Returning to University

In the past few months, we have seen a new world; one that consists of face masks, hand sanitizer and restrictions. We've stopped seeing our friends and family members in fear that we will infect them. Thankfully, we have social media to connect with the people we love, and restrictions are beginning to lift. Although retail and restaurants have reopened, they have evolved to meet the guidelines of our new way of living. Many designers have proposed solutions for post-COVID life, such as rethinking the way we design residential and educational buildings. However, others have taken a more light-hearted approach such as Berlin-based Plastique Fantastique who created a face-shield shaped like a fishbowl. The form of the mask resembles a space man's helmet and reminds me of Sandy from Sponge Bob Square Pants. The humorous approach to this unprecedented period highlights how we can make light of an unideal situation and encourages others to do the same.

Plastique Fantastique iSphere mask, Deezen 2020

University has restarted after a long break; I am more than ready to start my third year. Understandably, things are very different, but these adjustments are necessary to keep everyone safe. Earlier this week, some exciting new modules launched. Today, I visited Salford Museum and Art Gallery, the site for my Advanced Studies in Interior Design module. For this project, we need to refurbish the reception, cafe and create a gallery space that will attract a younger audience. The museum is much larger than the buildings we have previously worked with; there is a lot to do in a short period. When visiting, I brought along a checklist of things I was looking for to ensure that I gathered relevant information to aid my research. We didn't have access to the full building as there was some construction work taking place on the upper levels so I couldn't view the building as a whole. However, the visit was still valuable as the brief mainly focusing on the ground floor.

The interior of the museum was not how I expected. It was quite dated and under-appreciated. There are huge windows with views onto The University of Salford's campus and Peel Park. The windows have the potential to advertise the museum and interest passing students. The building is rich with natural light. However, the mezzanine and staircase absorb a substantial amount of this light. I will propose a new system that compliments the architecture of the space. Lastly, I found that the scheme wasn't cohesive. Some parts of the museum felt as though they belonged to a different building. The lack of unity may be a result of several developments made overtime or my inability to access other parts of the building. Nevertheless, I plan to bring the building together with a concept that combines all spaces and tells the story of the museum's history.