Architecture Research Staff

• Dr. Lorens Holm
• Helen O'Connor

Martin Jones Fellowship

Part-time Year 2 Architectural Design

Bsc, BA Arch Hons, M.Arch Dist

This design lead research seeks to pick apart the relationship between thinking, drawing and building exposing the limitations of standard techniques of representation in architecture.

Are there ways of working in studio which bring drawings and models closer to the physical experience of space?

As a departure point for this study the plastic space of the Scottish tower house is being used as a laboratory to investigate visual communication. Though drawing, casting and modelling the intention is to dissect these spaces, reveal their complexities and challenge my own skills of representation.

1. The work of Architects that use cross disciplinary processes in their practice, such as Peter Zumthor and his development work for the Spa at Vals
2. Architects that seek to document and draw upon intriguing or peculiar spaces as a means of research for example the work of Paul Virilio in Bunker Archaeology and the more recently Mary-Ann Ray's Pamphlet publication Seven Partly Underground Rooms and Buildings for Water, Ice and Midgets
3. The work of visual artists that challenge the representation of space in their drawings, photographs and installations. In particular;
   • Eduardo Chillida's preparatory sketches for his Lurra sculptures
   • David Hockney's use of the Joiner to capture space and time
   • Silke Schatz's large spatial line drawings of interiors

1. Spatial Investigation of the Container- Field work involving the documentation of the tower house through measurement, sketching and photo collage
2. Spatial Dissection through Creative Practice- Studio work using existing drawings and my own survey information to pick apart the tower house in three dimensions by using orthographic drawing and casts
3. Spatial Transformation- The third stage seeks to reconsider the spaces of the tower house using drawing as the main driver for adaptation

Work is currently being prepared for an exhibition and associated book scheduled for the end of the summer. This will provide good dissemination for the current work and also facilitate critical feedback on the direction of the research.