also didn't seem to be enough unity between the different spaces of the area. Again, similar to Jubilee Park, orgainic curving paving forms seem to miss the mark. Surely an indulgent landscape of hard lines and maybe exciting variation of topography would seem more appropriate for the iconic vertical landmark. Just because the vertical axis is powerful, it doesn't mean the horizontal should be abandoned to the benign.

Alex Michealis, NLA Lecture series, Underground London

2008-03-26T10:20:00.000-07:00

The emphasis of the talk was mostly on the architect's private home that was constructed predominantly underground using particularly sustainable resources. The most efficient of which was the use of a bore hole as a water supply. Apparently there is much underused opportunity for exploiting boreholes in London.

He then moved on to a few concept projects that I thought were far more interesting. Then first was an idea for an 'ecosewer'. The sewer system between Bayswater and Sheppards Bush apparently could provide energy through harvesting hot water passing through the sewers. In the mornings and evenings, when people are using the most hot water heat exchange turbines could be used to produce power.

The second concept was the 'Energy Island'. These are islands that apply Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion, or OTEC. They utilise the difference in temperature between water deep water, which is 5 degrees C, and surface water at 25 degrees C. Cold water is drawn up from the depths and used to condense the warm water resulting in the production of energy. One water island could potentially produce 250 megawatts, which is equivalent of the output of a quarter of a small power station. The islands wouls also exploit wave energy collection and sea current collection systems.
Regions with the greatest diversity in sea temperature would be the most productive areas, marked in red.
The final concept presented to us was the idea of an urban travellator that connected the whole city eliminating the need for transport systems!! This one is a bit of fantasy but fun none the less! My sketch doesn't quite live up to the slide we were shown, nut you get the idea!

NLA here
Michaels Boyd here
Sea Island here

Usman Haque @ London Met.

2008-03-26T09:18:00.001-07:00

Usman Haque spoke about his understanding of the term 'interactive' and how his work is trying to achieve a genuine exhibition of 'interactivity' as he understands it.

Haque maintains the word interaction is used too loosely in descriptions of work that is merely reactive. For example an exhibition that boasts interactivity as it provides a response to the user, or the user can perform an action of which the system reacts too is not interacting truly as the reaction is predetermined as a response. Haque attempts to achieve a dialogue between his work and the user that is in no way predictable and not affected by anything of a fixed form. The aspirations of his systems are that they are entirely constructed by participants.

His most famous work is 'Burble', which I saw in Holland Park was an attempt to provide a raised level of public participation and enforce a greater responsibility to the observer. He descibed Burble as a system that prvoided the public with a chance to assemble the urban environment; the public's movements determining the colours and dynamic of the balloons. He maintained that in light of this the public have 'built it' and they are also 'designing it', he has merely provided them with the opportunity and instigated it.

The attitude towards interaction definately opened my eyes to more exciting possibilites of 'living' structures, installations and entities that interact independantly with their surroundings.

Haque Studios here
Burble here

London Open City, Somerset House

2008-03-26T08:44:00.001-07:00

'post it noted London'
constructed display booths
Green space in the city

A really interesting exhibition that examined how eficiently London's open space is used. The format of the exhibition was really successful: it was fresh and exciting- the sort of exhibition that creates a sense of anticipation and excitement between rooms. Unusal exhibition techniques were employed such as the use of constructed 'house like' spaces that created an exceptionally personalised interpretation of information. It was food for thought regarding our degree show if nothing else......

I had been up all night sewing the night before (long story!!) so memories are a little hazy - hopefully will make it back for a propper look before it closes.

Chainsaw sculpture come bird feeder!!

2008-03-26T08:28:00.001-07:00

Tree
Maquette
Fool
Not finished yet!

In hindsight one of the most foolish escapades I have volunteered myself for! I thought it was going to be a bit of fun for a couple of days over easter: fat chance! My parents wanted something that allowed them to hang bird feeders off, which justifies the rather unsightly arm!

Without doubt one of the most gruelling couple of days I've experienced. A word of advice to anyone about to undertake a chainsaw sculpture with a run of the mill chainsaw: DON'T!!!!

Windy!!

2008-03-25T10:58:00.000-07:00

"My word it's windy!!" Poor potted tree next to the NLA suffered the consequences of that recent stormy day.

