Artsy

This shows the gradual completion of my final coursework piece for art. I think it goes to say that it took forever, but I'm happy with how it ended up.

Jess (:

Corfu Town

In July I went on holiday with some friends to Corfu, the weather was gorgeous and although its not a place famed for being rich in architectural beauties, there were still a few sights to be seen.

The old fort: a very substantial structure of necessary for the practicalities of the building, but also was majestic in its solidity, like a sleeping giant.

We explored the underground tunnels which were claustrophobic at times and sadly it was too dark to get a decent photo.

The view from the top: Corfu Town. Forts tend to be more broad than tall, yet that didn't make the view any less magnificent. 

Narrow paths between buildings, typical of this style of architecture often found in Greece. It makes for a bustling atmosphere and shady walkways to try and escape the heat.

A couple of holiday shots - it wasn't all bricks.

Jess (:

Shbam.

You still post here? Yes. Or at least I tell myself I try. Anyway, back on topic.

A review! This is a first so go easy on me.

I've just got a new phone (yay) and have been having a little look at what architecture apps are out there. Now, being a student I am essentially constantly broke, so I was looking for something cheap, if not free. 

 

Although there are quite a few different apps put there, often (like with most magazine apps) the app is free but you have to pay - what sometimes seem like extortionate amounts - to actually read/download each issue. 

Yet there is hope! WAN (World Architecture News for those who don't know - I didn't, showing off my lack of architectural knowledge here) have a totally free app where you can find the latest architectural news from all over the world. Like the clue wasn't in the name. 

I've only had it a couple of days, but its a quick and easy way to update yourself with current goings-on. The articles aren't too wordy or technical -i.e. you don't feel like you have to be an architect to read it. Also, the photos are good quality and plentiful, and we all know how bloggers love a good photo browse. 

Hope this is useful, 

Jess (:

P.s. I should say that this wasn't a sponsored post.  

Reading Up

So I often feel a bit childish when talking about architecture because I'm not that well-informed on the subject. I thought I might as well do a bit of reading to get more awareness about it, especially with uni fast approaching - I'm leaving in October (!!!).

This book is called '50 Architects You Should Know', and it basically lists a selection of the most famous architects - old and new and with a wide range of styles - with a large photo of their most famous work and some information about their style and biography.

I liked it because it had a range of different culturally influenced styles, so it seemed to have quite a broad range to look at. 

Also, I felt better about my architectural knowledge when I found architects I already knew of, like Gaudi. I've actually been to Barcelona and seen the Sagrada Familia a couple of times, and it doesn't get any less beautiful. If you get the chance you should definitely go - also worth seeing is the Park Guell, its really colourful and portrays the nature that Gaudi was inspired by.

Jess (:

ECOBUILD

Waheey an actual post.. and its definitely architectural. 

Last month I visited the Ecobuild Exhibition in London, which was really interesting. Less about actual buildings, and more about the building, the materials, the energy involved, and all with green ideals in mind.

Here's a selection of my favourite parts of the exhibition.

'Thermobimetals'. Two alloys laminated together so when heated the metal curls. Very unique as its only available in 4 countries (i think), requires no operator and can be used for self-ventilating and sun-shading. It also has a very appealing aesthetic.

'Barkcloth'. A composite of a Ugandan bark and some other materials (including cotton and hemp), this  can be used more decoratively e.g. lampshades, furniture and fashion. Majorly reducing CO emissions.

'Lime-pozzolan concrete with crushed construction & waste'.

Basically, this is a bench made of concrete with recycled brick and stone, producing a mosaic effect. I think its a really good use of construction waste, its something different - a plain concrete bench could be considered ugly. And it stops the waste from going to landfill.

The Dulux dog!! Couldn't miss a shot of this guy.

These are examples of some architecture students work, looking at the use of roof gardens and how they can be integrated into design.

Here is a demonstration of a (almost) perfectly insulated house. The insulation was bare so you could go up and see/touch it - it also showed examples of SIP and PV panels.

Lastly this is work from a university competition - the winner got to have their design made. I believe the design brief was along the lines of 'an archaeologists storage box'. So I think you would be looking for something that would be safe, have lots of compartments and could also act as a display case. 

All the other designs were on display and were all amazing, I could only dream of having such intricate ideas.

Ecobuild made for a really good day out, and it was useful talking to the university representatives that were there, if you're considering going next year.

Jess (:

Getting Back

So it's been a while. The other day I was walking through a part of town I haven't been to before, and saw this Polish church. I thought it was quite interesting, and the style of brick creates an intriguing texture on the front of the building.

Didn't stay long as I had a bus to catch, and the photos were taken on my blackberry so aren't great quality. Really want to save up for a new camera (!)

