The Evaluation of space Part: 9 (E.S.: 9) – part b ‘The University of Plymouth: A survey project’ 2010-2012 Or: “One years Psychogeographic adventure into the alien environment of Academic facilities, bureaucracy and failure that turns into my personal fiction.”
E.S.:9b Brunel Laboratories ‘Lab Coats’ Or: “The impressions of professors and students alike, within the most humblest of garments.’
By Oliver Griffin
The labcoat is an icon of the physical act of work, the most basic piece of safety equipment used for the mundane purposes. Keeping ‘street’ cloths clean from the work place environment, whilst serving as a status symbol and uniform in one. Up to 2005, each department of the university would order items from a variety of suppliers of their choosing. Ordering when and needed by the staff and students, depending on individuals requirements. But after the reunification of the University of Plymouth, two main suppliers where chosen: Fisher Scientific (http://www.fisher.co.uk) and Alexandra (http://www.alexandra.co.uk). Fisher Scientific is the leading supplier of laboratory products within the U.K.; although protective clothing is hardly purchased through them due to Alexandra bring a more reasonably priced. The suppliers mentioned are the leading suppliers of work wear and uniforms within the U.K. They also have the facilities to personalize items of clothing. This is popular with students (most notoriously with PHD students studying from aboard) and a mixed response between staff. The number of embroidered lab coats ordered rise towards the end of the academic course for no explainable reason, especially amongst students from the Middle East and India. Theories of this annual Phenomenon are discussed around the staff offices; the most likely idea being that they are a status symbol and memento on their education in Plymouth, UK. They are a signifier to their family of their time at Plymouth and that they are the physical manifestation of being a doctor. Staff members on the other hand are not really that fussed. With the only real purpose of a named lab coat being the clear identification of their rank within the faculty, but most members of staff claim ownership of there labcoat with a humble marker pen marking just below the collar. The most commonly ordered Items are WL1 (standard labcoat). Although the W49 (light-weight, white labcoat) and the WC201 (Heavy-weight, white labcoat) from Alexandra, are requested by individual students. This is depending on the climate and individuals preference. These are the iconic design that we all picture in our imaginations. Although, there is a second type of labcoat used this the university. The ‘Howies’ style labcoats (SAS-160-030X (M), -040L (XL), -060 (XXL)) are used within micro–biology laboratories. This style is most commonly seen on dentists, within everyday life, with popper buttons attaching the item of clothing over the shoulders and creating a crew neck fit to the labcoat. These are produced by DuPont Ltd and only come in 4 sizes. Theses are ordered through Fisher Scientific. Visitors use disposable versions of these labcoats from time to time, but this is very rare.
Within the Brunel laboratories they prefer to use flame–retardant overalls, as they are easier to use within the work conditions that are situated within the building. The Labcoats pictured here come from the Geology department and mostly used by visitors to the department. No records have been archived of their purchase and they are replaced rarely. Only when needed.
E.S.: 9b / Fig. 1
E.S.: 9b / Fig. 2
E.S.: 9b / Fig. 3
This series of pychogeographical adventures within the University of Plymouth, U.K, explores the t o p o g raphy through the typologies of the everyday objects and elementary architecture that clutters Oliver Griffin’s educational environment between September 2010 to November 2012. Though this transplantation into an alien environment for the purposes of education, these publications are records of mundane points of interest accompanied with observational notes and a crudely research history of the site. This is set of documents evaluates and archives a point in time where the United Kingdoms educational at a graduate level is changing within a political landscape along with the psychical environment of this particular academic environment.
Copyright© Oliver Griffin 2012 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without permission of the publishers.
Borist Press
Life is boring, why make it interesting?
Borist Press
Life is boring, why make it interesting?
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