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The project starts on Saturday 14th March with an introductory day with weekly sessions following from March – June 2009

Through participating in this project, you’ll also be able to complete a Bronze Level Arts Award and also get involved with an exciting event to mark the end of the whole project, happening on Newington Green in June.

Remember… anyone can take part. It doesn’t matter where you live or whether you’ve been involved with the Autumn courses.
They are all slightly different to last time so we’d love to have you back!
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If you require any further details please do not hesitate to contact us.

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Architecture

My review of the Anish kapoor exhibition at the RIBA

I have to say the exhibition on a whole was fantastic. Although my first impression as soon as I walked into the room was that it seemed dull, but looking more closer at the at the model which where fantastic. Especially the sketch models and the way he created these complex shapes and used different materials whether with blazingly reflective metal surfaces or tights. I found his use of different materials was inspiring and gets you realise to that some times you don’t just  have stick same old basic materials. All the models

Facts about the Exhibition:

37 models where on show                                                                                      

Materials used in the exhibition where wood, tights, plastics and coloured plastics

After coming back from the visit I did a bit of research on Anish kapoor. And found that is cultural background had influenced him and busy colourful market places of India. This was definitely evident in the work on show.

I think for young students studying architecture in their first year of university would enjoy this exhibition it’s really a great eye opener to different ideas and ways of presenting work with different materials

The NLA exhibition

It was great visiting the NLA exhibition and seeing the scale model of London. What was great about it was that it wasn’t in great detail but you could still tell where famous parts of London are. It was good to see the plans architects have for London and the new contempary styles on show.

 by Olayinka Danmole

Architecture

Arts Event

 

I chose to go to the RIBA to see the place/ no place exhibition which displayed the architectural work of Anish Kapoor and I also went to the NIA to see one of their more permanent displays on London and its upcoming plans for its urbanisation especially in the run up to the 2012 Olympics. I choose these events as they would help us to explore architecture a bit more, the planning and run up work to architectures final models. I also wanted to go to the NLA to find out about the changes that we could expect for the city and the proposed models that were being put forward. This is to see how the landscape of the city could be changed from the people who would be making it possible, the professionals.

  At the Anish Kapoor exhibition there were 37 pieces exhibited many showed there progression from the rough model, where you are trying  to figure out where everything fits, to the finished, polished off model, where it is flawless. Anish Kapoor’s work was very exaggerated and unrealistic although he added scale people to give you the feeling that it could be possible. Many of his work was very bold and he made sure they were making statements. What made them eve more realistic was that there was computer generated images of what the models would look like if they were to made for real. Many pieces of his work are created so that when you look and explore them certain emotions are imposed upon you such as feelings of claustrophobia and airiness.

  I liked as I  thought this exhibition as it was very modest in its approach to architecture as its development was heavily featured yet made it look simple as the transition from paper to a model was very smooth, yet the pieces themselves were very bold each making a statement that could be individually explored depending on your mood and point of view on the pieces. They make you think and develop your train of thought as individual emotions are evoked.

  I would recommend this exhibition as I think that a lot can be learnt from what is shown. Not only the way your perception on a piece is matured but how your skills and design processes can be adapted and explored by seeing how big and extravagant pieces can be created and make such statements from such common materials such as plastic and glass. Two materials that are heavily featured in his display.

  Again what I have learnt are the reasons why I would recommend it to others as these are also the reasons why I loved this particular exhibition.

  This event has inspired me as it makes you want to make anything you want, it makes me want to go home and just cut and stick things together to make very different models to what’s around and yet they could be accepted and explored by many. This exhibition shows the freedom of design and creation in today’s arts worlds. Anything is possible.

 

The second exhibition I visited was the NIA’s exhibition of London’s urbanisation. This event was dominated by a huge model of a 3D London with its most famous landmarks visible and how the city was to be changed. There was a lot of information on the different boroughs of London and there individual plans of how they were to become more modern. Most of the exhibition displayed 3D models of entire areas where significant changes were made. The plans for these urbanisation areas where in-depth and significant thought and plans were displayed to show that these were real proposed plans to which many are already under way. Much of the exhibition also showed the cost and impact to the area that these proposed plans would cause. Especially now a days where a sustainable environment is important that these aspects of the projects were looked at in-depth and had a impact on the outcome to how the building or proposed change to the area was to come about.

  I really liked this event as compared to the Anish Kapoor exhibition this was a complete contrast. All the models that were on display were real and they carried a significance importance into the way that our city was to be moulded to the future. I liked the fact that the exhibition was significant and relevant to everyone no matter where they come from across the city.

