tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30891248848100293572024-03-19T11:05:20.378+00:00DesignBox Architecture South West LondonWelcome to the DesignBox Architecture blog from our architectural practice based in South-West London where learning and innovation meet design. We specialise in residential, commercial and educational projects, and seamlessly coordinate creativity with functionality. Search our blog for insights on design, innovation, practice management, and completed projects. Our approach is collaborative, experimental, open minded, and dedicated to shaping exceptional environments.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger119125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-23405527865303929632024-02-14T09:39:00.000+00:002024-02-14T09:39:05.369+00:00Never Mind About Maths and Physics<p style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f-idmpYqTO6VeYY375Ac7qzXE2N54e8qqOPDP8Sc1dZvDRc8A8vPigaFCiC5mFW9TdkoZHxKliXU7aAQFh2Lh3npKKVoy_nWGCwOFtCc-wMoz_uOarqG7uwxeq5zVaLAbAbJV73qX7lVtaQDteai9mziNf_xq4JytrTiLF393Ts42p_Yf86-89ovDPFK/s1000/161128_riba_545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8f-idmpYqTO6VeYY375Ac7qzXE2N54e8qqOPDP8Sc1dZvDRc8A8vPigaFCiC5mFW9TdkoZHxKliXU7aAQFh2Lh3npKKVoy_nWGCwOFtCc-wMoz_uOarqG7uwxeq5zVaLAbAbJV73qX7lVtaQDteai9mziNf_xq4JytrTiLF393Ts42p_Yf86-89ovDPFK/w400-h266/161128_riba_545.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Year 8 student's work at an Architectural Design workshop at <br />Hampton School, with the RIBA schools outreach programme.<br />Photograph by Paul Cochrane. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">So many people I meet say they would have loved to have trained as an architect but they were discouraged because their maths or physics were not good enough.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Don’t worry about maths or physics.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Buy a calculator instead!</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There are about 46,000 architects in the UK and I bet you won’t find two the same.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Architecture is a subject with a wide professional scope, there is a place for everyone and I would suggest that individual talents need to be encouraged.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some people are good at making presentations and delivering the pitch to win a project.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Others like to draw and enjoy conceptualising ideas.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Every practice needs its mechanics - the architects that can take a concept and make it realisable with robust details.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Job runners are essential because they can progress a project through the RIBA work stages from design, through its statutory consents, to construction and completion.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some architects are good at client liaison - without clients where would be no work.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Others are good at contract administration and contract law - we all need to be accountable and stay on the right side of the law.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>CAD, BIM, parametrics, generative AI and visualisation draws its specialists out of the profession, as does physical model making.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The examples can go on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Architecture is a subject which spans all subjects, from arts, languages and the humanities side of the national curriculum to maths, sciences and technology.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>And there’s room for everyone!<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">If you want to be an architect, go for it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s a big pool and can make very rewarding profession.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To test the water, here’s a couple recommendations to that every architect should do, from budding student to seasoned professional.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They are both confidence builders and learnt skills, so there is nothing to lose:</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Draw.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is important to articulate your ideas visually in architecture, so drawing is an important skill to develop.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Get a sketch book, something that will fit in your pocket with a pencil, pen, anything that will make a mark, and practice drawing buildings, spaces, people, animals, anything.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There is one rule to remember - There is no such thing as a bad drawing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>So dive in.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>You might not like your sketches at first but give it time and some patience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Drawing styles are as individual as the number of architects so go with what works for you.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As you gain confidence, practice quickening your drawing pace.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There will be occasions when it is important to capture the moment, describing an idea in a meeting with a client, the boss or to a design team.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Look at as many examples of drawing styles as you can and experiment with the styles and techniques.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Enjoy developing your skills.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Network.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Architecture is a very social profession and networking is important not just to meet new people.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Networking is a life skill that will develop your confidence to handle many social situations you will encounter as a professional.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The goal is to feel confident standing in front of people and verbally articulate what you are about:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Be visible and accountable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There are a lot of people to engage with from clients to consultants, suppliers and work colleagues, and everyone with an interest in what you are doing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Think about what positively defines you, what excites you about architecture and why you chose this route.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Develop a set of narratives which describe your aspirations (where you want to go in the profession), interests (what makes you individual), skills (what you are good at, especially in drawing), and any success stories you might have to tell.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Work on developing your confidence to stand in front of people and successfully deliver the relevant messages for that situation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Think of it as acting out a role.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This will become useful when it is time to pitch to a client for a project, deliver a presentation to an audience, argue your case on a design decision or stand your ground in a workplace dispute.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is all relevant.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li></ol><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Your college course at architecture school should cover most everything else, even some maths and physics (although I can’t remember when).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To help and as a starter in drawing and networking, some links are given below.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Good luck in whichever professional route you take.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-2143316214137149352024-01-26T17:46:00.009+00:002024-03-01T10:34:43.698+00:00The Changing Residential Property Market<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-bXq-QtaV_JzjDPq4i6FfxjX1g_Lv7hkEhnAA5oCI1mh813yRGWbDvgCf-zssApuXj-xrDIv2AKEAW0metehZowZQQYeRFjcGr8WgCXqKdEyPm-Wpb_kw2D-7HkHh3kXrAPHg-CHriYVkRTLjjrU_9JLevMP3GADK8svYCE13HbR0cJz114pLGf8w9EN/s5318/Options%20for%20rental%20properties.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3898" data-original-width="5318" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT-bXq-QtaV_JzjDPq4i6FfxjX1g_Lv7hkEhnAA5oCI1mh813yRGWbDvgCf-zssApuXj-xrDIv2AKEAW0metehZowZQQYeRFjcGr8WgCXqKdEyPm-Wpb_kw2D-7HkHh3kXrAPHg-CHriYVkRTLjjrU_9JLevMP3GADK8svYCE13HbR0cJz114pLGf8w9EN/w400-h294/Options%20for%20rental%20properties.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">There aren't many options when deciding what to do with a rental property,</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">but the short-term rental option is proving to be an attractive choice</span><br style="font-size: small;" /><span style="font-size: small;">for many residential property owners.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p><span class="s1" style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; text-decoration-line: underline;"><a href="https://www.stateraestates.co.uk/">Statera Estates</a></span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> director Ibrahim Braimah explains how changes in the residential property market are pointing towards new opportunities in short-term lets. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Property management within the housing market is changing. Fluctuating and changes offer both uncertainties and opportunities for private landlords. Previous changes in tax laws for private landlords and rising interest rates have been pushing some landlords out of the rental market. In contrast, proposed changes in UK planning laws to allow houses to be split in to flats under permitted development, and the rising short-term letting market offer opportunities. At Statera Estates, Ibrahim Braimah specialises in property management of houses and flats as short-term lets through platforms including Air BnB and Booking.com. <br /><br /><br />I asked Ibrahim these five quick questions:<br /><br /><b>1 What is the first thing to consider when entering the short-term letting market?</b><br />The success of managing properties through platforms like Air BnB depends largely on location. Before doing anything, analyse the location of the proposed property and what would drive ‘traffic’ to it. Ask ‘Why would people want to stay there?’<br /><b><br />2 What are the pitfalls to watch out for?</b><br />Remember that short-term property lets are part of the hospitality sector rather than the property rental sector. Obviously more time and attention is required to manage properties this way, and the market is seasonal. Typically there is less income in the winter compared to the summer. <br /><b><br />3 What opportunities are there to take?</b><br />Short-let online booking websites are are fantastic platform to generate business, but it is important to build relationships with your client guests when they arrive. This can drive future sales directly. Excellent customer service is essential! <br /><br />Also, short-term lets don’t necessarily need to be over a few days. Building contractors and large businesses often require properties for up to six months or more on short-let agreements, depending upon their requirements to accommodate site operatives or visiting employees from abroad. <br /><br /><b>4 What is a little known gem?</b><br />Currently under Section 24 of the tax rules, properties that qualify as furnished holiday lettings can be treated differently from normal rental income. This means that if the property qualifies, private landlords can offset their full mortgage costs against their income, which is not possible under standard traditional tenancies.<br /><br /><b>5 What is your favourite success story?</b><br />We took on a two-bedroom flat in Elephant and castle which had stood empty for two years. It was in a poor condition after being abused by its previous tenants and the owners had lost confidence in the traditional rental market. Statera Estates took the flat on, managed its refurbishment and now market it as a short-term let under Air BnB. The monthly income has always exceeded the equivalent traditional rental value, bringing in twice as much in winter and three times in the summer. The owners are very happy. <br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Statera Estates offer a full service for short-term lets, currently focused on Central London and surrounding areas. Ibrahim also coaches landlords on how to get started in Air BnB property management, for those who want to manage their own properties. He said the short-term letting space is strong and competitive but it is still a healthy competition and good environment to be in. <br /><br /><a href="https://www.stateraestates.co.uk/">https://www.stateraestates.co.uk/</a><br /><br />Both Statera Estates and DesignBox Architecture are members of BNI Guild in London, UK. Here we form part of a wide group of specialists who can assist with a range of property-related services. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comLondon, UK51.5072178 -0.127586229.6826970164137 -35.2838362 73.3317385835863 35.0286638tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-20520527551335051872024-01-12T16:46:00.002+00:002024-02-05T14:56:24.539+00:00Estimating Your Project Programme<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Another key aspect of managing your building project is working out the programme, or how long it will take. This is especially important if you want to complete by a specific date or need to find alternative accommodation whilst the work is carried out. Here is our little guide to estimating your project programme. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusX7h-SUXmbsdjRrum4lQF-cOhGIPHv3kGczVo16dgculyqf5QkqwZgGxgs9xzbEpe5hrBLa3KP8tPTUcJwhDq5hLRuUVKdJkHRp-l_e4cn0DI-CE5ptMOfNJUh1NBmAvCtPYmfFL1zYrssluuX0eQcGSmmGqFN6KNAFepaegv9I_Epr4VB4xE-TH6_h/s2480/DgnBx_Programme_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtusX7h-SUXmbsdjRrum4lQF-cOhGIPHv3kGczVo16dgculyqf5QkqwZgGxgs9xzbEpe5hrBLa3KP8tPTUcJwhDq5hLRuUVKdJkHRp-l_e4cn0DI-CE5ptMOfNJUh1NBmAvCtPYmfFL1zYrssluuX0eQcGSmmGqFN6KNAFepaegv9I_Epr4VB4xE-TH6_h/w400-h400/DgnBx_Programme_1.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">The periods where you have most control over the programme (within reason) are during the design and non-construction times. The construction period should be governed by a contractor's build-programme, but it is common for issues to challenge this. See our post on the '<a href="https://dgnbx.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-moving-parts-of-project.html" target="_blank">moving parts of a project</a>'. The planning process in particular can take longer than the scheduled 8-weeks following registration. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQrUo1wl5FYyk_2mrSggdJyC9ecLbvgH1rt6bTn5JZylX1XEQj-JRUB_obU9uEwYfSSij2xwsg7tFMUKjMYpih56zW6IVE7hPuO2ZGesMTHCB4MlxAvdaP3FOlfKFoOybXdgFYqNPCLYAW354hmGcBjmQO3ywKMAOtQduEK84oZUAxk1v6a-kqXbVM4kL/s2480/DgnBx_Programme_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQrUo1wl5FYyk_2mrSggdJyC9ecLbvgH1rt6bTn5JZylX1XEQj-JRUB_obU9uEwYfSSij2xwsg7tFMUKjMYpih56zW6IVE7hPuO2ZGesMTHCB4MlxAvdaP3FOlfKFoOybXdgFYqNPCLYAW354hmGcBjmQO3ywKMAOtQduEK84oZUAxk1v6a-kqXbVM4kL/w400-h400/DgnBx_Programme_2.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Setting out the work-flow illustrates how long the project might take and what to expect in terms of your year (or two) ahead. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY-Il6V698KTrz4EgtbSmLMSHMl7VOh32DCLCToiYi883uHsF0XMrVGXm3tjVI1mc6OlECmhNtuIu-NMVnyvYZRHRMJ__hSFhuqcSl8yTfc3L2ii5cW0JgwhJOLCu_6q-jJnwuBLpM7adUO0NAv5YhHgvCakpp-0hSAmUueqO4eXGOmt2ScWnafnesYUa/s2480/DgnBx_Programme_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY-Il6V698KTrz4EgtbSmLMSHMl7VOh32DCLCToiYi883uHsF0XMrVGXm3tjVI1mc6OlECmhNtuIu-NMVnyvYZRHRMJ__hSFhuqcSl8yTfc3L2ii5cW0JgwhJOLCu_6q-jJnwuBLpM7adUO0NAv5YhHgvCakpp-0hSAmUueqO4eXGOmt2ScWnafnesYUa/w400-h400/DgnBx_Programme_3.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Bear in mind that, with the best will in the world, construction work is noisy, dusty and disruptive. If you are living in your home during a refurbishment, be prepared. </span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3EUD4JRxaMSYzD8pQobor3iSi9gPBmJhe30bDS3_c5yGv0TaI2hqbxYvP7TQxwR-Y8kEb1-aO7DnquS9pUWpqSqxzP_bIb9XRTAASKNw-rw191D6KE4ZtiO48N6cDj0uviK-YpgMXjMD0NmtFOFIsMmRDmA7d-qEeF2gZs5sJo0WuMtI32VmnvXzWJK4/s2480/DgnBx_Programme_4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3EUD4JRxaMSYzD8pQobor3iSi9gPBmJhe30bDS3_c5yGv0TaI2hqbxYvP7TQxwR-Y8kEb1-aO7DnquS9pUWpqSqxzP_bIb9XRTAASKNw-rw191D6KE4ZtiO48N6cDj0uviK-YpgMXjMD0NmtFOFIsMmRDmA7d-qEeF2gZs5sJo0WuMtI32VmnvXzWJK4/w400-h400/DgnBx_Programme_4.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We hope this is useful to help visualise the sequencing of a project programme. It is recommended that you fully plan your project early and keep track of any developments. If in doubt, seek professional assistance from a qualified architect. Here at DesignBox we can offer architecture and project management services, so please contact us if you would like to discuss your project.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-23214511014413006112023-12-22T10:06:00.003+00:002023-12-22T13:27:11.649+00:00Calculating your Budget<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC5PthKNsbxhyZA3_dFEsliDgA2QNDTc4ZIJIE8EUmCnW8NCuuc3vDEmttxHxmrFUMuxcT-o9n-TVASTtgp7V7WgjDwfmS-yyaraB_FrRDCzHam1SabjiT679Kzf0690UjZ1ypYqRFqcbHeHggIRWhFxpGrfvhr807N-gWVHFWQ6Lvi9AJsxoifh-ezC9/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC5PthKNsbxhyZA3_dFEsliDgA2QNDTc4ZIJIE8EUmCnW8NCuuc3vDEmttxHxmrFUMuxcT-o9n-TVASTtgp7V7WgjDwfmS-yyaraB_FrRDCzHam1SabjiT679Kzf0690UjZ1ypYqRFqcbHeHggIRWhFxpGrfvhr807N-gWVHFWQ6Lvi9AJsxoifh-ezC9/w400-h400/Calculating%20project%20budget%201.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Setting the budget for your project</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">is an important consideration.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">There is a lot to consider and keep control of.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">So here is a simplified summary of an approach to hopefully help control the process. Think of your project costs in four parts which are intrinsically linked.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNjh7VPDZvwxYABsGq_qLzUdFwLP0ng3wlcE7Or5Rt8EcxAKk2ag_HVHhnloAQSw8-pmCDfS1px3U5hDKVfTTbi0hflBtLOsKAqFCjswbAPlvqDg1hzkZD7fwuLDkIZHOE5gI05eMb32hVda_9I9CA4fmP7l3rwiKR_anDsQXJKIb4kV7GoBa9Z5sXrL0/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNjh7VPDZvwxYABsGq_qLzUdFwLP0ng3wlcE7Or5Rt8EcxAKk2ag_HVHhnloAQSw8-pmCDfS1px3U5hDKVfTTbi0hflBtLOsKAqFCjswbAPlvqDg1hzkZD7fwuLDkIZHOE5gI05eMb32hVda_9I9CA4fmP7l3rwiKR_anDsQXJKIb4kV7GoBa9Z5sXrL0/w400-h400/Calculating%20project%20budget%202.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Then highlight the important items within each as well as items you might accept losing if costs mount up.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNjfIyBTHlKryx8Ue6l66dBJzWzft1asGFt_erD6pZEWX3p64CrlfwSDExwdqcqPTw_BlIDI1ugkkRkXEcLnnvqHQcSMhESWiEWQIGmI92AhD9vzyacCWagHubyw0cRbuoN505jRuq3j9CZcMELcteP76XOCiVmKA8kQpqSciYB2kYU_8JeWBs-Hc7wuW/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCNjfIyBTHlKryx8Ue6l66dBJzWzft1asGFt_erD6pZEWX3p64CrlfwSDExwdqcqPTw_BlIDI1ugkkRkXEcLnnvqHQcSMhESWiEWQIGmI92AhD9vzyacCWagHubyw0cRbuoN505jRuq3j9CZcMELcteP76XOCiVmKA8kQpqSciYB2kYU_8JeWBs-Hc7wuW/w400-h400/Calculating%20project%20budget%203.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj27qlZBmL-Z3yD88yEzOmZkQHdDxoQWxCAx86xLYb7cl2G2FjTpVwoKV6h7qTNbkB8aVvKa19UZckIDPy3-v7HabtpN2ken30rEKMf-SxvmFtGf8tGUiP7nk3UlARDbBrVddXqFtGlZXXyQv_Hf9ou901m41rXx_41B6Vrp7nKtRpDDp8hK_NggonxFI/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj27qlZBmL-Z3yD88yEzOmZkQHdDxoQWxCAx86xLYb7cl2G2FjTpVwoKV6h7qTNbkB8aVvKa19UZckIDPy3-v7HabtpN2ken30rEKMf-SxvmFtGf8tGUiP7nk3UlARDbBrVddXqFtGlZXXyQv_Hf9ou901m41rXx_41B6Vrp7nKtRpDDp8hK_NggonxFI/w400-h400/Calculating%20project%20budget%204.JPG" width="400" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIj27qlZBmL-Z3yD88yEzOmZkQHdDxoQWxCAx86xLYb7cl2G2FjTpVwoKV6h7qTNbkB8aVvKa19UZckIDPy3-v7HabtpN2ken30rEKMf-SxvmFtGf8tGUiP7nk3UlARDbBrVddXqFtGlZXXyQv_Hf9ou901m41rXx_41B6Vrp7nKtRpDDp8hK_NggonxFI/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzvK1ziQ28SrhEFJ9w5dLmEOI9h6_psGSAU4t6Qio0Kb4Id8NRpiIlm-J7QgY1Bt7Z4NwUdA2dE8fHzZDSdpx1DSNnnao1Ejb2e9NMY3OpWMua6FwXgVlQ7X6V1VQRaFcuMnT-ox0FggX67j1T0cmQEpGFDBw98cW2pHCDueI2eNjZ5BI6ll_THhFDpdO/s2480/Calculating%20project%20budget%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzvK1ziQ28SrhEFJ9w5dLmEOI9h6_psGSAU4t6Qio0Kb4Id8NRpiIlm-J7QgY1Bt7Z4NwUdA2dE8fHzZDSdpx1DSNnnao1Ejb2e9NMY3OpWMua6FwXgVlQ7X6V1VQRaFcuMnT-ox0FggX67j1T0cmQEpGFDBw98cW2pHCDueI2eNjZ5BI6ll_THhFDpdO/w400-h400/Calculating%20project%20budget%205.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Careful planning is recommended to keep control of your project. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If in doubt, seek professional assistance from a qualified cost consultant.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Qu1s6PwKqIKvh7V4lSfttsdgJDFvLBzV9NjRf8OSauZnEzkZG6RVj5qTQNpBtEjKOiSzgatAyj7MmZpnRkopB9WnbRhXLB7Iv9ReZmXq86pmeN6vbk0mYqwzPG-YQZtmPFLB6Me8p1IFJiEsV1VwfkBeX_vKLrvuJsLjEZ1_h-zQ0NHwpfDkRkZRIOaa/s2480/%20Calculating%20project%20budget%207.JPG"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Qu1s6PwKqIKvh7V4lSfttsdgJDFvLBzV9NjRf8OSauZnEzkZG6RVj5qTQNpBtEjKOiSzgatAyj7MmZpnRkopB9WnbRhXLB7Iv9ReZmXq86pmeN6vbk0mYqwzPG-YQZtmPFLB6Me8p1IFJiEsV1VwfkBeX_vKLrvuJsLjEZ1_h-zQ0NHwpfDkRkZRIOaa/w400-h400/%20Calculating%20project%20budget%207.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Here at DesignBox we can offer architecture and project management services, so please contact us if you would like to discuss your project.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Additional references:</p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Checkatrade's average cost of a house extension</span>: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/house-extension-cost/<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Checkatrade's average cost of a new kitchen</span>: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/new-kitchen-cost/<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Checkatrade's average cost of a loft conversion</span>: https://www.checkatrade.com/blog/cost-guides/loft-conversion-cost/<br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Please note these links give estimated contract costs to which design and consents, non contract costs, contingency and VAT might need to be added. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Good luck with your project! </span><br /><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-37575116325197614962023-11-28T11:11:00.001+00:002023-12-22T13:28:15.287+00:00The Moving Parts of a Project<div>Starting a building project can be a daunting task if you are managing it yourself. There is a lot to consider and keep control of. So here is a simplified summary of an approach to hopefully help control the process.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjqbIScruGyRLrL3w0PnoGfwuhulFdxrwJ2T4MhjHtZGHjVZljxGGJhPB8xyfK30Te451lYYHUGtkKfS5dvVa3exNYMuQlyvbUFpd8SBQmOl8AJepo6rsvLguz4GN0qHJ3i5CmEySESyIjTmuekkkRJNueAm4vuEXBy_lflJ6_MoW83ZLQOkXEGoJ2D19/s2480/IMG_1442.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjqbIScruGyRLrL3w0PnoGfwuhulFdxrwJ2T4MhjHtZGHjVZljxGGJhPB8xyfK30Te451lYYHUGtkKfS5dvVa3exNYMuQlyvbUFpd8SBQmOl8AJepo6rsvLguz4GN0qHJ3i5CmEySESyIjTmuekkkRJNueAm4vuEXBy_lflJ6_MoW83ZLQOkXEGoJ2D19/w400-h400/IMG_1442.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Think of your project in four parts which are intrinsically linked. Then highlight the important items within each. This will include large items such as the overall budget cost and size of the project, and relatively small items such as the type of floor finish or type of windows. There will be implications of each item in terms of scope, cost, quality and time and understanding the dynamics of these will be helpful as your project develops. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBZx_MME2NRGFzH5IDiKHWvQAeCFKCMzHu75LqV2sCbGBbvGXdKY__XkCWO3Ltn4fpItfqeaFRuzES1z71cj7LInZNa0LRInCO4svBc-MoCrRyn3IXapj6gs7fgI11h9MPtisQkJrD9Y3OGhLXYFe1c8YyjryVACkXK5D8M3GuEGecPjwK9sFHtiyPov/s2480/IMG_1443.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQlBZx_MME2NRGFzH5IDiKHWvQAeCFKCMzHu75LqV2sCbGBbvGXdKY__XkCWO3Ltn4fpItfqeaFRuzES1z71cj7LInZNa0LRInCO4svBc-MoCrRyn3IXapj6gs7fgI11h9MPtisQkJrD9Y3OGhLXYFe1c8YyjryVACkXK5D8M3GuEGecPjwK9sFHtiyPov/w400-h400/IMG_1443.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It’s easy for a project to run away with itself, with costs and timescales increasing putting pressure on the nice things you want. Careful planning is required to prevent this. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByK9mZ4LNXaj95rmcJ0aPk7h-tTtP4M8lAs7e2XTpVT7xQIvbrEmZNufn49rsTZhQZ8bm3NvR-dlmVsO04F2CKG435zO1eccZUfw3EbrZFA5yS_RE5SPtOfArFqK_zsjCyizTZpO4MM8X9JfSw3xmYmsRvEdSi59808Bjs3XbNm6Cq5n2lPGhWsqc0SaK/s2480/IMG_1444.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByK9mZ4LNXaj95rmcJ0aPk7h-tTtP4M8lAs7e2XTpVT7xQIvbrEmZNufn49rsTZhQZ8bm3NvR-dlmVsO04F2CKG435zO1eccZUfw3EbrZFA5yS_RE5SPtOfArFqK_zsjCyizTZpO4MM8X9JfSw3xmYmsRvEdSi59808Bjs3XbNm6Cq5n2lPGhWsqc0SaK/w400-h400/IMG_1444.