Research Retreat Final Review

Today was the pin up day for our Research Retreat project.  Our main task was to design an artist’s retreat situated at Hospitalfield, Arbroath, which is an lready existing artists retreat. 

Compared to the Habitat project, this one has gone a lot quicker and I have felt that I gained valuable experience and knowledge from the Habitat project to carry forward into this one.

For the retreat, a great emphasis was put on trying to tie your design to the site as best as possible so the inhabitants can have the option of making best use of interior and exterior spaces.  I have looked into this and split between work and living using strips of solid structure and less solid void style strips, made from glazing.  My drawings I felt have risen in standard, as again I kind of know what reviewers are expecting to see in terms of content and standard.  Seeing other years’ work in the crit space has also helped me expand this knowledge.

Because of weather conditions we haven’t had a final review in our architecture careers, so I don’t know what to expect tomorrow.  But I am happy with my design, the work I have put in and how I have presented it all for my tutor and other reviewers.  I cant wait to find out what they think.

HooooOOOOO!!!

On Saturday 19^th Feb 2011, legendary DJ Jaguar “Jag” Skills performed at Dundee University Student’s Union.  A lot of hype was made for this event, with advertising starting weeks in advance.  Also the question of whether he would turn up or not was murmuring through the campus (anyone I know) as he was due to play Fresher’s Week but never showed.   At half past midnight, Jag Skills began…

Jaguar Skills is famously known for playing the character of a ninja. During his live shows he is dressed as a ninja with a full ninja mask so that only his eyes show.  Traditions which have been created around Jaguar Skills include the response to the words "Jaguar Skills" which should be met with "HoooOOO" by the crowd. His identity is also completely hidden and was originally only known by Trevor Nelson. Jaguar Skills also revealed his identity backstage to other BBC Radio 1 DJs Vernon Kay and Chris Moyles as well as the backstage crew at Keele University. His ninja costume is designed to add mystery to his persona.

The thing I love about Jag Skills is how in one night, in one mix you can hear the Super Mario theme tune, Chase and Status, Chesney Hawkes and Chemical Brothers.  Huge variety!

This continuous mix with the infamous air horn and Jag Skills commentator makes for a night of intense fun and craic leaving you exhausted and sweaty.  Yum!  His 2 hour performance made for me one of the best nights I have ever had at the union and have been hooked to his mixes on YouTube.  I really hope he comes back to Dundee to play again.

The Joys of Northern Ireland

Apart from location and company, another plus to going on holiday is the local culture and cuisine which we wouldn’t be able to encounter anywhere else.  Northern Ireland is famous for its Ulster Fry and fresh seafood.  However when I go there on holiday to visit family and our friends holiday home I am always dying to get my hands on a bottle of Club Orange and a bag of Tayto Cheese and Onion crisps.  Even though they aren’t the healthiest of foods I could love, the fact I can’t get them anywhere else makes me grasp any opportunity to have them when I can.

Club Orange was the first orange fruit juice to come on the market. Oliver Grace was the man who blessed the world with it arrival. He bashed those bits up to make it even better.  Club Orange made a brief appearance before the World War 2 and returned in 1945 when soft drinks began to develop in a big way, after the removal of wartime rationing. Club Orange was refined and sophisticated to its present quality which has endured ever since

Tayto is a major Irish crisps and popcorn manufacturer, founded by Joe Murphy in 1954. Tayto invented the first Cheese & Onion crisps as well as the process of the seasoned potato crisps.  Tayto crisps are a cultural phenomenon in Ireland,  and "Tayto" is sometimes used in Ireland as a synonym for crisps.

Recently my Dad has gained a lot of customers in Northern Ireland, therefore like a big kid any time he is over there on business I get the chance to indulge in Club and Tayto even when I’m not on holiday. Result!!