Term One

So now we have broken up for the Christmas break, I want to share what this first term has been like, both ups and downs.

First of all I have met some great people in the course. Even though in the introduction week was full of those awkward “ice-breaker exercises” you really don’t get to know people until you are all working together, having all the same problems and getting through them together. Now at the end of term one I have now a group of very good friends who have each other’s backs.

In terms of work, it has all been very enjoyable and easy to manage (that’s if you've not been going out every night…). I feel that the work that we have done is all just a warm up, it is preparing us for the bigger projects which are just over the hill that is the Christmas break. Already we have been given the next project of work entitled “LifeBox”. This project, introduced to us all in the final week has us working in coordination with a First Year Architect of our choosing, taking their work on the “LifeBox” and developing the idea into a fully functional and detailed final design. I can see this project being very fun or very complicated; you’ll just have to wait until next term to find out how it goes.

My most enjoyable project of work this term would have to be the “Make or Break”. Everyone in their individual groups became very competitive in what they buildings, seeing who could build the strongest structure or the have the most aesthetic design. When it came down to the final testing day everybody was looking forward to seeing whose would break and whose would work; im thinking that from the way everybody was acting the majority wanted to see some intense breaking of structures.

This may sound corny but this term there hasn't been any downs. The work has all been pretty enjoyable and by the end of term you feel that you've been friends with some people for years having a lot of funny and embarrassing moments. All-in-all, I am looking forward to the break being back home on the Wirral (missing the sea!!) but I am also very excited for what next term will bring.

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Make and Break Project

Make and Break was the name of our final project for this term. The brief; to build a crane-like structure to support a 1kg bag of sugar, and the sugar must have a clearance of 500mm from the base and 400mm from the main structure. The structure itself could only be made from 3mm dowel, string and glue (to make things that little harder!).This project was done in groups (in which we choose the groups), therefore me and 4 other close friends went together knowing we work well together!

Below are the original concepts we created based upon research in modern day cranes.          

 

After a week of research and experiments with smaller scale models, we produced a final design idea which we then spent 2 weeks building! (Below shows a design drawing of the proposed structure and below two photographs of the finished product)

Once complete, the structure was put through its paces to see if what we built could fulfil the brief and support a 1kg bag of sugar. As we had already performed several pre-tests we knew already that the structure was able to support the single bag of sugar but no more (meaning that the structure was not overdesigned), meaning the brief was achieved!

As a whole, the project was very entertaining! The group in which I was working with was very supportive and energetic meaning the work never seemed to get on top of us (we finished we days to spare). As of all projects, there is always room for improvements which you would like to do, I would suggest that if I and the group had the chance to return to the project we would look into strengthening the structure so it could hold 2 or more bags of sugar.

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Patchwork 2 - Newton Building

In this essay we are going to be looking into the history, architectural style and context of the Newton building in Nottingham. The building itself is the heart of Nottingham Trent University, with thousands of students passing through it daily. The Newton building was constructed almost 80 years after its Revival Gothic styled neighbouring building Arkwright.

The Newton building was designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt in 1952, a famous Nottingham architect of the mid-20^th century, with construction beginning four years later in 1956. After two years of construction, the building was formally opened by HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent in June 1958. (NTU, 2013) The Newton building is one of the tallest buildings in Nottingham at 45.7M; it dominates the skyline and can be seen from all directions (Emporis, 2013). In 1998, the building finally became Grade II listed (English Heritage, 2013). The building was untouched until 2010 when it underwent a £70million refurbishment project which resulted in the creation of a unique landmark in Nottingham (bdOnline, 2011). Since the redevelopment, Newton has gone on to win the RIBA award in 2011, and become one of the best city campus’ in the country (RIBA, 2013).

Before its redevelopment, the Newton building was purely of an Art Deco style. At the time of construction (1958), Nottingham had already seen an Art Deco revolution, with buildings such as the YMCA hostel (built 1937,  also designed by Thomas Cecil Howitt) and also the General Store building on Lister Gate (No. 22, 24 and 26) (English Heritage, 2013). Therefore because of this the Newton building was tailored to the previous aesthetics of the city. The building itself contains many of the characteristics of an Art Deco style building, this includes the flat roofs, features in sets of threes (i.e. the windows) and also the use of building ‘eyebrows’ which was a structural element added to keep the interior cool.  (Sharon Koskoff, 2013).

