Personal Trajectory Ctd. CV

See my Curriculum Vitae attached above, if you require further information with regards to references and portfolio please send an email to k0841834@kingston.ac.uk

Barbican Art Gallery 24th March 2011

Myself and Andy Laird, a friend from Aberdeen went to the Barbican Art Gallery to see an exhibition of Laurie Anderson, Trisha Brown, Gordon Matta-Clark's work. Unfortunately we were not allowed to take photos of the exhibition though examples of the artists work can be explored as follows, in particular that of Gordon Matta Clark who seemed to gain the most amount of appreciation from myself given his architectural and surrealist background.

Gordon Matta Clark - Profile and Work

Gordon Matta Clark is an American Born qualified architect in which he studied at Cornell University, though afterwards he decided not to embark on a conventional architecture career. He came from a artists background, his brother was also an artist. After he graduated from University he developed a style of architecture called Anarchitecture which was heavily influenced by art and surrealism.

He is widely recognised among the art and architecture society for his 'building cutting' approach. He used ranging types of media to communicate his work such as photography, filming, video and even typography. The examples of his famous work shown below are both incredibly sincere, experimental and distinctive. The building cuts show fragmentation and disfigurement of buildings that are so used to being seen as untouched and structurally integral, bringing forward mixed emotions about the structure itself and its immediate surrounding context. (images from google images)

Trisha Brown

Trisha Brown is an American born postmodernist choreographer and dancer. Much of her acts are designed specifically for the site in which her acts are performed. The images below show one of her projects that I find most stunning and unexpected. A woman strapped to a harness walking down steep slanted steps elegantly, giving the illusion that she is gracefully defying gravity. (images from google images)

Ecobuild 20th - 22nd March 2011 and Personal Trajectory

The main purpose behind my visit to ecobuild this year was to explore new innovative green technology suitable for my major end of year studio project based in Lower River Dee region, Aberdeen. I came across many fascinating technologies, some of which were not appropriate for application to areas of my site but nevertheless they grabbed my attention. The key innovative technology that interested me most was "Boddington's Grass and Ground Reinforcement Solutions" (For more information see www.grass-reinforcement.com). It is highly appropriate for similar application to certain infrastructure found in my proposed plan, of which car parking facilities should remain low in visual impact, hold excellent sustainable drainage systems and withstand heavy vehicular pressure in its seemingly natural state ("Grass Protecta (Heavy Grade" is essentially a protector which encourages grass growth whilst minimizes the effects that vehicular and pedestrian weight can cause towards ground rutting). (edited 20th April 2011)

Other useful company product guides that I took home with me include:

• Atlas Concorde: PLAN, outdoor design
• Frosts: VERTISCAPES
• Sempergreen: Vegetation Blankets for Roof and Ground Covering
• Sempergreen: Vertical Systems
• Safetytread: Slip-Resistant Treds, Stair Nosings and Inserts
• DeltaLight: The Lighting Bible 8

In my final major studio project I am also proposing a site which shall be used for creating renewable energy (high river current velocity in particular site). Such technology was not found

at ecobuild though the event definitely encouraged me to introduce innovative green technology as a key component in my studio project. (edited 20th April 2011)

(Precedent/Innovative Technology Research for part of my Final Major Studio Project)

Unexpected Use of Space

This study explores the art of skateboarding, and how such activity adapts to the immediate and surrounding context of interior but primarily exterior disused landscapes. Skateboarding has always been associated with the streets, allowing the enthusiast and his/her tricks to flourish and adapt to ranging conditions that is rarely achievable in a generic modern day skatepark due to its custom made and seemingly perfect structure and composition. Skateboarding, I find is most natural to participate and watch when being performed on random obstacles and changing surfaces etc, of which were not intended for skateboarding use.

The following precedents explore this activity taking place on rustic and organic mediums of enclosed and exterior space.

Unexpected Use of Space

"Lego Land (Secret DIY spot)", Austin, Texas

It is important to note that this area has been left to decay over a considerable amount of time, dozens of concrete slabs were left behind from construction work that took place in its local area, the enthusiasts therefore transformed this space into a useful playground for skateboarding by simply placing the slabs where appropriate in order to ensure fluidity and creativity in their movement throughout this exterior space. (images from google images)

Unexpected Use of Space

"D'IT YERSEL", London (Secret Spot)

The Secret Home Made Skate Park... from Martyn Thomas on Vimeo.

These guys turned a disused exterior space and created a home made skatepark.

Unexpected Use of Space

Skateboarding in bonny Scotland

John Rattray is an Aberdeen born professional Skateboarder, his style is distinctive and fluid which is probably brought on by the numerous street spots in which he skated growing up in Scotland.

Unexpected Use of Space

Javier Mendizabal

Cliché Javier Mendizabal commercial by French Fred from Cliché Skateboards on Vimeo.

working with common architectural artefacts that we often see in the urban landscape.

Unexpected Use of Space

"Nordic Hydro Pipe", Finland

This pipe is clearly not intended for skateboarding use, though the images suggest that this structure is entirely suitable for this activity.

Unexpected Use of Space

"Denburn", Aberdeen

(art by Mike Hughes and Richard Maciver)

Stockholm Trip, 15th February 2011

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DAY 1 - On Tuesday early morning (15^th February 2011), I, Gar, Enrico, Aaron and Joe set off to London Stansted Airport in a taxi, where the entire students of L6 and Bridget Snaith would then meet before boarding our flight at 08:00 to Skavsta Airport just outside of Stockholm in Sweden. I had no idea what to expect of Stockholm, though considering the time at which we went during winter and the longitudinal situation of Sweden I gathered that it would be pretty chilly and snowy (which happens to be my favourite weather of all). Once we landed at Stockholm we immediately set forth to Gamlastan, Stockholm where we all stayed for the duration of our trip. I was instantly taken back by the unique characteristics of the landscapes in which we passed by bus, though in particular the ranging characteristics of Stockholm city were most captivating for a new visitor like myself and the majority of students alike. After checking in to our hostel in Gamlastan we then went for a walk around the city centre and Soddermalm, we took a lot of pictures followed by an expensive pint on Regeringsgatan.

Stockholm Trip, 16th February 2011

The following day was extremely tiring due to the amount of mileage that our wee legs clocked up along the frozen waterfront that divides the island of Kungsholmen and Soddermalm. The depth of snow was substantial above the water and even on the sidewalks. From a technical landscape architectural perspective, having such a deep snow base didn’t exactly help at all though I did gain an insightful understanding into the unique social qualities of Stockholms people during the cold winter months. Seeing families walk their children to school in ski outerwear and big woollen beanies and mittens, dogs playing in the snow and even a few cross country skiers heading to work brought a few distinctive emotions forward, ones that I have never felt before because it felt like Stockholm was the furthest place from home.

I remember thinking to myself that this place was quite literally a winter wonderland, sometimes I was reminded of the somewhat similar atmosphere that was experienced in Whistler, Canada during my travels a couple of years back. Because of the tremendous difference between Stockholm and London based on these conditions it was impossible to compare the two, though it was interesting to see how much of the snow was left in its natural state after snowfall rather than being gritted or ploughed to make way for pedestrians and vehicular use, from this action alone you could immediately tell that the people of Stockholm are far more complacent than that of London’s population if similar conditions were to take place. Streets were incredibly quiet and it was rare to hear a loud conversation or shouting between people, instead you could also tell that much more respect is given between its population. I managed to take a couple of pictures that best conveys my experience walking along the waterfront (below).