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>The key antagonistic relationships are cost and time, against scope and quality. Changes in scope and quality during a build usually have a greater impact on cost and time than they would during the pre-build design stage.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_XtwDLWni26tOWIRZoWQYjqKiNuf-vVNZuLxPayZGbDWQ2v_OqKdJ7QZaszlMS5472Z2eBrUtjd7K3umm5350Ko-FzWQng0-kvL5MytneLLSAowzFReHLTTwMHpr1Tpd2p_uSfd7BZicxWJWvVTS_hyphenhyphenKxRBa9YYnjkCc1MgxygPAX9-sR3eLem3eSNUS/s2480/IMG_1445.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_XtwDLWni26tOWIRZoWQYjqKiNuf-vVNZuLxPayZGbDWQ2v_OqKdJ7QZaszlMS5472Z2eBrUtjd7K3umm5350Ko-FzWQng0-kvL5MytneLLSAowzFReHLTTwMHpr1Tpd2p_uSfd7BZicxWJWvVTS_hyphenhyphenKxRBa9YYnjkCc1MgxygPAX9-sR3eLem3eSNUS/w400-h400/IMG_1445.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Imagine all four parts in a diagram where the relationships are triangulated and each part connects with all the others. This helps to track the impact of one against another. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS3XYyh8n35-KyldUt8Leg2dtO8EO1_IT3FYZLhajCHF9hKspJmE-svixPzjRFEiv5BTwO2IRjSkuZ2D6ZogUsE7MWFAOYUkREc2noB71TQvQaJJc3tLlC1QF3KnJq_Pxyflp90_i-lchJZU4Mfp4XaJQIFCA4y6SnJsScUqUjcpKBeZislY6201YA6sO/s2480/IMG_1446.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSS3XYyh8n35-KyldUt8Leg2dtO8EO1_IT3FYZLhajCHF9hKspJmE-svixPzjRFEiv5BTwO2IRjSkuZ2D6ZogUsE7MWFAOYUkREc2noB71TQvQaJJc3tLlC1QF3KnJq_Pxyflp90_i-lchJZU4Mfp4XaJQIFCA4y6SnJsScUqUjcpKBeZislY6201YA6sO/w400-h400/IMG_1446.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>These diagrams are really the same model seen with a different central focus: The parts arranged as a tetrahedron enable us to analyse the project prioritising each area. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhmyV1s1paVUgR7NbE-zaKEtakDbAfME6H_R7BWwXOvjsXXvX-c4HgnAGdJngkf1kNzo9kPNFroUapkXkTL95cLfegnCWGtMITVIB9QcT9SftrJ69r6tNs0DQzQg4gU6g4j0QP5sqK_u9jcjttyR9ZfCfoxSwVduDkLBabcUVHwoyMJhcXNGaFkVyHsyW/s2480/IMG_1448.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="2480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhmyV1s1paVUgR7NbE-zaKEtakDbAfME6H_R7BWwXOvjsXXvX-c4HgnAGdJngkf1kNzo9kPNFroUapkXkTL95cLfegnCWGtMITVIB9QcT9SftrJ69r6tNs0DQzQg4gU6g4j0QP5sqK_u9jcjttyR9ZfCfoxSwVduDkLBabcUVHwoyMJhcXNGaFkVyHsyW/w400-h400/IMG_1448.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We hope this is be a useful tool to help visualise the mechanics of a project to assist with its control. It is highly recommended that you fully cost and set the scope for your project early in the project and regularly track them as the project develops. If in doubt, seek professional assistance from a qualified cost consultant. Here at DesignBox we can offer architecture and project management services, so please contact us if you would like to discuss your project. </div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-72061912143038347582023-08-26T14:59:00.001+00:002023-08-26T14:59:22.273+00:00Invisible Cities Visualised<p>The multitude of AI platforms now in existence make a buffet of resources for assisting creative work-flows. AI is diversifying and specialising, with different applications taking the lead in different creative disciplines including essay writing, coding, song writing, music composition, story telling and visualisation etc. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmEbpED0SkWq7r4JbDXCzk9pkuQFvuVJTbqtP5vJTPUa5ESaWYwG7D0P6sEe3_w-elPc5ULCCQwdCvv0kOIdeRHYfiAy09-JTqlds3JX_BkRuE6z6zN69OdQ5BVZCjk9wbbdo39-DQtIRSeO_7Z61iNKQE1GvZtwLWE5XcnKNUABcSmSGGautHD6-MBU7/s354/IMG_1114.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="354" data-original-width="255" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmEbpED0SkWq7r4JbDXCzk9pkuQFvuVJTbqtP5vJTPUa5ESaWYwG7D0P6sEe3_w-elPc5ULCCQwdCvv0kOIdeRHYfiAy09-JTqlds3JX_BkRuE6z6zN69OdQ5BVZCjk9wbbdo39-DQtIRSeO_7Z61iNKQE1GvZtwLWE5XcnKNUABcSmSGGautHD6-MBU7/w289-h400/IMG_1114.jpeg" title="Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino" width="289" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Invisible Cities, Italo Calvino</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Experimenting to see how Midjourney would tackle Italo Calvin’s ‘<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_Cities" target="_blank">Invisible Cities</a>’ created some interesting results and it became a very useful introductory exercise to see how the software works. </p><p><br /></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjAclSp2_SL8g8KTivWRSq3KWkvOZSEiaH9oTFMB9UMT3rhWXUQqfw-aQmcNCqiVwN6CcGHLvgENQpmfh9rtzshIWb7YBVgdKnzj3iy2_Rt_06zG4ak9hL0ij0fiRHj4q4LVdeokE6FSsdl9V8nx5koPHHPWDLfEOP7gDKQOPXjEv6XvBrD1qhg2sO3a7/s1024/phil202_The_dreamy_City_of_Isidora_where_the_buildings_have_spi_da52f792-ce98-46e0-a8b5-a17d6c269245.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtjAclSp2_SL8g8KTivWRSq3KWkvOZSEiaH9oTFMB9UMT3rhWXUQqfw-aQmcNCqiVwN6CcGHLvgENQpmfh9rtzshIWb7YBVgdKnzj3iy2_Rt_06zG4ak9hL0ij0fiRHj4q4LVdeokE6FSsdl9V8nx5koPHHPWDLfEOP7gDKQOPXjEv6XvBrD1qhg2sO3a7/w400-h400/phil202_The_dreamy_City_of_Isidora_where_the_buildings_have_spi_da52f792-ce98-46e0-a8b5-a17d6c269245.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midjourney’s representation of Isidora: <br />A dreamy city with spiral staircases encrusted with <br />sea shells and buildings with telescopes… </td></tr></tbody></table><br />The latest skill-set to learn appears to be ‘prompt engineering’; a combination of descriptive words, reference images, correct prompt sequencing, grammar protocols and reference codes to generate the required image. But it often involves a lot of trial and error and it’s like working with another person in the room. Sometimes the images are incredible and sometimes you just have to accept what you are given, despite all the hours down the Midjourney rabbit-hole. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVADayRXM39HP8rBtc_dg2BFPDZQBcrDzpMPvEuLlaZpM4VBUg7SCB8_KD9jqKZF5bIeysLVZSLTNZQYinTQCNMAsGWEyDRYfjjwkRYJDNYczryT-OYdtTq-xySl3-ANi46QOgZgH20-bnKFV-B9Vo5LQeHrhubYuvakmmvc8Z2wUS6eRt9AYJZMXHxT2/s1024/phil202_the_futuristic_city_of_Dorothea_four_aluminum_towers_ri_6e836b91-3daf-425d-9420-326df88fb519.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGVADayRXM39HP8rBtc_dg2BFPDZQBcrDzpMPvEuLlaZpM4VBUg7SCB8_KD9jqKZF5bIeysLVZSLTNZQYinTQCNMAsGWEyDRYfjjwkRYJDNYczryT-OYdtTq-xySl3-ANi46QOgZgH20-bnKFV-B9Vo5LQeHrhubYuvakmmvc8Z2wUS6eRt9AYJZMXHxT2/w400-h400/phil202_the_futuristic_city_of_Dorothea_four_aluminum_towers_ri_6e836b91-3daf-425d-9420-326df88fb519.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midjourney’s representation of the futuristic city of Dorothea, <br />With aluminium towers, gates and draw bridges, moats, and canals…</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>As an architect, it s important to be able to produce your own design images directly, Being able to ‘hold a pencil’ is the first skill, but packages like this can make a powerful support tool when managed accurately. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E2Vs3VZozafjkmI-ZT2DUBUZv2bwlxKM_38DrETfmbxmS-J8bVVH1Od0bsmIJsuob1bBgISuvazI708e11B5U3yDEObi2ZhQ1nzjbdScFP23gm4pIPqZEzJobEyAa2LIvF3gpvThHDfG8W--_wklb3OUQcyDgAJz3Nr2-Q5nLh9Ch3vSMf_X8MU8gTUV/s1024/phil202_ISAURA_CITY_OF_the_thousand_wells_is_said_to_rise_over__27b8f663-410a-43ad-96e3-81b81418f7ab.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_E2Vs3VZozafjkmI-ZT2DUBUZv2bwlxKM_38DrETfmbxmS-J8bVVH1Od0bsmIJsuob1bBgISuvazI708e11B5U3yDEObi2ZhQ1nzjbdScFP23gm4pIPqZEzJobEyAa2LIvF3gpvThHDfG8W--_wklb3OUQcyDgAJz3Nr2-Q5nLh9Ch3vSMf_X8MU8gTUV/w400-h400/phil202_ISAURA_CITY_OF_the_thousand_wells_is_said_to_rise_over__27b8f663-410a-43ad-96e3-81b81418f7ab.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midjourney’s representation of Isaura, city of a thousand wells…</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>It appears to work with some preconceptions based around the prompt words. Images related to cities often result in vertically stacked buildings or historical scenes, pointing towards a dystopia or utopia, depending on the vibe in the prompts. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv3DX38jckHKgnprvYM9mmGkvXDgIGusjPabPkPV7LpBth-3EwkHN1B6DtlMRBGpqZXG8bG5QMtKJQff_nOH-RBFATq_6dhg3LcqOAmEqTTuIatMjwos9y7WClIOJzDXyDebPOOYJs0dnEp1h5RTIxtNE5CgbLF87HCBCNdPrJd0ddM1kQhrzRg40gucp/s2048/phil202_An_environment_only_with_bright_reflective_chrome_water_23a2b933-db7b-429d-ac2d-3a63dbf3b071.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv3DX38jckHKgnprvYM9mmGkvXDgIGusjPabPkPV7LpBth-3EwkHN1B6DtlMRBGpqZXG8bG5QMtKJQff_nOH-RBFATq_6dhg3LcqOAmEqTTuIatMjwos9y7WClIOJzDXyDebPOOYJs0dnEp1h5RTIxtNE5CgbLF87HCBCNdPrJd0ddM1kQhrzRg40gucp/w400-h400/phil202_An_environment_only_with_bright_reflective_chrome_water_23a2b933-db7b-429d-ac2d-3a63dbf3b071.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Midjourney’s representation of the city of Armilla with no walls, <br />ceilings or floors, just water pipes where house should be…</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>The creative direction has to come from the accuracy of the prompts. The software is powerful in both executing the instructions and creating compelling graphics, but it appears to draw on its enormous library of reference material and established comprehension of the world, rather than open minded creativity. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino3EyBfwwdb3spI8yHH5KixdDttndJYP7DgQ4HSJFX4BkUCUUPnkjj7A_h7MRdSGUEtKqdWEqWBKngxjC4HE59ys5Ykuj6PbSnIqV63cAnHS78E759b-YebPq4I8QIOc3ZO63mM731_xaGx9Jb6-qtfvUAazQXzNVFXQb1kdsKzEg5-jMZebIDDGavl4K/s2048/phil202_a_room_with_no_walls_floor_ceiling_doors_or_windows_18e199e8-5cf0-49d9-9f0d-ab40cfafc099.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino3EyBfwwdb3spI8yHH5KixdDttndJYP7DgQ4HSJFX4BkUCUUPnkjj7A_h7MRdSGUEtKqdWEqWBKngxjC4HE59ys5Ykuj6PbSnIqV63cAnHS78E759b-YebPq4I8QIOc3ZO63mM731_xaGx9Jb6-qtfvUAazQXzNVFXQb1kdsKzEg5-jMZebIDDGavl4K/w400-h400/phil202_a_room_with_no_walls_floor_ceiling_doors_or_windows_18e199e8-5cf0-49d9-9f0d-ab40cfafc099.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Asking Midjourney for an image of a room with no walls, ceiling, <br />floor, walls, doors or windows, just to see how it copes…</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Meanwhile, back at the point of this blog post, the objective information from a selection of the cities in Italo Calvin’s book were drafted in to a prompt sequence with great excitement for the images Midjourney would assign to each city, realised over half a Century after Invisible Cities was written!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ijInOIlSm_lc83XbLxvF7O3y2rowluzfHYo5YyAWxQEWgoigbLePiRq53lCYeTGxzuagtW6I1Z89BfD7uwayw3WBj-5mfPwIYQOzhB8KzlUj_LG41R4LsCQ85OWtRFp1q1KrNCHHTKxcP21PIHLpyfCkom7Au7BzH2DHWIQdGKjv_pQW61x1E1ICG2x2/s2048/phil202_a_city_made_of_scaffolding_4d5f731b-1827-4e50-9791-6e33fdb34d85.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ijInOIlSm_lc83XbLxvF7O3y2rowluzfHYo5YyAWxQEWgoigbLePiRq53lCYeTGxzuagtW6I1Z89BfD7uwayw3WBj-5mfPwIYQOzhB8KzlUj_LG41R4LsCQ85OWtRFp1q1KrNCHHTKxcP21PIHLpyfCkom7Au7BzH2DHWIQdGKjv_pQW61x1E1ICG2x2/w400-h400/phil202_a_city_made_of_scaffolding_4d5f731b-1827-4e50-9791-6e33fdb34d85.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with he idea of a city built on scaffolding…</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Some images are are very exciting and evocative. Others looked a bit more like products of a set process. There was a lot of trial and error, experimenting with the text, prompt settings and results. The exercise was also useful because it prompted careful focus on the cities being described in the Midjourney engine and it was telling that all the images i imagined I’m my mind looked nothing like those given by Midjourney! </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnljReXqSBWFpKgcZbSwIbeo8LjojDMQ02-4R70t7rIfdt-CHrIuA51tnx3ynY8pbquZRgFRkSVa49qKofNlXssD4PS8i0kCOgR_qHsWXlVQci7mHgTKVlb0nFM1C7gnC9YFgiha4PF3ETHhwZD-6yHZd04qUJaV_zEOEFZ3X7tbiQg4kQlalphV9ThkAc/s2048/phil202_city_in_the_sky_Lebbeus_Woods_style_a37145e3-ac1b-4503-956f-92e6fa1d6ef8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnljReXqSBWFpKgcZbSwIbeo8LjojDMQ02-4R70t7rIfdt-CHrIuA51tnx3ynY8pbquZRgFRkSVa49qKofNlXssD4PS8i0kCOgR_qHsWXlVQci7mHgTKVlb0nFM1C7gnC9YFgiha4PF3ETHhwZD-6yHZd04qUJaV_zEOEFZ3X7tbiQg4kQlalphV9ThkAc/w400-h400/phil202_city_in_the_sky_Lebbeus_Woods_style_a37145e3-ac1b-4503-956f-92e6fa1d6ef8.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with the idea of a city in the sky…</td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p>Obviously there is still no substitute for developing your own drawing skills yet, but at the very least AI offers an incredible set of reference resources to work with. </p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE5ykeGOPOf34mI2OW1ww1aHBu0v6dzRwiqmKeBFT8FVZOUGGftibNf1DPPUe1p3o-HioZChDRYAz7zYao9wEHydByh7cKUdkLz5xJrs-mYrSa6fSeCenhbpIoHVnSJ7By_HE_ppnAQdbiObbCfuezVUGD4vjYWuMyMLEnsRvdaB4QpXRB1Z0kB-qF8Hf/s2048/phil202_a_humongous_metal_ribbed_structure_in_the_sea_off_a_bea_7f653d4e-0ff6-4cc0-b2fc-443700a2f161.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIE5ykeGOPOf34mI2OW1ww1aHBu0v6dzRwiqmKeBFT8FVZOUGGftibNf1DPPUe1p3o-HioZChDRYAz7zYao9wEHydByh7cKUdkLz5xJrs-mYrSa6fSeCenhbpIoHVnSJ7By_HE_ppnAQdbiObbCfuezVUGD4vjYWuMyMLEnsRvdaB4QpXRB1Z0kB-qF8Hf/w400-h400/phil202_a_humongous_metal_ribbed_structure_in_the_sea_off_a_bea_7f653d4e-0ff6-4cc0-b2fc-443700a2f161.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with he idea of a city in the sea, <br />constructed from scaffolding…</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p>In conclusion, this is an incredible resource and easily an important tool in the design arsenal. It’s advantage as a professional resource comes in to play with he skill of knowing prompt engineering. But unlike most other software packages, it’s fun to engage with and provides lots of exciting visuals on the way to reaching your final image. </p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-28213653141740443222023-01-06T21:57:00.008+00:002023-08-26T14:59:47.163+00:00Technology Takes Command<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVA2r9-OXhHk8L6NnRFAfP6-55Qet7zTEYO4F0JtyV_SzwsUqV6p4lTzYU_c384PdaPtEV1jwf4hCh72iHDw0ndN0_tsPxHpHMtS9g9OhH1XHcKpbY0_R7MHeGrzXoTYaqA8kkd-LIE860nXF3k7ym1cdpcdmgNIVgc1IAKYEdNJjg-iqZuL0fMbAAQ/s1830/technology-takes-command.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="G.R.AI.N Technology Directs the Future" border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1830" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVA2r9-OXhHk8L6NnRFAfP6-55Qet7zTEYO4F0JtyV_SzwsUqV6p4lTzYU_c384PdaPtEV1jwf4hCh72iHDw0ndN0_tsPxHpHMtS9g9OhH1XHcKpbY0_R7MHeGrzXoTYaqA8kkd-LIE860nXF3k7ym1cdpcdmgNIVgc1IAKYEdNJjg-iqZuL0fMbAAQ/w400-h333/technology-takes-command.jpg" title="Technology Takes Command" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Technology is changing our lives at lightning speed. It can now assist us to gather ideas and formalise arguments in seconds. A.I. for in particular is about to change the way we exist. For example, give Chat GPT a topic for an essay, thesis, piece of creative literature or even computer code and it will provide responses more insightful than you could imagine, in a matter if seconds! In fact, it took far less time for it to produce the well considered and articulated responses below than it took me to write these less articulate lines. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">On the theme of technology and its future impact in Architecture, Chat GPT responded below on the implications of Genetics, robotics, Artificial Intelligence, nanotechnology and cryptography (Grain+Crypto), arguably the key components of the next technological revolution and their possible impact on the future of Architecture:</p><p><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><i>1. What is the future of Architecture?</i></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It's difficult to predict the future of architecture with certainty, but there are a few trends and developments that are likely to shape the field in the coming years.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">One trend that is already well underway is the increased use of technology in the design and construction of buildings. This includes the use of computer-aided design (CAD) software, building information modelling (BIM), and other digital tools to streamline the design process and improve the efficiency of construction.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Another trend is the focus on sustainability and the environment. Many architects are designing buildings that are more energy efficient and have a smaller environmental footprint. This includes the use of renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, and the incorporation of green spaces and other features that can help mitigate the urban heat island effect.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic has also had a significant impact on the field of architecture. Many architects are now designing buildings with features that can help reduce the spread of infectious diseases, such as better ventilation systems and touchless technologies.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, it is likely that technology and sustainability will continue to be major drivers of innovation in the field of architecture.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>2. What opportunities exist for robotics in Architecture?</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There are many opportunities for robotics in architecture. Some examples include:</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Automated construction: Robotics can be used to perform tasks such as welding, painting, and bricklaying with a high degree of precision and speed.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Building inspection: Robots can be used to inspect buildings for structural integrity and identify problems that need to be addressed.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Disaster response: Robotics can be used to access disaster-stricken buildings and assess damage, allowing emergency responders to prioritise their efforts.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Energy efficiency: Robotics can be used to monitor and control a building's energy use, ensuring that systems are operating efficiently and consuming as little energy as possible.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Environmental monitoring: Robotics can be used to monitor a building's environmental performance, such as air quality and water usage.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Security: Robotics can be used to patrol buildings and monitor for potential security threats.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Transportation: Robotics can be used to transport people and goods within a building, such as through the use of elevators and automated carts.<br /></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, the use of robotics in architecture has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>3. What opportunities does genetics offer to architecture?</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Genetics has the potential to offer several opportunities to the field of architecture. Here are a few examples:</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Customised design: Genetic information can be used to create customised designs for buildings and other structures that are tailored to a specific location or climate. For example, an architect could use genetic data to design a building with features that are optimised for a particular region's weather patterns or natural disasters.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Adaptive design: Genetic data could also be used to design buildings that are able to adapt and respond to changing environmental conditions. For example, a building could use genetic algorithms to adjust its temperature or lighting in response to changes in weather or the time of day.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Sustainable design: Genetics could be used to design buildings that are more sustainable and have a smaller environmental footprint. For example, architects could use genetic information to design buildings that are more energy efficient or that incorporate renewable energy sources such as solar panels.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Customised materials: Genetics could also be used to design and develop new building materials that are customised for specific applications. For example, architects could use genetic engineering to create materials that are stronger, more durable, or more sustainable than traditional materials.<br /></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, the use of genetics in architecture has the potential to revolutionise the way we design and build structures, and could lead to more efficient, sustainable, and adaptable buildings.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>4. What opportunities does Artificial Intelligence offer architecture?</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to offer several opportunities to the field of architecture. Here are a few examples:</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Automated design: AI could be used to automate the design process, allowing architects to create designs more quickly and efficiently. AI algorithms could be trained to generate design options based on a set of parameters or constraints, allowing architects to explore a wider range of design possibilities.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Optimised design: AI could be used to optimize the design of buildings for specific purposes, such as energy efficiency or sustainability. AI algorithms could analyse data on building performance and suggest design changes that would improve the building's performance.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Predictive analysis: AI could be used to predict how a building will perform under different conditions, such as different weather patterns or occupancy levels. This could allow architects to design buildings that are more resilient and adaptable to changing conditions.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Virtual assistants: AI could also be used to develop virtual assistants or chatbots that could help architects with tasks such as scheduling, project management, or communication with clients.<br /></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, the use of AI in architecture has the potential to greatly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the design process, and could lead to more innovative and sustainable buildings.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>5. What opportunities does nano technology offer architecture?</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Nanotechnology has the potential to offer several opportunities to the field of architecture. Here are a few examples:</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Customised materials: Nanotechnology could be used to develop new building materials that are customised for specific applications. For example, architects could use nanotechnology to create materials that are stronger, more durable, or more sustainable than traditional materials.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Self-cleaning surfaces: Nanotechnology could be used to create self-cleaning surfaces for buildings, which could reduce the need for maintenance and improve indoor air quality.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Smart buildings: Nanotechnology could also be used to create "smart" buildings that are able to adapt and respond to changing conditions. For example, nanotechnology could be used to create sensors and other devices that can detect and respond to changes in temperature, humidity, or occupancy levels.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Energy efficiency: Nanotechnology could be used to improve the energy efficiency of buildings by creating materials that are able to store and release heat or electricity more efficiently.<br /></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, the use of nanotechnology in architecture has the potential to greatly improve the performance and sustainability of buildings, and could lead to the development of new and innovative materials and technologies for the construction industry.</p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i>6. What opportunities does cryptography offer architecture?</i></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Cryptography is a branch of mathematics that deals with the secure communication of information. It has the potential to offer several opportunities to the field of architecture, particularly in the area of building security. Here are a few examples:</p><ol class="ol1"><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secure communication: Cryptography could be used to secure communication between different systems within a building, such as security cameras, alarm systems, and access control systems. This could help protect against unauthorised access or tampering.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secure data storage: Cryptography could also be used to secure the storage of sensitive data within a building, such as financial records or personal information.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secure building access: Cryptography could be used to create secure building access systems that use encryption to protect against unauthorised access. For example, an access control system could use cryptographic keys to authenticate users and grant them access to certain areas of a building.