Creating Traditional Prints From 3D Printed Blocks

We recently ran a workshop that encouraged participants to combine 2D and 3D thinking, blending traditional skills with new technologies.

The brief was to design a 2D pattern using 3D computer software. We worked in Rhino with Grasshopper, experimenting with planes to create patterns with varying depth and structure. Once the designs were ready, we exported them as files for 3D printing using our Ultimaker printers.

These 3D-printed blocks, created with cutting-edge technology, were then taken into the print room for the next stage. Here, we swapped modern tools for heritage craft, using 17th-century printing presses to transform our blocks into 2D prints – a unique meeting of past and present, as you can see below.

It was a fascinating exploration of processes, skills, and technologies – one that we hope will inspire students to experiment with both the print room and 3D printers to create truly unique work.

India: The British Council Architecture Mission

I’m still feeling the effects of jet lag – it hits harder with age – but I wanted to share a little about my recent trip to India. A week ago, I returned from a three-week journey through northern India with the British Council, representing my university to promote the study of Architecture.

Our visit took us to various schools of architecture, where we delivered talks on our research and areas of interest. We also met with faculty to discuss potential collaborations – from virtual studios to student and faculty exchanges – exploring ways we can work together more effectively.

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I started my trip in Delhi at Pearl Academy, a school I’ve visited before, and we already have some exciting projects in the works with them, including an upcoming exhibition. I had a little time to myself in the city to revisit some of my favourite New Delhi landmarks – Humayun’s Tomb for a quick restoration update and a spot of sketching, Khan Market for shopping and eating, and Connaught Place for, well, more food but also some wandering to soak up the street life and atmosphere.

Next came Mumbai, where I met with the British Council for their Architecture Mission alongside three other academics from British universities. We were representing the Architecture, Engineering, and Interiors subject areas at our institutions, speaking at nine schools across Mumbai and Pune. We visited four schools in Mumbai before heading to Pune to visit the remaining three.

Mumbai is the busiest city I’ve ever experienced – possibly also the largest, or at least it feels that way because of its density. The schools we visited were in the city centre, yet it could take over an hour to travel between them. Some campuses were theory-heavy, with traditional marble-clad lecture halls that felt both grand and a little like swimming pools. Others were strikingly modern, with green lecture theatres built into the landscape and designed to respond to sunlight, heat, and ventilation.

It was difficult to gauge the overall level of student work, as most keep their projects and no central record is kept. Still, some schools were incredibly open to collaboration and research. One stood out in particular, with corridors lined with student work – cladding system prototypes, cultural installations, interactive models, and more.

Pune was new to me, and while it felt more laid back, my schedule was anything but. My view of the city was limited to hotel rooms, bustling streets seen from a car window, classrooms, and then back to the hotel again. Two of the schools we visited here were female-only and had huge numbers of students studying architecture – something that truly inspired me. I gave a lecture to a room packed with engaged young designers who asked thoughtful questions and listened intently. Afterwards, I handed out one business card and was immediately surrounded by eager students wanting to connect and share their projects.

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A jam-packed schedule meant the days began to blur together, each one filled with travel, meetings, and lectures. At times it felt repetitive, but the students truly made the visit worthwhile, with their thoughtful discussions and inspiring examples of work.

When it was time to leave Pune – yes, in an auto-rickshaw, suitcase and all – I made a special detour to visit Sangam for the night, one of the four World Centres for Girl Guiding. It was the perfect pause in my journey to reflect on my travels, the people I had met, and the exciting projects ahead.

I had visited Pax Lodge in London as a young Guide many years ago, but many of my guiding friends had spoken about Sangam, so being there felt especially meaningful. The centre was peaceful and welcoming, with friendly volunteers who immediately made me feel at home. Some had been there for months, others had just arrived, but all were engaged in the same mission – volunteering at local schools and community projects, while learning Hindi, yoga, cooking, and so much more.

Behind the main building, a large campground hosts local Indian Guides and Brownies for camps and jamborees. One was due to take place soon, and I could imagine the energy and excitement it would bring. It was the perfect end to a busy and inspiring trip.

My Message To Students and Graduates

Life as a design student can be intense. Deadlines, presentations, reports, retakes, and the dreaded “computer crash at 2 am” moment. Add in calls from family when you have no time to talk, living on a budget, and you might wonder: why do we put ourselves through it?

Because it’s an investment in your future, your skills, your personal growth, your confidence, and even in the friendships that may last a lifetime. Yes, it’s hard. But it’s also exciting, inspiring, and full of moments you’ll look back on with pride.

My Education Journey

I studied Architecture for the full seven years. I moved away from home, pushed myself out of my comfort zone, and met friends who are now part of my professional network. My degree years were a mix of socialising, studying, and late nights in the studio, and I graduated proud of my 2:1. After a year’s work experience in a large practice, I used my savings to travel through Asia and Australia before starting my master’s degree.

Learning in Two Worlds

My degree was at a technical university, but my postgraduate studies took me to a creative art school. I was awarded a scholarship to complete my master’s in Japan, an experience that changed me completely. Living and studying abroad pushes you to grow in ways you can’t imagine. In Japan, I learned more about myself, my abilities, and my adaptability than I ever would have if I’d stayed in the UK.

The Unexpected Turns

Returning home, I found a great job in an architecture office, thinking, “This will do for now.” A few years later, I qualified as an Architect, packed up my desk, and moved to India.

Here’s the thing: when I was a student, I thought I’d work as an architect for the next 20–30 years. I imagined teaching at a university would happen after retirement. I never expected to be doing it in my 30s, loving it as much as I do now.

