explorations in the study of architecture
A few months back I discovered the blog ‘digital urban‘ which I have become a keen follower
Yesterday they posted a funky video that seem to combine time lapse footage with animation. Being a fan of drawing and maps it was the opening 20 seconds of this video that really caught my eye.
Theres not a lot of information on what its actually about… I suppose you can make up your own mind.
enjoy
Its been a while since my last post… too long in fact. This being the case I thought I would share what kept me occupied during the Summer.
In June I began working for a Glasgow based CGI firm called Soluis. Working on a whole range of projects from house types to schools I learned about the CGI industry. Alex Roman was sombody who I was introduced to as a master at what he does, and from the follwing video you will see why.
As Roman describes this fully CG animated film “tries to illustrate architecture art across a photographic point of view where main subjects are already-built spaces. Sometimes in an abstract way. Sometimes surreal.”
full screen this if possible, it is incredible… enjoy.
Alex Roman on Vimeo
For the last few weeks I have been working towards my final project hand-ins, however I did put aside some time to carry out my own project
Here is my cardboard MacBook Case which I designed having been inspired by previous posts.
It took me about two days to make using corrugated cardboard, PVA, a scalpel and steel rule. I lined the inside with black felt for a little protection and plan to coat it in egg whites to make it water proof, however I am still researching this. I chose the apple logo, basically because I love my computer, although future designs could incorporate a more personal touch, a detail connected to me or a specific discipline.
The finished case raises a few questions… could this be the first environmentally friendly case? It could be a starting point. Why could this not be the new way to buy your laptop? How many of us actually still have or use our packaging which we bought our computers in?
for more images click here
Continuing with the theme of cardboard… notcot.com posted an interesting article last week.
New York Based designer David Stark celebrated the opening of Manhattan’s newest west elm store by auctioning of some his unique and incredible work. On auctions was a collection designed and made entirly from recycled west elm packaging. The collection included giant cactuses, clocks and everyday household items, again showing the versatility of the Material.
The last Few post have inspired me to produce something other than my intervention models. I enjoy model making, however a challenge could be to design something more uselful, an everyday item like we have seen in these posts.
For the past two weeks, I have been working furiously with a scalpel and cardboard, model making for my intervention design review. Yesterday I was sent this fascinating link by redjotter.
The image shows part of the office of Dutch based company ‘Nothing’. The fit out of their office is almost entirely made from cardboard that includes, tables, signage, beams and even a set of stairs. I have seen, and participated in, large scale projects using cardboard before at University, but never anything to this scale. Its exciting to see the diversity a simple material can offer you and how much can be created.
I only hope that they were better equipped than a scalpel and steel ruler when building it 
On Reflection of yesterdays post I thought it might be worthwhile posting the presentation piece for our Sitooterie build project.
The following video is a one of 4 that we presented last November. It explains the process of constructing our Sitooterie.
Yesterday I found an interesting article on inhabitant.com
The article featured another student build project of a scale to the Tulane University project mentioned in my previous post.
Students from the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in Arizona designed and constructed a prototype prefab that would provide “simple, elegant, and sustainable living” in the surrounding dessert landscape.
Once again we see another fine example of students getting an opportunity to see their designs go past the paper and model stages. See more images and information here
Yesterday morning I opened my eyes to a white Dundee.
Snowfall throughout the night had left several inches covering the whole of the city. With the University closing at lunch time, Jonathan and Lauren (aka redjotter) and I, ventured to Magdalen Green to enjoy the snow.
Jonathan and I set about by trying to beat the countless snowmen and sculptures that surrounded us. The Arch took us around two hours and a half hours to build. We were lucky enough to be photographed by the local newspaper.
We made front page of the Courier ! Described on the website as “artistry in the snow”
The picture has made me smile all day.
See more images of the Arch here
As research for our current project we visited Verdant Works in Dundee: a tourist center which looks at the life of the Jute industry.
The Intervention project challenges us to design a small youth theatre using an existing building located in what used to be the area of the Jute Mills. We were shown round by a two smiley old gentleman who kept us gripped for 3 hours with stories of the past.
We learnt about jute being part of the three J’s that Dundee was best known for (the others being jam and journalism) and were shown the process of Jute from plant to manufacture.
Jute is still widely used , however the jute trade in dundee has long gone. Instead the Jute is produced in India where it is grown. You’ll come across Jute in everyday items such as a Tescos bag for life.
The visit was to help us all learn about the area but for me I think that it opened my eyes to a period of history so close to where I live that I would never have thought of otherwise.
In a recent post I wrote about music inspiring form.
In my first project of last semester we were given the brief of designing a small timber shelter for two people to sit and relax within the context of the University Campus and the City of Dundee. I looked at the work of Anderson M Studio in London, their brilliantly crafted film piece Southbank Centre – Classical Session 2007/08 provided me with inspiration to generate the basic form of my Sitooterie.
Once again it was the music that created form, their way intended as an art from… I just adapted and developed this to my own design. You can see the development and final outcome of my design here