<br /></li><li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secure payment systems: Cryptography could also be used to secure payment systems within buildings, such as vending machines or parking garages. This could help protect against fraud and unauthorised access to financial information.<br /></li></ol><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Overall, the use of cryptography in architecture has the potential to greatly improve the security of buildings and protect against unauthorised access and data breaches. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is is a fascinating set of responses which suggests Architecture and design, building systems and the service life of buildings being more self-aware and autonomous in the future. There is a lot about processes, procedures, materials and environmental sensitivity but not much on style and form. I suppose style and form will be influenced by technology and express the innovation with visibly new materials and building systems. Alternatively, as it so often does, familiar materials and architectural forms could cloak the innovations in an acceptable wrapper. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The responses above offer a fascinating insight into potential technological advancements in Architecture. Future AI engines, including Chat GPT will evidently be able to control more directly the evolution of the industry and associated professions. Not even the best project managers can extract from of the heads of the client, design and stakeholder teams all the most valuable information and deploy it successfully, but AI will! </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Will humans be left behind in this continued development? 500 years ago, it was believed one person could acquire the sum of all human knowledge. As knowledge progressed, academic disciplines split in to specialist areas. Now there is so much specialised knowledge it has become a skill for us to collaborate effectively. This is where AI and innovative technologies can step in to assist, albeit with a leap of faith. </p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I'm sure Siegfried Giedion would have had a lot to say on this subject. 75 years after his book 'Mechanisation Takes Command' where he predicted the opportunities of mechanisation, prefabrication and mass production following technological advancements in the Second World War, the opportunities for technological progress in Architecture and the Building Industry today has never been greater.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-31531439840144550782021-12-31T01:48:00.007+00:002023-12-22T13:30:19.231+00:00Designing for Plants<span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">DesignBox Architecture is delighted to have recently held a series of design workshops with Hillcross Primary School in South West London, as part of the RIBA’s schools outreach programme. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw9b8kiseeZcU68FDYKjKYArauFJGoa31IGgTr3uYjJzEP7WgIwkJjMC7Q8H-4743_qi5JMtD9NAiQ-8AYtW3Mw2DYqj0ZPZuS-XEpFfOyHA_SzTEyQjHbXOSrfVfiahMQZtXQ_pWqZGBY0Pmgx73bODmlcfPlxes6f2AL5ugTY3lZ6Gy_F_l5zT8Lbg=s1785" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Greenhouse Design Workshop" border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1210" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjw9b8kiseeZcU68FDYKjKYArauFJGoa31IGgTr3uYjJzEP7WgIwkJjMC7Q8H-4743_qi5JMtD9NAiQ-8AYtW3Mw2DYqj0ZPZuS-XEpFfOyHA_SzTEyQjHbXOSrfVfiahMQZtXQ_pWqZGBY0Pmgx73bODmlcfPlxes6f2AL5ugTY3lZ6Gy_F_l5zT8Lbg=w271-h400" title="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Greenhouse Design Workshop" width="271" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at greenhouse precedents</td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The brief for the workshops was set by the School; to design and build a series of greenhouses. This was part of their programme to meet the needs of the national curriculum for art, design and technology. The workshops were held with two year 4 classes of 9 year olds held over a three week period. </span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2UzuI80zSCDCXx9AtFaoO9jdByPy2i0ps0Qb6x14sAEUmcrau7X-b0X7QZBT12YHhEqkA8TDXs9TN85rHLUeJNYNU8bbzoxxU6ltNAD6k350HfSl_bj-PIk--kW1ZAPoci8aD75feg-UB518SLs7chy8t5IUSHSV6TKUrIWUiu0vd14U_awdMKArU6A=s1229" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DesignBox Architecture Design Workshop Developing Ideas" border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="1229" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2UzuI80zSCDCXx9AtFaoO9jdByPy2i0ps0Qb6x14sAEUmcrau7X-b0X7QZBT12YHhEqkA8TDXs9TN85rHLUeJNYNU8bbzoxxU6ltNAD6k350HfSl_bj-PIk--kW1ZAPoci8aD75feg-UB518SLs7chy8t5IUSHSV6TKUrIWUiu0vd14U_awdMKArU6A=w400-h284" title="DesignBox Architecture Design Workshop Developing Ideas" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approach to design</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Several types of seeds were available for our young Architects to chose from and they were introduced as the Clients for the project. The first task was to understand and assess the environmental conditions required by each seed type, to grow into healthy plants. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilxmQsktTemhA5RK9dXoC6IcSj2OYsnAapMEqFCZPkhwUmppBgyVVC4yqf72zPB5R6xnvmHC1JcaZ_LYazs2Aj41I_o8WK_tA_MsAYoGa6SIKuDhEP0A-mgvudcK-aQNFrsJZaQ-cGw9inRPp-YZ6xrblLkMBuc1ZQKUL-IqGeaZZg2PyHVBJEL-mbBA=s1208" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DesignBox Architecture Design Workshop Developing Concepts" border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1208" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEilxmQsktTemhA5RK9dXoC6IcSj2OYsnAapMEqFCZPkhwUmppBgyVVC4yqf72zPB5R6xnvmHC1JcaZ_LYazs2Aj41I_o8WK_tA_MsAYoGa6SIKuDhEP0A-mgvudcK-aQNFrsJZaQ-cGw9inRPp-YZ6xrblLkMBuc1ZQKUL-IqGeaZZg2PyHVBJEL-mbBA=w400-h286" title="DesignBox Architecture Design Workshop Developing Concepts" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some design considerations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJAA2-0bIq_tyspDJ7qeep32Q069EGjAe4VC52mo5FEVKBp1h0RoQJw3RGSyjK67KjRuPI0O5AWfVJM3-tSXxaMwR8i6MQ8-9GP5rOi2K1-NjKf_gfN4YPoHc5vuTV63N5LttNWLhy-imujXPgiyEDEBv2Gqk0qMHvN3q18M4yXZ3TfQloChce2CCo8g=s1202" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DesignBox Architecture Greenhouse Design Workshop Environmental Considerations" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1202" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJAA2-0bIq_tyspDJ7qeep32Q069EGjAe4VC52mo5FEVKBp1h0RoQJw3RGSyjK67KjRuPI0O5AWfVJM3-tSXxaMwR8i6MQ8-9GP5rOi2K1-NjKf_gfN4YPoHc5vuTV63N5LttNWLhy-imujXPgiyEDEBv2Gqk0qMHvN3q18M4yXZ3TfQloChce2CCo8g=w400-h284" title="DesignBox Architecture Greenhouse Design Workshop Environmental Considerations" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some environmental considerations</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Work progressed through a number of stages, starting with first ideas drawn using paper and pencil. These ideas were reviewed before being brought to life by taking A4 sheets of paper and experimenting in 3D forms by folding, cutting and stapling to create mock-up structures. </span></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9rqU4SBVdPogmEcSfwBWhmUMOP2QM5ml0lCWYxYVpmTLErURsWyG_rUqvMY5UsHts7bqhANBbJRFk3AVz8ltsHJaZXqccUbItas_omZlOLYK7njkbPbEvAtMvqfbPQzZFtiQQLQ-FRvbHLU-KU26UCT_-aRd_ymEWdEB9YARpsp41o7FygAJ0BpcUg=s1213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DesignBox Architecture Greenhouse Design Workshop Materials Palette" border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="1213" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjo9rqU4SBVdPogmEcSfwBWhmUMOP2QM5ml0lCWYxYVpmTLErURsWyG_rUqvMY5UsHts7bqhANBbJRFk3AVz8ltsHJaZXqccUbItas_omZlOLYK7njkbPbEvAtMvqfbPQzZFtiQQLQ-FRvbHLU-KU26UCT_-aRd_ymEWdEB9YARpsp41o7FygAJ0BpcUg=w400-h288" title="DesignBox Architecture Greenhouse Design Workshop Materials Palette" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials palette</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The fact that most of the children have never experienced a greenhouse or considered greenhouse design before proved to be a bonus because their ideas were fresh, innovative and genuinely novel. Next step was to see the site, the school allotment to decide on the best places to site the greenhouses, considering sun path, shading, drainage, and ventilation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2398Jf0oLa1wJ20sm5JYRdMqxvGLXRcYRvfhrcwBC9t-v9_iXgC_DKhB0qdtpIE5YYZTAB143PU0eKgDiJjPWFsrBpBQFlWGOr-trVsNsgDs9unvaE0-lv7dHomIy7kgTi4wlyVawvjF-9T6qKjF3x36LuNOHHGi6ZTln3CW_lbSH8y353k672HL-XQ=s1493" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop developing ideas" border="0" data-original-height="1057" data-original-width="1493" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2398Jf0oLa1wJ20sm5JYRdMqxvGLXRcYRvfhrcwBC9t-v9_iXgC_DKhB0qdtpIE5YYZTAB143PU0eKgDiJjPWFsrBpBQFlWGOr-trVsNsgDs9unvaE0-lv7dHomIy7kgTi4wlyVawvjF-9T6qKjF3x36LuNOHHGi6ZTln3CW_lbSH8y353k672HL-XQ=w400-h284" title="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop developing ideas" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Developments in design...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis5vvJt8yhahWbyZpGvatpPr3exzcWBpOh5EkwrfJd-0jotYBG4VXkTSJHgLqP1YWchR6urtYJnbmHOZ_RF_O8CSaPZfn48GDaetunV2kXWrVXsnqXUunsGL33bOKJb0FSU4exUQPQ8ixH_idnUWFSj9xhZpgoHob9XAPkChBfPcSgIM_NrnyJsbK0Tg=s1284" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Prototyping" border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1284" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis5vvJt8yhahWbyZpGvatpPr3exzcWBpOh5EkwrfJd-0jotYBG4VXkTSJHgLqP1YWchR6urtYJnbmHOZ_RF_O8CSaPZfn48GDaetunV2kXWrVXsnqXUunsGL33bOKJb0FSU4exUQPQ8ixH_idnUWFSj9xhZpgoHob9XAPkChBfPcSgIM_NrnyJsbK0Tg=w400-h295" title="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Prototyping" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> and experiments with paper structures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Workshops progressed with the introduction of materials to make the final greenhouses, which included plastic sheet and card, dowel and cane, modelling mesh, nuts, bolts and cable ties. This palette of materials allowed the students to make frame, panel and tensile structures, with opaque, translucent and transparent options. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc6Ek6WrxiZ9LBnCnAX0NwcxwTFrhKt4dbUB7Z2t0SrHqmlyEE_XEdPQuV3Xgh66uqQW2oPaWeZtHHtB5w4RgjmlMQKedfmghYHpaB_j8jMP5Mm7hVrKkqAQrf_i53VKzvP8GivOw1QaXFskeY4ZFqFkmC0MrOtbgS0Ap8tnqscIO6BwyZQOZzC5mYUw=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Project" border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgc6Ek6WrxiZ9LBnCnAX0NwcxwTFrhKt4dbUB7Z2t0SrHqmlyEE_XEdPQuV3Xgh66uqQW2oPaWeZtHHtB5w4RgjmlMQKedfmghYHpaB_j8jMP5Mm7hVrKkqAQrf_i53VKzvP8GivOw1QaXFskeY4ZFqFkmC0MrOtbgS0Ap8tnqscIO6BwyZQOZzC5mYUw=w300-h400" title="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Project" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cress House</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Our budding Architects engaged fully in the process with enthusiasm and drive to create some really involved and unique results. It was a very exciting set of workshops, full of fun! I hope we will see how the plants progress in their bespoke houses in the Spring. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGmkZX9OemPkoDQjRO7fi_Uyj6gNoFGic2sNWcFAUnEwab1MhdCJ7xU0VDqN62nU0hcRu2iX05-zoi2ROhwm9wFPbJNGcuar3MvzTciI6Y93bVNr06rDMAd6BAbPYDseR6uVwsbpcf1MU0gwXOoZQjTCZfWGbqUsNRx2lGRM31zklDT_dwzgAe6uMT0w=s1903" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Project" border="0" data-original-height="1627" data-original-width="1903" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgGmkZX9OemPkoDQjRO7fi_Uyj6gNoFGic2sNWcFAUnEwab1MhdCJ7xU0VDqN62nU0hcRu2iX05-zoi2ROhwm9wFPbJNGcuar3MvzTciI6Y93bVNr06rDMAd6BAbPYDseR6uVwsbpcf1MU0gwXOoZQjTCZfWGbqUsNRx2lGRM31zklDT_dwzgAe6uMT0w=w400-h343" title="Hillcross Primary School and RIBA Architecture Workshop Project" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For growing runner beans</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Thanks again to Hillcross Primary School and the RIBA. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Notes on the workshops:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Working with the plants as Clients gave an objective focus to the design process. Seeds can’t talk so the design challenge became a focus on the optimum growing environment required for them, based on information on the seed packet. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Clients normally articulate their requirements to form a brief for a project. As an architect it is important to consider what is not said as much as what is said. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition it is important to consider that as architects we need to consider the requirements of life forms other than ourselves. Here the students had to think about what life would be like as a small plant. As architects we can often see ourselves in the Clients shoes, projecting our interpretation of the Clients requirements on the design. Here, the design tasks benefited from being detached from human needs so the students had no option but to think outside themselves. And to imagine a world without doors, walls, windows, and roofs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The sequence of working in 2D, then 3D with A4 paper before proceeding to full size structures helped ensure the designs were achievable and realisable with the resources we had. It was also a useful to exercise for the articulation, dexterity and motor skills of the children's hands and fingers. This can’t be underestimated because technology including touch screens and games consoles result in these skills being under developed. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The fabrication of the individual full scale greenhouses was of a size manageable by school children. The materials selected to create them included externally durable sheet and card that could be bent, folded and connected. Connections were made with cable ties and M5 bolts, sized to fit with holes made from a standard single hole punch. All accessible and easy to manage. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Personal takeaway:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">It was very interesting to observe how similar the working dynamic of the school workshop teams were to that of a professional design studio. Individuals within teams gelled and jarred in similar ways and for the same reasons I have seen in practice, over working and friendship relationships. The dynamic was however wholly positive and the young architects always supportive of their team mates. </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-91611551436646053852021-07-27T19:46:00.004+00:002023-12-22T13:30:46.401+00:00Chair-ish Creativity #2<p>DesignBox Architecture are delighted to have been invited back to Furzedown Primary School to run some more Architecture and Design Workshops. We worked on chair designs over two weekly lessons. The workshops focused on the development of design using writing, drawing and making skills. </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Writing skills started with a name for the chair design and a 'narrative' to describe what the design is about and its significance.</li><li>Drawing skills looked to visualise the written design idea. Pens, pencils, colours and any artistic medium were encouraged to express the student's ideas. Drawings could be orthogonal (we discussed plans, sections, elevations and axonometrics) or free-form.</li><li>Model making skills using materials sympathetic to the material and structural choices made by the students in their designs. </li></ul><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGVDas2N89YSvZWZf2r00cG5Y7uANhsxxbuexZF2TK8_4O2Q1RHyZIpU9Mnx-9i8HtX5FrPxQFD98fDelvTciUFwWdrVCqYDAWaCj70z1HjZOnp4X-zvgLmbGJneIfxr3WSD8Kb_BrtpL/s2048/Chair-ish+creativity+2-1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1406" data-original-width="2048" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGVDas2N89YSvZWZf2r00cG5Y7uANhsxxbuexZF2TK8_4O2Q1RHyZIpU9Mnx-9i8HtX5FrPxQFD98fDelvTciUFwWdrVCqYDAWaCj70z1HjZOnp4X-zvgLmbGJneIfxr3WSD8Kb_BrtpL/w400-h275/Chair-ish+creativity+2-1_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Extracts from the workshop sequence sheets, looking at the concept, structures and ergonomics.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The idea of the workshops was to investigate a holistic design approach. Each skill-set informed the next and progress through the workshops informed the student's overall designs. For example, model making revealed both restrictions and opportunities over the drawn ideas, and both offered feedback on the narrative and initial concept. </div><div><br /></div><div>The workshops were fast-paced with lessons broken down in to progressive steps lasting about 20 minutes each. This kept the students focused in their ideas and enthusiastic for the process. The students were a class of year-5, 10 year olds. </div><div><br /></div><div>The design process looked at thinking about: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The concept; who the product is for and what is significant or special about it,</li><li>Functionality; considering how a concept translates in to a purposeful design, </li><li>Drawing practice; how to represent ideas in different ways in two dimensions, </li><li>Structures; the different types of structures that surround us and how they work,</li><li>Ergonomics; considering how how humans move, our differences and the importance of inclusivity.</li></ul></div><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h6Wf-OMxSXhobC__zA96pRfpcYlrZzvGA46detGC2XCluZe1saA9-1OHcmvONLKHa6SmNGrHaSt0pd4QtYRKKCzbw50tzg8Yk7ZzJ0F1kmLCVNco1DKugasaxbVGtLxV5LURUGEFNSuC/s2048/Chair-ish+creativity+2-2_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1383" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h6Wf-OMxSXhobC__zA96pRfpcYlrZzvGA46detGC2XCluZe1saA9-1OHcmvONLKHa6SmNGrHaSt0pd4QtYRKKCzbw50tzg8Yk7ZzJ0F1kmLCVNco1DKugasaxbVGtLxV5LURUGEFNSuC/w400-h270/Chair-ish+creativity+2-2_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Examples of work showing text, drawing and models</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The results were hugely creative. The student's imagination produced some very impressive results. Their application and involvement in the process drove many of them to work through design issues positively which was very encouraging. The students considered their designs carefully. In addition to the predicted gaming chairs, the works included a comfy chair for Mum, a trampoline chair, and a chair to meet friends on. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05uoCQBjVIEfjgKsFpe4QRm2FRfv0uDQNhmFQDlrx2cQdc-udN_OckBAtHQROLoay3m7_tL5-1D5_6F_QPBUgrrro9DdclNoMGuYPntAI0U5xhsU9-k68y2ab-fwgl1dU5TVQWZt60yGS/s2048/Chair-ish+creativity+2-3_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="2048" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi05uoCQBjVIEfjgKsFpe4QRm2FRfv0uDQNhmFQDlrx2cQdc-udN_OckBAtHQROLoay3m7_tL5-1D5_6F_QPBUgrrro9DdclNoMGuYPntAI0U5xhsU9-k68y2ab-fwgl1dU5TVQWZt60yGS/w400-h270/Chair-ish+creativity+2-3_.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">More examples of work showing text, drawing and models</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Thanks to Furzedown Primary School and their Art department. Have a great Summer!</p><p><i>Education note: The purpose of this design workshop was to demonstrate the importance of Art and creative subjects in the National Curriculum, especially when used in application with mainstream subjects like English and Maths. 'Chair-ish creativity' is about how we should 'cherish creativity' and demonstrate why the STEM subjects are much more accessible and enjoyable when set within an environment of STEAM.</i></p><p><i>The multi-mode process also helped the students to understand how design develops and is informed by each separate step in the process. </i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-64555521102384639032021-07-24T21:10:00.005+00:002023-12-22T13:32:13.114+00:00The Machrie Golf Links and Hotel Programme of Works<div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">DesignBox is delighted to announce the completion of a programme of works at the Machrie Golf Links and Hotel, with our appointment as Project Manager.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdbrd0LoL-wA2MwMLQ0eZPjGEDVVuNZziaTjDKohmAgVxb1YM3U_kg3P56QNJzj-8rOdkNbo0oHsJ9PQY2c4dnGvO1063GN0yMNZHC-Yla9ieqS8nsuKenVyB1SLfT6nlVThitOAoFPjC/s2012/Machrie+18th+-+Alan+Williams.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Project Management coordination with a Scottish Golf Links and Hotel Redevelopment" border="0" data-original-height="1336" data-original-width="2012" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihdbrd0LoL-wA2MwMLQ0eZPjGEDVVuNZziaTjDKohmAgVxb1YM3U_kg3P56QNJzj-8rOdkNbo0oHsJ9PQY2c4dnGvO1063GN0yMNZHC-Yla9ieqS8nsuKenVyB1SLfT6nlVThitOAoFPjC/w400-h265/Machrie+18th+-+Alan+Williams.png" title="Project Management coordination with a Scottish Golf Links and Hotel Redevelopment" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Machrie Hotel set behind the 18th hole on the Links<br />Photograph: Alan Williams</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The Machrie sits on the edge of the Laggan Bay, on the Isle of Islay.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Know as ‘the Queen of the Hebrides’, Islay is the southern most island of the Inner Hebrides.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Islay is famous for its whiskey, its environment, wildlife, and of course golf and hospitality.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0me4lLYlsADFGiwuXGpHdvoRY4hH7t4ny36TXnyrM_p9pp-JrFOfii9rNmz9JTyJ2zFpRA6X3fVM7ZMa0u02oKEcUoCGtlHiV-JFhMSzmPJP82TpgU9aEVxfcPyZNB32EmT_Wao2gR4F/s2876/Machrie_18+greens.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Project Management coordination with a Scottish Golf Links Redevelopment" border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="2876" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0me4lLYlsADFGiwuXGpHdvoRY4hH7t4ny36TXnyrM_p9pp-JrFOfii9rNmz9JTyJ2zFpRA6X3fVM7ZMa0u02oKEcUoCGtlHiV-JFhMSzmPJP82TpgU9aEVxfcPyZNB32EmT_Wao2gR4F/w400-h153/Machrie_18+greens.jpg" title="Project Management coordination with a Scottish Golf Links Redevelopment" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The 18 holes of the Machrie Golf links with the Hotel's construction site <br />in late 2017</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Machrie includes an 18 hole championship links course set into the pristine dunes next to a SSSI beach. There’s also a ‘Wee Course’ for beginners or golfers looking for a warm up. The four star luxury Hotel managed by Campbell Gray Hotels includes 47 guest rooms, a bar, restaurant and function room, three lounges, a 30 seat cinema, gym, spa, golf shop and an indoor driving range with technical suites and golf lounge. The links course has been thoroughly upgraded by DJ Russell and Edinburgh Landscaping to reclaim the charm of the original Willie Campbell course of 1891.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>To support the upkeep and maintenance of the links, the green keeping team now have two maintenance sheds and a series of annexed plant facilities.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2GkRp_9N1KAABf4RVS3u_qgtAb1JcYuv21uIsbC9NMjQkkWBGA9PDu4Ah8SOD9De2nZOUDxtSxwBUhFoHOYwnD2WaO3BnCl00mTSkutncYj8UEDKdVnKkIQgv_K3ix4-fzP7MBQve53x/s2048/Machrie+Water+Route.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Project Management of Water and Utilities Installation" border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh2GkRp_9N1KAABf4RVS3u_qgtAb1JcYuv21uIsbC9NMjQkkWBGA9PDu4Ah8SOD9De2nZOUDxtSxwBUhFoHOYwnD2WaO3BnCl00mTSkutncYj8UEDKdVnKkIQgv_K3ix4-fzP7MBQve53x/w400-h268/Machrie+Water+Route.JPG" title="Project Management of Water and Utilities Installation" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Walking the route for the water mains with Scottish Water <br />through peat bog</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">DesignBox was appointed as project manager in May 2013 to assist with securing consent to connect to the mains water supply from Scottish Water.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Up until this point the Machrie had operated without mains water which was a key factor to the hotel’s closure in 2011 under previous ownership. Consent was granted in 2014 with agreement for a pipe line to connect the hotel to the nearest water mains, 2.9km away. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The work involved easements across four adjacent landowners farms and was critical to unlocking the business viability of the hotel’s business case.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />Simultaneously, DesignBox was also appointed to project manage the construction of a new green keepers shed in 2013.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The original had been destroyed in a storm some time earlier. In developing the project, DesignBox ensured that all service infrastructures were upgraded to future-proof the Machrie for the programme of works to follow.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This included redirecting the overhead mains power supply to the new shed to make space for a new first fairway, upgrading the pole-mounted transformer and power supply to enable the green keeping team to manage their vehicles and plant. A series of buried ducts were installed to enable BT and water connections to the shed and a new HV mains connection to the hotel.