Jess (:

You already know

I just like that song.

Anyway.. just a short post with some links to some things I've been reading recently.
Firstly, the online version of The Architects Journal (http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/) Probably a pretty standard read if you're interested in architecture - they have a good page on sustainability as well, which is something that I'm particularly interested in.
Also ABC+D have an online magazine (http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/1e2ee86c#/1e2ee86c/1), and you can find more at www.buildingtalk.com, but thats more about products and technology than design.

Jess (:

Slightly more architectural, I think.

So, long time no blog. I know. But what with January exams, UCAS and general stress I've had little time to get on with posting. Maybe in future I can use this as break, rather watching endless series of tv on the internet..
Anyway, here are some bits I've done over the past month. Hope you like them (:

This was a landscape I recently did, around where I live the landscape is pretty boring (no soaring hills, deep valleys or waterfalls, sadly) but it can still be quite beautiful - and there's always a lot of the sky to see. Which I guess might be why I like looking at the sky so much.

So you'll probably recognise this building (though it's not a brilliant drawing). The Flatiron Building in New York, designed by the architect Daniel Burnham (a favourite of mine).

Above is just a sketch of a ceiling of an archway in Cambridge (you might recognise it from here ). 

Again a recognisable place: Newcastle. I've never done many cityscapes before (at all), so let me know what you think (:

Lastly a piece under the title 'My Street' and as my street is quite average I tried to make it more interesting with perspective. Not sure if it worked, still looks pretty boring to me but hey.

I'm going to try and get into blogging more regularly again - I know I've said that before, but at least I'm consistent, right? Feel free to comment if you feel the urge.

Jess (:

Something fishy's going on

With applying to university,comes sending off a portfolio of work, standard. So I thought I would post a selection of my work from my portfolio, mainly done over the last year.

 This was from a figure project where I worked especially on drapery, I was very pleased with this mostly because I managed to finish it pretty quickly without it seeming rushed. (Acrylic)

This is one of my favourite pieces from my most recent project on 'identity', I focussed on the figure - more particularly the face, letting the body blend into the background. (acrylic & pencil)

This is one of the few 3D pieces I have done, inspired by an animal skull and under the title of 'empty spaces'; referring to the empty space inside the skull and what would have once been there. I must admit I was a bit creeped out at first by thought that I was holding what used to be a live animals head, but after a while there seemed a kind of beauty to it.

Again, under the title of 'identity', I like the sharpness created by the monotone and the way the tracing paper blurs the background. I seem to have developed a thing for painting on tracing paper, not sure why. (acrylic on tracing paper)

This was one of the first paintings I did with oil paint (well, a type of oil paint), it was quite large (A1ish?) and took a while, but I was pleased with the end result. This was actually exhibited in a local art gallery over last summer along with some other work from my college. 

These last three are all from my exam  project last year, the last was my final piece and was also exhibited over the summer. I think the title was 'shine' (?) focussing on the shine of water on skin. (pencil on newsprint, acrylic & PVA and acrylic, respectively)

Hopefully I'll be able to put up some more architecture orientated work soon, also I've got a new book which I might tell you about 

Jess (:

Up in the clouds

Its seems forever ago when I last went away to Italy, but it was actually only in July. I've been a couple of times with school for music (managed to get on the trip with my poor flute skills), but I really wanted to go because of the rich texture of the buildings out there, the intricacies highlighted by the burning sun. I love the relaxed atmosphere created by the culture and the warmth - it makes it easier to simply admire the architecture (or maybe that's just the effect of being a tourist?). Anyway, here are some of my favourites (:

The colosseum in Verona, quite tiring getting to the top but it's such an beautiful panoramic view of the city it's definitely worth it. I'm always amazed when you get inside because of the sheer size of the space (ok so always means twice, but still), I do have a photo of the inside but I can't find it, so maybe another time? Besides, I doubt a photo could portray the atmosphere created when you're actually there - so if you ever get the chance, go.

The look of the tall buildings with their layers of balconies has always appealed to me, I like the idea of stepping onto a balcony and having conversations with the people on the surrounding balconies. Or perhaps it's just the symmetry they add.

This is the famous Juliet's balcony (as you might be able to tell from the tourists..) it's difficult to talk about the  history of the place when really it's packed with people wanting to see the spectacle of romance, so there's more a sense of excitement and the mystery of what may have actually occurred there.

Now, back to the cold streets of England.. Hopefully I'll be able to go back there again one day, but as this is my last year of school I think I'll have to find another way to get a visit in. Somewhere so beautiful can't show you all it's secrets in one day.

Jess (: