Prayers For Peace In Hiroshima, Japan

Today marks a special memory for me and a very important reason to pause for thought. 70 years ago today the Japanese city of Hiroshima was hit by the first atomic bombing. Credited with bringing to an end World War II, the bomb claimed at least 140,000 people in the city when it exploded 600m above the city in a mushroom cloud. 

Hiroshima is a very special place to me, it was home for a year in 2006. I was a scholarship student at KINKI university finishing my Masters in Architecture and lived in Saijo, a short train ride from the city. The Japanese culture, and warmth of the people I met, inspired me to further research this culture, language, and lifestyles, and I wrote my dissertation on the concept of 'home versa house in Japan'. My final project looked to design a cultural center located near the memorial park in Hiroshima which showcased all of the elements I loved from my time in Japan. 

Japan was wonderful and filled with very special memories and friendships, both Japanese and international, and some of whom will be in Hiroshima tonight lighting a prayer lantern and thinking of their city and its people. 

Each year prayer lanterns are lit and left to float down the city's Motoyasu River in front of the only surviving building. I went to the memorial with some friends back in 2007. We walked around listening in on people’s discussions and stories of past years. They lit candles decorated by children, laid flowers by the eternal flame, prayed, and spent time quietly in each other’s company. The ambiance was not negative, not blaming or upsetting but instead uplifting in a way that only spread the message of world peace and the importance of living in a world without the threat of atomic attacks. 

A common symbol of peace is the crane, an origami bird. These colourful paper birds can be found throughout the memorial park in Hiroshima. On the anniversary, a local artist had decided to try and make a large paper crane with help from people gathered in the park. It didn't take long for people to get involved and for the local news to start filming, and within an hour we had a huge white paper crane in the children's area of the park. It was beautiful and another symbol of community, of people working together to create something beautiful. 

Japan to me is a calm, spiritual country of beauty, from its people and their gentle nature to the parks in any season (especially spring and autumn) and its variety of architecture from a futuristic Tokyo block to an elegant golden pavilion. It is a country of extremes and this can be very fascinating. I was lucky enough to travel and see, quite literally, the bright lights of Tokyo and the amazing fashion trends and technologies - and by shinkansen (the bullet-train) spotting Mount Fuji on the way - to Kyoto where I wandered the parks, pavilions, and lanes of tea houses. I loved my time there, and miss Japan a great deal. 

To anyone going, or currently visiting Japan, I highly recommend a trip to Hiroshima and a visit to its Memorial park and the Peace Memorial Museum. And if you need some time away from the city to digest and take it all in, then catch a ferry over to Miyajima where you can wander the temple with deer and monkeys, and take in the picturesque sight of the 'floating' Torii gate.

View fullsize

Creating Traditional Prints From 3D Printed Blocks

We ran a workshop recently which got the participants using a mixture of 2D and 3D, traditional skills, and new technologies. We asked them to create a 2D pattern in 3D computer software; we used Rhino with Grasshopper and played with the planes to create a variety of depth and structure to our patterns. Once exported, we set these up as files to 3D print using our Ultimakers and printed out our blocks. These blocks, created using new technology, we’re now tested in the print room where we used 17th Century printing presses to create 2D prints - as seen below. 

An interesting look at different processes, skills, and technologies - and one which will hopefully inspire the students to use the print-room and 3D printers to create something a little more unique. 

India: The British Council Architecture Mission

So I am still jet-lagged - it definitely gets worse with age - that aside, let me tell you a little bit about my recent trip to India. I returned a week ago from a three-week trip traveling in north India with the British Council for my University to promote the study of Architecture. We visited different schools of architecture and gave talks on our areas of research and interest, then met with faculty for discussions on possible virtual studios, student/faculty exchanges, and how we can collaborate better and work together.

View fullsize

View fullsize

I started in Delhi at Pearl Academy where I have visited before and we have some exciting projects planned with them, and an exhibition in the making. I had a little time to myself here to revisit some of my favorite landmarks in New Delhi such as Humayun's Tomb (previously visited (here) for a little restoration update and some sketching, Khan Market for a little shopping and eating, and Connaught Place for, well more food but, a little wandering and to soak up the general street activities and atmosphere. 

The next stop was Mumbai where I met with the British Council for their 'Architecture Mission' and three other academics from other British Universities. We were there to represent the Architecture / Engineering / Interiors subject areas within our Universities and speak on these subjects at nine schools in Mumbai and Pune. We visited four schools in Mumbai before heading onto Pune where we visited three. 

Mumbai is the busiest city I have ever been to and feels the biggest, possibly just because it's so densely populated and built. The schools we visited were in the center but took an hour or so to get from one to the next. Some of these schools were very theory-heavy with very old-fashioned marble-clad lecture rooms which felt daunting though a little reminiscent of a swimming pool too, some were very modern with green-lecture-theatres integrated into the landscape and orientated to consider sunlight, heat, and ventilation. It was difficult to judge the level of student work as most students keep their own work and no record is kept. Some schools were very open to discussions and excited about collaboration and research, one school stood out with student work displayed throughout corridors showing cladding systems, cultural installations, interactive models, and much more. 

Pune is a city I had not visited before so I was interested to see what it had to offer. It felt a lot more laid back, on a different pace, however, due to our hectic schedule we were restricted to seeing the inside of a hotel room, the view of general Indian city streets, the inside of another classroom, and back to the hotel. Two of the schools here were female-only and had a huge amount of students studying architecture which really inspired me. I gave a lecture here in a room filled to the brim with studious young designers asking me questions and eagerly listening to me. I passed one of my business card and was soon swarmed by them all wanting to contact me about their projects. 