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Circulation tracks were managed to make the route to the green keeping facilities as inconspicuous as possible, whilst maximising space for golf play at the same time. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS8Bwl7EcJGHJp1mGklg1AWpVrLzSH_SVBYMqUsm-rci8eG69mo_nNVKWjTPBSlshtWjg75S-kHBXu7BA6D084jIaAJ10Dzij6pUruQ_2i3qJJPspqUBNojcv6ExhtwtFNNQ52Kjk2HIa/s2048/Machrie+Green+Keepers+Shed.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Architecture and Project Management of Golf Links Green Keeping Facilities" border="0" data-original-height="1367" data-original-width="2048" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQS8Bwl7EcJGHJp1mGklg1AWpVrLzSH_SVBYMqUsm-rci8eG69mo_nNVKWjTPBSlshtWjg75S-kHBXu7BA6D084jIaAJ10Dzij6pUruQ_2i3qJJPspqUBNojcv6ExhtwtFNNQ52Kjk2HIa/w400-h268/Machrie+Green+Keepers+Shed.JPG" title="Architecture and Project Management of Golf Links Green Keeping Facilities" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Machrie Golf Links Green Keepers Shed</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The Client’s vision was to create a world-class Championship Links Course connected to a newly redeveloped four-star hotel, for the enjoyment of local, national and international visitors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>DesignBox was appointed project manager for the hotel redevelopment project in 2015.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This began with a series of enabling works which took place in quick succession to facilitate the hotel’s design and procurement programme, and start on site date.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Enabling works included the removal of asbestos, partial demolition of the existing hotel and temporary refurbishment of 14 existing holiday cottages for use as site workers accommodation during the build.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW6r1l05-JO5_-1Pkm6ij-gziYKaQkXzwUqeraD_vVFuiQi7A-xXQ-fMlgHkgFW-HEEeEUqhtOTvrAvP8ArT0TZ2l0xhMecvofD9iseiCG9LZBeuKDnaljXPnSG7g0lDIj8Ym7qXvsS6m/s2048/Machrie+Site.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Project Management of refurbishment of Scottish Island Hotel" border="0" data-original-height="1420" data-original-width="2048" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUW6r1l05-JO5_-1Pkm6ij-gziYKaQkXzwUqeraD_vVFuiQi7A-xXQ-fMlgHkgFW-HEEeEUqhtOTvrAvP8ArT0TZ2l0xhMecvofD9iseiCG9LZBeuKDnaljXPnSG7g0lDIj8Ym7qXvsS6m/w400-h278/Machrie+Site.jpg" title="Project Management of refurbishment of Scottish Island Hotel" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The Machrie Hotel at the beginning of construction</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">DesignBox project managed the design development of the hotel project working for the Client with Hudson Architects (Architects), Peter Young Design(Interior Designers), Morham & Brotchie (Oban) (Quantity Surveyors), David Narro Associates (Glasgow) (Structural Engineers), Hulley & Kirkwood (Glasgow) (MEP Services Engineers), Victoria Jerram (Lighting Designer) and a series of specialist suppliers. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We started on site in September 2016 with Corramore Construction as the main contractor, and reached Practical Completion in September 2018.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>With Islay being a west coast Scottish island, logistics, lead in times, availability of specialist trades, working weather windows and accommodation were key challenges we worked on as a team to ensure progress, in addition to the normal challenges of project management.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were a robustly positive team and always maintained progress.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">In addition to the main contract of the Hotel’s construction, DesignBox project managed the logistics to bring all the FF&E and OS&E to the Machrie, new phone connections to the hotel, a new BT data fibre connection from Port Ellen 6.5km away, and the demolition of 10 of the remaining cottages after they were vacated by the site team. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoxshAJdvkWk-JZQgCtfO0ubcRWBjTha5ukRIA-SSrZWdMDfwGEnGKQ1tDb0pJyNDp8enfCxyYEqfoOqgsXvAxC2Kwj86fToZBS2kgmCIFrKB2igVRJTuJE4g0WLFjSsUSpkjKuISv1bF/s2048/Machrie+trailer.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Hotel redevelopment logistics project management" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtoxshAJdvkWk-JZQgCtfO0ubcRWBjTha5ukRIA-SSrZWdMDfwGEnGKQ1tDb0pJyNDp8enfCxyYEqfoOqgsXvAxC2Kwj86fToZBS2kgmCIFrKB2igVRJTuJE4g0WLFjSsUSpkjKuISv1bF/w400-h400/Machrie+trailer.jpg" title="Hotel redevelopment logistics project management" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Inspecting the contents of the trailers</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Because Islay is a relatively remote location, anything required off the Island can take time to arrive.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Machrie sought to overcome this by equipping themselves with all the key machinery, facilities, plant and skilled people required to make them self sufficient.</div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMmH8027tUlu335Vbp_vV7XRPnw_mexmelj2fav0krYY32VO5peR0en8ha6wat_PH4UxUuvmz8T2KPJ5o_jz6WA-ppDGVKW7IntINBZSJbMNm2F9PdsbO_U8xpVJBAsVnwmXcT7WKaWBb/s1847/Machrie+vehicle+hoist.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Golf Links Facilities Development Architecture and Project Management" border="0" data-original-height="1847" data-original-width="1847" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMmH8027tUlu335Vbp_vV7XRPnw_mexmelj2fav0krYY32VO5peR0en8ha6wat_PH4UxUuvmz8T2KPJ5o_jz6WA-ppDGVKW7IntINBZSJbMNm2F9PdsbO_U8xpVJBAsVnwmXcT7WKaWBb/w400-h400/Machrie+vehicle+hoist.jpg" title="Golf Links Facilities Development Architecture and Project Management" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Vehicle work at the Machrie maintenance shed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">Following the opening of the newly redeveloped hotel, DesignBox was appointed to project manage a new vehicle shed for the green keeping team which completed in 2020 and the resurfacing of their 1.3km approach road to the Hotel which completed in 2021, staged either side of lockdown. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEn1ZoMFu3N6IYGDnOBQpL6Br2-4-M7BBmHLq43hvqXOVs6dmVPAcbRoXp5sT4ivpM2kYDDZcv4vXQ-MkMCgaArKbgj3x5uyNekCk3LFE4gi1_nQvEkAG0aZNicw_MMHJ9v1A31ncTWjc/s2048/Machrie+Sheds.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Golf Links Facilities Development Architecture and Project Management" border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwEn1ZoMFu3N6IYGDnOBQpL6Br2-4-M7BBmHLq43hvqXOVs6dmVPAcbRoXp5sT4ivpM2kYDDZcv4vXQ-MkMCgaArKbgj3x5uyNekCk3LFE4gi1_nQvEkAG0aZNicw_MMHJ9v1A31ncTWjc/w400-h300/Machrie+Sheds.jpg" title="Golf Links Facilities Development Architecture and Project Management" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The new vehicle shed tucked behind the maintenance shed</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;">The Machrie Golf Links and Hotel is a very special destination and these projects occupy a very special place in the DesignBox portfolio. The regeneration of the Machrie’s Hotel and Golf Links marks a most incredible transformation which is all to the credit of the Client’s vision and attention to detail.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I am sure the Machrie will have a wonderful summer season this year and I hope there might be another opportunity to work for the Machrie again in the future.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJPay91xZqIsrWwmSZj0Pv-g280UBkaUBxZWTBwaciQeieVUWZpuUmOX2QDbaWD4-BzGEVXLoKlWVL_K5WSh6DWRs5p6_IAiyS7ae2IB86PzwTTp_nBanDHcEpWZ4QYgGztlkTx4HX0ut/s1200/Machrie+evening+-+Alan+Williams.GIF" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Golf Project Management Islay" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1200" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieJPay91xZqIsrWwmSZj0Pv-g280UBkaUBxZWTBwaciQeieVUWZpuUmOX2QDbaWD4-BzGEVXLoKlWVL_K5WSh6DWRs5p6_IAiyS7ae2IB86PzwTTp_nBanDHcEpWZ4QYgGztlkTx4HX0ut/w400-h288/Machrie+evening+-+Alan+Williams.GIF" title="Golf Project Management Islay" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Evening at the newly redeveloped Machrie Hotel<br />Photograph - Alan Williams</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm84tdXt4Ig48A371qKMu0u8CvkXYaltr4M2kQw3wUX_esiY4PhPp6WEQWxj4tQnp6jlBb1vBelBwvmCfTAZymz0aNR9bSy1as8WwCaz_BI5RKnQEASEvihlR0cQ0bdPdcR2sl5eIblgHeTsxzDtCbW9997akfsf39OZpTrlRGfgCBeO52aFmeWVOESg/s1920/designbox_road.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Classic Car Tours Aston Martin Skyfall Tour 2021" border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm84tdXt4Ig48A371qKMu0u8CvkXYaltr4M2kQw3wUX_esiY4PhPp6WEQWxj4tQnp6jlBb1vBelBwvmCfTAZymz0aNR9bSy1as8WwCaz_BI5RKnQEASEvihlR0cQ0bdPdcR2sl5eIblgHeTsxzDtCbW9997akfsf39OZpTrlRGfgCBeO52aFmeWVOESg/w400-h225/designbox_road.jpg" title="Classic Car Tours Aston Martin Skyfall Tour 2021" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aston Martins arrive at the Machrie for the 2021 Classic Car Tours 'Skyfall Tour', <br />on the newly resurfaced Machrie road</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-37292833846794051552021-04-20T19:11:00.002+00:002023-05-08T17:51:45.484+00:00Tube-Hub<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpFXgY-ZD1T2W649grfb6EctE-6BtNnSISrYTzFT9gkhyphenhypheneGojdgnwpP-8PmtK21DA0Rjlo8X8N4zoM3r9LJfTpV0q-SNT3uATUGN9EXbhNlGYzhfCQD7uFlJbXkM4TL3o_wdpNfbmQkYg/s2048/Tube+Hub.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="TFL Car Park Reuse" border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpFXgY-ZD1T2W649grfb6EctE-6BtNnSISrYTzFT9gkhyphenhypheneGojdgnwpP-8PmtK21DA0Rjlo8X8N4zoM3r9LJfTpV0q-SNT3uATUGN9EXbhNlGYzhfCQD7uFlJbXkM4TL3o_wdpNfbmQkYg/w400-h225/Tube+Hub.jpg" title="TFL Car Park Reuse" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;">Transport For London (TFL) are looking for ideas to add value to some of their tube station car parks. Our response is Tube Hub; a heterogeneous network of street markets, connected and empowered by the TFL tube network.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">With a focus on local speciality trades, crafts and businesses, each market in the Tube Hub network can be a place to buy a passing coffee, drop off dry cleaning, meet work mates for lunch, rent a work station for a day, or meet friends for an evening event. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">The tube network raises the profile of the markets, facilitating access with passing trade from commuters or as a specific destination for visitors.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">We have been living our lockdown lives with ever more reliance on online services, often through a small number of well-established companies.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Progressive technologies allow us to operate without geographical base, supported by logistics that brings stuff to your door.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">It seems long ago that we knew our local high street and the small family businesses which populated it. We have moved towards a more anonymous relationship with our community.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Tube Hub seeks to re-address this, re-uniting communities with the wealth of services in their area, supported by the robust TFL transport system, which encourages people beyond their doors and brings everyone together! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">2020 and 2021 so far have been long periods of lockdown. With restrictions thankfully easing we now have the opportunity to take back some ground on how we connect with our communities and the wealth of opportunities it offers...and enjoy life.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-69853021559657374722021-02-26T11:23:00.008+00:002023-12-22T13:35:05.198+00:00Playground Design Challenge<p>Playgrounds are an important part of childhood. Play, exercise, seeing friends and having fun all happen in our playgrounds. In these days of lock-down, playground facilities have never been more important for the mental and physical wellbeing of our children. </p><p>But have you noticed that playgrounds are for kids, but have been designed by adults? What do they know?!? With Furzedown Primary School in London SW17 we set an design challenge for KS2 pupils (years 3 to 6, i.e. 8 to 11 year olds) to re-imagine their perfect playground: A space for kids, designed by kids.</p><p>This lock-down challenge was sent out to the kids with the following simple rules:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>No adults allowed: Grown-ups were not allowed to influence the design. Kid-power protocols govern!</li><li>There's no such thing as a bad idea. Take your extreme, and push it to the extreme!</li><li>Your ideas matter. Don't doubt your abilities.</li><li>Keep playing with your designs, with drawings, using colour, making models, even attempting prototypes. See what the different media and scales influence your designs. </li></ul><div>Additional notes to the brief included consideration of space, place, weather, inclusivity and activities. There were some thoughts on presentation, narrative and naming their projects too. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyIU_5SqVJ-8r3EI4S94v1yr5Jw4neMXkeA2XlXMQ6W_SWXQJsQpGLX6C7Yo5j03fQpRX7n6hlHy0XKkV3QMY33iC9Gtf7k8heAjeiyodqolERwaLc9fVaOe6K69dvA-8LlBMd8Y2m9Fa/s2048/Playground+Challenge+Brief.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyIU_5SqVJ-8r3EI4S94v1yr5Jw4neMXkeA2XlXMQ6W_SWXQJsQpGLX6C7Yo5j03fQpRX7n6hlHy0XKkV3QMY33iC9Gtf7k8heAjeiyodqolERwaLc9fVaOe6K69dvA-8LlBMd8Y2m9Fa/w400-h283/Playground+Challenge+Brief.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Playground Challenge Brief</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53BzFy0HmqEbcRQkzbxAME5I932xqPxBJKN96x4KxhyEWJgoXLas7_sl3zyMzieJRjijbwHr-xI5CuPowv1EIYmRn-nLzS1v7DYQbZymHtSgTWTWILQe_ovXipvb9uC2VrinvWHPNUdbC/s2048/Playground+Challenge+Ideas.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53BzFy0HmqEbcRQkzbxAME5I932xqPxBJKN96x4KxhyEWJgoXLas7_sl3zyMzieJRjijbwHr-xI5CuPowv1EIYmRn-nLzS1v7DYQbZymHtSgTWTWILQe_ovXipvb9uC2VrinvWHPNUdbC/w400-h283/Playground+Challenge+Ideas.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Playground Challenge Ideas</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Over the February half term the kids set to work on their proposals. The results were varied and exciting, and demonstrated a freedom of thought and individuality of ideas. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIckMq942fXEhpFb-KjLsDkGuwoh-cGo2ArESKZXU3poQNoDpanvgKzFVLBcCQvVfBlb8GRw5F0ejHGsH45WTzKz2xjVDHm3qN4qvzNotYlSs16wYWCznA-EVicA1b4ldEVeYFRWvbrkXA/s2048/Playground+Challenge.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIckMq942fXEhpFb-KjLsDkGuwoh-cGo2ArESKZXU3poQNoDpanvgKzFVLBcCQvVfBlb8GRw5F0ejHGsH45WTzKz2xjVDHm3qN4qvzNotYlSs16wYWCznA-EVicA1b4ldEVeYFRWvbrkXA/w400-h283/Playground+Challenge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Years 3 to 6 tackle the Playground Challenge!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>In addition to making a novel response to the design challenge, the kids ideas often reflect personal interests and activities of value to them. It has proven a very productive exercise which we hope we can develop and progress in future workshops once lock-down restrictions lift. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>Education note: The purpose of this design workshop is to demonstrate that we are all stakeholders in our surroundings. Where spaces directly affect us, we can have the confidence to assess what we require, what would make a positive difference and what would make them special. The views of children are no less important here. In fact their input can carry a lot of value because their thoughts are often less affected by preconceptions of what should be, and they represent tomorrow's generation of grown-ups.</i></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-12821448709210572002021-02-06T19:35:00.004+00:002023-12-22T13:35:26.630+00:00One Sheet of Paper<p><span style="color: #3d85c6;"> One sheet of paper</span></p><p>One sheet of paper is a very powerful tool. It can be the vehicle to start any imaginative journey into design. The opportunities for working with it are huge, and the feedback it gives to your eyes, hands and brain are invaluable for understanding 3D space as well as developing fine motor skills. </p><p>The use of paper for experimenting with design is very important, especially for younger children. It helps the mind to understand 3D space and form, and to enable the mind to comprehend objects in space. This is a learnt skill which we tend to lose as we grow up. Our world is dominated with straight lines, flat planes, vertical walls and standardised doors and windows. As we grow up we become more and more used to these simplistic conventions. There's a kind of dumbing down of our 3D cognitive skills. Professional designers sit in orthogonal rooms and operate 3D computer software to solve spacial design issues which our minds are losing a grasp of. Neither the mind nor the fingers are being exercised as they could be as a designer. </p><p>But it starts with only one sheet of paper; a very accessible resource. Take a scrap sheet of A4 and before tossing it in to the recycling bin, try giving it a couple of folds. What does it give back? Has something been created that you need to turn in your hands to comprehend? What space does it offer? Placed on a table, what scale would a person need to be to occupy it? Bring your eyes down to the level you would be, if you were that scale. What is the light like? How do the spaces feel? How would you scale this up to make a full size structure? Where would you site it and what would it be used for? Suddenly you're on an Architectural adventure.</p><p>The list of examples below are techniques for manipulating paper which we have used in School creative design workshops. It's a toolbox methods that can be used to investigate and progress architectural design ideas. </p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Folding</span></p><p>Folding is possibly the simplest process to start with. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, and its reversible. Adding a few folds to a sheet of paper quickly transforms the material from being an unremarkable object to something that challenges our comprehension. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1b9iztCBN2JoWsCly8afm_gNlV8S55YyBPzljKq1kkRQMTDCiYAsvQ5E3sl0frn4nm6umq5Ej9yC02tLWvwVSbS1NKp5urOx84J9WJe4up0iopUUZnj0vWCGvNi_S11-HuTwNficJwCj/s2048/01_folding.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD1b9iztCBN2JoWsCly8afm_gNlV8S55YyBPzljKq1kkRQMTDCiYAsvQ5E3sl0frn4nm6umq5Ej9yC02tLWvwVSbS1NKp5urOx84J9WJe4up0iopUUZnj0vWCGvNi_S11-HuTwNficJwCj/w400-h283/01_folding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Cutting</span></p><p>Cutting is a one-way process in the sense that it is irreversible, unlike folding. Cutting allows different shapes and forms to be created and geometries managed with <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_(polyhedron)" target="_blank">polyhedron nets</a> or allowing flexibility in the material which was not possible before the cut. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnEfb7sx6bmja9EoSyc_pqQjD5J94cZJqV25s9Lo_72LbK-myRbgxh4TDYIZkJltZrjkNUV7m5o6RYUGrG6mx9FR51kkm_N8u-VHLUPz-CpwZAwW2MH7qYR9oGBnXdJafl7kmPdxWYQ5t/s2048/02_cutting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnEfb7sx6bmja9EoSyc_pqQjD5J94cZJqV25s9Lo_72LbK-myRbgxh4TDYIZkJltZrjkNUV7m5o6RYUGrG6mx9FR51kkm_N8u-VHLUPz-CpwZAwW2MH7qYR9oGBnXdJafl7kmPdxWYQ5t/w400-h283/02_cutting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Adding</span></p><p>Adding allows paper components to be combined to make a new form or structure. These can either be as structural rods created from rolled paper, geometric shapes combined as panels, or with folded forms added together to make larger structures such as with modular origami. Assemblies can have fixed or flexible junctions. As a result, the forms created can be static or flexible. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV1_j6VI_-8lhslfKQ-xpwgVpvZGFmLD45e7lA163x80m0dO5l5lATOYn27lVE6EbJsQ8isiSxzetYcLpIUWP_Hl5vi2M7-C7mtbsp7G5iUZCukX2DqHXju-4UtBAxyUr4s950VkrkBms/s2048/03_adding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqV1_j6VI_-8lhslfKQ-xpwgVpvZGFmLD45e7lA163x80m0dO5l5lATOYn27lVE6EbJsQ8isiSxzetYcLpIUWP_Hl5vi2M7-C7mtbsp7G5iUZCukX2DqHXju-4UtBAxyUr4s950VkrkBms/w400-h283/03_adding.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Slotting</span></p><p>Slotting components together allows three dimensional assemblies to be created which can be disassembled and recreated in different geometric arrangements. Having folds and slots at angles quickly challenges our abilities to mentally keep track of the forms that emerge, and can create some exciting results.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFqpHbZkW-Tnt6HgHIZ8rZsYRxKAf4iEzLzhnBQi2Q0r-PK2vT4L4cu2Cc5AYs5JUJJAFbwWrwaPB0peSsgdXy7cSGwMxUoIqvh69CDFBeiFkov4N7pnujCJydzv8XYm8ZERwlUUbCZFI/s2048/04_slotting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvFqpHbZkW-Tnt6HgHIZ8rZsYRxKAf4iEzLzhnBQi2Q0r-PK2vT4L4cu2Cc5AYs5JUJJAFbwWrwaPB0peSsgdXy7cSGwMxUoIqvh69CDFBeiFkov4N7pnujCJydzv8XYm8ZERwlUUbCZFI/w400-h283/04_slotting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Drawing</span></p><p>Lets not forget that paper is ideal for drawing. In our design workshops we always like to challenge our students further by inviting them to represent their 3D creations with Architectural drawings and how they would work at full-scale. These include plans, sections, elevations, axonometrics, perspectives and free-hand explanatory diagrams. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO-2BgkyTkClHb0V8OJVBDKxbaJWjGKa2NPJJT0XCF1dmH83p3QhAeE-6nHtiPEDoUQaFgOS4ojPXzCvZQ0C8BUiGohFfhaVWrN5Nm1gC5p4PPuBOKnA1UHAPStsWQsMfyXDcrFP-cJPm/s2048/05_drawing.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIO-2BgkyTkClHb0V8OJVBDKxbaJWjGKa2NPJJT0XCF1dmH83p3QhAeE-6nHtiPEDoUQaFgOS4ojPXzCvZQ0C8BUiGohFfhaVWrN5Nm1gC5p4PPuBOKnA1UHAPStsWQsMfyXDcrFP-cJPm/w400-h283/05_drawing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Fabricating</span></p><p>With designs developing, our workshops often investigate how the the proposals will transform with different materials, to experiment with colours, light, translucency, and the meanings and values associated with different material surfaces. We often look at different structural solutions, because materials perform differently to paper and card. Here, white card models start to transform in to more complete design proposals with these extra dimensions added. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtUwqll5qRO4DxW7yIuGHtHiwi0aEFAbrPzXJRqzmuZoP60-MoPc-dMtWLZ9LMxrwbirCYXllLqUvnUL-dG0CmPh_FYKJ99THF0V6KJNN8aSpqZ3d6ynw-9EcEaNR5IisYtFluvwK4TAM/s2048/06_fabricating.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqtUwqll5qRO4DxW7yIuGHtHiwi0aEFAbrPzXJRqzmuZoP60-MoPc-dMtWLZ9LMxrwbirCYXllLqUvnUL-dG0CmPh_FYKJ99THF0V6KJNN8aSpqZ3d6ynw-9EcEaNR5IisYtFluvwK4TAM/w400-h283/06_fabricating.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Scaling </span></p><p>Given the opportunity we love to attempt scaling some proposals up to full scale. It enables the students to realise their creations and experience how they will work in reality. Paper sheets and rods generally transfer into card or correx sheets and card roll centers from rolls of carpet, fixed with cable ties, rope or nuts and bolts. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mclTJfsHIez95U-6mEolaYnta6c5rlK48dGs0Ven-FBRuOt-XEqMXiOvSQG0VcjugzxGCZXdOhA-rmyh3871hyheUMWKg5K5fz0XCTUCi5_pbukb6vFSXJFZDJ90SFOwo5f57nZ295Qk/s2048/07_scaling.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2048" height="283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mclTJfsHIez95U-6mEolaYnta6c5rlK48dGs0Ven-FBRuOt-XEqMXiOvSQG0VcjugzxGCZXdOhA-rmyh3871hyheUMWKg5K5fz0XCTUCi5_pbukb6vFSXJFZDJ90SFOwo5f57nZ295Qk/w400-h283/07_scaling.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The journey of a humble sheet of scrap A4 paper to an individual and unique creation in form, space and geometry can be extraordinary. To practice our drawing skills we're encouraged to sketch for ten minutes each day. To practice our spacial design skills we should likewise play with those waste sheets of A4 paper before they get sent to the recycling bin. </p><p><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Credits</span></p><p>The work shown above was carried out in workshops at <a href="https://www.furzedownschool.co.uk/" target="_blank">Furzedown Primary School</a> and <a href="https://www.graveney.org/" target="_blank">Graveney School</a> in London and <a href="https://hamptonschool.org.uk/" target="_blank">Hampton School</a> in Middlesex.</p><p>For inspiration and technical reference, a lot of credit is due to <a href="http://www.origami-artist.com/" target="_blank">Paul Jackson</a>, <a href="http://www.origamiheaven.com/" target="_blank">David Mitchell</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomoko_Fuse" target="_blank">Tomoko Fuse</a>, <a href="http://www.bookart.co.uk/about_paul_johnson.html" target="_blank">Paul Johnson</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josef_Albers" target="_blank">Josef Albers</a>, <a href="http://www1.ttcn.ne.jp/a-nishi/junos/z_junos.html" target="_blank">Junichi Yananose</a> and many other paper engineers.