Since the multi-million pound redevelopment of Newton, the whole dynamic of this iconic, towering building has changed. The once pure Art Deco building has now emerged from construction as a fusion of Art Deco and a combination of modern architecture. (ClareNNC, 2011) The monolithic tower of Newton still clutches its Art Deco exterior; however the combination of both brutalism and structural expressionism has impressively transformed Newton’s main entrance and interior, bringing about a resurgence of life. The style of brutalism can be seen through the use of raw concrete on the exterior and interior such as upper floor support columns and exterior cladding (Saylor, 2013) whereas the use of structural expressionism is voiced in the design of the roof, with glulam beams spanning the roof space supporting the glass roof, providing masses of natural light into the main atrium (can be argued the use of natural light is something of sustainable architecture).

The Newton building itself is one which grasps two ages of architecture, art deco and the modern brutalism and structural expressionism, integrating them into a very distinctive combination. Both the interior and exterior style of Newton building makes it an extraordinary landmark within Nottingham.

Bibliography

bdOnline, 2011. Hopkins’ Restoration of Nottingham Trent University. bdOnline. Available at http://www.bdonline.co.uk/hopkins%E2%80%99-restoration-at-nottingham-trent-university/5010922.article [Accessed 20th November 2013]

ClareNNC, 2011. The History of the Nottingham Conference Centre. Nottingham Conference Centre. Available at http://nottinghamconferencecentre.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/the-history-of-nottingham-conference-centre/ [Accessed 20^th November 2011]

Emporis, 2013. Newton Building, Nottingham Trent University. EMPORIS GMBH. Available at http://www.emporis.com/building/newton-building-nottingham-trent-university-nottingham-united-kingdom [Accessed 20th November 2013]

English Heritage, 2013. British Listed Buildings. Crown. Available at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-469229-newton-building-at-nottingham-trent-univ [Accessed 20th November 2013]

English Heritage, 2013. British Listed Buildings. Crown. Available at http://www.britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/en-457439-22-24-and-26-lister-gate- [Accessed 20th November 2013]

NTU, 2013. About NTU– History. Nottingham Trent University. Available at http://www.ntu.ac.uk/about_ntu/facilities/newton_and_arkwright/history_of_the_buildings/index.html  [Accessed 20^th November 2013]

RIBA, 2013. Newton and Arkwright Buildings. Architecture.com. Available at http://www.architecture.com/Awards/RIBAAwards/Winners2011/EastMidlands/NewtonandArkwrightBuilding/NewtonandArkwrightBuildingsNottinghamTrentUniversitystreetview.aspx#.UpOV6sQvUhM [Accessed 20th November 2013]

Saylor, 2013. Brutalist Architecture. Saylor. Available at  http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Brutalist-architecture.pdf [Accessed 20^th November 2011]

Sharon Koskoff, 2013. Art Deco Elements. Art Deco Society of Palm Beaches. Available at http://www.artdecopb.org/whatis2.html [Accessed 20^th November 2013]

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London Trip – British Museum

This weekend just gone, me and my girlfriend went and spent a long weekend in Cambridge. While there,  we decided last minute to get the train down to London (it being a 40 minute journey). Our capital city is somewhere where I have only been once before, and that was with the university last year where we had to gather project specific information, meaning there was no time for sightseeing. I have always wanted to go to London when I was younger; however being a boy up North (From the Wirral) this was never an option, although now I had the chance to go and finally be a tourist in our capital.

When we arrived in King Cross Station, we had our plan of action to walk from there in Hyde Park and then work our way back. With Google Maps in hand we set off down side streets to avoid the pedestrian rush, however on our way, by chance we ended up walking past one of the most iconic building in London; The British Museum.

Panoramic of British History Museum (Bagnall, 2014)

Designed by Sir Robert Smirke in 1823, the building was built in a Greek Revival style, which was common in the early 19^th century in Western European civilization. It has been built in a quadrangle shape creating 4 spacious wings; north, south, east and west. (TheBritishMuseum, 2013).

This was the first time I had seen the Museum in its full, and the first thought that came to me was how photographs of this magnificent building do not do it justice (which can be said about all building; only until you stand right next to it and see it with you own eyes will you only begin to grasp and understand its design). From first viewing, I could identify the style was Greek, which due to the fact that the building was built in the mid-19^th century meant I could identify it as being more specifically the Greek revival style. The key features which helped me identify this style are the use of ionic columns along the facades and also the addition of a beautiful crafted pediment seen from Great Russell Street.

This museum is a true landmark in the City of London, in an ever evolving city this buildings ancient style emphasises the power that it has in its design and function.

