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Architecture Paste Book

Andy — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:37:10 +0000

Back in January I posted about a Tumblr blog I’d found via Twitter – Need some design inspiration? This collection of images and format inspired me to start my own version entitled – architecturepastebook.co.uk.

At first I wasn’t sure whether I would use it or whether I would become bored with it. I’ve embraced it entirely and have, shock horror surprise surprise, become a little obsessive about it. It started out as a way of recording a series of precedent images I was looking at during work time. Rather than save images to a folder on the server and lose any idea of what they were or where they had come from, I would chuck them at the Tumblr. We would then refer back to them later in the day when we were discussing design progress or the development of the architectural language for a series of construction details. Previously I had started to use the Gimme Bar web service but hadn’t connected with it in the same way really. For some reason the Tumblr (with the chosen theme) seemed a better way of doing it. Also as it was public there was a certain pressure to keep the quality up.

architecturepastebook.co.uk – something to dip into for inspiration?

The blog has grown from a semi-personal scrapbook (or paste book) into a slightly more public semi-curated archive of great Architecture as well as the occasional inspirational image. The way Tumblr works is also part of this more social feel to the site as people can “reblog” posts. I can also do the same to theirs which allows me to re-use content I like from others, it’s through setting this up that I’ve really engaged with Tumblr. It’s become a place to record images I’ve seen during the day from the likes of Dezeen, ArchDaily and designboom as well as a few select users and groups on Flickr. Sometimes I will select a series of images from a completed building which I think is worthy or often just a single image that provokes a response such as a texture or composition. Sometimes it’s just nice concrete which I’m a complete sucker for.

I’m intrigued by the idea of a visual archive that can be looked back upon, something along the lines of day books or sketchbooks that I keep at work. I’m obsessive about these and love sketching details or small areas of plans or sections. I think we also suffer from sheer overload of visual information – “Where was that great detail in the magazine from last year? Oh I saw something like that a while ago, it was interesting how they solved it” etc etc. This is my way of addressing that and trying to keep inspiration to hand. The way I post also allows me to keep a link to the original article which I can refer to for further information.

Day books – full of notes, sketches and ideas.

As an Architectural Photographer I’m also keen on constantly upping my game and viewing imagery to critique and make my own work and techniques better. This constant viewing of other photographers work has also made me far more critical of the the visual representation and also the actual architecture that I see. This is also something I’m also keen to document – the stunning image or the play of light that the photographer recorded, the unique angle or way in which it was post processed or the composition of the image and so on.

Tumblr as a visual archive.

So, another website to maintain and curate but something that provokes a critical appraisal of work and somewhere to keep it all. Want to add something – an image or a project?

Submit something and I might add it.

Need some design inspiration? Another “I found this on Twitter” post but that’s where...

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How much does a gnome weigh?

Andy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:04:35 +0000

Well it turns out that if you’re a German manufacturer of hyper accurate scales that the same gnome weighs differently depending on which part of the world you’re in! How to demonstrate this? Pack it up in a protective case with scales calibrated for their HQ in Germany and send it round the world. Get different scientists to weigh it and pass it on. Hint – it’s due to the earth not being perfectly round.

These scales are so sensitive that the object (or gnome in this case) has to be handled with rubber gloves to avoid adding grease or contaminants that would spoil the reading which is kind of bonkers really.

I’m sure it’s no accident that it’s reminiscent of the gnome that gets packed around the world in Amelie. Polaroid pictures are then taken with the gnome in far off destinations (thanks to a friendly air hostess) and posted back to cheer up the miserable, yet confused, next door neighbour.

And the best thing about all of this? I heard all about this idea from a friend at the weekend who dreamt up this whole thing!

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5 year old analyses corporate logos

Andy — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:57:31 +0000

So incredibly cute but also completely cuts through any of the associations many of us have with these icons or logos. Probably seen in their simplest terms.

Happy New Year No massive party tonight as we were both a bit...

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Many favourites

Andy — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:13:04 +0000

One of the best things about Flickr is the community of other photographers that exists around it. This is the primary reason I’m still so addicted to it. Perhaps one of the best functions of this community is the ability to mark a photo as a favourite – add it to your library of things you like. I have a fairly large set of favourites, currently running at 4,144 photos so far!

For me one of the best ways of finding new and interesting work is by looking at another users favourites collection. It’s easy to go from user to user and find a bunch of incredible work to look at. It’s like a curated guide to Flickr.

My most popular photo so far… …not in real life but on Flickr. I’ve been getting...
Weequizzie has gone Instagram mad Which is a good thing. She’s got a great eye...

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With Associates – November

Andy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:27:37 +0000

With Associates have completed their November update to their redesign-our-site-once-a-month thing. The end result is great as usual but also sad to see our efforts for October go.

However the thing that’s far more interesting to me is the behind the scenes or process that goes into it. A fairly ambitious 4 hours was set to do the whole thing and again was recorded with a timelapse which fittingly is four minutes long.

And here’s a few more images from their Flickr set.

All images © With Associates.

Making a website in a day – Timelapse A great little video created by Lawrence at With Associates....

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Paris Metro explorers

Andy — Sat, 01 Jan 2011 20:59:46 +0000

A fascinating look into the Paris Metro system over at www.sleepycity.net. I love the idea of urban exploring and this really satisfies. The hidden disused stations are incredible.

The Paris Metro and the service it provides are deeply intertwined into the fabric of the city. As the 4.5 million passengers who ride it every day will probably attest it’s the quickest way around whether it’s for work, for play or both. The metro’s distinctive art-nouveau style is unmistakable and the plant like green wrought iron entrances topped with the orange orbs and Metropolitan signage designed by Hector Guimard which sprout up all over the city lead one down to the gleaming white tiled platforms to be whisked away all over the city. On my first trip to Paris I arrived into Gare du Nord and entered the dense maze that is the metro. Despite the crowds, the noise and the distinct odour of piss, I was in love. The kind of love which inspires one to risk life, limb and deportation to get up close and personal.

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Meg’s new website

Andy — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:22:27 +0000

I’ve been helping a friend at work sort her website out. Rather than doing everything from scratch in Dreamweaver I suggested she use Indexhibit. After a quick install during a lunch a few weeks ago we got round to sorting out the CSS today at lunch. Lots of great work on there and definitely worth checking out.

megjones.net

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Inception / IT Crowd trailer

Andy — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 13:01:58 +0000

Brilliant! Love the IT Crowd.

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Neil’s blog

Andy — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:29:39 +0000

My friend Neil now has a blog worth checking it out. Mainly cycling related. Another one to add to my RSS feeds.

sonomoltostanco.blogspot.com

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Building Design FAIL

Andy — Thu, 13 May 2010 15:59:44 +0000

More and more magazines seem to be struggling with making revenue when there is so much seemingly real time information coming out on the web. One of those organisations is Building Design who are owned by UBM media. They’ve stopped free circulation of their weekly paper to architects due to falling ad revenue. They’ve even locked the website down so that only registered users can login, presumably so they can track users habits and provide greater insight for their advertisers. The trouble is that the login system has completely broken down today. So as well as no weekly paper, the website is completely inaccessible. Seems like one hell of a balls up, but then that’s computers for you.

So instead of seeing news stories, I’m seeing this.

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