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comLondon, UK51.5073509 -0.127758323.197117063821153 -35.284008299999996 79.817584736178844 35.028491700000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-73556782830877478012020-11-20T19:26:00.003+00:002020-11-20T19:26:42.351+00:00Pegboard Kitchen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8sQWlY2F_cE5Zg4h7D5RzE-CXAq9XpDjiw8iBhGIy2MrXX3EDDIJY7J3buGTjcI0G8rdcbG0Dq8B-2VOfTRDejBcJ2jYjzzdBnifZQpQFLjyP_mXQY2a6425TZARQ4retqAMhbCHXiUp/s2048/01_pegboard+kitchen_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8sQWlY2F_cE5Zg4h7D5RzE-CXAq9XpDjiw8iBhGIy2MrXX3EDDIJY7J3buGTjcI0G8rdcbG0Dq8B-2VOfTRDejBcJ2jYjzzdBnifZQpQFLjyP_mXQY2a6425TZARQ4retqAMhbCHXiUp/w400-h400/01_pegboard+kitchen_1.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Pegboard panels are a very versatile way to transform a space. Here we took a small kitchen in a holiday let and gave it new life as a fun, playful space. The same ply was used on the base unit fronts, with pegboard accessories used as handles. A variety of lighting compensates for the lack of direct natural light. Happy cooking!!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoDjQFltG6RIbwhtegO_6CFUa2BukzVekM4nXyg_agAILGTtp_wW2wIpY-DkpbjU6y1vKAjMFIPVcPr9bNal3w071NLNbulYDhd684qRlHiSbl3eFfOh-LjIPjEShX7Pb_gq6UyrIN9F9/s2048/01_pegboard+kitchen_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1366" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVoDjQFltG6RIbwhtegO_6CFUa2BukzVekM4nXyg_agAILGTtp_wW2wIpY-DkpbjU6y1vKAjMFIPVcPr9bNal3w071NLNbulYDhd684qRlHiSbl3eFfOh-LjIPjEShX7Pb_gq6UyrIN9F9/w266-h400/01_pegboard+kitchen_2.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheywE9QAKDCXUxlvvoo88IXOKMZoRwR-kk6l4RSzT4aLO79XK1eWLCu7GT-r86f54e1mKP_h03E-B0u5zpjHTKqNAbTynKgiVRxs06fMCsCNU2wFt67-lb156xd7LbOVNRysmtim-hVV1C/s2048/01_pegboard+kitchen_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheywE9QAKDCXUxlvvoo88IXOKMZoRwR-kk6l4RSzT4aLO79XK1eWLCu7GT-r86f54e1mKP_h03E-B0u5zpjHTKqNAbTynKgiVRxs06fMCsCNU2wFt67-lb156xd7LbOVNRysmtim-hVV1C/w266-h400/01_pegboard+kitchen_3.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Pegboard and by <a href="https://kreisdesign.com/" target="_blank">Kreis Design</a><br />Installation by Steven Shaddick Building & Maintenance</div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-30453283094856690982020-10-28T07:47:00.001+00:002020-10-28T11:29:53.789+00:00Regenerating Scotswood<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GFzEyTMtZdPZESJnmiYI9X0Z-rnMmO31SMqXFxw3Ye1yEjpCTWRmL03hs6iJtDuC9bJHxXMsoOXE5_q0hborgMUBzNmFMVigysPuct_hgv9xrIMm4xxD2ejqOx5simsieW3wg1qn6ILU/s2048/471E7926-DC2E-403A-BADC-E34CAF408863.png"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="2048" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GFzEyTMtZdPZESJnmiYI9X0Z-rnMmO31SMqXFxw3Ye1yEjpCTWRmL03hs6iJtDuC9bJHxXMsoOXE5_q0hborgMUBzNmFMVigysPuct_hgv9xrIMm4xxD2ejqOx5simsieW3wg1qn6ILU/w400-h215/471E7926-DC2E-403A-BADC-E34CAF408863.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trans on Scotswood Road. On one side are shops and houses. </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">On the other side are the railway line, river and the factories </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: inherit;">of Vickers, Armstrong’s for shells and tanks</span>.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I uncovered this note from my late Dad describing life as a young child in the Scotswood area of Newcastle in the late 1930’s. The area was adapting to rehousing, changing communities and social engineering. Although this was more than 80 years ago I believe many of the expectations and aspirations of the residents are still of value today.</span></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Scotswood area started to the west of the Central Station and Scotswood Road ran along side the River Tyne until it reached the Scotswood Bridge. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was a long road that I remember walking when we visited my Aunt’s house. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was long, busy, black sooted but had some good shops and lots of pubs. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My Aunt lived in the back to back houses that stretched from the Scotswood Road up to the steep banks of the Tyne towards Elswick and Benwell. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Elswick, Benwell, and a bit further up the bank, Wingrove and Stanhope Street were a bit posher than the areas of Scotswood. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>However, some of the houses in Scotswood dated back to early Victorian times and boasted cellars, an imposing entrance up a number of stairs, big windows and big rooms. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My Aunt by comparison lived in a small ground floor flat with a living room, a kitchen and two bedrooms. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>There was no bathroom; the lavatory was in the back yard next to the coal house. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Lighting was by gas and in the evening the lamps hissed above the general conversation. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>My cousins were noisy and street-wise. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They had black hair like their father and were dark skinned. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Uncle John was fierce and tough and stood no nonsense from the neighbours but was always ready to help if there was anyone in trouble. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He was a great union man and capable of nicking anything left lying about. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Scotswood was a bit like my Uncle John; tough, without airs and graces, fierce in defence of his beliefs and a bit suspect when it came to living by the law of the land. </i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>My family was moved by Newcastle Council from Elswick and with other families from Scotswood were given new homes on the Blakelaw estate next to the northern parts of the Town Moor. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The house had an upstairs and downstairs, a living room, scullery with a pantry, three bedrooms and a bathroom. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It had a garden at the front and at the back which were roughly marked out by wooden posts and wire. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was 1938 and we had electricity! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>All of our neighbours were new to us. None of us had moved with people they had lived closely with in Scotswood. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were from the Elswick area, top of the West Road bank from Newcastle’s Snow Street. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We thought we would know some of our new neighbours but we didn’t. We were a new community that had to get along with each other in our cul-de-sac of houses in Murrayfield Road. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We were a motley lot. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Some found adjusting to the new houses very hard. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Our immediate neighbour was a rag and bone man. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He housed his horse in the scullery until the Council found out. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Bugs from the heaps of old clothing he piled up outside his back door began crawling along the back walls of the houses. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I had never seen bugs like those before. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Adjusting to having a front and a back garden was a novelty for the residents. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Agreeing the extent of each patch and keeping them cultivated and tidy became a new focus of communal attention and <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>contention. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Another change was the lack of shops. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A lean-to hut and a house converted into a shop were the only facilities for the whole estate. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These were located at the far end of the busy Portland Road which was a hike for both adults and children. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A Co-Op existed even further away in Cowgate. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We attended Cowgate School near Fenham which was another hike each day. The Council improved housing but neglected community amenities in their plan, especially for the kids. </i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The Moor was a great boon for us. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Its space and freedom were something novel, and we enjoyed it. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As a gang, the children of Murrayfield Road discovered that over the Moor, in the South Gosforth ‘posh’ houses, there was a small park with swings and a slide. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We trecked there for a while and enjoyed the playground until we were chased off by the South Gosforth residents. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Acceptance of the community did not come easily, after all they had come from Scotswood! <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even on public transport there was a separation social groups. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The No. 4 bus to the centre of Newcastle was always crowded. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The No. 5 service to Newcastle ran on the same route but the closest stop was outside Blakelaw which missed out our estate. You paid more on this bus and it was used by people from Ponteland and Darras Hall. </i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Newcastle Council were recognising that they had to address the amenities of our estate when the war came along and all plans were shelved for 5 yeas. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Apart from a new primary school, change was slow. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The community had gelled well but self help was expected. </i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Later, in the 1950s, more people from the Scotswood were decanted in to the Montague Estate and Denton area and the new residents seemed to experience similar issues of cultural <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>change as us. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Money was scarce, the post-war years were lean and Newcastle council at that time was not really tuned to think of community assets to attract residents to the area. </i></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22.7px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s1"></span><br /></i></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The original community of Scotswood was tough. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was not always pretty, but it was alive and vital. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Planning and action by the Council tied to breathe life in to the Scotswood community with improved housing, but also in the process, a re-engineered community culture and controlled social hierarchy. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I wonder how much of what they delivered to this community was working for the community’s benefit. </i></span></p><p>July 2007</p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-42522087045080898992020-10-16T13:36:00.005+00:002024-02-13T16:57:55.053+00:00Finding Form: Using Paper to Realise Architectural Ideas<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Working regularly with children and school groups running architectural workshops, I use techniques on paper folding and paper engineering.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">The work involves investigating design in 3D to help develop spatial cognitive skills. Folding paper and card helps develop children’s dexterity and the fine motor skills in their hands, which is something easily neglected with the use of iPads and games consoles. The workshops regularly take the children’s design ideas and scale them up to full size with large-format corrugated card and plastic, so the students can experience their creations full-scale.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hLN11S8P1sFr3b8l6UAVjXIhk9F7zIbf_FFcAA6Dhyox-7rgGaeLqwIzX0bNJJAvMamNBvLVugXO2g9hVu5E58POA-CdxeId8XrVcN90Tzo8lsDjpGrKp1rrjLlI3-dqF0lYhY5a3qGM/s1495/Pavilion+Study+Models+Graveney+School.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hLN11S8P1sFr3b8l6UAVjXIhk9F7zIbf_FFcAA6Dhyox-7rgGaeLqwIzX0bNJJAvMamNBvLVugXO2g9hVu5E58POA-CdxeId8XrVcN90Tzo8lsDjpGrKp1rrjLlI3-dqF0lYhY5a3qGM/w301-h400/Pavilion+Study+Models+Graveney+School.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Products of a design workshop in the Design Technology <br />department of Graveney School, London SW17</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br />I think working with paper in this way identifies a gap in the architectural work-flow for professionals as well as being a study focus for school workshops.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Architects don't really play with paper and card to test 3D ideas. Too often it’s done through 2D or 3D computer models. UCL's '<a href="https://www.fabricate.org/ " target="_blank">Fabricate 2020</a>' conference this year addressed a wealth of computer technologies, parametric software, rapid prototyping and CAD-driven machinery. Foster & Partners are also investing significantly into large-format 3D printing. We're handing over our creativity to AI. The human brain and hands are more sophisticated and articulate than any software or machinery. A goal of this post is to encourage architects to ‘play’ with paper and card more freely.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><i>Play is the highest form of research</i> - Albert Einstein</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">I normally work with school students in local authority schools where resources are limited. Simple paper and card is hugely effective and gets quick results. I aim to 'lead' the workshops with examples and pre-made kits but the emphasis is on experimentation and <i>play</i>. It’s not long before they flip the script and student’s creativity takes over. What children have in imagination out-strips anything I can offer in design experience.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They unpack what experienced designers consider normal or take for granted, and re-structure the work in ingenious ways.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">My enthusiasm for this hands-on paper-based approach to 3D design led me to reach out to Paul Jackson, a world-renowned origami artist and author of over 40 books on the subject. We discussed the subject and he offered lots of advice on teaching methods and workshop exercises, to get the best results out of this working method.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>His advice was very insightful, offering a lot of strategies to work with in the classroom.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Paul said:</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There are many reasons to want to manipulate paper, and many methods to work with.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Folding and cutting are the two most basic mechanisms and are creative opposites: Folding makes a sheet smaller and cutting makes it bigger.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This expanding and contracting are two sides<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>of the same coin but do very different things with the paper.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Folding is geometric and a controlled process.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Cutting can offer a lot more freedom creativity but can be without the same discipline and control as folding.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Paul focuses on folding as it offers more creative control and is a reversible process, which cutting is not. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jsk-JfxuoOn5o0Ddni-aBBBfv-rORGqo-61kPLhtREp3ZKZbTJxLReU5yKlK5UjPiWOX0GZuwCOvb9bGso44OWwKNj6_QsBBPy6s_8rFVjKRPHKPiEA5VaE6cONX9TN7TX0lMApx39dU/s2048/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7jsk-JfxuoOn5o0Ddni-aBBBfv-rORGqo-61kPLhtREp3ZKZbTJxLReU5yKlK5UjPiWOX0GZuwCOvb9bGso44OWwKNj6_QsBBPy6s_8rFVjKRPHKPiEA5VaE6cONX9TN7TX0lMApx39dU/w400-h400/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Playing with variations on one of Paul's standard folding motifs.<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secondly, start with the reasons for wanting to fold.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Is it to create a structure, a shelter, a pavilion, a bag to piece of furniture?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This should be the starting point of the process.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>From there, let play and experimentation drive the investigation to see what the paper offers through your mind and fingers. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Paul often begins workshops teaching<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>generic folding techniques.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These are outlined in his books and offer many many possibilities and applications.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Using A4 paper makes work simple and accessible.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Students are less concerned about making mistakes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Trial and error is important.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The process involves making a mess in the classroom; creating a large body of studies from which the more successful examples can be extracted to form a vocabulary of 3D geometries to develop design proposals with. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYAncEtyM46gtOt95_0kJSV_BNS-Svy4KyreFbPJQUM8F49nmHjBQB7swIg-aoTvadZ1ENBH3Feb662PCH-pEIMbHZiHIVQie1Ad2X4FX9UGb9mW9ULoRzBpT5s_3Xgze7T9QMm6beGgS/s2048/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkYAncEtyM46gtOt95_0kJSV_BNS-Svy4KyreFbPJQUM8F49nmHjBQB7swIg-aoTvadZ1ENBH3Feb662PCH-pEIMbHZiHIVQie1Ad2X4FX9UGb9mW9ULoRzBpT5s_3Xgze7T9QMm6beGgS/w400-h400/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Developing variations on standard folding motifs</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This process gets students working three dimensionally, realising studies they can hold in their hands and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>developing their understanding of 3D geometry which they can then apply to multiple applications.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s a process which also seems to work for different design subject areas such as Architecture, Sculpting, Textiles, etc., because the basic principles are transferrable.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Improvisation is an important part of the workshop process because the design sequence will always be different and individual; creativity unpacks what we think we know and offers new possibilities for achieving the design goals. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Some other very simple exercises include the use of post-it notes.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Asking the students to make one fold only in the sheet might not seem too creative, but assemble them in sequence in a grid and they can transform in to am impressive composition. Examining the pattern with changing light adds to the dynamic and can be really exciting. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGnipd1XMJi3bkArVwKMxp9y8DDPjq_Cv6kLHHz3sEB-sFlSgEPZo7S_VhlpIaWJLXACE7Ga1ln8RUD2-JrMdyzX9HmDfOae7PxZ4HWtWmEoDfoLyfPNNyOGkYpe8Jqqw3TRBOzvUFCdf/s2048/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFGnipd1XMJi3bkArVwKMxp9y8DDPjq_Cv6kLHHz3sEB-sFlSgEPZo7S_VhlpIaWJLXACE7Ga1ln8RUD2-JrMdyzX9HmDfOae7PxZ4HWtWmEoDfoLyfPNNyOGkYpe8Jqqw3TRBOzvUFCdf/w400-h400/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Options on the theme. Even crumpling a sheet makes a versatile<br />structure!</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Paul says that a simple fold offer more design possibilities than complicated folds.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They can be used in many applications.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Two to three folds can offer a great base for creative design.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Start simple and play. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Test the designed forms in changing light and the environment of the workshop. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Simple folds establish modules, units, simple patterns and folding motifs which can be arranged in a variety of ways and at different scales to create a huge variety of forms.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Experiment with v</span>ariations on the same pattern; repositioning nodes, angles of folds and changing the shape of the paper etc. This offers yet more variations and possibilities.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Different arrangements achieve entirely different forms and results. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Paul’s advice is to keep the investigation simple and work up to a level of complexity comfortable with the class.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s a visual and tactile process that enables students to understand 3D form directly like no other activity - but play is a must:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Play play play! Paul adds that origami might have been around for thousands of years but there are novelties, new discoveries and new creations that emerge with every investigation. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1FdZXufEZv2A5pJ7AMRikZrpcTRWbCyFGdvVRjPB67Eg9zdGi5asfFERTqHBmCrEwxrcAK1-xgsg97zk_v5FXC-tqhRtkSfGoM2-OI44Zn7Z-3H4VBcS1FPZ0QRnTmHZjIT_sHLmX8di/s2048/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy1FdZXufEZv2A5pJ7AMRikZrpcTRWbCyFGdvVRjPB67Eg9zdGi5asfFERTqHBmCrEwxrcAK1-xgsg97zk_v5FXC-tqhRtkSfGoM2-OI44Zn7Z-3H4VBcS1FPZ0QRnTmHZjIT_sHLmX8di/w400-h400/Working+with+Paul+Jackson+Folding+techniques4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times;">Translating folds in to sheet patterns to create pleats and structures<br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There is something magical about taking a piece of paper and from a starting point of nothing, creating a form, structure or an object with your hands and a few quick folds. Paul describes it as modern day alchemy. It's also a reversible process which can transform between one state as another, something which is unusual and special in creative processes.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">There is nothing in a sheet of paper that suggests what the form is going to be before it is folded.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is usually very difficult to visualise a resultant 3D geometry from looking at a folding pattern.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is a learnt skill. We are not born with it.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>We are used to 2D and 3D patterns and forms but we are not trained to perceive the transition between the two.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Perhaps because this needs to be learned we find it easier to rely on computers, CAD, parametric software and 3D printing etc.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>But automation and digital technologies are not the same as having something that you can create, hold in your hand and manipulate from one stage to another.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This is not something achievable with 3D CAD.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Computers produce one item at a time and these are not immediately accessible as items you can hold in your hands. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">For primary school pupils, paper folding is important for developing fine motor skills and dexterity in the children’s hands.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Muscular strength required to hold a pencil with early years classes could run in parallel with basic origami skills. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">For architects and design professionals it should be second nature to have a stack of paper to hand by the desk, to enable design issues to be investigated with folded paper exercises. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space">For me, this makes workshop planning more focused and efficient. I look forward to testing these principles out in the classroom soon, when restrictions allow. </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Paul Jackson and his work can be found at:</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Website: <a href="http://www.origami-artist.com/">http://www.origami-artist.com/</a></p><p class="p2" style="color: #dca10d; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="color: black;">Facebook: <span class="s2"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/miri.golan">https://www.facebook.com/miri.golan</a></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">YouTube:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJA_47Q_WpgrLca-MT22ug">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeJA_47Q_WpgrLca-MT22ug</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>(Although Paul stresses that books on the subject are a much better source for ideas and learning skills)<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-83593984515967695752020-07-27T18:48:00.001+00:002023-12-22T13:38:01.800+00:00Architecture runs on STEAMArchitecture involves just about every subject in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/national-curriculum" target="_blank">National Curriculum</a>. It is not limited to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science,_technology,_engineering,_and_mathematics" target="_blank">STEM</a> subjects and relies as much on arts based and practical subjects to create balanced results. <br />