To My Students

Many of my students are either on their first work placement or finishing their final year projects. Some have a clear path ahead, others don’t, and that’s okay. Your career won’t be a straight line. It will have twists, detours, and surprises. The key is to stay open, adaptable, and ready to make the most of every opportunity.

10 Tips for Students & Graduates in Design and Architecture

1. Enjoy your time at university | it will probably only happen once.

2. Soak in the details | the laughs, the lectures, the study trips, even the tough days.

3. Make your work your own | show your personality through it.

4. Fake it ‘til you make it | you’ll learn more in the process than you expect.

5. Stay open-minded | don’t let your CV dictate all your decisions.

6. Think outside the box | and live there too. Travel, explore, seek adventure.

7. Document your journey | photos, sketches, journals. You’ll treasure them later.

8. Stay inspired | read, listen, talk, and share ideas with others.

9. Trust your path | it will work out, even if it doesn’t look how you imagined.

10. Aim higher than “fine” | if you want more, go out and make it happen..

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Final Thought: Be proud of what you’ve achieved. Keep doing more. Inspire others. And if you know someone studying right now, send them a note, a parcel, or even just a few words of encouragement; it can mean the world.

The Story Behind My Taj Mahal Drawing

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is often described as the crown jewel of Mughal architecture. Built between 1632 and 1648 by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as a symbol of eternal love and one of the most recognisable monuments in the world. Constructed from white Makrana marble and inlaid with precious stones, it blends elements of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian architectural styles. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracts millions of visitors each year.

My hand drawing of the Taj Mahal was created from photographs and quick sketches I made on the day I visited, celebrating my 30th birthday with close friends. We woke at 5am to beat the crowds, taking an auto-rickshaw through the still and hazy streets of Agra towards the gates. After paying our entrance fee, we joined the slow-moving stream of visitors walking down the long path. The anticipation was tangible.

As we passed through the red sandstone arches of the main gateway, the view opened up to reveal the Taj Mahal perfectly framed ahead of us. Its pristine white marble glowed in the soft morning light, mirrored in the long reflecting pool that runs through the gardens. It was one of those rare moments where the scene looked exactly like the postcards, yet somehow felt even more unreal in person.

We spent hours wandering the gardens, tracing the intricate calligraphy carved into the marble, and stepping inside to see the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The craftsmanship was breathtaking - from the delicate floral motifs to the symmetry of every arch and dome.

Eventually, we found a shaded spot to sit and take it all in. Surrounded by the buzz of other visitors and the scent of flowers, I remember looking around at my friends and feeling such gratitude. We had travelled far, shared so much life already, and were now here together in one of the most beautiful places on earth.

When I look back at my sketches from that day, I am reminded not just of the Taj Mahal’s elegance, but of the vivid colours of India - the bright orange saris, the mint green tuk-tuks, the powdery blues of painted walls, and every shade of pink in between. For me, this drawing isn’t just about an architectural masterpiece; it’s a snapshot of friendship, adventure, and a moment in time I’ll always treasure.

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open for commissions

5 Tips To Create Your Perfect Studio/Office

Welcome to my studio, aka home-office but I'm guessing that's what many people are rocking. Today I'm taking you through my studio setup and offering up my 5 top tips to help you in creating yours. Art, design, and crafting can [and does] take over our homes, and whilst this can be amazing, it can also drive others insane. My Dad used to threaten to 'clean' with a black plastic bag. 

But that doesn't stop us. 

In my apartment, of course, I have a studio. It’s in the corner of our living room and separated by an open bookshelf for privacy. I have amazing daylight from our south-facing windows out to the balcony and a wall with my certificates and some artwork on it.

My desk has everything I need on it, or by it, and it can get pretty cluttered...it's organized chaos.

1. Pick a location with lots of natural light

   but also power sockets for artificial light. I sit near the window so I get natural light, and a view of the neighbours but I am not too distracted by what is going on outside.

2. Surround yourself with inspiration

   This will be different for everyone but for me, it’s pictures of family and friends, inspirational quotes, images and art, stationery, and so on. I have some of my work framed to remind me of my recent works and I use objects I use regularly as display pieces too.

3. Set the atmosphere

   I do this with music. I have a Sonos speaker and I use the Apple Music app or the Calm app. I love a bit of background noise to distract my mind and all those random thoughts, or an audiobook on audible - I'm currently listening to The Happiness Project. I also love scented candles and often have one or two burning as I work.

4. Stay organized

   we all love stationery and washi tapes and paper and so on but clutter will only distract and put you off. Make your desk welcoming and easy to work at. Use cups, glasses, empty candleholders, or whatever you can to help store all those pens and pencils you have.

5. Workspace and surface

   keep this relatively empty so you always have a space to start a new project and remember to protect the surface you're working on. I use a large cutting mat to protect the tabletop and often put down a large sheet of white paper as a background for photos. The more you have lying around, the more your mind will wander to it. Even if that pile of to-do papers aren’t a priority, the fact they are sitting on your desk means your mind is thinking about them, even when you think it’s not.

10 Ways To Have A Good Day

It's midweek and I want it to be the weekend again but I'm going to make the most of it and have made a list of ten ways to have a good day, try them out:

1. Start it with a coffee

2. Take a hot shower

3. Wear something that makes you feel good

4. Smile at everyone you meet

5. Phone [or Skype] a friend

6. Take a walk around the block

7. Tackle one thing from that 'to-do' list

8. Tell someone you love them

9. Paint your nails

10. When all else fails, spend some time on Pinterest

A post shared by 'Living In Iceland' 🇮🇸 Sonia (@layoutlines) on Mar 9, 2014 at 3:06am PDT