   I thought that the event was very interested but the way it was set out and its layout could have been more appealing and interesting as everything was centred around one or two major projects where as other projects could have been brought to more people attention to show the difference and contrast between major and minor, they both carry a significance s why should one be more important than the other?

  I would recommend this to others as I believe that all the information shown should be common knowledge to all in the city. Everyone should be aware of upcoming changes. Although for the thought of an architect I do not believe that I would recommend this as many of the displays are simple models, no details and no real explanation into the actual buildings and design processes. In fact they over push the idea of the impact on the environment and greenhouse gases.

  From going to the event I have learnt a lot about the environment and low impact choices made to help save the environment. I also learnt a lot about the landscape of the city and its future.

This event has inspired me to want to find out as much information on London as possible, it makes you want to see the sites, explore the city and just know about the cities history and how it was built up from what it used to be.

 

Jessica Ballie-Whyte

End event celebration

Hi Guys

HaPpY NeW YEAR, I hope you had a relax two weeks, below are some pictures of the end event which took place in December.

 

ArChItEcTURE

Architecture Trip Review

 On Saturday, 8^th of November, we went to see two exhibitions, both based in London.  The first one we’ve seen was ‘Place/No Place’, by an architect Anish Kapour, at RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

Kapour’s architectural models offer a rare insight into the artist’s collaborations with architects and engineers. This exhibition was an entirely different experience, compared to what I have seen before. New shapes, figures and the way architect plays with colours satisfied my eyes. Models were presented in very unique & different way, which was really impressive.

My favourite model was the ‘Tail Pavilion’ (2006). Both – the figure and the colour were very notable and different.Anish Kapour’s models varied from 1982 – 2008, which was very significant in terms of how ideas have changed and the style has stayed the same.

Anish Kapour has really inspired me to be more experimental with my model-making techniques and I would really recommend anyone to go and see how architectural ideas could be expressed in so many different forms.The other exhibition we went to see, was ‘London Towns: Shaping Polycentric City’, based at New London Architecture centre. It was probably more like a big demonstration, rather than an exhibition.

It was really unique & interesting, because we had had an opportunity to look several years further and see London in future. It looked like London is turning into completely different city, with those amazing buildings.‘London Towns: Shaping Polycentric City’ was a very impressive and definitely worth seeing.

bY Gabriel Grigorjevait

 

 

 

ArChITECTure

As a group we decided to visit two places to get the feel of architectural models and the variety of concepts architects base their work on.
Our first visit was to RIBA, where we went to an exhibition based on Anish Kapoor’s work. This was my first time visiting the RIBA and I must say I really liked the interior of the building. When I first arrived at the exhibition I didn’t really know what to expect because I had never heard about Anish Kapoor so this was a whole new experience for me. There were approximately 37 models, of which were concept and sketch models. Some the models were more interesting than others and some were much more simpler than others. After looking at Anish Kapoor’s work, I noticed that not the models could be transformed into realism, they were purely based on imagination.
What I loved about Anish’s work was that it was highly unusual; I have never actually seen models, which are so interesting at his. Some of his models made me quite curious, I actually spent time analyzing them and tried figuring out what Anish’s motive could be behind designing what he had designed. I think this was a really good exhibition to visit because it illustrates the relationship between architecture and art & design. After visiting the exhibition, I learnt a number of things. I learnt that there are two types of models (concept and sketch), what kind of materials used, methods of fixing the models and the scales used for the construction of the models.
I would recommend this exhibition to everyone especially students studying architecture or thinking of studying architecture in the near future because this exhibition will show them that all architect’s work starts off a model (it’s the initial stage).

Our second trip was to New London Architecture (NLA), which is a display centre and is open to everyone. I really enjoyed going to NLA because it has models, which we could relate to because they had displayed models of London and Croydon where I’m from.
I loved the model of London, it was fascinating to see London on such a small scale, and the model shows a better picture of the whole of London. Also it shows the orientation of the River Thames and all the world famous buildings of London.
There was also a model of Croydon in 2020; I really enjoyed analyzing the model because I know the place so well as I have been living there for a very long time.
NLA also had loads of other future projects within and around London, I was glad to see that some the new projects would give the skyline of London a new meaning.
I really enjoyed my time at NLA and would love to go back in the future and I would recommend it to everyone, it would be a change to see where you live on a smaller scale.

By Nana Ewusi

ArCiTeCtUrE

Anish Kapoor in Architecture…

   This was the exhibition we (Architecture with The Building Exploratory group) decided to visit over the weekend. The exhibition was held at RIBA, which stands for Royal Institute Of British Architects, it’s an institute that collaborates with the government to improve the design quality of public buildings, new homes and new communities. The exhibition was based on the famous artist Anish Kapoor who has worked with architects and engineers on a number of major projects.