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Architecture demonstrates that it’s important to have a full spectrum of subjects for creativity. Subjects are important in themselves and in integration to support design and architecture related disciplines. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_7b-KMpUNl5m9rDlbskl3QrJL5kL-sOUkLDkJh02OiGiOEGg0cZ3z3asrlRyu81W2CHzuPPoxNjy9EQ5D7wxi_Wg3OYjX3yu2J6sMLtSbc2FXSysyLxQBJEXNeeW7dVK_6O52K2hn1m3/s1600/6C4048C6-FD0A-42A5-953A-148098EF6714.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1280" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_7b-KMpUNl5m9rDlbskl3QrJL5kL-sOUkLDkJh02OiGiOEGg0cZ3z3asrlRyu81W2CHzuPPoxNjy9EQ5D7wxi_Wg3OYjX3yu2J6sMLtSbc2FXSysyLxQBJEXNeeW7dVK_6O52K2hn1m3/s400/6C4048C6-FD0A-42A5-953A-148098EF6714.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Architecture demonstrates the importance of the full spectrum of<br />
academic subjects; individually, integrated and from the connections in between.</td></tr>
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STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) promote left brain thinking. They are important objective subjects but often teach us how the world is supposed to be, rather than prompt us to consider how it could be or challenge the knowledge. <br />
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STEAM subjects include The Arts, adding creativity, subjectivity and a challenge to what we think. This is important for adding depth and additional dimensions to the more objective subjects. It can present a challenge to our thinking and make some uncomfortable departures from our comfort zones, but the results are worth it. It's a key component to innovative and creative thinking.<br />
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A full spectrum of subjects, including practical courses, are important for creativity. This allows thinking around problems and realising solutions which would otherwise prove difficult to unlock. Young minds are diverse thinkers And incredibly creative which is important to recognise and encourage. Education can help train the mind to harness and develop that creativity. This makes it important to support STEAM subjects in education and promote connections between each subject discipline. Art based subjects help us to question, conceptualise, visualise and describe our thoughts, not just illustrate them. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-87491279298842583792020-07-05T00:41:00.003+00:002020-11-27T09:56:49.960+00:00YouScape<a href="DgnBx.com" target="_blank">DesignBox Architecture</a> with <a href="https://www.graveney.org/" target="_blank">Graveney</a> and <a href="https://www.glenthorne.sutton.sch.uk/app/os#!/home-2" target="_blank">Glenthorne</a> Schools are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Empowering Platforms competition held by the <a href="https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/competition-shortlist-empowering-platforms/" target="_blank">London Festival of Architecture</a>, with <a href="https://www.westminster.gov.uk/" target="_blank">Westminster Council.<br /></a>
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The competition called for proposals to reimagine the experience that people have with the River Thames along the Westminster north bank: A design centred around inclusivity and accessibility, creating a stimulating experience at the river-front for all.<br />
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Our proposals sought to capture the imagination and creativity of secondary school students with a response reflecting the cultural diversity and ideals from the students, our next generation of London citizens.<br />
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With the student team we developed 'YouScape'; an urban outdoor garden library. It's a place to sit and relax and escape from the pressures of London. It is designed to be a simple platform to connect to nature within the heart of London and engage with literature. An oasis within the city.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UGUynfQAaVXlNNKxiLNRiYxI6b4-w0FDX6R93wE9C5W8JazkwbpfdgvluJV8y99sz1qhxwvsGtqlTHJajOvMfgaz7TsYhjZxyiUHl13yFK156xf6dlm-EIDHiBNbRQ1C1DNPh3IfF69T/s1600/Brainstorming.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5UGUynfQAaVXlNNKxiLNRiYxI6b4-w0FDX6R93wE9C5W8JazkwbpfdgvluJV8y99sz1qhxwvsGtqlTHJajOvMfgaz7TsYhjZxyiUHl13yFK156xf6dlm-EIDHiBNbRQ1C1DNPh3IfF69T/s400/Brainstorming.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Site investigation, design considerations and brainstorming</td></tr>
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It is designed as a catalyst for community involvement, to draw people to the installation to engage with others and read a book, surrounded by greenery. Relaxing in the installation, people can observe the passage of time, watching the activity on the river and passers-by. A screen with planting and a wall of books separates people from the noise and bustle of the traffic behind.<br />
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<i>'Put your feet up and read a book'</i> was a key reaction to the site from the student team.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9IfNMLL_Ho1cTGc7ioHeoo0g2RzOjH_au-HpU5LE91qtZmT0AgwxhxUytBd66QKnu-qoJSqNSn8bFKp7-5HErrDxk5DRnkih8V_HJ1IEPymJx5fU1z5bqhBkm2ehKsaSZZhNy7DrDZLH/s1600/Moscow+Analysis.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9IfNMLL_Ho1cTGc7ioHeoo0g2RzOjH_au-HpU5LE91qtZmT0AgwxhxUytBd66QKnu-qoJSqNSn8bFKp7-5HErrDxk5DRnkih8V_HJ1IEPymJx5fU1z5bqhBkm2ehKsaSZZhNy7DrDZLH/s400/Moscow+Analysis.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Initial concept ideas and MoSCoW analysis</td></tr>
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The concept was developed to capture the scenic river views whilst isolating people from the noise of the city. The project seeks to capture light and encourage the growth of plants, to help make it an engaging and interactive installation for everyone. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMjOlzPJwhshqQScV-QVZjkqb33SneqA6NHuut9Ivmc5QuoICikkW9r2Bx_AE8iuC1s0PrXKsavAwT6lemQ8rfiVUbZNXlc4ZaB1VIFHfOS3t5mHLpPJaysb1NxlYkI1jNjYgBCRqfvj1/s1600/Concept+Designs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1020" data-original-width="1600" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMjOlzPJwhshqQScV-QVZjkqb33SneqA6NHuut9Ivmc5QuoICikkW9r2Bx_AE8iuC1s0PrXKsavAwT6lemQ8rfiVUbZNXlc4ZaB1VIFHfOS3t5mHLpPJaysb1NxlYkI1jNjYgBCRqfvj1/s400/Concept+Designs.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YouScape<br />
Student concept perspectives</td></tr>
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The selection of materials examined the practicalities of the surfaces required with opportunities to introduce colour and light into the installation. The team selected plants which are ideal for horizontal and vertical surfaces, require little maintenance and can be easily trained. They were identified for their variety of types, colours, flowers and even fruit.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjplGNcWTRTcBziz0iII7YQkL7GqeoxigVhyphenhyphenm2dstbyll494F5kjtXpmKKWSN_nfGIt_OIuVGrct8ESwDmCIbdqXyV9wSPkaOjYSfI3BU1r8dxloJ2WYSlR-26IYUZUphLapX08pRVmyNP/s1600/Materials.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1018" data-original-width="1600" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjplGNcWTRTcBziz0iII7YQkL7GqeoxigVhyphenhyphenm2dstbyll494F5kjtXpmKKWSN_nfGIt_OIuVGrct8ESwDmCIbdqXyV9wSPkaOjYSfI3BU1r8dxloJ2WYSlR-26IYUZUphLapX08pRVmyNP/s400/Materials.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials for practicality, durability and fun</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rbHx2P8gP8UenLkIsD2v6iAbFvetkYwJSakX8GpQQJya-k4cXkOknAVg3Y06eZodpE0fa-oxmjg5sB1rxLQwYZR_OmUt-PJxaAKnB-f_ZkKNqQ5H4DpIoDm5lm4JAqRKiLZVqZHnfkjh/s1600/Planting.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rbHx2P8gP8UenLkIsD2v6iAbFvetkYwJSakX8GpQQJya-k4cXkOknAVg3Y06eZodpE0fa-oxmjg5sB1rxLQwYZR_OmUt-PJxaAKnB-f_ZkKNqQ5H4DpIoDm5lm4JAqRKiLZVqZHnfkjh/s400/Planting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Planting selected for variety of type and colour, and for ease of maintenance</td></tr>
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The proposals were drawn up in CAD to create a measurable set of drawings for discussion with suppliers and fabricators. The team discussed the advantages of simplifying the range of materials and number of assembly processes to enable a simple procurement route with as few supply chains as possible. This was of increased importance in the period of social and economic lock-down because of Covid-19.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QC6owmO18WOoUBYy7Ixyvomxfj-MtbBYB8XILlsz-qwQ98IZifN4uf9nUw4QvXSgTjmHnyge8O3b5X6a773t650PTSmNnwALoI24mk9ked1WnIX0SupeRnUVYiBm7KP0sD3GKS-RGoEV/s1600/CAD.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1600" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QC6owmO18WOoUBYy7Ixyvomxfj-MtbBYB8XILlsz-qwQ98IZifN4uf9nUw4QvXSgTjmHnyge8O3b5X6a773t650PTSmNnwALoI24mk9ked1WnIX0SupeRnUVYiBm7KP0sD3GKS-RGoEV/s400/CAD.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plans, sections and elevations of the proposals for<br />
discussions with suppliers to resolve price<br />
and programme issues</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The proposals involved a stressed skin structure in timber and polycarbonate sheet. Each component performs several tasks. The structural frame doubles as the book case and the polycarbonate sheet stabilises the overall enclosure and let light in. The installation is self-supporting and can sit on rubber levelling mats, set directly on the pavement. The installation is designed to be as simple as possible so it can be fabricated by a joiner or general builder and assembled by the student team.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7O9VyBX1CB9DV914-Eud8Jpe5SHNIKArcdAGupZgdOveguB-mSYuc7W-WR8DmTzJVIrqaJGRhZdI7F_2vkPdoyi78K1UIeHnMScYfkVO9nqToWLLZiwIsQECXFsCUyw0uxtT-E0ltZ6t/s1600/Structure.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1600" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7O9VyBX1CB9DV914-Eud8Jpe5SHNIKArcdAGupZgdOveguB-mSYuc7W-WR8DmTzJVIrqaJGRhZdI7F_2vkPdoyi78K1UIeHnMScYfkVO9nqToWLLZiwIsQECXFsCUyw0uxtT-E0ltZ6t/s400/Structure.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Structural developments in discussion with a Structural Engineer at <a href="https://www.pricemyers.com/" target="_blank">Price & Myers</a> <br />
and with feedback from timber fabricators</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The proposals included solar cells with localised batteries to supply power for lighting. A small back-up battery similar to that used in EV vehicles was proposed to keep the overall system energised. This could be topped up periodically either by a portable charging system or swapped out for a fully charged unit.<br />
<br />
Low energy LED strip lights concealed within the flange of the ribs were selected with colour temperature gradients to work with the changing colours of natural daylight. An integrated photocell allows the lighting to respond to natural daylight patterns.<br />
<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMvAYViyTFg6Gv6xLz7ZFIQB_W60fja6ZpcCw95iGIZ8j2cKkJkEBr0nJOVmIh1ZtcEmyIWvSrxyiutrPmBqW_kzNT4JvFzQGOqgUrxw8CX0jeXZ8EgrMqETRRkxiuSsEqw8t5LtSgucv/s1600/Services.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1600" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMvAYViyTFg6Gv6xLz7ZFIQB_W60fja6ZpcCw95iGIZ8j2cKkJkEBr0nJOVmIh1ZtcEmyIWvSrxyiutrPmBqW_kzNT4JvFzQGOqgUrxw8CX0jeXZ8EgrMqETRRkxiuSsEqw8t5LtSgucv/s400/Services.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Services developments kept simple to be easily managed. Proposals developed with <a href="https://aecom.com/" target="_blank">AECOM</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The budget for the installation was £20,000+VAT, which was to include a nominal design fee of £2,000+VAT. This left £18,000 for fabrication, installation, one relocation during the LFA 2020, maintenance whilst on site and removal at the end of the festival. With a Quantity Surveyor, we worked back from the logistical and site requirements of the project and determined that £12,000 was available for materials and fabrication to achieve the proposals. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQDxEVnQ0T2cr_kKGnslEnFdxOeFweYYB3icW3_N-rRbjhyBvnb6IzdrO5NEdg71eZ-hzQD6CNWePa47WvscBS9qFQy4GSDxQbsYSd3KzERhrAEloCAEkhfDCTk9TBb5hBjlrXLyfMd14/s1600/Exploded+Isometric.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1014" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQDxEVnQ0T2cr_kKGnslEnFdxOeFweYYB3icW3_N-rRbjhyBvnb6IzdrO5NEdg71eZ-hzQD6CNWePa47WvscBS9qFQy4GSDxQbsYSd3KzERhrAEloCAEkhfDCTk9TBb5hBjlrXLyfMd14/s400/Exploded+Isometric.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploded Isometric:<br />
1 Structural ribs, <br />2 Bracing, <br />3 Flooring with anti-slip surface, <br />4 Central tower book case<br /> 5, Rear wall book case, <br />6 Metal grid for training plants, <br />7 Polycarbonate coloured transparent roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The proposals considered that the installation might be fabricated off-site, transported to site and lifted in to position as a single unit, with lifting eyes similar to that of a 20ft ISO container.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIveUW4SfZv1l-ly3lYZqHmnywASH8wiBMJ8qC1FKq8ydlbRg1PgOVhL7zo4rmxEjVrw6Rx9bpRbVYfCjYDFFQRpTSH68mL_6L0b6Ol-QFHeEncNlfgEW8-6xPvCARZ1tDQaS__Scmm0fV/s1600/YouScape.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIveUW4SfZv1l-ly3lYZqHmnywASH8wiBMJ8qC1FKq8ydlbRg1PgOVhL7zo4rmxEjVrw6Rx9bpRbVYfCjYDFFQRpTSH68mL_6L0b6Ol-QFHeEncNlfgEW8-6xPvCARZ1tDQaS__Scmm0fV/s400/YouScape.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YouScape<br />
A place to sit, relax and read a book and engage with nature<br />
in the heart of London</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We are all stakeholders in the design of our surroundings. YouScape, designed by our team of secondary school London students demonstrates this. We hope that the proposals demonstrate how we all can take a greater role in working to create a more inclusive, accessible and cohesive environment.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVAeBpCgm8BL21Ew7wVB2yOjRtfRYDxmRzb6-8u84pW10TSN-0i7Sn_HzdXbRlUvHJ9MM0MX80ci4Zpx6xos5ZeF4prjskkO04GGuVhr7ZIMKB9sbT1rafWvXdI3JpI8jCL3BF20sjvYG/s1600/Value+Engineering.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1006" data-original-width="1012" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVAeBpCgm8BL21Ew7wVB2yOjRtfRYDxmRzb6-8u84pW10TSN-0i7Sn_HzdXbRlUvHJ9MM0MX80ci4Zpx6xos5ZeF4prjskkO04GGuVhr7ZIMKB9sbT1rafWvXdI3JpI8jCL3BF20sjvYG/s400/Value+Engineering.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Value engineering: Investigating options with geometry, <br />
materials and fabrication methods to reduce costs</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Discussions with suppliers identified that the curved geometry was adding a premium to the price and exceeding the budget. The team discussed options to reduce costs without compromising the concept.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Znp4SseO2XLDdhNuXGRt-6_B0gcHUZ1bQ3Pg8b_tYrwjH39Jp5bM0dT3AKTo6R-GtcfQqg3PGarGgcmr__mDgsYAXHHeAvhTdnXJRwABSeltW9DW5GNkzlEKoTQubTjNGgognZh5JQ-/s1600/Amended+Scheme.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1015" data-original-width="1600" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR6Znp4SseO2XLDdhNuXGRt-6_B0gcHUZ1bQ3Pg8b_tYrwjH39Jp5bM0dT3AKTo6R-GtcfQqg3PGarGgcmr__mDgsYAXHHeAvhTdnXJRwABSeltW9DW5GNkzlEKoTQubTjNGgognZh5JQ-/s400/Amended+Scheme.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amended scheme to meet the competition budget</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The value engineered option is designed to save costs by replacing the curves geometries with faceted panels, sizing all items to work with full 8'x4' ply boards, and fabricating the installation for flat-pack assembly so it can fit into the back of a large luton van.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaYRr2XuZxV5bpk12dgT4tzhjfJhSK4uPiB1gXZ9kzZC8CxcgCIBTj8Vcpv1kqjCiJDCT8g7zZHnTv77HXrqluemQkVG_UKmeyt0Z0ilZYgPH3OmOEphPAzKlkhLH2kMW-nNUgCLWXwbk/s1600/Value+Engineered+Isometric.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaYRr2XuZxV5bpk12dgT4tzhjfJhSK4uPiB1gXZ9kzZC8CxcgCIBTj8Vcpv1kqjCiJDCT8g7zZHnTv77HXrqluemQkVG_UKmeyt0Z0ilZYgPH3OmOEphPAzKlkhLH2kMW-nNUgCLWXwbk/s400/Value+Engineered+Isometric.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Value engineered scheme, exploded isometric:<br />
1 Four base panels bolted together, <br />2 Six rear panels, <br />3 Two panels bolted together to form the lower walls,<br />
4 Two panels with polycarbonate roof to form the upper walls on each side, <br />5 Central book case tower,<br />
6 Four panels with polycarbonate sheets to form the roof</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The process of working with the student team was thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening. As our next generation of London citizens, the values and insights they brought to the project, along with commitment and collaboration was a delight to experience and work with. We produced a very exciting and achievable design proposal despite the restrictions we worked through. T<span style="font-family: inherit;">he student team was brought together in the first lockdown of 2020. We raised the team from</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> volunteers, reaching out through the School's Google classroom platform and we never actually m</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">et face-to-face to work on the proposals. The project progressed through a combination of daily Zoom meetings and emailed files. I am extremely proud of the team, firstly for rising to the challenge and secondly, for persevering through these difficult circumstances. I'm told they thoroughly enjoyed the process and I worked to allow the students to lead the design conversations and have fun with the design. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><div><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In addition we had assistance from the industry specialists listed below, which gave the zoom discussions an additional dimension and grounded their proposals in reality.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I understand that one student now wants to pursue a career in architecture and another in design-based engineering.</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Professional Design assistance:</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Structural Engineering: <a href="https://www.pricemyers.com/" target="_blank">Price & Myers, London</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Services and Sustainability Engineering: <a href="https://aecom.com/" target="_blank">AECOM</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cost Consultant: Morham & Brotchie (Oban)</span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Buildability assistance:</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Phil Cooper, <a href="https://www.cooperjoinery.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cooper Joinery & CNC Services</a></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href=" http://michaelacey.co.uk/" target="_blank">Michael Acey Furniture & Bespoke Interiors</a></span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A professional Architectural drawing class was presented by </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.philipbuckingham.co.uk/drawing-classes-for-architects" target="_blank">Phil Buckingham: Drawing Classes for Architects</a>. </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The class took place over Zoom and focused on interior and exterior perspective techniques to help the students develop the proposals. </span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Visualisation:</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Chris Curtis, <a href="http://7-t.co.uk">7-t.co.uk</a>, d</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">eveloped from the student’s drawings.</span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Our scrap-book of ideas which we used in the design discussions can be found on our <a href="https://pin.it/tPX7jIq" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> page.</p><div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
I hope there will be an opportunity to repeat the process with another competition soon.</span></div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-80292653607915939702020-06-04T09:49:00.001+00:002020-06-04T11:25:31.353+00:00A Window to the Future (in a nutshell)I asked my son for a list of things he had seen on the internet which interested him. It was partly to get an understanding of what makes him 'tick' now that he is 16 and shaping his own views of the world. It was also because the interests and values held collectively by our next generation of adults will shape the future of our business and industries.<br />
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This is the response below with his notes: A set of nine youtube clips mostly about technology, economics, health and the future of our nations. <br />
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<i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">How we can harvest the energy of the sun on a galactic scale and push onto the next level of civilisation:</i><br />
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
<i>How we can use the energy of the sun and move the whole solar system in any direction:</i></div>
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<i>In-depth explanation of the recent pandemic:</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>How we could utilise this as antibiotics become obsolete:</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Infusing glass with uranium to create luminescence: </i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>How we could turn a black hole into a bomb hahahaha:</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Information on the EU:</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>The moral discussion of whether to allow robots to have rights as humans:</i></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Where valuable minerals are created and the conditions needed:</i></span><br />
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It addresses an ambitious set of ideas which reflect the areas of technology we are entering in to now, including GRAIN (genetics, robotics, artificial intelligence and nano-technology) supported by Tier-0 technologies, and beyond with astrophysics and energy creation.<br />
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I thought it was a neat little exercise and might prove valuable as a wider student study to form a perspective on the valued held by our younger generation and what the world might be like in the future.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-46778375151716428312020-05-10T08:04:00.004+00:002024-02-13T16:58:11.880+00:00Innovations with Building Materials<div class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
I wrote a literature review on the innovation of materials in the building industry some time back. Then period architecture, especially Victoriana was considered more desirable than contemporary builds in popular culture.<br />
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Meanwhile, the rest of the world was on the start of a technological wave involving the internet, information technology and world wide communications. The innovative products of this were conspicuous in their intent to introduce us to their brave new world. By comparison, innovations in building materials were often hidden behind more familiar or traditional materials with reference to the past. Other industrial sectors such as aircraft, train and car manufacturing appeared more confident about displaying a design aesthetic which marked their place in the present, looking forward.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
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With the current generation of technological innovations progressing with the involvement of A.I., automation, genetics, 5G networks and nanotechnologies, it is worth taking a look at the position of the building industry in this context, to speculate what the affect might be on Architecture. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2y2baluaxmCcEkT-9RkGVjSdVAK_rPra78bLQ-di3kIFCwsuZulD9JMbdNEepSxZx9xyY_de3AUe2Ikp1gnwV9-NiM1Ai5vZusxb2EoQhNa2BWCrSJrj0MP6hINnRCY0zrWG0IQHAr72/s1600/Barriers+to+Innovation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz2y2baluaxmCcEkT-9RkGVjSdVAK_rPra78bLQ-di3kIFCwsuZulD9JMbdNEepSxZx9xyY_de3AUe2Ikp1gnwV9-NiM1Ai5vZusxb2EoQhNa2BWCrSJrj0MP6hINnRCY0zrWG0IQHAr72/s400/Barriers+to+Innovation.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barriers to Innovation</td></tr>
