RECECONNECT (FINAL MAJOR PROJECT)-
Communication is changing; whether we like it or not. We have become a generation where communication largely takes place using technology and social media instead of face to face interactions. Are we losing the ability to have quality interactions with one another in person? Are we truly hearing each other when we speak, or do we have distractions that are getting in the way?
We can learn from those that are deaf or hard of hearing. The Deaf community utilise facial expression and gestures to understand what is being said. Their communication requires all of their attention and therefore “distractions” are not allowed to get in their way when talking. How do we create an environment that encourages quality communication and ease of hearing?Currently spaces are being designed with the purpose of looking aesthetically strong. Consequently acoustically weak spaces are designed as sound quality is not a consideration in the design process.
It has been suggested that over the last ten years, designs have become so aesthetically focussed that noise levels have increased too due to materiality trends. Through designing with the hard of hearing in mind, everyone would benefit. Statistics show that people who are deaf are twice as likely to suffer a mental illness. This may be due to the fact there are few places for deaf people to go to socialise, and so they isolate themselves instead.
The aim of this design scheme is to create an intimate dating venue for the opportunists and the deaf community where real connections can be made through quality interaction and communication. Its time to bring the social and dating scene back into the real world and off of social media.
Communication is changing; whether we like it or not. We have become a generation where communication largely takes place using technology and social media instead of face to face interactions. Are we losing the ability to have quality interactions with one another in person? Are we truly hearing each other when we speak, or do we have distractions that are getting in the way?
We can learn from those that are deaf or hard of hearing. The Deaf community utilise facial expression and gestures to understand what is being said. Their communication requires all of their attention and therefore “distractions” are not allowed to get in their way when talking. How do we create an environment that encourages quality communication and ease of hearing?Currently spaces are being designed with the purpose of looking aesthetically strong. Consequently acoustically weak spaces are designed as sound quality is not a consideration in the design process.
It has been suggested that over the last ten years, designs have become so aesthetically focussed that noise levels have increased too due to materiality trends. Through designing with the hard of hearing in mind, everyone would benefit. Statistics show that people who are deaf are twice as likely to suffer a mental illness. This may be due to the fact there are few places for deaf people to go to socialise, and so they isolate themselves instead.
The aim of this design scheme is to create an intimate dating venue for the opportunists and the deaf community where real connections can be made through quality interaction and communication. Its time to bring the social and dating scene back into the real world and off of social media.
ART SCHOOL ODYSSEY-
Manchester School of Art is a long-standing establishment, nurturing students and allowing them to develop into creative professionals. The creativity and diverse work of the art school is showcased every year at the degree show. However, it is student led ventures and events that truly show the entrepreneurial character of the student body. In 1893, ‘A Social Gathering of Students and Friends’ was organised and hosted by the School of Art.
In the lead up to the degree show and graduation, there is a need for another celebration. Through entire student organisation and leadership, and using the skills of individual students in a range of disciplines, the brief asks for a present day social gathering, which will highlight the talent of the Art school.
Unit X: Bruntwood Live Project (Second Year)-
For this project we were working with live client Bruntwood who are a property developer based in Manchester. The brief was to re-design and improve one of the spaces in their Headquarter office in the city centre. My group were given the rooftop to design. We decided to find a way to ensure the rooftop could be used more often than it is due to the poor weather conditions we get in Manchester. We wanted to make the space more appealing to their employees.
Aims
oTo create an interior covered structure with the potential to be used for multiple activities
oTo bring colour and exuberance into the Manchester sky
oTo give the client control of their own space and the ability to decide whether the structure is covered or not dependent on it’s purpose at the time.