Project 02 - Formative Moment

Busy, draining week.

On Thursday we had our last formative review prior to submission. I found it highly useful, and I was also relieved that the tutors felt that the work was up to standard (something I had been worried about since the review prior to Easter, as I re-evaluated the program and concept over that break).

The day ended with the drawing competition, and there were a number of amazing drawings on display. 

Friday saw the Comms Media module submission, resulting in the studio being covered with A1 posters showing our rendered 1:50/1:5 grafts & elevations from bodyscapes_b.

My main focus next week is model making. I will be developing the cutting list for the 1:50 model this weekend, along with hopefully a rough assembly plan. I know from Architectural Technologies, that my modelling-fu is comparatively weak, so I need to help myself to ensure that I don’t over-run.

The Design Diary is coming along, although it is still incomplete. I also ideally need to do some more concept models & mass modelling next week too, to shore up Phase 02 of the project.

Project 02 - Even More Maquettes

So, where are we? 

More model iterations; a shell created for the final iteration(s); plans, sections and an isometric projection all WIP. Design diary will start to be formed tomorrow, concerned that I’m lacking details and backup work informing design direction, but that will form over Easter & partly next week.

Also, I may have finally found a home for next year ^_^. Relieved, but still need to apply for it and see the application accepted. But still. ^_^

Project 02 - Folkestone Revisited

Did a quick follow up trip to Folkestone yesterday for four main reasons: 

1) To catalogue the demolition works, per my friends’ advice
2) To take note of the site’s solar access of an evening
3) To relive childhood memories of being battered by the elements
4) To hear a friend sing

And much to my chargrin, I may in fact have to take a rest day today, to ensure that I am fully functional next week. I am *tired*. Really tired. I know we “lost” an hours sleep last night due to the bureaucratic amusement that is DST, but still. 

Anyway. Folkestone yesterday was lovely - being bashed around by the winds (>30mph in some cases) by the Lighthouse was exhilarating. It was also useful to remind my self of the physical site itself (it always looks and feels different when you are down there in person, than from a photograph, or model). It was also useful to note exactly how solar access effects the site of an evening - as solar access is one of the key themes I’m running with in the project.

It was also lovely to hear Jeri play again - hadn’t heard her singing or guitar playing for a good while. Amazing.

Project 02 - More Maquettes

So, combination of modelling and drawing last week. The project has really started to click over the past couple of days, I just wish that had happened 2-3 weeks ago. FFS.

Still looking at houses/flats for next year, and it is looking more and more likely that I’ll still be commuting from outside of Canterbury, but just from a nearer town rather than across the county as I am currently. 

Popping back down to Folkestone later for a follow up research trip, and to hopefully see a friend at an event. It is kinda terrifying how little time we have left on this project to be honest, and that the end of the academic year is only 2 months away/9 weeks. Portfolio submission for this main project is 42 working days away. Submission deadline for Comms Media (the last outstanding sub-module) is 24 working days away. Of course, I work weekends, so that gives some extra time, but still. Point is made.

Am I fucked? Well, time will tell. Muwahahah. Ahaha. Aha. … -_-

Project 02 - Scale Maquettes

Ok, so I guess I feel that I finally have a direction to take this project, and we have 3 weeks until the end of this term. I’m behind. You get used to the feeling. Ahahahahaha. Ha. Ha. Haaaa. -_-

I’m chucking out most of the site uses and squaring up to see it used as a dedicated youth club/space, with an emphasis on the provision of music rooms.

One of my plans for the weekend (along with catching up with the CAD module) is to collate all the precedents I’ve been eyeing - some from Paris, some from Folkestone’s history. The structure of this project has pissed me off sometimes if I’m honest - I understand we’re being taught new methods of thinking, learning, designing, but it frequently feels like we do not in fact have time to think, and that it is very much a case of a “one ring to rule them all” mentality. I guess it comes down to the whole design school vs production line thing. Anyway. A wee break, then back to work.

(Yes, I work weekends, its cool if you don’t, or if you have payed work commitments. I guess having a 5.5/6 day working week for 10yrs as a kid helped).

Project 02 - Modeling

We all have shit weeks.

Enough said.

Mixed Update

Ok, first things first, a PSA: Do not over-extend or over-tax yourself during your first year, no matter how much pressure the course or tutors put you under. The degree is a marathon, and it is an intense one. Take care of yourself. Do the work, do it to a standard you are happy with (that will satisfy the course), but realise that you are *not* going to produce your best work in your first year, and frankly IMO you shouldn’t be aiming to (unless you’re one of those lucky people who can do so effortlessly, then I guess you’re well on your way to becoming the next big thing ;-) ). Find your feet, find your weaknesses, and patch them PDQ. 2nd and 3rd year will tax you more than enough to get the best work out of you.

How are things going? Well, that list I posted last week has had a chunk of things ticked off, so that is good. Architectural Technologies currently continues to be the bane of my existence; I’ve now picked and started background reading for the Cultural Context essay (City of Flows question - re: infrastructure); Synoptics (the central project) is still a beast.

As for things on a more personal level - took a much needed rest day today. Did a 23 mile cycle ride in about 103 mins (I think that is near a PB maybe?), the lanes around here are great for it. Went to see John Wick Chapter 2 - had some great set design moments actually, also completely mindless. Struggling in some areas right now although counselling is continuing to help I feel with the bigger picture. Just taken one too many knocks over the years I guess, and never learned certain things or how to process other things.

Project 02 - Site Model

Welp. Formative review tomorrow…

Project 02 - Folkestone Survey (cont.)