Showing posts with label Manchester School of Architecture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Manchester School of Architecture. Show all posts
22 Dec 2011
Close
With the completion of the Urban Mixing Installation the Fenton Five will now be moving on to individual projects. This blog will remain as an archive of their time working together and the project work completed.
Urban Mixing Installation
The Fenton Five built an installation to demonstrate the Urban Mixing Toolkit. A map showing the Performance Score for each data collection point was projected onto a hung piece of perspex, on to which where attached a series of sections, depicting the route.
The six weightings for each thematic indicator could be changed as part of ongoing a debate, encouraging discussion about how importantly each theme is valued.
The Toolkit was also marketed as a product, with a CD, booklet and quick start guide.
A control pad was custom built to control the scores.
The installation marked the end of the project and the collaboration between the different members of the Fenton Five who now undertaking their own, individual projects.
The six weightings for each thematic indicator could be changed as part of ongoing a debate, encouraging discussion about how importantly each theme is valued.
The Toolkit was also marketed as a product, with a CD, booklet and quick start guide.
A control pad was custom built to control the scores.
The installation marked the end of the project and the collaboration between the different members of the Fenton Five who now undertaking their own, individual projects.
10 Oct 2011
Moving Forward
Following the pilot studies, conducted in Manchester last week, attention now turns back to Fenton. On Friday, during a Studio Tutorial we reviewed our mapping methodologies, refined it and the developed a strategy for documenting Fenton.
The first stage involved a discussion with our studio tutors, reviewing the pilot studies and what data was collected. This discussion continued amongst the group and a few key methodologies emerged, including the desire to develop a form of 'tick sheet' or survey that could be carried out along a route in Fenton. The intention would then be to 'graft' this data onto two-dimensional (in the form of plans and sections) and three-dimensional 'segments' of the route.
However, the exact nature of the study (what data would be collected) was less clear and as such the group went 'back to first principles' and identified the key topics that each member was interested in studying. Areas of similarity and cross over were quickly identified and a condensed set of key themes emerged: Perception, Infrastructure, Control, Regulation, and Scale.
The next stage involved identifying a loose research question or statement. The key themes were also further explored as was the idea of 'reduction' and how this could be applied to the themes and data collected. At this stage the notion of layering became prominent, with the intention to collect a wealth of data that could be layered to reveal new or previously hidden relationships.
In attempting to define a methodology to reveal the latent characteristics of a place (through the layering of different datasets) the idea of performance was also important, how does space perform?
The group then took a sideways step and began discussing current policy that is affecting the wider urban area of stoke-on-Trent, particularly planning policy. Research into Local Development Frameworks for Stoke revealed that Fenton lies at the boundary of two strategic areas of the city: the Inner Urban Core and the Outer Urban Area. It also revealed a proposal in which a future Stoke was defined as the following: a Healthier City; a Learning City; a Wealthier City; a Strong Sense of Community; a Safer City; and a Green City.
These six categories provide an interesting lens through which to study the Fenton area. If the intention is to improve Stoke in relation to these characteristics then it is possible to assess the current urban fabric in relation to these categories. Using the previously mentioned tools of tick sheets and surveys the intention is to document a route through Fenton in terms of these six categories. This data will then be grafted onto a three dimensional scaffolding that may reveal particular physical characteristics in the urban form that lend themselves to these categories. Concurrently a study of the 'perceived' Fenton will be carried out, using the same categories, which will enable the group to draw comparisons. There is also the potential to draw comparisons with idealised models.
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| 1. Review of discussion with studio tutors. |
The first stage involved a discussion with our studio tutors, reviewing the pilot studies and what data was collected. This discussion continued amongst the group and a few key methodologies emerged, including the desire to develop a form of 'tick sheet' or survey that could be carried out along a route in Fenton. The intention would then be to 'graft' this data onto two-dimensional (in the form of plans and sections) and three-dimensional 'segments' of the route.
 |
| 2. Key themes each group member wanted to pursue. |
However, the exact nature of the study (what data would be collected) was less clear and as such the group went 'back to first principles' and identified the key topics that each member was interested in studying. Areas of similarity and cross over were quickly identified and a condensed set of key themes emerged: Perception, Infrastructure, Control, Regulation, and Scale.