Bibliograpgy

TheBritishMuseum,2013. https://www.britishmuseum.org/about_us/the_museums_story/architecture.aspx

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Patchwork One - Arkwright Building

In this essay we are looking into the history and context of the Arkwright building. The building is part of Nottingham Trent University and is used by the Product Design and Built Environment students. Also we look into the architectural style of Arkwright, relating it to the time it was built and also its surroundings.

The Arkwright building was designed by three architects; Henry Francis Lockwood with Richard and William Mawson. The Mawson brothers in particularly are best known for their design work in Bradford, more specifically Victoria Hall, Saltaire and Salt Mills (Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011). The building took four years to build (1877 -1881) and cost £100,000 to build. Arkwright was originally designed in an ‘E- shape’, which housed three different sections; a public library, natural history museum and the University college. In 1941 a Luftwaffe bomb blew up the west side of the building which resulted in the re-construction of its west side of this now Grade-II listed building (Nottingham Post, 2010).

In the mid-19^th century came about the turn of style from Neo-classism to the Gothic Revival style of architecture. This was the first time that architecture took a step away from the old traditions of Greek and Rome (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). There are many reasons for this change in style; this included the Romantic and Picturesque revolution, and the published work of one John Ruskin. His work in the books Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849) and Stones of Venice (1853) stated that the more sophisticated craftsmanship’s work symbolised a more honest way of life (Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013).

“Architects like A.W. Pugin and writers such as John Ruskin believed that the Middle Ages was a watershed in human achievement and that Gothic architecture represented the perfect marriage of spiritual and artistic values.” (Isabelle Goddard, 2012)

The Gothic Revival Style was seen quite commonly in religious, civic and domestic building such as civic centres, railway stations and educational building (David Ross, 2013). Examples of this type of style comprise of St. Pancras Station in London, designed by one of the Gothic revivals biggest architects, George Gilbert Scott, and the Palace of Westminster designed by Charles Barry (V&A, 2013).

During the 19^th century Nottingham saw a drastic increase in population. This increase, highly due to the success of Nottingham Lace Textiles, brought about the construction of building such as the Victoria Centre, built by Gothic Revival architect Watson Fothergill (Professor Josh Beckett, 2008). Gothic revival was very common in late 19^th century which meant when Arkwright was built; it was coordinated with its surrounding. Even though since then modern development has transformed Arkwright’s surroundings (through redevelopment of university campus and public buildings), Arkwright power has been enhanced.

As this was a revival style, the building features are similar to those from the original Gothic style; cross gables, pointed arch-windows  and decorative crowns above opening to list a few (Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013). In relation to Arkwright itself, a collection of these features such as the cross gables and also castle-like towers on the front facade (see sketch) can be seen. Gargoyles hide themselves on the facades of the building, used as rain water drain as well as decoration, and these sculptures where commonly found on Gothic and Gothic Revival buildings (David Ross, 2003).

To concluded, the Gothic Revival style is a very noticeable style in the world today, it can easily be distinguished from original Gothic (David Ross, 2013). When built, Arkwright suited the Victorian style of architecture present in the late 19^th century Nottingham. However today architecture across Nottingham has evolved into very modern and elaborate forms, which this has strengthened the historical context of Arkwright.

Bibliography

Jacqueline Banerjee, 2011. The Victorian Web. Jacqueline Banerjee. Available at: http://www.victorianweb.org/misc/banerjee.html [28th October 2013]

This Is Nottingham, 2010. DH Lawrence Trained To Be A Teacher. Nottingham Post. Available at: http://www.nottinghampost.com/DH-Lawrence-trained-teacher/story-12205188-detail/story.html [28^th October 2013]

Commonwealth of Pennisylvania, 2013. Gothic Revival Style. Commonwealth of Pennisylvania. Available at: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/mid-19th_century_period/2386/gothic_revival_style/293443 [28^th October 2013]

Encyclopaedia Britain, 2013. Gothic Revival. Encyclopaedia Britain Inc. Available at: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/239789/Gothic-Revival [28^th October 2013]

Isabelle Goddard, 2012. The Gothic Revival. Bookwebs. Available at: http://www.isabellegoddard.com/the-gothic-revival.html [28^th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gothic Revival Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gothic-revival.htm [28^th October 2013]

V&A, 2013. Style Guide, Gothic Revival. V&A. Available at: http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/s/style-guide-gothic-revival/ [28^th October 2013]

Professor Josh Beckett, 2008. Overview: The 19^th Century .The Nottingham Heritage Gateway. Available at http://www.nottsheritagegateway.org.uk/places/nottingham/nottinghamc19.htm [28th October 2013]

David Ross, 2013. Gargoyles In English Architecture. Britain Express. Available at: http://www.britainexpress.com/architecture/gargoyles.htm [28^th October 2013]

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Task 2. Academic Writing and Plagiarism

1.    Is critical thinking about being critical in the usual sense of being negative, or is it about “thoughtful thinking”? Please explain.