Mile End Park

2008-03-25T09:26:00.001-07:00

The Green Bridge
The Arts Garden
The fountain by the Terrace garden

Architects: Tibbalds TM2

It is sad to see a public space that has had so much invested in it with such high hopes apparently failing. Mile End Park was unfortunately not the picture of a thriving new community space as intended, more a tired looking landscape that has suffered a torrent of neglect. The whole park appeared to be completely undermanaged, with lots of very unattractive scrub littered around. The Terrace garden was hanging on as a semi pleasant space, however the graffittied fountain, which I can't imagine why was painted white in light of the unmistakable brown splurge at the water line really let it down.

I was disappointed by the supposed revolutionary green bridge designed by Piers Gough which to be honest looks like its been decorated with a bit of old drainage pipe. This was also looking neglected and sorry for itself. After crosing the green bridge we were led down to the 'arts garden' which was a picture of absolute decay. To be honest the cold, the rain and the need to beat the rush hour prevented us from exploring the realm of the ecology park, but I would only expect to be left feeling similiarly disappointed. Although I am pleased to have found the Mile End Ecology strategy for 2007/2008 which outlines many aspirations for the future.

I hope that work is still being ploughed into somehow retaining some dignity that this actually well concieved and potentially successful community space deserves. It really would be a great expense otherwise.

Jubilee Park Canary Wharf

2008-03-25T08:47:00.001-07:00

Created by 'Wirtz Designs' in 2001, Jubilee Park sits above Canary Wharf tube station and provides a central landscape environment for employees who otherwise are trapped in a mecca of reflective towering enormity. It is spectacularly naff! It reminded me very much of a small courtyard garden that you might expect to find in a hospital or doctors surgery which has been stretched and extruded to fit into a larger space in the centre of Canary Wharf. I don't understand the inclusion of the 'traditional dainty' walls that meander through the site in an attempt to emulate a 'cottagey feel'. Although I can imagine in the summer the banks provide pleasant places for office workers to indulge in catching some sun.

I can't help thinking that a more crisp, affluent design would seem more appropriate to reflect the landmark that is Canary Wharf. It is plausible that a design such as the existing one might help its users disconnect from their rigid, clean lives in the office, but I question whether this is necessary. A more lavish, sublime intervention definately seems more appropriate.

I read the banks were formed using a mound of polystyrene underneath the planting, which is an exciting use of an unusual material, however the ecological impact seems questionable. During the construction of the park a critical mass/weight needed to be maintained to prevent the station from rising due to underground water pressure, which certainly an alarming constraint to consider.

Wirtz designs here

Mudchute Park and Farm

2008-03-18T07:09:00.001-07:00

I seem to have become a bit accidentally urban farm obsessed this week! Similar to Hackney, Mudchute farm proves to be immeasurably beneficial to the local community. It is the largest London farm and boasts an equestrian centre as well as a shop, cafe and all its animals. The Mudchute Park and Farm is a limited company owned by the Mudchute Association, and has a General Manager, reporting to the Trustees. The day to day running of the Park and Farm are managed by a small professional team assisted by many dedicated volunteers. The Association includes an active Society of Allotment Holders, who are represented on the board of trustees and comprise tenants of approximately 70 allotments leased annualy.

The most striking part of the experience was seeing canary wharf towering in the background of what felt like a quite convincing natural environment. It really surprised me how disconnected form the city I felt and was only remionded of our close proximity when we wandered accross the paddock and saw the imposing office blocks. It almost sounds perverse but I really enjoyed the compositon of urban fabric in the background of a very rural subject- it somehow felt quite unusual.

I find urban farms fascinating having grown up in just about the most rural surroundings possible. I have realised the benefits of experiences I very definately took for granted as a child in terms of understanding about livestock, especially in relation to origins of meat. So many children who have grown up in urban environments are unbearably ignorant and naive to the workings of the rural life. Hopefully urban farms such as Mudchute and Hackney can help reconnect the rural and urban identites for children, as well as heightening their awareness of the importance of environmental issues.

Mudchute here

Design Museum, Brit Insurance Designs of the Year and John Prouve

2008-03-18T05:33:00.001-07:00

'The Replenishing Body Kiosk', Ross Phillips
Model:'The Hongluo Club' MAD Architects and Ma Yansong
Model: 'Nordpark Cable Railway' Zaha Hadid
Model: Jean Prouve

Another great exhibition which is well worth a look. It was really interesting to see designs from accross the creative board, although nothing hugely landscape orientated which was disappointing. There was an interesting subsciption bike hire scheme called 'velib' that has been piloted in Paris very successfully. Users pay a 20 euros a year and pay a 150 euro deposit which buys them half an hours worth of pedalling a day. Strangely enough a flyer for a similar scheme with cars has just been put through my letterbox: its called streetcar.