 |
| 3. Key themes and looking for connections. |
The next stage involved identifying a loose research question or statement. The key themes were also further explored as was the idea of 'reduction' and how this could be applied to the themes and data collected. At this stage the notion of layering became prominent, with the intention to collect a wealth of data that could be layered to reveal new or previously hidden relationships.
 |
| 4. Developing relationships between key themes. |
In attempting to define a methodology to reveal the latent characteristics of a place (through the layering of different datasets) the idea of performance was also important, how does space perform?
 |
| 5. Exploring planning policy relevant to Stoke-on-Trent. |
The group then took a sideways step and began discussing current policy that is affecting the wider urban area of stoke-on-Trent, particularly planning policy. Research into Local Development Frameworks for Stoke revealed that Fenton lies at the boundary of two strategic areas of the city: the Inner Urban Core and the Outer Urban Area. It also revealed a proposal in which a future Stoke was defined as the following: a Healthier City; a Learning City; a Wealthier City; a Strong Sense of Community; a Safer City; and a Green City.
 |
| 6. Mapping the key themes and relevant policy areas. |
These six categories provide an interesting lens through which to study the Fenton area. If the intention is to improve Stoke in relation to these characteristics then it is possible to assess the current urban fabric in relation to these categories. Using the previously mentioned tools of tick sheets and surveys the intention is to document a route through Fenton in terms of these six categories. This data will then be grafted onto a three dimensional scaffolding that may reveal particular physical characteristics in the urban form that lend themselves to these categories. Concurrently a study of the 'perceived' Fenton will be carried out, using the same categories, which will enable the group to draw comparisons. There is also the potential to draw comparisons with idealised models.
5 Oct 2011
Handheld Devices
Amongst the group this week there has been a lot of discussion about handheld devices and how these are used to communicate and perceive space. I thought it would be interesting to share a few lines from the [Re_Map]ICU Reader that I felt were particularly pertinent to this and what was being discussed amongst the group.
The extract is taken from the Outro (page 232) of Richard Brook and Nick Dunn's new book "Urban Maps: Instruments of Narrative and Interpretation in the City" (Farnham: Ashgate, 2011). These new pieces of technology are already challenging the way in which people interact with the city, you only need to think about how many people walk down the street, typing away or browsing the web (the author of this post included).
In the near-future smart phones will be even more complex, being able to undertake a variety of functions that will further challenge the way in which people interact with their physical environment. Like the fictional 'Tricorders' in Star Trek individuals will be able to collect, interpret, interact with and feedback into masses of 'data' not only about their physical environment but digital environments, that traverse traditional notions of scale and proximity between objects.
"With the increasing prevalence of handheld devices, such as highly advanced or 'smart' mobile phones and PDAs, the nature in which we engage with urban space is perhaps witnessing the most significant transformation since the development of the automobile. This is the experiential shift in the shape of the city and like the motorcar before it will only incrementally and subtly migrate us from familiar physical conditions."
The extract is taken from the Outro (page 232) of Richard Brook and Nick Dunn's new book "Urban Maps: Instruments of Narrative and Interpretation in the City" (Farnham: Ashgate, 2011). These new pieces of technology are already challenging the way in which people interact with the city, you only need to think about how many people walk down the street, typing away or browsing the web (the author of this post included).
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| The 'Tricorder' in Star Trek was a multifunctional handheld device primarily used for sensor scanning, data collection and data analysis. |
In the near-future smart phones will be even more complex, being able to undertake a variety of functions that will further challenge the way in which people interact with their physical environment. Like the fictional 'Tricorders' in Star Trek individuals will be able to collect, interpret, interact with and feedback into masses of 'data' not only about their physical environment but digital environments, that traverse traditional notions of scale and proximity between objects.
Pilot Studies
Before heading to Stoke-on-Trent (and more specifically Fenton) the group has carried out a number of pilot studies in areas of Manchester, testing out various different methods of data collection and mapping techniques. The purpose of these pilot studies is to test the various methodologies and review the outcomes of initial forays into the city, including: route and starting point selections; mapping and recording techniques; short tests and reviews of the proposed methodologies; and assembling hardware (maps, cameras, measuring equipment, etc).
