Windrush square - Brixton

I went to a site tour of Windrush square in Brixton organised by the NLA urban markers. We were led into a church were the initial presentation would take place outlining the project from start to finish. We were shown images of what the square use to look like and can be described at cluttered, unclear and would be avoided by people. The square and the surrounding areas were a hubbub or crime. There was people drinking alcohol daily around the square which put a lot of people off. Crime around this particular area had been quite bad due to this and the drug dealers and thieves. I remember growing up people told me Brixton was a rough place and not so nice so I can see were people would get this idea from. However this is why Brixton had decided to redesign the square and its surrounding areas. It is also a way to improve transportation links by cars, buses and bicycles.

Initial plans to create a far more open space that invites rather than deters people had been hatched by London Borough of Lambeth, the London Development Agency, Design for London, designers Atkins plc and landscape architects GROSS.MAX.

Starting from the beginning there were issues regarding the initial planning:

• Increased through traffic in nearby streets due to proposed road closures
• Value of money for overall scheme, including roads re alignment
• Loss of existing trees
• Under sized grass areas
• The need to reinstate the public toilets.
• Need for active programme of uses to discourage drug dealers and street drinkers

The issues that were raised during construction were mainly the fact that the road closures caused so much traffic and the space available for footpaths.

The issues that have arisen since the opening of the square are:
• Risk of inadequate protection of retained features
• Mist fountain can be potential hazard in the cold and windy weathers
• Cluttered layout risks the potential for large scale events
• Loss of public toilet provision

I was told during the presentation that the square has had trouble executed large scale events so that matter must still yet to be resolved. The space to be did seem quite open and accessible and there were adequate green space in contrast with the granite. The one large tree is a triumph that looks magnificent and grand, there are other smaller trees but don’t quite catch your eye. Traffic and bus routes have improved greatly and there has been a reduction in accidents .The need to reinstate a public toilet seems unnecessary. Crime has actually been reduced by 30% which in my belief is quite an accomplishment and shows that designing goes far more than just aesthetics. The benefit to cost ratio is an amazing 5.5:1. There has been positive pedestrian flow through the space as a whole and the informal seating has gone down well. Overall I was pleasantly surprised by the space and did not expect to see quite a well developed plan and strategy.

Design museum - John Pawnson model exhibition

John Pawson is a British designer associated with the minimalist aesthetic. The exhibition i went to see in the design museum was based around his works; in particular the models that were created to showcase his designs. Now as a person who loves models I have to say I was blown away but the detail and simplicity that were on show. The models looked amazing something to definitely aspire to and re-create. The attention to detail in the model of the church is amazing; the interior which i photographed above looks so realistic it’s uncanny.

Things you see when you walk down London...

The first image is of an underpass just before you reach Tower Bridge Station. Its actually a set of LED lights that have been positioned on top of people along the ceiling of a underpass that projects lights replicating fireworks. Sadly it was quite hard to capture this with my camera but I can guarantee you it was worth stopping to see. It was achieved by hundreds of little LED lights that created a seamless affect of a fireworks display.

The second image is of a building I saw on the other side of Tower Bridge station. This caught my eye as it was a building in the heart of London covered in foliage. Something you don’t usually get to see in our urban capital. It gave a great soft feel and colour against the dull greys of the building

Tate Modern - The unilever Series, Al weiwei Sunflower seeds

The turbine hall within the Tate modern is where you usually get your larger than life exhibitions. Such a large open space almost cries out to be filled with such spectacles. This time around I went to see the new exhibition hosted by the turbine hall. I saw pictures online of what exactly i was heading to see but it truly is quite magnificent in person. Millions of sunflower seeds made of porcelain spread across a vast space. Each one unique and different and amazingly hand crafted by hundreds of skilled artisans in China. There was a video playing every half hour to show the amazing journey the artists Al Weiwei had gone through to procure this vast exhibition.

The Thames beach

Just before you pass the OXO tower on your way towards the Tate modern in London you are hit by a surprising view and quality not often visited by people. A beach emerges at your feet along a small stretch of the Thames. Surprisingly a sandy beach yet hardly visited by people. Although it not the most glamorous of beaches it still a sandy one, something people travel many miles to reach. I must say i did find it strange being on a beach and overlooking the other side of London full of buildings. Normally you would see the open sea. The river Thames is largely surrounded by large buildings as is the nature of London yet this beach does grant a soft edge to a very urban environment.

BFI - Mediatheque

The BFI have a wonderful free service they run known as the Mediatheque which is translated as media library from French. It boasts thousands of films and documentaries in their archives. It can also be used for teaching as it hosts many subject area documentaries. It’s quite simple to use you just go in get a ticket and start surfing the archives.

Signage around the Southbank centre

It seems natural that the Southbank Centre would create a signage system that revolves around colour. Creativity and colour go hand in hand. Colour is a very useful tool when attracting attention thus seems natural to use when directing. Signage i

s usually quite dull in London, simple texts on posts directing people. However this form of signage often fades into the background of city life and holds no real excitement or interest. The Southbank centre uses bright colours that cut through the dull greys of city life adding creativity and interest. I found that walking along the paths you did not really need to read the signs as such rather follow the colour which almost created a seamless affect and was quite enjoyable. However to keep the colour from fading and looking presentable would require quite a bit of maintenance thus can put those who have commissioned such art. Yes I wo

uld say I is a form of art; a sort of outdoor exhibition that leads you to your dest

ination.

Things you see when you walk down London...

This is quite a random image I noticed when I walked out of the Hayward Gallery. Its just a normal building but to me looks like a sort of face of a robot with eyes, mouth and hair and thought it was funny and interesting.

This video shows a small part of the exhibition I went to at the Hayward Gallery. It still amazes me how simple light work can produce something that looks beautiful and elegant. The video is just what I saw whilst I was circling the object and how it moves as I do.