alex-awm-blog

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Alex Mackenzie | Arbroath Vernacular Map | An illustration that reflects the places of importance, memory and treasure to the people of Arbroath. Formed from content gathered throughout the Arbroath Charrette 2016. #arbroath #vernacularmap #vernacular #architecture #design #illustration #charrette #map #print #communityengagement #participation #arch

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May 2015 | Thesis

This thesis is formed with the ambition of distinguishing The People's Memory within the city of Berlin. The work has been influenced by architecture of memory and a view that how the city selects to acknowledge the past influences the architecture of the present.

Berlin “is a city whose buildings, ruins and voids groan under the burden of painful memories” as a result of war and division. Questions of memory, why remember, why forgot, what to remember and what to forget create highly charged debates ethically, politically and socially within the German capital. Typically the official memory of the city, the museums and memorials, present themselves as a singular version of the events, however the citizens memory is often a different interpretation.

This thesis is a challenge to the current thinking of the city, not a rejection of the official memory but an alternative. Located on Museum Island in the central district of Mitte, The People's Museum is a piece of architecture that is distinctive within the city, raising The People's Memory to an elevated level. Objects are collected from the citizens of Berlin, along with a note of their significance, collated within the archive space and then curated within the exhibition spaces. The exhibitions are intended to be an ever-changing system resulting in a new interpretation of museum and archive. Designed with the aim of displaying the memories that are important to the citizens of Berlin, creating an opportunity for an alternative reading of history and the city.

[alex-awm-blog]

May 2015 | Thesis

This thesis is formed with the ambition of distinguishing The People's Memory within the city of Berlin. The work has been influenced by architecture of memory and a view that how the city selects to acknowledge the past influences the architecture of the present.

Berlin “is a city whose buildings, ruins and voids groan under the burden of painful memories” as a result of war and division. Questions of memory, why remember, why forgot, what to remember and what to forget create highly charged debates ethically, politically and socially within the German capital. Typically the official memory of the city, the museums and memorials, present themselves as a singular version of the events, however the citizens memory is often a different interpretation.

This thesis is a challenge to the current thinking of the city, not a rejection of the official memory but an alternative. Located on Museum Island in the central district of Mitte, The People's Museum is a piece of architecture that is distinctive within the city, raising The People's Memory to an elevated level. Objects are collected from the citizens of Berlin, along with a note of their significance, collated within the archive space and then curated within the exhibition spaces. The exhibitions are intended to be an ever-changing system resulting in a new interpretation of museum and archive. Designed with the aim of displaying the memories that are important to the citizens of Berlin, creating an opportunity for an alternative reading of history and the city.

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Mar 2015 | Elective: Energy, Comfort & Health

A chosen elective focusing on the environmental aspects of architectural design and the result gains or impacts. 

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Mar 2015 | Elective: Energy, Comfort & Health

A chosen elective focusing on the environmental aspects of architectural design and the result gains or impacts. 

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Feb 2015 | Indepth Study

The premise of this study is an investigation into the digital modelling of organic forms followed by the export of these forms for digital fabrication. 

Initially conceived from a personal opinion that organic designs are rejected far too easily within the field of architecture. The field appears divided, either for or against this type of architecture. However I believe that the rejection of these forms by many architects and students is a result of the architect not possessing the skill-set to design and create these forms themselves. By automatically rejecting form through a lack of confidence, understanding or skill the architect is automatically imposing restraints on themselves as a designer. 

Therefore to progress my own thinking and skills as a designer and to challenge my own thinking I intend to use this in-depth study as means of building upon the skill-set that I currently possess. 

This in-depth study is not directly linked to a particular aspect of the design thesis. However the skills learned through this process will expand my current knowledge, therefore providing me with the ability to introduce organic forms if deemed appropriated. I am not of the belief that form should be created for forms sake, however an appropriate idea should not be rejected because you not know how to physically create it. 

Prior to this study I possessed a competent skill-set within the digital programs used, however I had never digitally modelled curved or organic forms in previous design projects. Therefore it was a personal investigation into why I reject these forms whilst designing and to challenge myself as a designer that inspired this in-depth study.

[alex-awm-blog]

Feb 2015 | Indepth Study

The premise of this study is an investigation into the digital modelling of organic forms followed by the export of these forms for digital fabrication. 

Initially conceived from a personal opinion that organic designs are rejected far too easily within the field of architecture. The field appears divided, either for or against this type of architecture. However I believe that the rejection of these forms by many architects and students is a result of the architect not possessing the skill-set to design and create these forms themselves. By automatically rejecting form through a lack of confidence, understanding or skill the architect is automatically imposing restraints on themselves as a designer. 

Therefore to progress my own thinking and skills as a designer and to challenge my own thinking I intend to use this in-depth study as means of building upon the skill-set that I currently possess. 

This in-depth study is not directly linked to a particular aspect of the design thesis. However the skills learned through this process will expand my current knowledge, therefore providing me with the ability to introduce organic forms if deemed appropriated. I am not of the belief that form should be created for forms sake, however an appropriate idea should not be rejected because you not know how to physically create it. 

Prior to this study I possessed a competent skill-set within the digital programs used, however I had never digitally modelled curved or organic forms in previous design projects. Therefore it was a personal investigation into why I reject these forms whilst designing and to challenge myself as a designer that inspired this in-depth study.

[alex-awm-blog]

Dec 2014 | Pecha Kucha

A presentation delivered within the Pecha Kucha format presenting the thesis ideas to date. 