Two locations were chosen, Clayton and Trafford. These locations were selected because they have some resemblance to the built environment or urban landscape of the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent and therefore any pilot studies carried out there should be reliable. Visits were made across three days, with Clayton being visited on Tuesday 5th October 2011 and Thursday 7th October 2011, and Trafford on Wednesday 6th October 2011 and Thursday 8th October 2011. Prior to visiting each location an initial survey of online maps was carried out to determine which particular area to visit and also determine a starting point. Both areas were accessed via public transport so it was decided that the disembarkation points would be the start of each mapping exercise.
No route was planned before visiting, with the decision taken to follow major routes and then make decisions at junctions with other roads/circulation networks as to whether or not a change of direction was needed. The original intention in Clayton (visited first) was to walk a linear route however during the visit it was decided to change this course of action and carry out a circuit/loop, with investigations or forays into the edges of these routes. The data being collected was also revised along the route to reflect what was being seen/found in that area, these lessons were then applied to Trafford (and then further revised).
Clayton
The Clayton Route was approximately 2.3 miles in length, starting at Sport City before moving into the residential areas bounded by Ashton New Road and Phillips Park/The Vale.
Trafford
The Trafford Route was approximately 1.9 miles in length, starting close to Lancashire County Cricket Club before moving into the residential and commercial areas bounded by Warwick Road and Great Stone Road.
Further documentation and results from these initial pilot studies will be uploaded to this blog, accessible via this tag.
Two locations were chosen, Clayton and Trafford. These locations were selected because they have some resemblance to the built environment or urban landscape of the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent and therefore any pilot studies carried out there should be reliable. Visits were made across three days, with Clayton being visited on Tuesday 5th October 2011 and Thursday 7th October 2011, and Trafford on Wednesday 6th October 2011 and Thursday 8th October 2011. Prior to visiting each location an initial survey of online maps was carried out to determine which particular area to visit and also determine a starting point. Both areas were accessed via public transport so it was decided that the disembarkation points would be the start of each mapping exercise.
No route was planned before visiting, with the decision taken to follow major routes and then make decisions at junctions with other roads/circulation networks as to whether or not a change of direction was needed. The original intention in Clayton (visited first) was to walk a linear route however during the visit it was decided to change this course of action and carry out a circuit/loop, with investigations or forays into the edges of these routes. The data being collected was also revised along the route to reflect what was being seen/found in that area, these lessons were then applied to Trafford (and then further revised).
Clayton
The Clayton Route was approximately 2.3 miles in length, starting at Sport City before moving into the residential areas bounded by Ashton New Road and Phillips Park/The Vale.
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| The route taken around Clayton on both visits. |
Trafford
The Trafford Route was approximately 1.9 miles in length, starting close to Lancashire County Cricket Club before moving into the residential and commercial areas bounded by Warwick Road and Great Stone Road.
 |
| The route taken around Trafford on both visits. |
Further documentation and results from these initial pilot studies will be uploaded to this blog, accessible via this tag.
24 Sept 2011
The Fenton Five
Welcome to 'The Fenton Five' a research blog produced by BArch students in the [Re_Map]ICU unit at the Manchester School of Architecture to document the Fenton area of Stoke-on-Trent. The unit aims to become the 'leading authority' on Stoke-on-Trent and has set about documenting the six principle areas that comprise the city. As a unit [Re_Map] is preoccupied with data, mapping, networks and visualization and is interested in the contemporary city as a political, economic and cultural hybrid in flux rather than as a fixed place.
This blog will also document ongoing research into pyschogeography and other mapping techniques that will form the basis for the first project conducted by the unit Data Definition within the Dérive. As part of the project The Fenton Five (and other [Re_Map]ICU project groups) will investigate the architectural ramifications of 'wandering' in the city and landscape. Whereas Guy Debord and the SI (Situationist International) were content to simply execute these experiments, the unit is interested in their conception, their record and most specifically, their translation into form that has a geo-spatial context. The unit is interested in the convergence of mapping, GPS, data and sensation in three-dimensional and locational space.
This blog will also document ongoing research into pyschogeography and other mapping techniques that will form the basis for the first project conducted by the unit Data Definition within the Dérive. As part of the project The Fenton Five (and other [Re_Map]ICU project groups) will investigate the architectural ramifications of 'wandering' in the city and landscape. Whereas Guy Debord and the SI (Situationist International) were content to simply execute these experiments, the unit is interested in their conception, their record and most specifically, their translation into form that has a geo-spatial context. The unit is interested in the convergence of mapping, GPS, data and sensation in three-dimensional and locational space.
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