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Barriers to innovation arise from the balance of the relationship between producers and consumers. The products of this relationship provide evidence of how innovation is managed and tells a lot about the producer / consumer relationship. Back at the turn of the century, there was a strong reliance on design as a tool to reinforce the values of known materials rather than experimenting with the possibilities of the new. There were and have been since, lots of innovations in building materials and building systems, but the finishing layers usually default to a familiar material with a commonly held value, with the innovation hidden behind. There are many excuses that might be given, such as <i>a building has a long design life so designing it to fit in to a known period style is safer than exposing innovation that might look dated in years to come</i>, and <i>innovative design presents a risk because new building systems can fail with serious consequences</i>, but I believe the key issues lie within the structure of the building industry which and its knowledge and understanding of its consumer base and stakeholders. <br />
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The building industry is very fragmented with a lot of independent business entities involved. Clients appoint Architects to represent their requirements and aspirations with aesthetic designs. Architects also have one eye on their position within the Architectural profession and standing with their peers, PI insurance, resource schedules and project risk assessments. Other design team members are similar. It is difficult to establish an integrated and cohesive R&D programme to a relationship which gathers for one project over the course of a year or two, then disbands. Instead, design is used as the key tool to balance functional requirements and aesthetic aspirations, largely with materials and building systems available to the industry; products developed specifically by companies to ensure a successful uptake. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrNHCIWU1GhrUgl6zUj0vf291OUySzUmzPvTujiHqXuBBweEADWVGgj8qbQZ11ewQXn6wkqOJCQPbnmVVLa6ZezWNYmH87DOqInattatcOi3m0PcZZF6bVAJ1xOyeIETNzbdlgiU7fClF/s1600/Innovations+in+building+materials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="906" data-original-width="1600" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdrNHCIWU1GhrUgl6zUj0vf291OUySzUmzPvTujiHqXuBBweEADWVGgj8qbQZ11ewQXn6wkqOJCQPbnmVVLa6ZezWNYmH87DOqInattatcOi3m0PcZZF6bVAJ1xOyeIETNzbdlgiU7fClF/s400/Innovations+in+building+materials.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Innovating with building materials</td></tr>
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Knowing the market place and the customer base is a key item. Typical examples where bold innovation has changed societies and industries are often characterised by single businesses which have carefully controlled their innovation processes and managed their risks to achieve great results. The public face of these companies looks simple and understandable, even though the processes and supply chains behind are not. <br />
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Brand value and standing within the market place reportedly accounts for a lot of credibility with the public. It is hard won and easily lost, but represents customer loyalty and trust. With the public's engagement in a company brand, the risk associated with bold innovations can be greatly reduced and more effectively managed. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opportunities for Innovation</td></tr>
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Developments in technologies are progressing at an ever increasing rate and we are on the verve of a next wave of changes to society with Tier 0 technologies. This will no doubt have an affect on the building industry with regard to how we design and produce buildings, how the services will operate, how they will be maintained and lots of stuff to do with what goes into them, but hopefully it will also mean more than a smarter way of producing a brick wall. It's a chance for the building industry to catch up to other industrial sectors but for this to happen, it might require a new business model in the industry to present an integrated and cohesive offer; a Google or Netflix of the building industry.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-36681272627415957172020-03-25T22:22:00.002+00:002024-02-13T16:59:00.168+00:00An Introduction to Designing Facade Walls (or The Secret Life of Moisture) <div class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
Facade design can be a bit of a challenge.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Specific project requirements require different responses in design.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The basic parameters requiring consideration include:</div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Different building types,</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Differences in functional and aesthetic requirements,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Specifics of the local environmental climate,</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">How the building is to perform in relation to thermal mass, thermal resistance, air tightness and resistance to wind-chill etc.</li>
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One key performance factor is the behaviour of moisture within the building envelope, which if not designed out thoroughly could lead to deterioration of the building system and rot. The secret life of moisture in external building envelopes is something I wanted to investigate further, so with the help of Will MacDonald, Head of Facades at AECOM, we have the following answers to unlock how how it all works.</div>
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Looking at moisture:</div>
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Water vapour<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>in the air condenses on to the face of a cold glass of water, when the temperature on the glass reaches the ‘dew point temperature’; the temperature at which air can no longer hold all the water vapour which is mixed with it, and forces it to condense.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The dew point temperature is always lower or equal to the air temperature.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Water vapour particles hit the surface of the glass and stick instead of bouncing off. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The amount of condensation created depends on the amount of water vapour in the air, temperature changes and the dew point.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Condensed water has to evaporate again which depends on the temperature of the water in relation to the temperature of the surface it is on.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Therefore, condensation depends on temperature and moisture content, while evaporation requires temperature, as long as the relative humidity of the surrounding air is less than 100%.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>If cold enough, the condensation becomes frost.</div>
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There are two types of condensation in buildings: </div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Surface condensation, found normally on an internal or external finished surface, and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Interstitial condensation which occurs between the layers of the building envelope; inside the composition of roof, wall or floor build up. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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Adequate protection and ventilation os required to reduce the risk of moisture causing problems within the building fabric.</div>
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Surface condensation depends upon the surface energy balance of the building and the moisture content of the ambient air.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A higher level of insulation increases the risk of condensation on building facades in humid climates, especially in humid climates on clear nights where maximum heat loss occurs.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The risk of micro bacterial vegetation (algae) can accumulate on surfaces.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Variables affecting this include:</div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Internal vapour transmission,</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Thermal gradient and level of insulation,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Heat transmission and sky emissivity</li>
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So what happens to moisture when it migrates in to a building structure?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These are Will’s explanations of how moisture content can be controlled with facade design:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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There are two main sources of moisture that have to be considered when designing a façade. These are:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Water from the external environment, usually in the form of rainwater, but may also include the diffusion of moisture from a wet surface, and,</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Moisture vapour diffusion.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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In temperate climates such as the UK, the air inside the building usually contains more moisture than the air outside. Therefore, moisture vapour will tend to migrate outwards through the building envelope.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Water penetration resistance:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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There are two main approaches to water penetration resistance:</div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Face sealing, otherwise knows as a curtain walling system<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Secondary defence construction, otherwise known as a rainscreen system<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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Face sealed systems rely on the outer skin of the construction alone to prevent water penetration. If there is any moisture ingress past the external skin, there is usually no provision to allow the water to drain back to the outside.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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An alternative approach to water penetration resistance is to provide a secondary defence rainscreen. This usually takes the form of a cavity behind the external face of the wall. The cavity allows moisture that ingresses through the external face to drain back to the outside through openings in the outer surface. The cavity may also have sufficient capacity and openings to allow ventilation, for increased moisture removal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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A drained and/or externally ventilated cavity may also be beneficial in the removal of any moisture that migrates through the wall from the warm moist internal environment.</div>
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Classification of air cavities:</div>
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Air cavities may be classified according to a number of different factors. These include the position of the cavity in relation to the main insulation layer, and the size of the openings in the outer surface.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Cold cavities:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Cold cavities are located to the cold side of the main insulation layer. Because they are cold the moisture content should be kept low to reduce the risk of condensation forming. A vapour control layer (VCL) on the warm side of the insulation will reduce the moisture ingress in to the cavity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They should be ventilated to the outside to remove moisture and keep moisture level close to the outside levels.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The following classifications are taken from BS 5250: 2002 - Code of practice for control of condensation in buildings:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Vented air space cavity or void is that which has openings to the outside air, placed to allow some limited but not necessarily through movement of air.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">An air layer having no insulation layer between it and the external environment but with small openings to the external environment shall also be considered as an unventilated air layer, if these openings are not arranged to permit air flow through the layer.</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Drain openings (weep holes) in the form of open vertical joints in the outer leaf of a masonry cavity wall are not regarded as ventilation openings.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A slightly ventilated air layer is one in which there is provision for limited air flow through it from the external environment by openings meeting a specific area.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">A well ventilated air layer is one in which the openings between the air layer and the external environment allows air circulation.</li>
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Warm cavities:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Warm cavities are located to the warm side of the major insulation layer. The cavity surfaces will be warmer than those of a cold cavity and the risk of condensation very much less. A vapour control layer may still be required to the internal face of the cavity in order to keep it dry.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Thermal resistance of air cavities:</div>
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A still air layer in a cavity construction will add to the overall thermal resistance of the element and improve its U-value. The contribution that the cavity makes will depend on the level of ventilation between the cavity and the external environment and the direction of the heat flow.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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U-values:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The U-value of a cavity construction will vary depending on the type of cavity present, and its location with respect to the main insulation layer. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The values given by manufactures are generally 1-dimensional U values and therefore do not include the additional heat loss due to brackets, fixings and cavity ties that may be present in the construction. The constructions are considered to be vertical with horizontal heat flow.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Notes on cavity construction:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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A cavity that is neither vented or ventilated presents a serious risk of moisture collection. For example, an insulating glass unit requires a hermetic seal and the provision of desiccant in order to remain condensation free.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The higher the level of possible ventilation in a cavity, the more moisture may be removed from it. Liquid water will be removed by drainage and evaporation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Moisture vapour will be removed by diffusion and mass transfer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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A fully-ventilated cavity will provide the most reliable means of removing moisture in the cavity. Air movements will remove moisture vapour that has migrated from the internal environment, encourage evaporation of any liquid water and promote drying of the cavity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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A vented cavity will have less capacity to remove excess moisture. It relies on the diffusion of water vapour in the cavity. Its performance will therefore be dependent on the vapour resistance of all materials to the cold side of the cavity and the size of the openings between the cavity and the external environment. The lower the vapour resistance and the larger the openings, the higher the rate of transportation will be.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The removal of moisture in a vented cavity may be increased by using a wider cavity. This will improve the air circulation by convection as there will be relatively lower frictional forces to resist the air movements.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Internally ventilated cavities:</div>
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Warm cavities are not externally ventilated and might have openings to the internal environment.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This will allow warm moist air to pass into cooler parts of the wall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Although this is a warm cavity, the surfaces will be cooler than those of the room, and therefore there will be an increased risk of condensation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The risk of condensation will be minimised if there are enough openings so that the cavity is fully ventilated to the inside. This will ensure that the surfaces of the cavity are as close as possible to the internal surface temperatures.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Building Envelope Energy Transfer:<br />
Energy is gained or lost from a building by:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Radiation or convection from the outer surface of the building, and</li>
<li class="li1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Air leakage (mass transfer) into or out of the building.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></li>
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Energy efficient facades have to be insulated to keep the external surface as close as possible to the external temperature, be sealed to prevent gross air leakage (reduce mass transfer losses/gains), and shield internal surfaces (reduces radiation losses & gains from or to internal surfaces).<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They also should allow sufficient daylight in to the building to reduce energy required for artificial lighting.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Energy transfer mechanisms:</div>
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Conduction is the mechanism by which heat energy travels through solids and stationary fluids and gases.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Materials such as metals are good conductors while materials such as mineral wool are poor conductors<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>but are good insulators.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Radiation heat transfer occurs because all bodies at temperatures above 0ºK emit heat energy. Two surfaces at different temperatures will emit energy at different rates and energy transfer will occur.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Insulation:</div>
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In a layered construction all layers resist heat transfer but a layer that has a significantly greater resistance to heat flow is usually be specified as the insulation layer, to reduce heat flow through the wall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Heat transfer through a sandwich panel:</div>
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Assuming that a sandwich panel comprises a 120mm thick core of mineral wool with thermal conductivity of 0.035 W/mK and is faced on both sides with a 1.5 mm aluminium sheet with thermal conductivity of 160 W/mK, the heat transfer can only occur if heat is gained at one surface and lost at the other by convection and / or radiation (otherwise known as surface resistance).</div>
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In practice when a building element is exposed to the environments, the surface temperature on the cool side will be warmer than the air on that side.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The surface temperature on the warm side will be cooler than the air on that side.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>These temperature differences exist and cause convection and radiation heat transfer at the surfaces.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is possible to calculate the surface temperatures but it is more convenient to calculate heat transfer knowing just the air temperature on each side of the construction.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The thermal resistance for convection and radiation at each surface can be combined into a surface resistance measuring the total resistance to heat flow.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Temperatures through out a layered construction can be calculated from the resistance of each layer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Thermal bridging:</div>
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A thermal bridge occurs where a material or component of high conductivity pierces an insulating layer of lower conductivity. This allows heat to bypass the insulation with two effects:</div>
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1. The rate of heat transfer through the combined materials is greater than it would have been through the insulation alone, and</div>
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2. The warm surface is cooler and the cool surface is warmer.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The second effect gives rise to the term ‘cold bridging’.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In cool climates thermal bridges cause localised cold patches on the inner surface of the building envelope and are associated with problems of condensation, dampness and mould growth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Isotherms:</div>
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Isotherms are lines of equal temperature and these may be plotted to show how temperature is distributed through a construction system.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Design principles:</div>
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Introduction<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Moisture is introduced into buildings through life processes such as heating, cooking, bathing etc.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Water vapour may be removed by natural ventilation or air conditioning, however, there must be water vapour in the air to make a room comfortable for habitation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Water vapour disperses through the air and migrates through porous solids in an attempt to give a uniform vapour pressure.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the UK external air moisture contents are lower than internal levels and water vapour, which then<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>migrates outward through the wall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>For air-conditioned buildings in some warm and humid climates water vapour moves inward through the wall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Water vapour should not migrate past the first vapour control layer only to be captured by a second vapour control layer or a breather membrane which incorrectly acts as a vapour control layer. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Precautions:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Cavities formed on the warm and humid side of a vapour control barrier may be affected by severe condensation. Cavities may be formed as part of the internal building fit out when window boards and internal panels are added. These will often provide insulation so that the cavity is cooler than the room but provide very little resistance to vapour movement. Solutions include ventilating these cavities to the room so that they are warm, and incorporating a vapour control layer to the inner wall panel such as a foil-backed dry lining.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Rainscreen cavities should be ventilated so that any water ingress stopped by a breather membrane will dry out after drainage has removed most of the water.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Two layers having a similar vapour resistance should be avoided.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>A metal sheet might be perforated to avoid the creation of an unwanted vapour barrier and it might be necessary to provide a breather membrane to prevent external water ingress by-passing the perforated sheet.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Mould growth on the internal surface is prevented by limiting moisture levels at the internal surface.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This can be achieved by ventilating the room or improving the wall insulation to raise the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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temperature of the internal surface.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>BS EN ISO 13788 recommends that the relative humidity at the internal surface should be less than 80% to avoid mould growth.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Condensation assessment:</div>