In my opinion, I believe that the definition of critical thinking is thoroughly based on “thoughtful thinking” more than a sense of being negative. Critical thinking is about taking an idea and challenging it, looking at the wider spectrum of the idea to consider the different approaches towards that initial idea. Critical thinking may contain a personal view with a past event or experience thought of when challenging the idea and used to evaluate different avenues of approaches within the critical thinking, however different sources of information need to be seen as important as a personal opinion/event. A person must look at all of the facts present, using time to develop their own analysis and finally, a conclusion on the idea.  

2.    After reading Jennifer Moon’s chapter, do you think you knew what critical thinking was? Do you think you could use critical thinking as a learning tool?

Before reading Jennifer Moon’s chapter, I believed that I had a high perception on what the meaning of “critical thinking”, while reading this chapter, I felt it reinforced the knowledge that I already obtain on the matter. Previously I had done several of my own art papers which involved critical thinking; engaging myself in a piece of work, looking at the facts surrounding the work and producing my own conclusion and evaluation of the work. I do believe that critical thinking can be used a very powerful and knowledgeable tool, especially in the working environment. Critical thinking engages a person to not just summarise an idea quickly, but to take the time to first think about it the idea and challenge it with different approaches.

3.    Write a short report on plagiarism based on the following literal quote:

“Plagiarism is intellectual theft” (Breach, 2009, 124).  Please finish your report by including your own experience regarding plagiarism and using a reference system. Were you aware of the relevance of acknowledging sources?

I see plagiarism as a person’s sluggish nature shining, someone who has been overcome by laziness. I strong agree with Mark Breach’s quote “Plagiarism is intellectual theft” (Breach, 2009, 124). Plagiarism is a game played by the foolish and mindless, not thinking of the consequences of their actions. There are many sources on offer which people use and plagiarise, these ranges from the use of the internet and web sources, or just reading a friends essay and copying it. Within plagiarism itself, it is not just the simple act of copying and pasting the work made by another person, it can also be just taking the ideals and process of another to a finished product. Also plagiarism is a two way game, it is said to be plagiarism when someone copies your work, however if you let someone, with your authority, use and copy your work, you are also guilty of the act of plagiarism. While producing my own work In previous years, I have always tried to think outside of the box with broad-area subjects and therefore, i hold my morals to not let anyone copy my work nor copy anyone else’s. While doing critical thinking assignments in previous years I have used a basic numeral reference system, ending each reference within my work with a bracketed number (ie. [1]), which I would then then, at the end of the assignment, fully detail the source of the reference. 




Bibliography 

Mark Breach, 2008. Dissertation Writing for Engineers and Scientists [ebook]. Harlow: Prentice Hall, 2008. Chapter 8. Available at: http://ntu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=detailsTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=NTU_LMS_DS000454352&indx=5&recIds=NTU_LMS_DS000454352&recIdxs=4&elementId=4&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&dscnt=3&frbg=&tab=all&dstmp=1399308580411&mode=Basic&dum=true&fromLogin=true&vl(1UIStartWith0)=contains&vl(6020383UI0)=any&vl(freeText0)=mark%20breach&vid=NTU_VU4 [25th October 2013]

Jennifer Moon, 2009. Critical Thinking:an Exploration of Theory and Practise [ebook]. Routledge,  2008. Chapter 2. Available at: http://ntu-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo_library/libweb/action/display.do?tabs=detailsTab&ct=display&fn=search&doc=NTU_LMS_DS000484390&indx=1&recIds=NTU_LMS_DS000484390&recIdxs=0&elementId=0&renderMode=poppedOut&displayMode=full&frbrVersion=&fctN=facet_frbrgroupid&dscnt=0&rfnGrp=frbr&origsort=Relevance&frbg=937698&scp.scps=scope%3A%28NTU%29%2Cprimo_central_multiple_fe&fctV=937698&tab=all&dstmp=1399308952594&srt=date&cs=frb&mode=Basic&lastPagIndx=1&dum=true&lastPag=&tb=t&frbrSrt=date&vl(freeText0)=Critical%20Thinking%3A%20an%20exploration%20of%20theory%20and%20practice&vid=NTU_VU4 [25th October 2013]