Design Museum here

Crack at The Tate, 'Shibboleth', Doris Salcedo

2008-03-17T11:35:00.001-07:00

Not entirely convinced by the representation of addressing racism (a bit crude possibly?, but then again simplicity can retain an enormous impact), but materially a compelling piece.
The Tate

Bike Vending Machine, Holland

2008-03-17T11:30:00.001-07:00

Pay your money, grab your bike and off you go. Easy as that!! Marvellous.

Urban Surfing

2008-03-16T11:46:00.001-07:00

I found this on Coolhunter (obviously!). I'ts in Germany and its bloody brilliant. The concept of using space, environments, buildings, or anything for that matter in other ways than they were designed for is a real winner in my opinion. It makes you think what could be achieved within the urban fabric if everything was designed to be multifunctional, however this would undermine the ambition to utilise space creatively. What if abstract spaces are created and it is up to the user to find function within them?

Coolhunter here

Potter's Field Park

2008-03-16T11:01:00.000-07:00

Looking from Tower Bridge you can really appreciate the success of Potter's Field Park. I really like the strong angular lines that carve accross the space, pulling the average joe through the site. Somehow the design sits well alongside the GLA building and the Scoop, which have very organic, rounded qualities. Theoretically the angular nature of the design should grate where it meets the GLA but the transition is effortless.

The detailing at Potter's Field has been very well considered and precisley executed The angular nature of the design has been continuously employed throughout the detailing which keeps it crisp and 'edgy'. A remark was made regarding whether the kilkenny blue limestone should extend down the main causeway. I believe this would have further enforced its seamless relationship with the immediate surroundings. Having said that, maybe it would appear to be just 'dropped' on top of the existing landscape?

I am looking forward to seeing it when it is in heavy use and the planting scheme by Piet Oudolf has firmly established itself.

Gross.max. here

Hackney City Farm

2008-03-16T10:20:00.001-07:00

Hackney City Farm has been running for 20 years and is an admirable community project. It provides free access to farm animals and offers the opportunity for local people to get involved with farm life. It is funded by a number of regular donations as well as recent initiatives that involve growing and selling of vegetables and other produce. The farm cafe also brings a notable income. Solar panels and a wind turbine has recently been installed to reduce electricity costs thus taking a sustainable step forward.

A initiative called back2earth is an ongoing policy that deals with three key factors: Environment, Social Enterprise and People. The project recieved a grant for £50,000 from the National Lottery fund which will go towards 'fund a garden outreach project', a project which intends to reclaim underused and derelict sites. They will be converted into 'flourishing gardens' with the help of local communities.

There are plans to build a new 'strawbale resource room', a sustainable construction which will include public participation and teaching workshops about construction and low impact materials. There are also plans to recycle grey water in the furure on the farm.

A truly inspirational place in terms of a thriving community based initiative.

Hackney City Farm here

Victoria Miro Gallery

2008-03-16T09:52:00.001-07:00

It is worth mentioning that the Victoria Miro foundation is the most amazing space whatever it might be exhibiting. Its is on Wharf Street, very close to Old Street. GO!!
Victoria Miro here

Yayoi Kusama:
There was a real sense of fun within Kusama's work, which allowed you to bounce around the exhibition in a light hearted sort of fashion which was great. Mirrors were used in a few works to convey a limitless quality, which used in conjunction with a light display had a mesmerising final result. The use of large inflatable yellow balls brought out a childish desire to play in me as soon as I entered the room. I wandered around the majority of the exhibition with a big grin on my chops.

The most exciting part of the exhibition for me was these metal balls which were allowed to float around this small pond at will. They blew in the wind and created a very musical 'clanging', which varied depending on the strength of the wind. The effect was remarkably subtle. Maybe we could start filling public waterscapes with independant features?

Darren Almond, Fire Under Snow:
To be honest I had very little time so I all but ran around this exhibiton, but I enjoyed what I did see ....briefly. There were several video pieces that looked really intriguing from what I saw, but these enormous photograph panels stood out. They had a really interesting depth to them that almost included the reflection of the room into the composition of the picture. It looked as though my reflection was lurking behind the trees.