Stockholm Trip, 16th February 2011 ctd

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The map above shows the location of our first direct site visit of the Stockholm Field by train from Gamlastan.The area is comprised of vast open spaces which elegantly integrates with varying land formations and densities of vegetation amongst burial grounds. Upon arrival, the most distinctive feature of the site includes a long entranceway from the Nynasvagen road which provides a concentrated focus into the interior of the site where a large cross structure can evidently be seen pointing to the sky on top of raised ground giving its dramatic appearance. In spite of the lying snow base, much could still be appreciated about this site. Perhaps the blanket of snow did it justice for enhancing a certain sense of delicacy and tranquility, though technically speaking such landscape components could not be seen in detail. Further into Skogskyrkogarden interior, a large Neo-Classical "Chapel of Resurrection" (designed by Sigurd Lewerentz in 1925) prominently stood in front of us all, though neatly tucked away amongst a thick cover of Pine Trees. It enacts a symbolic gesture of human reaching to heaven as the image below conveys.

Stockholm Trip, 16th February 2011 ctd.

Hammarby Sjöstad was our last site visit on Wednesday, a mixed-use estate featuring a waterfront promenade and viewing/seating platforms, colourful modern residential and business buildings. I found this completed project similar to that of the waterfront found in Maalmo, Sweden. Images below.

Stockholm Trip, 17th February 2011

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On the last full day of our trip we all visited an architecture museum just east east of Gamlastan over the Waterfront. I saw numerous models on display in one of the museum showrooms which was pretty exciting, this is because of my fascination towards hand-made 3d models. The pictures below show such models that were on display.

Personal Trajectory

Below is the "Evocation" project work of mine back in Semester 1. We had to create an object or a series of objects that would convey any emotions, experiences and thoughts felt when visiting a selected site in Lea Valley. The object or series of objects had to tell such a story in a abstract manner and not replicate any physical structure in a identical or similar state. Open image below to gain a thorough understanding of what my model/object is means.

Firetruck Earrings. from robjn taylor on Vimeo.

Time Well Wasted - Intro from Crapneto on Vimeo.

To Make Waffles from Crapneto on Vimeo.

The Blue Balloon Café from Crapneto on Vimeo.



Knife Show Volume 2 from Mike Benson on Vimeo.

The Grindhouse - Episode II from 9 Milli Media on Vimeo.

The links above incorporate my strong interest towards combining filming, storyboarding, in some cases comedy and of course snowboarding into a single unit of production. Videos that come from the likes of “Crapneto” usually make very little sense, though Robyn Taylor’s eye for detail and originality in technical and conceptual video production is strong, whether this is a case of utilising the right equipment and filming from the most suitable angles or writing creative and funny storylines, in spite of the fact that they are not meant to make any sense as mentioned.

Worth a watch, entertaining.

Nordic centre Planica - Studio AKKA

Slovenian landscape architects “Studio AKKA” and architects “A.BIRO” are responsible for the on-going redevelopment of Nordic Centre, Planica. The ski jumping complex was considered to be one of the best in the world, though it is believed that there is much room for improvement since it is now becoming seriously outdated.

The redevelopment will introduce far more facilities and services for the wider public to enjoy, allowing visitor experience to be strongly enhanced. Indoor services will include a restaurant, saunas, wind tunnel, ski-flying educational centre and outdoors, there will be an expected football pitch, children’s playground and theme park. Whilst competitions will be operating, a communication centre will be functioning in replacement of the educational centre.

“Our plan is for the centre to be self-sustaining, covering its operational costs from the revenue. Excluding the competitions, Planica is visited by 30,000 to 40,000 people annually. By offering sports and tourist products, we would like to provide guests quality leisure time and keep them in Planica for a longer period,” says Gros. As a former ski-jumping coach, he is quick to point out the significance of the centre for ski-jumping: “Not only will training become cheaper. The coaches will also be able to choose from a wide range of training options and athletes will have top-quality facilities close to their homes.” (http://www.sloveniatimes.com/en/inside.cp2?uid=D3427434-45BC-235E-6F7E-00BF50638C51&linkid=news&cid=13C09426-03B1-428E-48D0-1B4B054546FD)

Studio AKKA - http://www.akka.si/