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Task 1: Phenomenology

The Hand and Heart Pub (65-67 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5BA)

The Hand and Heart Pub is an extraordinary building, one which I have not seen living back home on the Wirral. The pub, being built into the sandstone rock, produces a very vintage vibe when you enter. At first your eyes can’t quite adjust to the non-reflective sandstone walls of the ground floor, however this complete opposite compared to when you go upstairs. The back of the first floor is still built out into the rock; however it all opens up when coming to the front (overlooking Derby Road). The upstairs is made up of very reflective materials and colours (i.e. baby blue walls and marble tables) which helps with the huge amounts of light coming through the wall of windows and window light in the roof. Even with all this light, the vintage feel is kept with decorative ornaments in the open area and wooden furniture.

Fig 2. Interior of First Floor (Bagnall, 2013)

Fig 1,Open Extension with Hollow Window Frames
(Bagnall, 2013)

Park Tunnel

With living in Nottingham for just over a year now I have only heard whispers of Park Tunnel, tucked away in the Ropewalk area and hidden under all the residential homes within the area. Once you find the very subtle and steep stairway down to the Park Tunnel itself, it feels like you have become 10 times smaller in size, in a world you aren’t quite comfortable in. The tunnel is a masterpiece in itself. Looking down the tunnel towards the residential area full of greenery and brick houses, you sense you are in a different world to that which is only a couple of hundred meters away. The sheer size and quietness you experience when down there by yourself is spooky.

Fig 3. Park Tunnel Panoramic (Bagnall, 2013)

Fig 4. Park Tunnel (Bagnall, 2013)

The Malt Cross (16 St James’ Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FG)

Walking into the Malt Cross pub, it seems you have stepped through a time warp. The interior still has some of its Victorian roots from which it was built.  The hollow upstairs seating area makes the internal area seem larger than it really is, and this is emphasised by the curved glass roof which seems to absorb the light from outside and reflects it within all round. I personally like the furnishing and finishes within; the strong use of timber for the floors and also the balustrades, timber topped with their decorative iron balusters, really produces a sense of class and elegance.

Fig 5. Interior of First Floor
(Bagnall, 2013)

Fig 6. Malt Cross Curved Roof (Bagnall, 2013)

 1.     Use a Dictionary of Philosophy to help you to write one paragraph about your understanding of phenomenology. Think particularly about how it relates to architecture and design. Try to find concrete examples to illustrate your description.

I understand phenomenology to be the learning and understanding of various different concepts and appearances. In relationship to architecture and design, I see phenomenology as exploring what the architectural differences are between didn’t styles which have been present throughout history and understanding why these styles were adopted.

2.     Take one quote from the ‘Place’ text and write about what you think it means and why it is important to you

“First of all we may point out that any place ought to have the ‘capacity’ of the receiving different ‘contents’, naturally within the certain limits. A place which is only fitted for one particular purpose would soon become useless.” (Norberg-Schulz, 1980, pp. 18)

In this section of the text, he is stating that a building built for one purpose is not one which can have a long lifespan. In the modern day, the environment and the way we live is changing every day, therefore I agree that building have to be built to serve multiple purposes within (such as a domestic home) if not adapt. 

Bibliography

Fig 1. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Open extension with hollow framed windows. Photograph taken: 16th October 2013

Fig 2. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Interior of First Floor. Sketch drawn: 18th October 2013

Fig 3. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Park Tunnel Panoramic. Photograph taken: 16th October 2013

Fig 4. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Park Tunnel. Sketch drawn: 18th October 2013 

Fig 5. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Interior of First Floor. Photograph taken: 16th October 2013

Fig 6. Shaun Bagnall, 2013. Malt Cross Curved Roof. Sketch drawn: 18th October 2013 

Pallasmaa, Juhani, “Multi-Sensory Experience”, from The Eyes of the Skin:

architecture and the senses, Chichester, Wiley-Academy, 2005, pp. 41-46, Available at: NOW. [Accessed 19^th October 2013].

Norberg-Schulz, Christian, “Place”, from Genius Loci: towards a Phenomenology of Architecture, London, Academy Editions, 1980, pp. 18. Available at: http://database.emrearolat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Genius-Loci-Towards-a-Phenomenology-of-Architecture.PART1_.pdf [Accessed 19^th October 2013].

