2.0 Soane’s Curio
24/09/15 - 21/01/16 2.1 Brief
You are to aim to produce a portable ‘curiosity box’ device that might become a contemporary artefact to be curated within the Soane Museum. These will be simple newtonian and sensory objects; trompe-l’œil, automata, unpredictable pattern makers or haptic pieces; but they should intrigue by hiding the exact mechanics of how they deliver their effect. They are opportunities to test and explore contextual architectural themes that you observe within the Soane museum
2.2 Requirements
Begin by recording select phenomena or illusions from the Soane and re-make them to delight an audience. These could be literal or metaphorical; material, sensory, illusionary, bodily or cognitive in nature. You must develop a rigourous vocabulary with which to present and discuss these, as well as producing a single crafted final piece.
2.3 Outcomes
During the unit you will gain knowledge of CSA’s fabrication and tracking suites but are also expected to explore the campus workshop and seek connections within fine art and other neighbouring facilities. By iteratively making, failing and remaking you will develop profound and inherent knowledge in a selective field such as mechanics, illusion, phenomena or materiality. Alongside fabrication you will simulate and model, painting and drawing either digitally or in analogue form. Comparison of your simulated and real work will require you to examine the often fraught relationship between planning and doing. [continued...] UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Architecture // MA Interior Design // 2015-16
2.4 Assessment
Completion of the Soane Curio project will contribute 100% of the grade for the MA Interior ‘Exporatory Practice’ unit (CIND 7002) and the MA Architecture ‘Exporatory Practice’ unit (CARC 7002). Both units are valued at 30 credits. Assessment will be carried out at the point of submission via a final A2 paper portfolio and a completed curio object or device. Feedback will be verbal and written at formative stages and written at the summative stage for this project.
2.5 Duration
The project will run from the 24/09/2015 until the portfolio submission on 21/01/2016.
2.6 Key Events
24/09/2015:
Site Visit and Urban Wandering
08/10/2015:
Initial Ideas Pin-up review
(verbal formative feedback)
09/11/2015:
Interim Crit
(written formative feedback)
10/12/2015:
Final Crit and Christmas Drinks
(written formative feedback)
19/01/2016:
Curio objects presentation & exhibition
21/01/2016:
Portfolio submission & marking
2.7 Deliverables
(written summative feedback)
The following are minimum deliverable requirements for completion of the project: A beautifully crafted, contextual, completed ‘Curio’ artefact A location mapping to situate your object within the Soane Museum A2 portfolio design development drawings A2 portfolio records of all physical fabrication tests & prototype pieces A2 portfolio records of any simulation, or digital work A2 portfolio documentation of public exhibit or use of Curio Online digital blog of work done (minimum one entry per week)
2.8 Staff/Guests
The project will be run by Sam McElhinney (MA Course Leader) and assisted by David Di Duca, visiting design tutor. Technical support will be provided by Chris Settle and Ben Westacott when required. During the course of the unit we will be joined by key guests for crit reviews. In order to stimulate debate and discussion reviews will be help in tandem with the BA Interior Architecture and Design Stage 3 reviews.
[continued...] UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Architecture // MA Interior Design // 2015-16
2.9 Field Trip
Urban Explorations & the Soane Museum__London_24/09/2015_12.2km_10.30-18.30 On the 24th September we will spend the day in London, including a visit to the Soane Museum, your site for this unit.
The first off peak train of the day is the 9.23, Canterbury West - St Pancras. One day return will cost just over £30 full fare (30% off with student cards)
p st cr an _1 as 30 0:
bru
nsw
B-PROshow_12:30
cen tre_ 11:0 0
30 _13: eum m us
Itinerary
km_01 - St Pancras Grand (Meet) - Brunswick Centre (walkthrough)
km_02 - Gordon Square (Birkbeck Cinema interior) - Welcome Collection Reading Room km_03 - British Museum (walkthrough) km_04 - Soane Museum (BOOKED PROJECT SITE VISIT) km_05 - Grimshaws Architects (BOOKED VISIT) km_06-07 - Clerkenwell Road (++ coffee etc) km_08 - Jason
30 16: io_ d Bruges Studio stu (BOOKED VISIT) es rug b on jas
grimshaws_15:30 barb
ne
so an em
h britis
ick
us eu m_ 14 :00
birkb eck_ 11:30
IMPORTANT: You MUST be on time for the Soane Museum booking at 14:00. It will be your first semester site and this is an invaluable opportunity to visit it!!!!
