Call of the Wild
Patricia Piccinini
Verb: Pose
Adjective: Abstract
Noun: Naked
Noun: Naked
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
The Red Center in my 600 word opinion
Tyler Pendlebury Z3255344 11/3/08
Whilst I do not posses a vast understanding of the either the technical or aesthetic design components of the red center, I like anyone, possess eyes and an opinion. To me the red center is a nice center, nothing extravagant, or memorable, simply nice. With a relatively rectangular shape the centers structure doesn’t automatically grab anyone’s attention beyond its sheer size, however, should one look up the tall pipes protruding from the roof provide a point of interest. Whether these are purely practical, or a necessity that has been nicely presented, both the movement and the uniqueness add an element of intrigue to the center. I think that necessities like ventilation shafts and pipes should either be totally concealed, or, as with the red center, made into a feature. It seems a let down when an attractive center is disrupted by afterthought practicalities or out of place necessities. The glass walkways, though again simple in appearance is an elegant touch that blurs the division between the internal and the external, the natural and the man-made. The glass caps on either end of the building on the right containing the stairwell continue to shift the dynamic in this was in addition to providing visual stimulus to those walking the stairs. This simply yet sophisticated design is well applied for its purpose. Used as a department building for the FBE, its structure is as open to criticism as the clothing of a fashion critic and thus anything too extravagant can easily go wrong and/or become dated with the passing of time. In my estimation based in ignorance and wild guesses, the building is exactly 13 years old. Its semi-modern industrial design embraces its purpose and its capacity caters for the vast amount of students and staff who occupy it thus it is likely it was designed for its present utilization, a utilization’s age I also don’t know. The building doesn’t seem particularly weathered or rundown All the elevators seem to work, no obvious rust or cracks in the concrete all speak highly of the buildings condition, suggesting a relatively recent creation. However, its constant occupation and maintenance could be deceptive in this regard but to be honest I don’t know. All the elevators seem to work, no obvious rust or cracks in the concrete all speak highly of the buildings condition.
Up to now my review has be fairly positive, my criticisms are the following. One, the context, most UNSW buildings seem “nice” as independent structures, especially the Law building, the scientia, school of business and even the red center. But they don’t always seem to harmonize together. The spaces they create aren’t always ideal, though they have been clearly considered in some places like the quadrangle but lack continuity. I’m not suggesting all the buildings be the same but a consistent flow, theme or a dynamic would enhance the university from an aesthetic standpoint in my opinion. The second and final criticism is the interior. For such a large building it seems small and poorly layed out in the interior. Relatively practical but a labyrinth to say the least. The stairwell seems a little under magnificent considering the brilliant design and construction oriented minds within and the vast array of interesting things that can be done with stairs. The temperature always seems on the warm side and with turbines like that on the roof it should be negative 4 in there.
This being said, on a scale of ~terrible, bad, average, nice, super excellent~ (which I believe is the official scale used by architects internationally) the building is nice, it is awarded this status by me due to its practicallity, simple though relatively interesting exterior and both quality and condition of the materials it consists of.
Whilst I do not posses a vast understanding of the either the technical or aesthetic design components of the red center, I like anyone, possess eyes and an opinion. To me the red center is a nice center, nothing extravagant, or memorable, simply nice. With a relatively rectangular shape the centers structure doesn’t automatically grab anyone’s attention beyond its sheer size, however, should one look up the tall pipes protruding from the roof provide a point of interest. Whether these are purely practical, or a necessity that has been nicely presented, both the movement and the uniqueness add an element of intrigue to the center. I think that necessities like ventilation shafts and pipes should either be totally concealed, or, as with the red center, made into a feature. It seems a let down when an attractive center is disrupted by afterthought practicalities or out of place necessities. The glass walkways, though again simple in appearance is an elegant touch that blurs the division between the internal and the external, the natural and the man-made. The glass caps on either end of the building on the right containing the stairwell continue to shift the dynamic in this was in addition to providing visual stimulus to those walking the stairs. This simply yet sophisticated design is well applied for its purpose. Used as a department building for the FBE, its structure is as open to criticism as the clothing of a fashion critic and thus anything too extravagant can easily go wrong and/or become dated with the passing of time. In my estimation based in ignorance and wild guesses, the building is exactly 13 years old. Its semi-modern industrial design embraces its purpose and its capacity caters for the vast amount of students and staff who occupy it thus it is likely it was designed for its present utilization, a utilization’s age I also don’t know. The building doesn’t seem particularly weathered or rundown All the elevators seem to work, no obvious rust or cracks in the concrete all speak highly of the buildings condition, suggesting a relatively recent creation. However, its constant occupation and maintenance could be deceptive in this regard but to be honest I don’t know. All the elevators seem to work, no obvious rust or cracks in the concrete all speak highly of the buildings condition.
Up to now my review has be fairly positive, my criticisms are the following. One, the context, most UNSW buildings seem “nice” as independent structures, especially the Law building, the scientia, school of business and even the red center. But they don’t always seem to harmonize together. The spaces they create aren’t always ideal, though they have been clearly considered in some places like the quadrangle but lack continuity. I’m not suggesting all the buildings be the same but a consistent flow, theme or a dynamic would enhance the university from an aesthetic standpoint in my opinion. The second and final criticism is the interior. For such a large building it seems small and poorly layed out in the interior. Relatively practical but a labyrinth to say the least. The stairwell seems a little under magnificent considering the brilliant design and construction oriented minds within and the vast array of interesting things that can be done with stairs. The temperature always seems on the warm side and with turbines like that on the roof it should be negative 4 in there.
This being said, on a scale of ~terrible, bad, average, nice, super excellent~ (which I believe is the official scale used by architects internationally) the building is nice, it is awarded this status by me due to its practicallity, simple though relatively interesting exterior and both quality and condition of the materials it consists of.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Something Beautiful
This is my cat "hunter" as a kitten. very cute, less evil than it is now with amazing blue eyes. adorable to look at with incredibly soft fur, a very beatiful picture in my opinion. i took this on my phone and its a little blurry but i still like it. This cat has recently had kittens of her own but they still like like rats atm
Ok so i didnt do a lot of art at school, but this is my clay dragon made in year 8 and glazed in year 9 who still lives at my house today. is purple and friendly, probably one of the better ones in the class if i dont say so myself and i completley designed and built him myself as i went with the idea of "long tale" and "spikey"
he doesnt have wings, i dont know why
Inspiration building
This isn't actually actually a real structure but considering i am studying architectural computing its computer generated nature s acceptable. I have always been captivated by the buildings, cities and towns of fantasy worlds including Lord of the rings, Dinotopia, Final fantasy etc. They capture grandeur, they either defy or work harmoniously with the environment around them, and they are beautiful in there design. Furthermore, the size and relationship with nature and light especially have always really been an almost awe provoking sight, one that i could spend hours examining, apreciating and exploring. Whilst these two statues are still complete, the empire they represent has long since crumbled. I find tis very interesting, how architecture outlasts the men they created them. Often on holidays near the beach i go and see the ruined lighthouses and think of how they looked in their prime. Cities like rivendell, built by the elves on the cliffs by a waterfall is amazing natural, elegant and absorbs the spectacular surroundings. whilst fantasy may remain just that, fantasy, i would like to see the gap bridged as much as possible at least in theory and design until such a time when they can become a reality.
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