Semester 2 Reflective Summary

Why we need to do Blog

Firstly thanks to the blog session I was able to delve deeper into some of the non-major elements I came across in my studies. For example, during the course of urban design I became interested in the history of a fast-paced neighbourhood, which I would have ignored without the blog course, but the existence of the blog has allowed me to research these small ideas, to dig deeper and in the process, to investigate the academic issues that I am interested in. I don’t really know if the designers of the course took this into account, but I really enjoyed it.

Looking west, how Newcastle Quayside would have looked had the All Saints scheme come to fruition

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-historic-newcastle-quayside-might-29126401

self-reflection

During the past semester of my design studies, through the practice of different projects, my understanding and knowledge of urban design has increased, and I have also discovered my own shortcomings and directions for improvement.

First of all, I realise how important it is to have a balance between aesthetics and functionality. I used to pursue visual impact and creative expression too much, while neglecting the functionality and user experience of the building. Through discussions with my supervisor, I have come to understand that design needs to meet the actual needs and comfort of users.

Secondly, I realised the importance of interdisciplinary research. Architectural design is not only the artistic expression of the building itself, but also involves knowledge from various fields such as structural engineering, environmental science and sociology. For example, I realised the importance of social science research in designing gender-equal cities.

The Challenge

Design work is often accompanied by high pressure and harsh criticism, especially during reviews and feedback sessions. Dealing with this mindset and balancing between sticking to an idea or making changes is a process that takes more time to learn. The acquisition of new skills (e.g. some software) is also a balancing act, as is sharpening the axe when chopping down trees.

Summary

In conclusion, this study experience not only allows me to accumulate rich professional knowledge and practical experience, but more importantly, it allows me to continuously reflect and improve. I believe that these valuable experiences will help me go further.

reference

Morton, D. (2024). How historic Newcastle Quayside might have been torn down in the late 1960s. [online] Chronicle Live. Available at: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/history/how-historic-newcastle-quayside-might-29126401 [Accessed 19 May 2024].

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