Some more model shots

2008-03-16T09:45:00.001-07:00

Chiswick Park Development

2008-03-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

A development by Richard Rogers, with landscaping by West 8 with very high praise and accolades. A thoroughly successful provision of enormous quantities of office space and a landscape that provides a pleasant restbite from the daily grind in the office. I just found it all a bit naff! The landscape made me feel like I was in a very contrived American development of some form - the use of these large natural rocks reminded me of the zoo; maybe the MDs stand on the biggest rocks and bay to assert power over their pride of city minions. I can appreciate the pleasantry of having a stretch of water to sit by, but are the cascading falls really necessary?

The red tarmacked area with geometric shapes deliniated with blobs reminded me of the playground more than the intended implication af athriving and afluent business community. It didn't blend well into the Disney world wilderness, rather had some confrontation with the 'zig-zag' decking. My downtrodden opinion of the whole place may have been induced by the driving rain that accompanied us, but I don't think it invented the 'American cliche'!

On a more positive note, it was fantastically well finished and the scattered planting of varying species of trees was much appreciated. If I worked at Chiswick Park I am sure I would be nothing but enormously grateful for the contrived green space.

Richard Rogers here
West 8 here
Chiswick Park here

Kingston Floods, Summer 07

2008-03-16T09:09:00.001-07:00

Kingston was subjected to pretty bad flooding in that flash downfall at the end of the summer. I rememeber wading to the train station to find my train was cancelled. A few hours of heavy rainfall completely crippled the whole infrastructure of Kingston. I had only ever experienced flooding in a rural environment, so it was interesting to witness how an urban environment coped. Not well!

Sean Griffiths, FAT architecture

2008-02-06T07:56:00.001-08:00

Much of FAT's work is very subversive and quite disillusioning whilst maintaining a playful element. The surreal element of oversized doorways and bizarre facades that crop up in their work always maintain an element of surprise.

One of the last statements made by the director of FAT in relation to a question asked about whether he liked his work was "you have to learn to like what you hate". This struck a chord with me somewhere, I suppose because within the world of design it makes sense, but I'm not quite sure if I can explain how!! Broader open-mindedness is always going to be beneficial within creative fields as it allows greater scope for aquiring inspiration.

Broccoli trees

2008-02-06T07:48:00.001-08:00

My parents recently went up in a hot air balloon, and these were a couple of pictures they took. The top picture looks more like broccoli than trees! It's amazing how many different colours are visible (I haven't edited them at all), aswell as the textural qualities. It's interesting to obtain a different perspective on landscape from that we are used to.

Out of the Ordinary Spectacular Craft, V&A

2008-02-06T07:37:00.001-08:00

An exhibition in which my mouth was rendered 'wide open' for the vast mijority. The intricacy and skill required to produce some of the work was absoloutely astonishing, not to mention the patience. Anne Wilson's textile pieces had a particular landscape ressonance about them. The field of pins very much reminded me of a woodland reprosentation you might find on an exploratory model. It struck me that any single section of the work could have been lifted and used as a base plan for some really interesting landscape detailing.

Anthony McCall, The Serpentine

2008-02-06T07:28:00.001-08:00

This exhibition really was spectacular: If you missed it, make sure you make an effort to see it somewhere else, whatever the cost! It featured light projections and smoke, that together formed strange three dimensional forms. These could manipulated by obstructing the projection, which was really exciting. The effect varied depending on the distance you stood from the projector; an amazing flexibilty and interaction that created such successful work. Its particular strength was the ease in which it could appreciated, rather than having to decipher a lot of complex information. A lesson.......

3rd Year, 'The Kingston Web'

2008-02-06T07:09:00.001-08:00

Kingston council have identified a need for an intervention for the College roundabout, as it is one of the major gateways of Kingston. This 'gateway' notion was the primary inspiration of my design, which attempts tp provide a physical experiencial gateway denoting the arrival to or departure from Kingston. The currently overlooked open space above the roundabout presented itself naturally to accommodate a proposal that was interested in a physical experience of 'passing through' something. The web of 200mm steel cables would sprout from the centre of the roundabout, then cling to existing lamposts and buildings, providing a physical canopy that would branch down the adjacent roads. The experience of physically passing through the web with its increasing cable density towards the central point would evoke a sense of accumulating arrival or departure. Interchangeable sections of the web would be 'rooved over' with varying materials, decisions of which could be made by local communities.

