Critical Study.

Handed my dissertation in today. Overall I think I'm happy with how it went, I think theres a couple of really insightful and interesting pieces of writing in there. I'm really pleased that I managed to interview two MP's to get their views and I think that it really helps to add balance and opinion to my argument.

If I was doing it again however I think I would have chosen a more publicized topic, as I found it hard finding sources to use for the study, apart from that I think that it was a really interesting topic a and a great learning experience helping me to have a greater appreciation of how polotics effects architecture in this country.

Istanbul Final Review

After my final review for Istanbul I was generally disappointed, I felt that the tutors refrained from looking at the overall design scheme in order to focus on some images and diagrams that they felt were drawn incorrectly.

They felt that i wasn't properly drawing the car park structure underneath the designs and spent 5 minutes talking about this rather than giving me feedback and constructive criticism on my design.

I'm just going to try and move forward from their comments and try and see my tutors on the design again so that I can get it done and out of the way inorder to focus on the latest project.

Sections

I've been experimenting with different sections, looking at both line drawn and photoshoped ones.

Personally I prefer the line drawn section and I will seek advice on them from my tutor ahead of the final review.

Square research

I felt that I was somewhat neglect the design of the square so I went on a visit to Manchester to look at the successful public realms in the city centre. Heres my findings.

Looking at the square in a more analytical way I decided to make some changes to it shown here, helping to open it up and allow access through it.

Volumetric Development

After using the mapping project to look at the location of my scheme I then used volumetrics, moving from a simple cube to a design that had the corners removed replaced with glowing sections that represented the cinemas.

I was really happy with the way that the photographs came out for these models, again using LED's to light the models and log exposure photos.

I feel that my model making skills have really started to come on this year. In these I looked at casting different materials in different shapes which was a new and interesting experience.

I generally felt that my model making skills were good but looking round the year I really feel there is room for me to improve and and trying to get there now....

Back to work....

Back to work after the Christmas break, I'm trying to focus on getting my dissertation done while not neglecting my design work. The way the deadlines line up with each other is really hard work it feels as though theres constantly pressure on in some way or another.

I know that whats to be expected doing an architecture degree but I really dont think the tutors help us out with it at all.