Smith, D. (2003). Phenomenology. [online] Plato.stanford.edu. Available at: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/phenomenology/ [Accessed 19^th October 2013].

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Famous People of Nottingham

As an initial task in the introduction to NTU and Nottingham City, I have decided to reach famous figures through time who are linked with and/or come from Nottingham itself.

HERBERT KILPIN

Born: 24^th of January 1870

Died: 22^nd October 1916 (aged 46)

As a football fanatic myself, Herbert Kilpin is a person who caught my eye while researching. Kilpin was part of a particularly large family consisting of 9 brothers and sisters. As a young child he worked in the Nottingham Lace Market as an assistant, while also playing for the original Notts Olympic football team. In 1891 (aged 21) Herbert moved to Italy to work with Italian-Swiss textile merchant Edoardo Bosio. Bosio work as a textile merchant was in collaboration with the Nottingham Lace Warehouse.

In the same year, Bosio founded the first Italian football club, Internazional Torino FC where Herbert Kilpin played as a midfielder. It is thought that Kilpin was the very first Englishmen to play football outside of the United Kingdom. In 1898, Kilpin finally left Turin for Milan with a fellow Englishman named Samuel Richard Davis. A year later the two together became two of the charter founders of the football club known today as AC Milan.

THOMAS SANDBY

Born: 1721 (Exact Date Unknown)

Died: 17^th June 1798

Thomas Sandby is best known for his work in architect and draughtsman. In 1769 he became one of the many founding members of the Royal Academy of Arts. Before this academy was formed, he and his brother Paul Sandby ran a drawing academy in Nottingham.

In 1743, Thomas was personally appointed by the Duke of Cumberland, William Augustus, as his private secretary and draughtsman.  The most famous piece of work that Thomas Sandby has been remembered for is the architectural commissioned design of the first Freemason building located on Great Queen Street, Central London.

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Favourite Buildings in Nottingham

As I have previously mentioned, I have lived in Nottingham as a student for just a little over a year now already, therefore the city isn’t unknown to me. Living in Lenton last year and now the Lace Market, I have explored the majority of the city and also its suburbs. With saying this, I find that Nottingham is rich in its landmarks and architectural culture (from the modern Nottingham Contemporary building to the Art Deco styles seen on the current YMCA building). Nevertheless, there is one building which I personally would say is my favourite building within Nottingham, this building was one of the first Boots Chemists opened in the country, although now it is known as being the building owned by Zara.

Fig 1. Zara (Bagnall, 2013)

There are many building which I could of chosen from, however in my opinion the now Zara building is the most striking of them all. As mentioned before, this building was originally a Boots chemist, built in 1904 in a very common Art Nouveau style by architect, Albert Nelson Bromley (ArtDecoFairs, 2010). Albert Nelson Bromley was a Scottish architect who was based in Nottingham and was the leading architect to the Boots the chemist (DictionaryofScottishArchitects, 2013).

The Zara building itself sits in the shadow of the Nottingham Council House, and some would argue that the council house is the most interesting building within Nottingham city centre because of its stature and size; however I believe that the Zara building is one which is shines in the shadow. The style, as mentioned, is that of Art Nouveau, which was common style used in late 19^th-early 20^th century in major cities. Its features include extreme use of curves and arches, mosaics and stained glass (Jackie Craven, 2013). If we relate this to the building itself, we can see these very common Art Nouveau styled features such as the heavy use of curves and arches (as seen by the windows) and also asymmetrical shaping towards the aesthetic of the building (Craven, 2013).

As previously stated in a previous blog, since returning I have come back to the completion of the new Students Union building (Byron), and it is another building within Nottingham which I admire. The new building is fitting with the recent regeneration of Nottingham Trent University, as a whole the campus reflects the evolving students which it houses, providing a futuristic style with the use of advanced engineering and unique aesthetics.

Bibliography

 ArtDecoFairs, 2010. Nottingham Art Deco Fairs. Uk Art Deco. Available at http://www.artdecofairs.co.uk/Counties/006P/Nottinghamshire [12th October 2014]

DictionaryofScottishArchitects, 2013. DSA Biography Report. Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Available at http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=205070 [12th October 2014]

Fig 1. Shaun Bagnall. Zara building. Photograph taken 11th October 2013.

Jackie Craven, 2013. Art Nouveau Architecture. About.com. Available at http://architecture.about.com/od/artnouveau/g/artnouveau.htm [12th October 2014]

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