Ashdown Forest

2008-02-01T08:15:00.000-08:00

I've lived ten minutes from the Ashdown Forest all my life, but it wasn't until I wrote a management report about it that I realised what an amazing resource it is. The forest is a highly managed entity and has been for hundreds of years, when it was originally used as a hunting ground. It is run by a board of Conservators, who are obliged to maintain a 60% / 40% ratio of heathland to woodland at all times. This has resulted in a lot of felling in recent years which has met strong opposition, however to maintain its primary asset, the heathland it is unfortunately a necessary requirement. Ashdown Forest's biggest claim to fame is that it provided the set for the majority of Winnie the Pooh's adventures, with many sites such as Pooh sticks bridge still visitable today.

The Magic Roundabout, Swindon

2008-01-09T04:44:00.000-08:00

A recent project that was concerned with a roundabout in Kingston reminded me of this amazing creation in Swindon. Apparently it works very well too!

Then I found this absolutely brilliant Canadian website

Check out site here

The Pansy Project Blog

2008-01-03T08:11:00.000-08:00

I found this blog today: it's a group that plant pansies in locations where homophobic abuse has happened. There have been 3000 pansies planted along the Southbank between Hungerford Bridge and the BFI. The use of planting as a social voice is a really great concept - considerably more touching and environmentally aware than graffiti!

Check out the blog here

Louise T.Blouin Foundation

2007-12-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

Another accidental find through work! 3 minute walk from Latimer Road tube station, this redeveloped industrial warehouse was a spectacular building. It did seem to be the jewell of a somewhat delapodated area, so much so I was having serious self doubts when trying to find it. It was really interesting to see how a building that had been designed as an exhibition space coped with such a different activity, in this case a wedding. The conclusion was not well at all!! It was totally impractical. This really made me think about considerations that must be taken into account when designing spaces with diverse uses, which is hugely relevant in the designed landscape. Contemporary public space has to be flexible and multifunctional, with the ability to facilitate multifaceted activity.

Louise T.Blouin Foundation here

Unidentified Model, The Hayward Gallery!

2007-12-08T06:04:00.000-08:00

I worked at a drinks party in the Hayward Gallery (for a hospitality company) and came across this model but I couldn't find any information about it anywhere! I took the photos on my phone, and there were no lights in the room as it was being used for projection so you'll have to excuse the picture quality. It was in a room that was showing Klara Liden's work during the day and I know she has had an architectural past, so maybe it is her work? It had an amazing organic cellular form that effortlessly grew around an interior rigid structure. It's mysterious creator has managed to create a very natural structure using some form of very contradictory glittering metal. It would be great to see how the depiction of such a structure altered at varying scales.

Hayward Gallery here

Anri Sala, Hauser and Wirth, Green Park

2007-11-20T07:22:00.000-08:00

The exhibition was sparse to say the least. There were projections of little consequence - one featured a video that simply circled a line of lorries. The videos came on at very disjointed intervals which meant waiting for them which annoyed me!

Thomas Schutte, Trafalgar Square

2007-11-19T07:02:00.000-08:00

As an object it is fairly cumbersome and ugly, however its manipulation of light is very considered and subtle. On a sunny day some very pleasant coloured films are produced on the surrounding pavement and different planes of colour interact well. This is very dependent on the presence of strong sun, which without the sculpture rather falls down. It's impact varies depending on the viewer's orientation to it: if it is viewed from varying heights of the National Gallery steps the most variation and life can be found. I don't think it is an objectionable installation, but it somehow doesn't grab me - maybe the boundaries between art and architecture are being cut too fine?

Slot drain, Spitalfields

2007-11-15T06:45:00.000-08:00

I stumbled across this slot drain being maintained in Spitalfields market (just before I bumped into Pete Doherty!!), which was good to see as I am proposing one in a my Photographers gallery project. It enabled me to get a better idea of the construction and space used by this method of drainage. Apologies for the dreadful picture!!

The Serpentine Pavillion, Olafur Ellason and Kjetil Thorsen

2007-10-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

An interesting temporary structure. The use of rope lengths that produced a visually active screen depending on the viewer's position was very successful. When following the walkway around the structure the orientation of the rope and the angle it is viewed at creates an illusion of solidity and enclosure. I found the persistent use of geometric shapes gave the structure a 'mechanoesque' feel, as though it could be very easily pulled down and put up in another location.

Serpentine Architecture

Turner Prize: A Retrospective 1984 - 2006

2007-10-30T05:47:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed the exhibition immensely, with the exception of the odd piece, but you can't win them all! There were a couple of video pieces that were particularly good, as was Anish Kapoor's untitled installation that featured seemingly endless vacant semi circles. An interesting manipulation of perception of space.