View fullsize

A jam-packed schedule meant that everything quickly blurred into one and days became a little repetitive but the students made the visit, with good discussions and examples of work. On leaving Pune (yup, in an auto-rickshaw, case and all) I took the opportunity to visit Sangam for a night, one of the four Girl Guiding centres in the world. It was the perfect stop in my journey to reflect on my travels, the people I met and the exciting projects ahead. I have been to Pax Lodge in London as a Guide (many years ago) but I know of many other guiding friends who have visited Sangam and so this meant a lot to me. The centre is so peaceful and welcoming, the girls volunteering there are all so friendly and really make feel at home. Some have been there for months, some have just arrived. They volunteer at local schools, community projects and they learn Hindi, yoga, cooking, and much more. The centre has a large campground at the back where local Indian guides and brownies come to camp and they have a jamboree coming up soon. The perfect end to a busy trip.

My Message To Students and Graduates

Why do we do it?

Life as a design student can be super stressful, heck, any course is stressful. Deadlines and tests, reports and presentations, retakes, computers crashing, family and friends calling when you don't really have time to chat, and then the endless having no money, so why do we do it?? 

Well, because (in my opinion) it's an investment in our future; career, skills, personal development/discovery, confidence, character building, and usually it's fun too. Whatever degree you do, in whatever University, city, country, you will probably have a similar experience to another student on a similar course. You might even do the same projects/assignments, software, hear the same anecdotes in a lecture, but your personal journey as a student will vary and it's often when you look back at your years of study that you realize this. 

My Education

I studied Architecture, the whole 7 years. I, as many others did, moved away from home to study in a different city, meet new friends and push my own boundaries, and I'm glad I did. I spent my degree between socializing and studying, building good friendships - who are now great networks within the industry - and graduated very happy and proud of my 2:1. I went on to gain a year’s work experience within a large office, using my year’s salary to purchase a flight and had an amazing three months in Asia and Australia before returning home to do my masters. 

I did my Degree at a technical University and then my Post Graduate studies at a much more creative school of art. I was lucky enough to be awarded a scholarship and completed my Master’s in Japan, where I learned a whole lot more about myself and my abilities than I believe I would have if I had stayed in the UK. I think travel does this to you, it makes you push yourself and find yourself, especially in a country where you can't speak or even read a sign at first...

Upon arriving home, I was once again faced with that big question - what's next, and somehow walked into a good job within an Architecture office. I told myself it'll do for now and a few years later, having now qualified as an Architect, I was packing up my desk and moving on, and off to India!!

watch the video

It’s a journey

My point is that life is odd and interesting, it's a journey in itself - but you really can't plan it. When I was a student I worked hard, worried about my degree result, and thought that once I had a degree then I'd be sorted and I'd work as an Architect for the next 20-30years, but it's just not that straightforward.

The twists and turns

I thought I'd eventually work at a University, teaching architecture and design, but I imagined I'd be retired. Never did I dream I'd be doing it now, in my 30s, having achieved what I have been where I have, doing what I have, and still loving it as much as I do. 

Work experience

A lot of my students are either out on their first work placement or in the last few weeks of their final year’s major project, and worrying about their next step. Their path might be straightforward and for others maybe not but you just have to go with it, and make the most of it. 

---

Top 10 Tips for students and graduates:

1. (try) don't worry, enjoy your time at University because it will probably only happen once

2. Take it all in, the little things; the laughs, the lectures, the hangovers, the study trips, the good grade...

3. Make your work you, be proud of it and show yourself throw it, don't do what you think your lecturer wants

4. If in doubt, "fake it 'til you make it" - a phrase we said a lot but often it's while you're faking it that you learn to be it

5. Be open-minded and stay open-minded, don't let what it might look like on your CV hold you back

6. Think outside the box and live outside the box - travel - get a map, a passport, some vaccinations, and go on an adventure, or five!!

7. Get a good camera and really record your journey(s)

8. Stay as inspired as you can, read lots, speak to others and listen, and inspire others by sharing

9. Trust in your path, whichever one you chose, it will just work out and you will be fine.

10. It's all an experience, be unique and be proud of your achievements - if you want better than 'fine' then you gotta make it happen.

---

I hope this helps you, whether you are a student, graduate, or alumni. Be proud of what you have done and given, do more, and inspire others - and if you know someone studying right now then why not send them a note or parcel or just some positive thoughts.

The Story Behind My Taj Mahal Drawing

The Taj Mahal in India is regarded as the finest example of Mughal architecture. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and is widely recognized as the jewel of Muslim art in India. The Taj Mahal is a very important and iconic piece of art and architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

This hand drawing was created from photographs and sketches I did the day I visited the Taj Mahal with my close friends to celebrate and mark our 30th birthdays, a few years ago now. We started our day around 5am so we could beat the crowds, took an auto-rickshaw to the gates, and paid our entrance fee. Walking down the path, you could feel the excitement build up amongst us. As we walked through the old arches we were met with the famous view looking straight at the Taj Mahal, reflecting in the water and trees lining the pathways. 

A few hours of walking around and taking it all in, we sat and reflected on where we were, together as friends, in this amazing setting. I love this last picture because it reminds me of the all vibrant colours in India, the bright orange, the mint green, the pretty blues, the array of pinks, so beautiful. 

---

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.