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Dec 2014 | Pecha Kucha

A presentation delivered within the Pecha Kucha format presenting the thesis ideas to date. 

[alex-awm-blog]

Sep 2014 | Helensburgh Bronze Plaques

A s

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Sep 2014 | Helensburgh Bronze Plaques

A s

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Sep 2014 | Thesis Testing

An exploration of thoughts conducted throughout term one of Stage 5. The thesis is centered around the themes of architecture and memory. An exploration into the connection between architectural space and experience, can space evoke memory? Using a series of narrative tasks led to an investigation into the 'The Art of Memory', the personal memory technique of using mind palaces to aid memory. A continued analysis led to the exploration of thresholds, how to move between spaces of emotion and memory.  

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Aug 2014 | The Big Reset on Urban Design

Selected as 1 of 8 students from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art to attend the following,

“The 2014 IP Design in Urbanism: ‘Big Reset on Neighbourhood Design’ is a 10-day intensive program with 60 students and 20 tutors from eight different European countries, working with local professionals in a multidisciplinary Summer school, with lectures, design research and debate on the theme of neighbourhood design and community building.

This intensive program will focus on critical themes relevant to the future of urbanism in the European context, The ambition is to find out how urban planners and designers can meet the expectations and wishes of a wide variety of people in the radically changing conditions of Europe’s cityscapes.

Starting from August 18th until August 28th at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.”

https://www.facebook.com/designinurbanism/timeline

View the final presentation here: https://vimeo.com/105762951

[alex-awm-blog]

Aug 2014 | The Big Reset on Urban Design

Selected as 1 of 8 students from the Mackintosh School of Architecture, The Glasgow School of Art to attend the following,

“The 2014 IP Design in Urbanism: ‘Big Reset on Neighbourhood Design’ is a 10-day intensive program with 60 students and 20 tutors from eight different European countries, working with local professionals in a multidisciplinary Summer school, with lectures, design research and debate on the theme of neighbourhood design and community building.

This intensive program will focus on critical themes relevant to the future of urbanism in the European context, The ambition is to find out how urban planners and designers can meet the expectations and wishes of a wide variety of people in the radically changing conditions of Europe’s cityscapes.

Starting from August 18th until August 28th at the Amsterdam Academy of Architecture.”

https://www.facebook.com/designinurbanism/timeline

View the final presentation here: https://vimeo.com/105762951

[alex-awm-blog]

Aug 2014 | John Muir Sculpture

WAVEparticle, was commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage and Creative Scotland to create a new artwork that could mark both the beginning and the end of the new John Muir Way, with Helensburgh selected as the start and/or the end point of this beautiful walking and cycling trail.

The idea for the John Muir Way artwork was developed by Peter McCaughey, Lead Artist of WAVEparticle, with S1 pupils from Hermitage Academy, as part of a ‘My Creative Community’ day held at the school in February 2014.  This was a unique day of creative activity, involving all 260 S1 pupils in 72 workshops, with the pupils participating in developing ideas for the John Muir Way marker, taking inspiration from the example of John Muir himself.

Following on from this, WAVEparticle created Overhead / Underfoot - a disc comprised of two elements, an outer ring of black granite and an inner red sandstone circle. The black granite outer ring has the John Muir quotation “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe” inlaid in white stone, using letters from John Muir’s own handwriting.  The inner sandstone circle holds hand-carved footprints of varying sizes, which provide an opportunity for visitors and for anyone undertaking/completing the John Muir Way to stand, to rest, to take stock of the John Muir Way they have just completed or are about to commence.  Also represented within the work, by granite discs of varying sizes is the constellation that was overhead on Christmas Eve, 1914, when John Muir passed away. 

Alex Mackenzie was engaged throughout all stages of Overhead / Underfoot. The translation of material, creation of digital production files, coordination of production to completion on site was fulfilled by Mackenzie.

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Jul 2014 | Helensburgh Town Maps

WAVEparticle were commissioned as part of the CHORD regeneration works in the town of Helensburgh, Scotland to deliver a series of public artworks. One of these pieces was the selection, interpretation, creation and delivery of three towns’ maps that represent the development of the town. 

The three maps are sandblasted into 1100mm x 550mm pieces of reclaimed caithness stone. The stonemason, using a developed process to achieve four varying depths of cut to create the profiles that are visible in the photographs, delivered a high quality finish. When wet the water lays within the hand carved area representing the sea. As the stone dries a clear contrast returns highlighting the development of the built environment within the area over a 150 year period.

Website: http://theoutdoormuseum.com/

Alex Mackenzie fulfilled a lead role in this project, selecting the maps alongside the lead artist, Peter McCaughey, interpreting the maps from their original documents into digital files whilst designing and creating the production drawings for the stonemason, McIntyre Memorials.

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May 2014 | Scottish Landscape Institute

The Scottish Landscape Institute (SLI) is a place of information and learning, where emphasis is placed upon landscape design, the maintenance of landscape and horticulture. As the urban landscape is the tangible experience of the city, the concept for the SLI is to bring a ‘natural landscape’ into the city centre context. A user will be immersed in spaces surrounded by pieces of growing nature. 

However the growing of plants is more than an aesthetic decision, instead they are the driver in educating and intriguing users whilst the facade is a key component of the technical ambition. The plants, held within the ‘green envelope’ encourage users through the building where their visit becomes interactive with moments of engagement, learning and consideration.