See photos of the exhibition at the Guardian

Natural History Museum Wildlife Garden

2007-10-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

A bit disappointing to be honest- very segregated and it appeared quite neglected. In it's defense, it was out of season and I can appreciate it is a great resource for educational purposes.

Natural History Wildlife Garden site

Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year

2007-10-30T03:40:00.000-07:00

Great exhibition at The Natural History Museum. Above: winning image by Ben Osborne

Natural History Museum here

Matthew Barney, 'Drawing Restraint'

2007-10-30T03:15:00.000-07:00

It was a very bizarre exhibition, and somehow quite intriguing. There were videos of the artist making marks using interesting physical aids such as trampolines, ramps and climbing notches.The process of making the mark was the emphasis of the work, rather than the actual pice of work. Process, process, process.... all too familiar within Landscape Architecture - what's to stop the abstraction of process in landscape design?

Barney at the Serpentine

Future laboratory seminar

2007-10-30T02:33:00.000-07:00

Futurelab claim to have the ability to predict future trends by means of current market analysis. They call their methodology 'cultural triangulation' which consists of three 'triangulating factors': Interrogation, Observation and Intuition.

The seminar was very interesting and the lecturer was extremely convincingly confident, but I still left asking whether it really is possible to predict trends in design? Unpredictability in the design world is surely a contributing factor in the excitement of it all? I would also argue that a company whose designers have been briefed as to what future trends will incorporate will therefore be influenced by such information. Could the prediction of future trends indeed be inhibiting future design?

The most interesting element of the seminar was a section called 'Slowtopias'. This was the prediction that in future years the travel industry will dramatically change. People will rediscover the luxury and enjoyment of travel, with less desire to travel such long distances, due to raised awareness of environmental impact

Future Laboratory site

Kingston University Silent Disco

2007-10-13T11:40:00.000-07:00

The silent disco in the Eden Walk Centre involved people providing their own music and dancing like nutters in the middle of town! It was a great event for people who stumbled across us unexpectedly and for us too: there's something quite liberating about being stared at like you're mad! I quite often feel like having a dance walking down the street now- maybe it would be possible to get people to dance through playing music and provision of 'dancey' landscape, whatever that might be! Interactive landscapes with music.......ravescapes / discoscapes / cheesescapes?!

Burble, Haque design and Research

2007-09-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

This was undoubtedly one of the most emotive installations I have ever experienced. An installation in Holland Park that accompanied London Fashion Week that consisted of over 1000 giant helium balloons attached to a net that climbed to 80 metres in the air. The LEDs in the balloons changed colour in response to kinetic energy produced by the public who were shaking the base. The structure flowed in the air with incredible fluidity that resembled a living organism. It gives me goose bumps when I think about even now!

See video and more pics

Nine types of terrain, Damian Ortega

2007-09-07T09:21:00.000-07:00

At the White Cube in Hoxton Square, yet another great exhibition (I was quite spoiled over the summer!). The columns cut from brick did not say much to me, but it was great to see such a dull, structuralist material being manipulated into a very interesting form, something that I believe should be a notable aim of the Landscape Architecture trade. The focus of the exhibition was a series of projections of heavy natural stone 'bricks' that had been arranged like dominoes and pushed over in a sequential series. The partnering of the audio of the natural falling bricks and the industrial click of the old projectors was a particularly strong aspect of the exhibition. The successful partnership of aged and modern is a very hard combination in any sphere.

Notting Hill Carnival

2007-09-01T07:58:00.000-07:00

Notting Hill carnival was an amazing experience. From a Landscape perspective I personally find dominating a normally vehicular environment as a pedestrian a very novel experience. The ability to sit in the road and eat lunch in the middle of London is not an everyday occurrence! It is very interesting to see how the road system coped when completely swamped by pedestrians. The sensation of being involuntarily 'guided', more like swept with a crowd is quite un nerving and claustrophobic - is there any form of intervention that could prevent such forceful flow and allow more independent movement?

Diana Memorial

2007-08-18T09:02:00.001-07:00

Gustafson Porter
Unfortunately was undergoing maintenance work when I visited, so didn't see it in action. It is a shame the fence is necessary as it contains and restricts a design that is seemingly dying to interact with people. The desire to play with the water I should imagine would be hard to contain.