Make your own way to London. We will meet at 10.30 at the south end of St Pancras terminal building, on the upper concourse. Assemble by the bronze statue next to Carluccios’ restaurant. Do not be late; we won’t have time to wait for you!
w
ican
c e ntr e_17 :30
ch an ge _1 8: 00
0 8:3 _1 ern od em tat
km_09
ESSENTIALS: Money for food/nibbles/coffee/other Suitable clothing (hats, coats, umbrellas if wet) Practical comfortable footwear (no stilettos!) Do not bring suitcases or large bags!!! Mobile phones - Sam is on 07709 488689 Sketchbooks, notebooks, cameras Only sketchbooks and pencils are allowed into the Soane Museum NB: London is a busy international city. Take the usual precautions you would when visiting it.
- Barbican (walkthrough including highwalks) km_10-11 - New Change (rooftop) km_12+ - Millenium Bridge (walkover) - Tate Turbine Hall (free shows in Boiler rooms)
free to disperse
UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Architecture // MA Interior Design // 2015-16
2.10 Lear ning Aims
The aims of this unit are: A1. To enable you to locate your practice in relation to appropriate fields of research and enquiry and develop your in-depth specialist understanding of these in relation to your own research. A2. To introduce and develop creative practice methodologies in relation to theoretical investigation. A3. To introduce and develop specialist knowledge, technical skills and processes and to begin to explore experimental approaches to your work A4. To develop your ability to critically appraise your own work and that of others through regular critiques and student forums A5. To support you in developing your project proposal providing a framework for the planning and implementation of your research within clear practical and theoretical parameters.
2.11 Lear ning Outcomes
On satisfactory completion of the unit you will have: LO1. Demonstrated specific knowledge of research methods, critical theory and historical and contemporary practices relevant to the discipline. LO2. Demonstrated an ability to recognise potential areas for investigation, formulate research questions and identify appropriate strategies and methods of enquiry for further development through creative practice. LO3. Conducted investigation through experimentation developing an appropriate level of technical skill. LO4. Developed an ability to present creative work as a response to a research context in a clear and coherent manner. LO5. Demonstrated an ability to set goals, manage workloads and meet deadlines.
2.12 Further Reading
In addition to the below you are expected to identify and develop specific reading and research sources of your own: Dorey, Helen et al. (1991). A New Description of Sir John Soane’s Museum: 9th Revised Edition. The Trustees of the Sir John Soane’s Museum Knox, Tim (2009). Sir John Soane’s Museum London. Merrell. ISBN 978-1-85894-475-3. Psarra, Sophia (2009). Architecture and Narrative The formation of space and cultural meaning. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-13428-886-1 (see Chapter 5) Caruso St John’s refurbishment works (2010) http://www.carusostjohn.com/projects/sir-john-soanes-museum/
2.13 Useful web-links
The following are a first primer for useful materials and know-how resources: Kobakant - http://www.kobakant.at/DIY/ Arduino - http://www.arduino.cc/
- Tutorials and more relating to textiles and interaction.
- Popular cheap open source microcontroller.
Freeduino - http://www.freeduino.org/ - Knowledge base for the Arduino. Instructables - http://www.instructables.com/ - Massive open source database of tutorials. Make - http://www.makezine.com/ - Similar to the above with a more deliberate approach. Fritzing - http://fritzing.org/projects/ - Useful for gaining knowledge about electronic circuits. Cool Components - http://www.coolcomponents.co.uk/ - UK Store for component supplies. Robives - http://www.robives.com/mechs - handy guide to mechanic gear systems. Grand Illusions - http://www.grand-illusions.com/ - Online shop of optical and other tricks. Rapid - http://www.rapidonline.com/ - Key online supplier of basic kits including gear and electronics. [ends] UCA Canterbury School of Architecture // MA Architecture // MA Interior Design // 2015-16