Author: callummax

Interior design student at the University of the west of England.

Charles Prior-Lecture III

This lecture was based around walls. In its most basic form, a wall is an object used as a method of dividing space. It is a method of linearising an area.

Brick dimensions; 215mm long X 65mm High X 102.5 Wide… This is typically joined to other bricks using a mortar fillet of 10mm.

A blade wall is a non structural wall that does not always attach to the ceiling.

 

The composition of an external load-bearing wall.

  • Concrete slab on the bottom
  • Coarse aggregate
  • Fine aggregate
  • Membrane
  • Concrete slab

A load bearing wall is a wall that is structural and ties itself to both the ground, and the wall above it.

We also learnt about the various types of methods of laying out bricks.

Stretcher bond

Header bond

English Bond

Flemish bond

Stack bond-This is by far the least structural wall, however, if tied in to a structural wall behind, can be effective.

Monk Bond

The composition of a Load bearing internal wall.

  • Fair-faced blockwork
  • Core 10 steel
  • Lightweight aerated concrete block 215mm high, by 440mm long
  • 2 layers of concrete block, is 6 layers of redbrick, then tie together.
  • Good resistance to water penetration.
  • Excellent fire protection
  • Directly take fixing
  • Only needs 2 coats of plaster

Internal wall studwork needs to be 600mm distance (this allows for the dimensions of the  plasterboard for easy fastening to the studwork itself.)

Charles Prior-Lecture II

Today in the PP2 lecture with Charles Prior, we discussed and researched flooring, access and stairs.

One of the interesting parts about the lecture, was the method by which you lay your foundations.

First layer- Coarse hard-core

Second layer- Type 1 hard-core

Third layer- Blinding Layer (sand)

Forth Layer- Damp Proof Membrane (DPM)

Fifth Layer – Pour concrete and polish to satisfactory finish,

We also discussed about how concrete is a great insulator, and has a high specific heat capacity, yet takes very little heat to warm up to temperature.

Lateral bracing systems were also touched upon. The way they are designed is interesting, however, not as interesting as the fact that if set up correctly, can be stronger than RSJ’s.

Vertical access

Whilst learning about vertical access, we started discussing legislation, where i came across this quote.

“Legislation is the development of the natural tolerances of the human condition.”

I like the fact that legislation is constantly developing, yet at the same time i dislike it, due to the fact that it is legislation, and it prevents the more outrageous designs in the world being physically created.

Containment-A barrier that prevents people from falling one floor to the storey below.

Flight- The part of a stair or ramp between landings that has continuous

Series steps or a continuous slope

Going- The horizontal dimension from front to back of a tread less any overlap with the next tread above.

Helical stair- A stair that describes a helix round a central void.

Ladder- A means of access to another level formed by a series of rungs or narrow treads on which a person normally ascends or descends facing the ladder.

Ramp- A slope steeper than 1 in 20 designed to conduct a pedestrian or wheelchair user from one level to another.

The rise of a stair should be between 150-170mm.

The run of the stair should be 250mm, except when disabled access is required, when 300mm is the minimum.

The standard width of the stairs, should be 1000mm.

Height of the handrail should be 900mm above the run tread.

Stairs are usually built at a ratio of 13:20.

Always one more riser, than you have runs.

Critical Analysis of a Cultural Text

Analysing the cultural text itself.

‘Hand Made in Prison

Today in critical perspectives we were analysing a previous cultural text essay that was written by a student about ‘hand-embodied cushion’. A cushion that was made by prisoners whilst being held in jail, as a task to improve their technical lifeskill, in a hope to give them a trade so as to stop them re-comitting, and coming back into the prison system.

The writer of this post made some very valid points, cross referencing various authors and their works, to over all give a detailed description, and the end, another detailed conclusion on her reasons for believing in a certain way.

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Cultural Text chosen!

Are You Beach Body Ready?

After much debate i have finally chosen my cultural text!

Back in 2015, a company called The Protein World published an advert for their weightless supliments. It caused an unbelievable amount of backlash, as the advert itself features a gorgeous, athletic blonde, wearing a very minimal bikini. Over the course of the summer whilst it was displayed, over 40% were vandalised!

Critical Analysis of ” Ways of Seeing”

Analysing the cultural text itself.

‘Ways of Seeing’

Today in critical perspectives, we analysing John Berger’s text, titled ” Ways of Seeing”

I found this text really interesting, and i had never previously noticed the majority of the points he brought up in this text. Especially in the old paintings. The way the women are perceived as vain if they’re holding a mirror. Also, the male figures which are often painting, are nearly always simply looking at the women, who aren’t wearing anything.

Of course, the one that the paper rotates around, is the ” Men act and women appear”. The more you look at the the photos previously mentioned, the more you notice that the makes are often doing, existing, holding and moving. Where as the women are simply sitting, standing or being admired themselves.

Reading Group – Session 2

The apartment

Georges Perec

What assumptions is the author making?

The author is being quite sexist in the way that he designates the roles in the house. The mother cooks and cleans, the father then goes to work etc. He is also being stereotypical in the way he is writing about the behaviours each family member supposedly has.

What alternative apartment layouts does the author suggest?

By the way the author says ” feelery and smellery’, it makes you realise that there are many words that are named and spoken in a weird fashion. It makes you think into why rooms are also called their names. The way he also talks about open plan living, rather than enclosure challenges the way you’d think of modern day, enclosed living.

How does the spatial arrangement of your home shape the way you live?

It depends how you use the rooms themselves. If you simply use a bedroom, as a place to put a bed, then you would need a large sitting room, however, if you have an open plan home as described above, you can forgo the large sitting room in its place, and simply have a large bedroom where everyone in the house could co-exist.

How has the layout of our homes changed historically and what impact has this had?

As time has passed, we have got closer and closer to open plan living, as we have realised it makes the relatively small space that the majority of us occupy, slightly less claustrophobic. it makes better use of the area itself. Doorways have also decreased in size, as have chimney breasts etc.

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Reading Groups – Session one

Teaching: introduction to teaching critical thinking.

Bell Hooks, 2010

What is this text about?

The text is about sexual and racial discrimination, and also education.

What was the social context?

She went to university at a time where racial discrimination was still acceptable. So she was in a social minority.

What does this extract tell us about the author?

The extract describes how the teachers where both racist and sexist towards here and her peers. It also describes how struggle of joining and pursuing her interest in furthering her academic traits. She also developed a strong personality, and a strong skin, as you would have to after dealing with all the grief from lecturers and peers alike.

What is the social context in which you arrive at University?

I believe that everyone has access to higher education, they just have to pursue their interest in their chosen subject, and excel at it to an extent where they are accepted by a higher education institution. Certain Universities would rather you come from a private school, and certain will take anyone, grades dependant. I think this is wrong, as everyone should have equal chances to progress in life.

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Journal

So, This is my first post! Guess I ought to explain my self a little!

My name is Callum Max Gillard.

I am currently studying interior design at the University of the west of England.

But i’m different to most of the class two reasons;

  1. I’m Male- Out of 34 Students, there is 2 men
  2. I didn’t come from college, or 6th-form. I have no levels at all!

I came from a company called Berthon, where i spent four years completing an apprenticeship as a marine engineer, specialising in boat building.

You might be wondering what a marine engineer is doing on a course like this?

Well, I want to study and design the interiors of super yachts. I think it is a good foundation to any design career, as you’re faced with the challenge of creating an ascetically pleasing interior, in a limited amount of space. Does the Quality of the interior have to suffer, or should the customer simply buy a bigger boat!

I want to be the Designer that removes the compromise.

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