Lisson Gallery, Imagne Action

2007-08-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

"A group show that will look at the space between the individual and the social, bringing together artists that work with a consciousness of social and political relations, spaces and narratives."
To be honest there wasn't a lot there!! The exhibition was fairly non descript, with the excepton of quite an interesting video. Pleasant outing.
Lisson Gallery

Gloucester Road Tube Station, Brian Griffiths

2007-08-18T08:29:00.000-07:00

Part of the recent burst of installations and exhibitions run by transport for London. Brian Griffith's installation was a breath of fresh air. It's location being a tube platform dictates the nature of the work. It is a fun and easy piece of work that puts a simle on your face, well it did mine anyway.

Griffiths has work at the Saatchi : here
Platform for Art: Transport for Art

2nd Year project: Oostende

2007-08-17T07:05:00.000-07:00

This project was an attempt to address and begin to rectify the enormous division between the Eastern and Western sides of Oostende harbour. The Western side was once a thriving fishing port, however has depreciated massively as the industry collapsed and bacome neglected by the main town. I identified a thriving demographic of young people, who had seemingly very little dedicated social space. My intervention proposed a structure that provided a landscape for young people to utilise and explore. The form developed through an interest in the evolving forms of skating, and the materials were directly lifted from the existing decomposing nature of the Western side.

Summer Work

2007-08-15T07:56:00.000-07:00

I am now officially self employed! I bombarded half of Kingston with these flyers and have had a great response. I've had seven jobs in two weeks which has been amazing! I'm really enjoying the freedom and it is proving to be beneficial for my plant knowledge.

A Bit of practical Landscaping

2007-08-13T03:14:00.000-07:00

I was employed to build 4 sets of garden steps over the summer.

Before!

After!

Glastonbury 2007

2007-08-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

At Glastonbury this year there was an installation that involved an interaction with tubes and sound: particularly entertaining when in Glastonbury mind state! From what I can remember there were touch pads on the tubes that created different sounds on different tubes. The installation definately altered the flow of human traffic through one of the main avenues. The format of the tubes reminded me slightly of the ones used in Kinnear's work at Daubeny school, as did their interaction with people.

http://www.kland.co.uk/html/index.html

"Blind Light" Anthony Gormley

2007-07-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

Anthony Gormley's "Blind Light" was a really excellent exhibition. The exhibition dealt with the manipulation of space and the human form. The focal point of the exhibition was a large glass box in which Gormley simulated a cloud.

Christophe Buchel, Simply Bootiful, Brick Lane

2007-05-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Essentially a warehouse full of rubbish!!! You are drawn around the warehouse by various intriguing objects and collections, occasionally stumbling accross incredible secret passages and places of interest. One of the most exciting and emotive interactive exhibitions I have been to. Buchel manages to evoke a real sense of 'exploration' in you as you discover the various different planes. A sense of 'Exploration' is a concept that can produce extremely exciting landscapes.
http://www.ghw.ch/exhibitions/pressrelease.php?exhibition_id=415

Moss Graffiti

2007-05-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

I heard about a new trend of horticultural graffiti, so google it was! This wasn't what I was looking for it's pretty cool anyway!I heard about a new trend of horticultural graffiti, so google it was! This wasn't what I was looking for it's pretty cool anyway!
This is a pretty unimaginative bit of graffiti, but I think the process has a lot of potential. Something for a spare Sunday afternoon I feel.

Reservoir overflow

2007-05-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Imagine falling down this!!!!!!!!

Teaching Conference at the Higher Education Acdemy

2007-05-04T11:32:00.000-07:00

A group of us helped Pat give a talk about teaching methods at a conference run by the Higher Education Authority. It was an extremely valuable experience with regard to making presentations, especially as we gave the afternoon presentation without Pat. To be honest it was mildly terrifying, but with the luxury of hindsight quite fun!!

Thomas Heatherwick, East Beach Cafe

2007-05-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

Thomas Heatherwick's East Beach Cafe is a very interesting piece of design. The form's abstract nature is derived from a need for sea fronted windows which have the ability to be made secure with shutters. Personally I really liked the abstract nature of the design, however can appreciate a school of thought that struggles to link the final form to the early design brief. The rusted finish provides a very tactile, raw effect with a maritime soul. The cafe will hopefully provide an iconic catalyst for for the regeneration of Littlehampton.
Thomas Heatherwick Studio
East Beach Cafe Homepage

"Form" at Olympia

2007-04-30T06:09:00.000-07:00

A fun design exhibition at Olympia: Wish I had lots of money!!!!