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Condensation assessment requires knowledge of the moisture contents and temperatures within a wall.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Building envelopes containing a single well-defined layer offering high vapour resistivity at the warm side of the construction can often be acceptable. For walls with no well-defined vapour control layer, or one that is in a cooler part of the construction, an analysis will be required.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The behaviour of moisture:</div>
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Condensation occurs in the ventilation cavity and not on the outside face because the heat flow direction is from inside to the outside. The warm air in the cavity has a higher lever of water vapour and as it cools it forms condensation. The temperature difference is very small between the cavity and the outer face, hence no condensation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>On some well-constructed unitised façade system (front sealed) you can often see condensation on the metal spandrel panel. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The higher the value of insulation, the greater the risk of condensation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The value refers to heat flow of the material. The higher the value the more heat will be lost. As more heat is lost you will get more vapour changing to liquid, promoting a risk of condensation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The condensation isotherm lines change with the different value of insulation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Good practice with rainscreen design recommends these lines are kept within the cavity.</div>
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Looking at different cladding systems and why those used in Antarctica are different to each other, and different to solutions of other climates:</div>
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Interstitial condensation a risk of material breakdown with the build-up of a wall in an environment which experiences freeze-thaw cycles is caused when warmer air is trapped in an unvented cavity and is cooled so that moisture is formed. Warmer air has higher relative humidity levels and more moisture than cooler air, and as it cools the problem occurs. This is often a problem on rainscreen systems when EPDM is used to seal up a façade before the cavity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It was a principle carried out in Canada which has caused major problems.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The extent of material breakdown depends on the type of material used. Past projects suggest that precast concrete has no problems, however dry lining showed signs of mould after a relatively short time. Any seals and gaskets at the interfaces of the façade should be robust because they could suffer damage in freeze-thaw cycles and allow moisture to ingress the building fabric from the inside.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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The cladding system at the American South Pole base does not have a ventilated cavity or use membranes in the same way as cladding systems do in temperate climates.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Finished panels are applied directly to timber sips, but the outside temperature never rises above freezing.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The only natural heating affect might be from solar gain. The moisture risk here is mitigated because the South Pole cladding system<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is a front sealed, air tight system which stops air-driven ice and snow at its outer surface.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The temperature on the inside of the building would be 20ºC and so the heat should flow would from the inside to outside. As the outside air temperature is always below 0ºC the relative humidity is either very low or zero, hence no condensation.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>As the aluminium covering the SIP are impervious the only area moisture that can be a problem is the interfaces, or at cold bridging points, although these were carefully designed out.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Similarly, Halley VI for the British Antarctic Survey was built with closed panels encapsulating their insulation core.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>They intend to eliminate moisture ingress from both inside and out, that could degrade the insulation under freeze-thraw action. The solution resolves a lot of the problems of the natural environment which includes resisting the accumulation of wind driven particles of microscopic ice, known as spin-drift.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>GRP was used as the outer skins to the panels.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is a workable material to shape and make bespoke complex panels and eliminate cold-bridging.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Closed cell insulation was also used for the core to resist any accumulation of moisture.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The fixing details were carefully detailed to prevent cold bridging and create a robust structural skin.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Could the cladding principles of the Halley system and its ability to lock out moisture be replicated in cladding systems in temperate environments, either with GRP panels or with a timber SIP system, and eliminate the ventilation cavity?<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Yes, however you relying on workmanship and you do not have a second line of defence.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The application of the single ply membrane is depending on workmanship, weather conditions, application methods, location and material used.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The vented cavity system acts to equalise pressure.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>When there is a difference in pressure on a façade, some areas will suck in air and other area allow air to be exhausted, which happens in the cavity.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>This system reduces the pressure on the façade system.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Due to the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the building, there always will be a pressure difference.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Conclusion:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></div>
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Different environmental conditions pose different design problems to be resolved with cladding systems.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Even across a single country (albeit a continent) varying and localised environmental conditions might require specific and bespoke design responses.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>Importing a fabricated system used in a different country for a project in the UK might not necessarily be suitable if it performs differently because of differences in local climatic conditions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>The conclusion is that we need to thoroughly and carefully study how cladding systems work for each project.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>It is not enough to work on a basic understanding of system types, and where relevant, involve a Cladding specialist to help ensure the designed proposals are robust.</div>
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Thanks to Will MacDonald, Head of Facades and AECOM for their input in to this post.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-67208579282301182542020-03-21T18:40:00.004+00:002020-03-21T18:40:28.504+00:00Project Management Tools for Architecture<div style="text-align: center;">
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Running architectural projects and managing a practice often feels like a very fluid set of activities, requiring flexible thinking and the adaptability to meet quickly changing demands in the project environment. Being able to adapt to these situations does not necessarily mean that we have to think on your feet and use our wits to progress. The RIBA Plan of work 2019 and the RIBA Handbook of Practice Management provides a framework within which to work, but project management resources developed by the Association for Project Management (APM) and AXELOS (PRINCE2) offers a comprehensive set of tools to navigate through any situation, and add value to the working methods of the architect. Road mapping projects and practice management procedures with these tools adds confidence that the project is stable and likely to proceed more efficiently, but also that these techniques can be introduced to improve the creativity and performance of the project team. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmSqpHYNmxBKxhqa8PNf0EUWP3s6xrV2ynlNtsrQ4NVIVuPdBQCdJOFJKwSSsmoLajM5oT4Yn6cGW-mrB1xi8VRLv6i5kvthAIKcvoM3OX1caHhGhpiHtx8QMggE9eRqZxpPo3i8UEfFH/s1600/APMP+and+PRINCE2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="842" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpmSqpHYNmxBKxhqa8PNf0EUWP3s6xrV2ynlNtsrQ4NVIVuPdBQCdJOFJKwSSsmoLajM5oT4Yn6cGW-mrB1xi8VRLv6i5kvthAIKcvoM3OX1caHhGhpiHtx8QMggE9eRqZxpPo3i8UEfFH/s400/APMP+and+PRINCE2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examining the differences between the APMP and PRINCE2 methodologies,<br />how they might compliment each other,<br />and what it offers for Architectural projects and practices</td></tr>
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The PRINCE2 methodology is a clearly defined structure for managing projects effectively. It is unambiguous with all its processes and procedures set out in the PRINCE2 handbook. It gives the comprehensive set of tools for managing any project. The APM system is not limited to project management, including a holistic range of operational management procedures too. Unlike PRINCE2, it is not prescriptive and offers options on methods, techniques, soft skills and alternatives for the implementation of the architectural project manager. The combination of systems makes a robust set of tools with flexibility on how to use them.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mapping the subject areas of Project Management <br />which offer a very useful set of tools and resources for <br />improving productivity in Architectural projects and practice management </td></tr>
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The combination of methods in the APM and PRINCE2 systems can add a lot of value to work as an architect. It gives scope to manage innovation in a positively structured way, promote creative and cohesive working teams where team members can grow in to their roles, minimise team conflict, simplify communication with clear lines of communication across the team structure, ease risk management, create efficiencies with procurement supply chains, improve negotiation skills, structure cost control so it remains in control, streamline resourcing, make clear the management and coordination of all stakeholder parties in the project, promote robust leadership and enable a much greater control over the project and its environment. Having a good set of robust road-maps is a great resource to have on any project. The thumb-nail diagrams above are project management summary notes and prompts, used as references to help guide work in a managed, structured and creative fashion.<br />
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References:<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.axelos.com/news/blogs/january-2016/apm-and-prince2-5-reasons-they-work-together" target="_blank">APM and PRINCE2; Five reasons why they work together, by Michelle Rowland</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.quanta.co.uk/resources/course-brochure-download/apmp-bok-6-podcasts" target="_blank">APM Project Management Qualification podcasts by Qantas</a></li>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-74441625111418809252020-03-14T15:10:00.002+00:002020-03-14T15:52:23.359+00:00Working From Home<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxbTaTmw3nAuruAoq1K7scUt48vJJJzhyKtL3u0wNqEBNhSdZAbOqo0LyPJBnZjyJ9cB8QVPrIWVlSCqz4NbWiKLT3qSKlCY6bSQK-3CXNKrb_TOaMTWEy84JfYF0Kfd3kDMNsMHNiitE/s1600/Working_From_Home.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1600" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxbTaTmw3nAuruAoq1K7scUt48vJJJzhyKtL3u0wNqEBNhSdZAbOqo0LyPJBnZjyJ9cB8QVPrIWVlSCqz4NbWiKLT3qSKlCY6bSQK-3CXNKrb_TOaMTWEy84JfYF0Kfd3kDMNsMHNiitE/s400/Working_From_Home.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Now is the time to develop our abilities to work remotely </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">with online applications for communication, conference calls,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">interactive white boards, document sharing and editing, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Platforms include Zoom, DropBox, MS Whiteboard, Skype, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Go To Meeting, Adobe Connect, WhatsApp, Google Classroom, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.8px;">and others.</span></div>
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The outbreak of Covid-19 is obviously very concerning for everyone. It has presented the necessity for some of us to work from home and this brings to light important opportunities on how we might develop future working methods to enable us to work successfully, without the need of a desk in an office. Communication and the productive management of our work-loads can increasingly be handled remotely with a selection of developing internet-based applications, which might become the way more of us work in the future. <br />
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Internet-based phone calls, video conference calls, webinars, document sharing and editing, interactive whiteboards and VR access to events and remote locations are becoming more commonplace, allowing us to communicate, be productive, and attend events, meetings and site visits without travelling. It seems the USA is leading the way with this, but as the technologies take hold it might ultimately become the next revolution in our work place. <br />
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One strategy in innovation is to ask <i>what if the opposite were possible</i>. We currently live in a society with the precept that a business needs an office. The idea that we don’t need to be stationed at a specific desk, or even that a business does not need an office, might not only enable us to work from home or our favourite coffee shop, but break down current geographic, time-zone and language restrictions, allowing the businesses themselves to develop on many different levels. <br />
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It might seem to promise a more utopian work / life balance, but the technology will no doubt ensure that we can never be too far beyond the reach of our bosses, even if you do relocate to a neighbouring continent, but at least the choice of coffee should be better.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-67386341616294363142020-01-31T23:24:00.001+00:002020-02-11T18:40:12.043+00:00The Shape of Things to Come (for Architecture)Technology is breaking the Survival Rule of Threes. This lists out our basic <i>needs</i> as humans. We can survive 3 weeks without food, 3 days without water, 3 hours without shelter, and 3 minutes without air, but not one moment without wifi!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wdO0NcnfoaU7oIqB61DfUlTwm1BIZjzXkfCuV771pWjiJdKMIrKtNMLxcGX7nc5RDPg8pzfDqcwt4iwWatyzucTWINFh-_lywIfikIs6sPvIDSO9K7yP0Jsyfw3gBVRKgTh7yZLW4nqr/s1600/Breaking+the+Survival+Rule+of+Threes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3wdO0NcnfoaU7oIqB61DfUlTwm1BIZjzXkfCuV771pWjiJdKMIrKtNMLxcGX7nc5RDPg8pzfDqcwt4iwWatyzucTWINFh-_lywIfikIs6sPvIDSO9K7yP0Jsyfw3gBVRKgTh7yZLW4nqr/s400/Breaking+the+Survival+Rule+of+Threes.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Survival Rule of Threes</td></tr>
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Technology is changing the world at an incredible rate. It is not easy to see how progress will change our lives and what it will do for architecture but there are definitely structures in place which point towards how it will affect us in the future.<br />
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<b>Artificial Intelligence (AI) </b>has been developing rapidly and is becoming a natural and organic part of our lives, AI allows us to interact efficiently with our environment but also has the power to control and direct our environment.<br />
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<b>Robotics and Automation</b> advances promise opportunities for groups of items to work together more efficiently. Developments will take the form of automated systems and robots working independently of humans, and collaborative robots (Cobots) where machines and humans interact in shared workspaces. Advances in lightweight, mobile power sources supports these advances.<br />
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<b>The 5G Network</b> promises an explosion of what we can do to access and control items on 'the internet of things'. 3GPP focuses on industrial applications to improve on connectivity within factory buildings. 5G promises flexible mass-scale connectivity to the worlds of manufacturing, industry and logistics. The label 'Industry 4.0' is used to describe the smart factory.<br />
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AI, 5G networks and automation creates a powerful structure representing the next wave of technological developments which will affect our lives over the next decade. Beyond this and longer term, other developments on the horizon include quantum computing, blockchain, nanotechnology and genetics bringing even more radical developments and integrating the structures above. Nuralink for example is working to directly link the human brain with computers, connected to globally networked AI.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJneISyfduyczaPlPWaIoROR2XxZt9rmdklao2NYXAgU2zfUBQ_Ybyjobbqtg8WRv9xS1ojF9lPK1WRiCLb5IMjW4S4zufzkf_RNjoIoWsyTsIA8mGR42IwplAB7YR0h6V1ukJAu-hKO7/s1600/shape+of+things+to+come+for+architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLJneISyfduyczaPlPWaIoROR2XxZt9rmdklao2NYXAgU2zfUBQ_Ybyjobbqtg8WRv9xS1ojF9lPK1WRiCLb5IMjW4S4zufzkf_RNjoIoWsyTsIA8mGR42IwplAB7YR0h6V1ukJAu-hKO7/s400/shape+of+things+to+come+for+architecture.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Shape of Things to Come</td></tr>
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What does this mean for Architecture and the built environment? For example, we can connect current technological developments in BIM (Building Information Modelling) and BMS (Building Management System) servicing agreements with the bigger picture of AI, network and automation. It's not a stretch to see how BIM could be used in the service life of buildings to monitor and manage building and services assets, and call up orders for replacements when required. Likewise, advances in network technologies will enable much greater connection and control of buildings by facilities management companies via their BMS systems. Each active component of a building (services and anything that moves or has a control) will be a smart devise linked to the building's BIM and BMS, creating smart buildings. BIM with AI will also develop as a data gathering tool to optimise buildings for the requirements of the owner, users, specific groups of users and individuals. This should assist the economics of the property in use and efficiency of its life cycle.<br />
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There are still a bigger picture beyond this. <a href="http://dgnbx.blogspot.com/2014/02/innovation-begins-with-people.html" target="_blank">Innovation begins with people</a> and the individual is not tied to the building or the work place. Technology developers will be following their markets so if individuals provide the greatest revenue stream, buildings might need to accommodate changes in how they are used. Architecture might need to address new issues involving flexibility and adaptability of spaces and services, mobility of buildings in part or whole, and how building fabric and services meets the demand for greater virtual connectivity with other locations across the globe. Walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows might transform out of current recognition to meet these requirements. The building industry has a fantastic opportunity to develop with innovations in materials, adaptive environments and the design / construction work-flow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyLI3T5lBFG-3fcK31h1vLWMdJLLk2WSBF3tc0pStGLJp4AYc_1-lkMjPbUrcd2xBCjIIqL4h-JJAvIzkbu4uUYRJin9KMyrt8ZpWRQnLABxtsj7krnmP6JTNiRW3U9-GXB0YDQ5L4-C7/s1600/Needs+wants+aspirations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyLI3T5lBFG-3fcK31h1vLWMdJLLk2WSBF3tc0pStGLJp4AYc_1-lkMjPbUrcd2xBCjIIqL4h-JJAvIzkbu4uUYRJin9KMyrt8ZpWRQnLABxtsj7krnmP6JTNiRW3U9-GXB0YDQ5L4-C7/s400/Needs+wants+aspirations.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Needs, Material Wants and Aspirations</td></tr>
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Meanwhile, individuals are riding the crest of the technological wave. I'd bet the tech that each of us have on our phones, wrists, in our ears and in our homes has advanced more quickly than the tech in the work place. It is making us more independent and aspirational. In addition, technology is offering a growing range of personalised and bespoke goods and services, tailored specifically to individual needs; a big departure from industrialised mass produced products. This will transfer to the work place with pressure for remote working and flexible hours. Depending on affordability and personal aspirations, your staff might be anywhere in the world to suit their cultural, climatic, family and schooling requirements, possibly working from a virtual workstation which brings them right inside business HQ!<br />
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These innovations might affect the building industry directly, but could have greater pressure from the developing needs and aspirations of individuals.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3089124884810029357.post-25544685054665757862019-09-04T18:41:00.001+00:002019-09-04T18:41:55.698+00:00Chair-ish Creativity<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNgQPUO1IdcW0r0FNge8R49h6JCTb3pbFZ3EYQQXDy0rO7eM5Bky8iRkdg0NFJt0j_Y4Q-jgIun8ImKTHEpzyJbueup1_MwjOMB4PuE1fttaR5de41MHb2euFMoTMiTstOjNqBnGMwfnx/s1600/AE0DF1D5-AF4B-4051-B488-11258092C643.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNgQPUO1IdcW0r0FNge8R49h6JCTb3pbFZ3EYQQXDy0rO7eM5Bky8iRkdg0NFJt0j_Y4Q-jgIun8ImKTHEpzyJbueup1_MwjOMB4PuE1fttaR5de41MHb2euFMoTMiTstOjNqBnGMwfnx/s400/AE0DF1D5-AF4B-4051-B488-11258092C643.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Year 6 (11-year olds) at Furzedown Primary School <br />design and model solutions for a chair, using structural kits, paper and card.</td></tr>
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Creativity should be cherished in schools! It is something which allows us to think around a problem and come up with ingenious, novel and innovative solutions. It helps kids to think for themselves and means our minds never dwell with a dead-end problem. Creative thinking is also a <a href="http://dgnbx.blogspot.com/2017/10/how-to-be-creative-genius.html" target="_blank">learnt skill</a> which can be applied across any subject, but it does not appear to be a central part of the national curriculum. <br />
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The UK is focused on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science,_technology,_engineering,_and_mathematics" target="_blank">STEM</a> subjects; science, technology, engineering and maths. These objective subjects teach us how things are supposed to be, rather than prompt us for possibilities of alternative or parallel solutions.<br />
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The counter argument for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEAM_fields" target="_blank">STEAM</a> proposes to add Art based subjects to the curriculum. Subjective and more questioning subjects are essential to develop thinking skills. Art based subjects are also important to add depth and dimensions in <a href="http://dgnbx.blogspot.com/2016/10/bringing-creativity-to-ebaac-subjects.html" target="_blank">support of the STEM subjects</a>.<br />
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In addition to both, creative thinking techniques can be incorporated into the classroom to help students make the most out of learning. Creative thinking helps the student take ownership of the subject, promotes engagement and can add fun. For example, our architectural workshops for primary and secondary schools examine structures, materials, space, colour and light. These bases are objective and a general brief is set, but the solutions are not prescribed. The workshop dynamics are generally lively and a big part of their delight is witnessing the creativity of kids when they are allowed to let their minds run free. <br />
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We are in a rapidly transforming world; job markets are changing, technologies are reshaping industries, working practices and life-styles, and globalisation is breaking down geographic barriers. In such a dynamically changing world, creative thinking must surely be an essential component of our children's education.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com