AVRIL BENNIE ( S HORT ) PART 1 & 2 RIBA PORTFOLIO
Avril Bennie This folio highlights her work through out her Part 1 & 2 academic studies and PPE work experience.
Contact Information Email: aebennie@dundee.ac.uk aeb2323@yahoo.co.uk
Telephone No: +44 ( 0 ) 7882 624 481
Content
Masters Unit: Architecture & the City ‘ B uilding for long life’ Honours Unit: Saltaire Special Needs Residency Saltaire Railway Mapping Project DRU ‘ text ’ Bachelors Unit: Demarco Gallery Thornhill: Plot 36 Project & text Work Experience: Retail Commercial Retail 2nd & 1st Year: Other Interests in 3rd, 2nd & 1st Year: Photography Drawing Modelling Making Sculpturing Graphics
Master ’ s Unit:
Architecture & The City Thesis Project & Text
Dundee Water Front Development
‘ B uilding for Long Life, a grammar for flexible use ’
Honour ’ s Unit: Saltaire Special Needs Residency Project Saltaire Railway Project Mapping Project DRU Project & Text
Saltaire Special Needs Residency Project
Saltaire Railway Project
Saltaire Mapping Project
Saltaire Mapping Project
Design Research Unit
A thinking machine, a machine for thinking Architecture. The unit have explored The Leather House to develop fundamental ideas and a theoretical position in architecture. The result has been collected and exhibited within one object that shows the depth of research in to many different themes that the unit have stated are important to the building. Through the self directed design research study, there has been an understanding of a focused area of architectural thought and practice that has developed a critical position in relation to the wider intellectual context. The plan for the DRU unit “ Fieldwork � is an exploration through the study of a real building with real people. The study of the house is to investigate real architecture, examining theories and philosophies of existent architects through a specific building. The unit carried out a series of investigations into The Leather House in Perth designed by post war architects Morris and Steedman. Morris and Steedman are well known for their domestic architecture, designing and building 15 one off houses in less than two decades. Each member of the group took an aspect of the house that interested them to research and investigate. The outcome is an in depth study presented through objects within an object.
The true themes and ideals are depicted in all of the work of Morris and Steedman, which was finely tuned to their clients, context and theory for architecture. This individualism is a key concept in their theory which shows a true intent within a project. It helps show how Morris and Steedman identify with they ’ r e era. That form is seen through the physical view of the building - the perspective of a building.
“ P erspective was not the discovery of any one person; it was the expression of the era. ” ( Sigfried Giedion, 1967 ) Thus the investigation into highlighting key themes, concepts and moves within the Leather House, Meadowland, Perth, in the format of four perspectives. Sigfried Giedion had a great understanding for the writing of the perspective to history. He highlights the flaws and triumphs of an era and commends a diverse new understanding of form and its participation at that set time in history. This development within architecture, and particularly housing, after the war helped the development of each mans ’ understanding and style within architecture. This had a ripple effect, which in turn influenced the work of Marcel Breuer and Philip Johnson in America. Morris and Stedman practiced in Scotland however a clear link can be seen from the work of the above architects. The true themes and ideals are depicted in all of their work, which was finely tuned to they ’ re clients. This individualism is a key concept in they ’ r e theory. It helps show how Morris and Steedman identify with they ’ re era. That form is seen through the physical view of the building – the perspective of a building. The ideal of technology and placement for products was rooted in the works of the architects, each had a drive for furniture design particularly Frank Lloyd Wright and Marcel Breuer ( mentors to Morris and Stedman ) , which in turn effected the architecture and interiors, which reflected the themes and fads of the time but most importantly the essence of the client and surrounding context. The relationship between architect and a client is one of trust and belief in a future which is unknown and uncreated at that point of agreement Thus the investigation into highlighting key themes, concepts and moves within the Leather House, Meadowland, Perth, in the format of four perspectives.
DRU Project & Text
Bachelors' Unit: Demarco Gallery & Residency Project Thornhill , Plot 36 Project & Text
Demarco Gallery & Residency Project
Demarco Gallery & Residency Project
Thornhill, Plot 36 Project
“ A house is a home, a street is a walkway to communicating and a village is a link to your history. �
A Bennie ( Authors own ) , 2012
“ T he name “ Thornhill ” derives from the thorn covered ridge on which the village was established ” – ( S tirling Council, Thornhill Character Appraisal 2012 ) Thornhill is strategically located at the crossing points of two ancients ’ routes which originate from the Highlands going south to crossing points on the River Forth. The River Forth is a route that runs north-south which crosses the River Bridge of Frew ( which runs north-west to Stirling Bridge beyond the former Royal Burgh. ) These routes lie between difficult marsh lands north of the River Forth, also known as Flanders Moss. Smaller water courses delineated the area of Thornhill ( The Boquhapple Burn to the west, and The Cessintully Burn to the east ) which run into The Goodie Water, south of the village. The earliest records refer to this area as the ‘ Lands of Thom ’ during its purchase by Sir Walter Menteith. The village of Thornhill derived from the grant of the ‘ lands of Goodies ’ to Robert Norrie in 1482 by King James II and being close to the ferm toun of Norriestoun also known as Norrieston. ( Stirling Council, 2012 ) Norrieston lies in the easternmost boundary of the village. The ferm toun of Norriestoun ( a lso known as the Lands of Ester Boquhaple and Knowehead ) was well established by 1580. Little Norrieston and Norrieston Farm are thought to mark its original site. Adair ’ s late 17th century map indicates a settlement ( or a gentleman ’ s house ) , and the second of three churches at “ N oristoun ” , the ecclesiastical centre for this isolated western edge of the Parish of Kincardine-in-Menteith, built from 1652.,,, Thornhill is the product of a dynamic interaction between several cultural components and the natural environment. Over the years this area has been greatly influenced by the product of trade; the coming and going, and the buying and selling. Thornhill is true to its ’ original function and is dependent on its natural landscape to keep it as it is.
A large amount of agricultural land makes up much of the rural landscape; it is a by-product which is dependent on the natural world. Equally this may not be stable or sustainable in the long run. Thornhill shows that the simple connection has been kept by having none of the original routes, surrounding villages and water runs change indirectly. This slow progression can tell us that very little dramatic change has occurred.
Thornhill, Plot 36 Text
Part 1 PPE RIBA Work Experience Retail Commercial Domestic
Retail
Commercial
Domestic
2nd & 1st Years
Concept Models
Sketch Development & Detailing Research
Other Interests in 3rd, 2nd & 1st Year Photography Drawing Modelling Making Sculpturing Graphics
Photography
Drawing
Model Making & Sculpturing
Model Making & Sculpturing
3D Graphics
This is a brief snapshot into the range of skills Avril Bennie has achieved over her education. Thank you