The Design Musuem

2007-04-30T03:12:00.000-07:00

Designing the chair: an interesting exhibition that was particularly successful due to the ability to test drive most of the chairs.
A century of chairs
The Design Museum

Russell Square

2007-04-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

It was amazing that a square that oozed such dignity and restraint has such a fantastically colourful history (of which I knew little of at the time!). First designed by Humphrey Repton in the mid C18th as a place for relaxation to get away from hectic, dirty Victorian life - this part fits as expected, however it starts to get really interesting in the 1980s and 90s!

Apparently it became an extremely popular haunt for prostitutes, which in turn attracted beggars and drugs. Towards the mid 90s the square became a hub for male homosexual gatherings, which led to vioent beatings from anti gay groups. Police would frequently find horrendously badly beaten people scatttered around Russell Park on morning patrols, aswell aan an average of 60 needles collected per morning! It was only when a lottery grant came to the rescue Russell Square was given a new lease of life.

I find it absolutely fascinating that a park that today looks particularlly well suited to tea and biscuits and the odd picnic has such a dark underbelly and has seen a life that is so far from what it sees today.

Bad tree grill

2007-04-29T14:54:00.000-07:00

This is a particularly good example of a tree grill damaging the tree. The grill has cut into the tree as the tree has grown. Poor tree.

Queen Street Pilot Project, Studio Weave

2007-04-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Studio Weave are an inspiration to young designers. Their projects are brave and exciting and maintain a real freshness within design. The "boomerangs" used in the Queen Street Pilot Project are taken from a large collection of units that can be assembled to create amazing fluid structures. The original goals of the boomerang structure included: " bringing attention to an underused opportunity, to highlight the unique qualities of space, or provide play structures which utilise the space in a different way." The structures command the space they are situated in with magnificent ease and provide a very interesting sculptural element, whilst maintaining a level of practicality by providing seating.
Studio Weave

RIBA visit

2007-04-03T11:46:00.000-07:00

Horizons, Madrid Social Housing 1981 - 2006.
Models of housing commissions by the EMVS, Empresa Municipal de la Vivenda y el Suelo de Madrid. (Sorry Jim - Copy and Paste action!!)It was at a RIBA exhibition that I came accross the Aurland Lookout (principal architects: Todd Saunders and Tommie Wilhelmson). This is the most fantastic lookout: just imagine the sense of walking out into the abyss you must experience, only being held back by a glass sheet! It's a brilliantly crisp and smooth pice of design that somehow manages complement its natural surroundings.
I really would recommend checking out their page: Aurland Lookout

NLA

2007-04-03T11:23:00.000-07:00

A "Public City, places for people" exhibition at the NLA providing a list of recent developments for people to go and see. The free booklet is like a little bible of new places to see.

Also finally got around to seeing the giant model of London: really impressive stuff!
NLA

Cityscape

2007-04-03T11:01:00.000-07:00

Cityscape: Innovations for the built environment. Emphasis very much on "the built environment"! There was an abundance of companies specialising in construction products. It was still a very worthwhile visit that provided an insight into the related industries with some really innovative products. I was particularly amazed by the variety and reality of synthetic grass!
Cityscape

Jeppe Hein's "The Curve" at The Barbican

2007-04-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

Accidental Collectors Exhibition, The Aram Gallery, Covent Garden

2007-04-03T07:46:00.000-07:00

Aram Gallery

The Barbican Centre

2007-04-03T05:30:00.000-07:00

As much as everything about the place was shouting crudeness, greyness and ugliness at me, I couldn't help but like it!! It exemplifies a great utilisation of space and iconic architecture.

Barbican Living

The Scoop

2007-01-29T15:08:00.000-08:00

BBBrrrr, It's cold and futuristic at the scoop! Many hard edges, flat planes and interesting use of water which adds a fluent dimension. Very regimented, whilst suitably playful in a reformed manner. Performances and free film showings are particularly successful (info).

Bishops Square, Spitalfields

2006-12-05T12:38:00.000-08:00

Design Team: Townshend Landscape Architects
Clients: Spitalfields Development Group

Bishops square is a very clean, crisp square that is entirely appropriate for its definitively high flying business based surroundings. It provides the perfect slic environment that one would imagine the employees of the towering glass buildings descending upon for a cheeky espresso. The granite and perfectly cut grass complement the geometric layout, as does the levelled water feature. I personally always find it a very cold space, literally, as the high towers prevent sun, but also from a design point of view.