   It was my first time visiting RIBA and I must say that I was impressed; I absolutely loved the entrance and especially the grand staircase, which lead to the Anish Kapoor exhibition. In the past I had visited another architectural exhibition, which was held at Bartletts (UCL), so I had a rough idea of what to expect at the exhibition held at RIBA.

My first impression of Anish Kapoor’s work was that it was unusual and extremely simple, it was very different to the work I had seen at Bartletts. Some the concepts were really interesting and I love to see them in reality. My favourite concept model has to be the massive mirror in of the seashore. Altogether there were 37 models present in the exhibition, some were concept models and some were sketch models.

Each model was unique and the construction showed immense perfection and the materials used did absolute justice to the models. Anish Kapoor has used a variety of materials; wood and plastic was very frequent in his models. He has used different coloured plastic, which add colour to the model and make them quite pleasing to look at.

I never actually knew the difference between concept and sketch models, after visiting the exhibition; I realized how different they are to each other. Concept models are more detailed and sketch models do not focus on detail that much.

After analyzing Anish Kapoor’s models, I realized that art and architecture link together very well. I also realized that imagination; visualization and artistic thinking can produce exceedingly remarkable pieces of work. If you look at some of the models they aren’t exactly viable but make you curious. That’s the beauty of imagination, which helps you visualize things, which aren’t really possible. I personally think that all the models were amazing and all different from one another.

   On the whole I enjoyed the exhibition and would recommend it to students hoping to study architecture in the future. It’s quite beneficial because it shows you quality of models and the different ways in which they are constructed.

   After visiting the exhibition, it’s inspired me to make my model as perfectly as Anish Kapoor’s models (hopefully!). Also it got me interested in finding out more about Anish Kapoor and all the other projects he has been a part of. Overall it was great experience and would love to go in the future for more interesting exhibitions.

-Rating- * * * *

 

New London Architecture (NLA)…

Our second visit was to NLA, again it was my first time going there. I had heard about it in the past but never had a chance to go, so I was glad that I finally got a chance to go.

The NLA is a display centre and a centre for debate and for networking, it’s especially aimed at London visitors and school children that can come and learn about their environment. NLA has a permanent exhibition of a 1:1500 scale model of Central London, surrounded by a display showing a cross section of current building projects, is enhanced by a programme of temporary exhibitions addressing London issues.

I loved the model of the whole of London; it was quite interesting to see London on 1:1500 scales. As a group we were all spotting the iconic places in London on the model, it was fascinating to see their miniature version!

NLA also had digitally constructed photos of future buildings, which are going to be built in London. The building that caught my eye was the skyscraper that is going to be built in London and will be the tallest building in Europe. I can’t wait for it be built, I’m sure it will add to the list of iconic buildings in UK.

As I’m from Croydon, it was interesting to see the 1:1500 scale model of Croydon in 2020. I’m glad that the Croydon model is displayed at NLA because most of the people in our group have not visited Croydon so this way they got to see what Croydon looks like. I really enjoyed my time at NLA, I learnt about so many new projects and most importantly I was delighted to see what my hometown would look like in 2020.

I would recommend NLA to everyone; it would be ideal for people of all ages.

-Rating- * * * * *

By Maheen Chaudhry

 

aRCHITECTURE

Visiting architecture exhibitions was a fist for me and an essential experience if I wanted to get a taste of how the building of architectural models is used practically in the industry. We attended one exhibition at the RIBA (Royal institute of British architects) and another at NLA (New London Architects). The Anish Kapoor exhibition at RIBA was particularly interesting as I had briefly studied him as a sculptor in school before.

          Anish Kapoor (Born in India 1954) is a turner prize winning sculptor who moved to England in 1972. His art is inspired by both eastern and western cultures and he has slowly gained international recognition for his work. I noticed that a lot of his work was bright, reflective and curved and usually quite big, in terms of scale to humans. I also noticed that Kapoor used a variety of materials for his models ranging from plastic and foam to masking tape and even tights.  At the exhibition I took pictures and did a few quick sketches from some of the presentation models.

         At the NLA exhibition we encountered models which were more specific to areas within London. These varied from models representing the city as it is now and others which tried to show us the ever changing face of the architecture, environment and the skyline of London. The exhibition also had models showing us ideas for ‘green buildings’ with features that take environmental sustainability into account. I also had the opportunity to do some drawings and take photos here.

  Overall the trip was extremely inspirational, educative and informative and it would be worthwhile for anyone to check out any of these exhibitions irrelevant of their architectural knowledge.

Fahad Malik