This morning we visited a student exhibition at an architectural school. It was so much fun to see their ideas and the ways they were presented. The students used this opportunity to display their projects and masters theses in new and exciting ways. And it looks like they were given the freedom to express themselves beyond the typical student exhibits I’ve seen.
It’s not enough for me to make things pretty. I need to be involved in the inception and creation of a project. I want to do construction documents. I want to push the boundaries and exceed expectations. I want to make an impact with the work that I do. I know I’m idealistic, but like everyone else I want to change the world.
We left London for Kew Palace and Gardens. Kew was the home of King George III, his wife Charlotte, and their 15 children. The palace was built by a Dutch merchant and is surprisingly humble compared to the likes of Windsor and Blenheim. It wasn’t the only home of the royal family, but it was the one they preferred. The palace has been renovated and each floor reveals a different personality for the home. Some clever things have been done to tell the family’s story as well.
The dining table is set with elegant, contemporary place settings featuring quotes about George III by his contemporaries. Not all of them were flattering and subtly told the complicated story of his life. It’s a brilliant way to present information without detracting from the building.
The carpets on the second floor have been researched and restored by Brinton’s, and they are beautiful. This floor hold the most furnishings and gives a glimpse into the style and fashions of the time. The top floor has been stripped back to the framing and left to reveal the building’s structure. I had the most fun on this level where you could see the mortar mixed with horsehair and the original notes scrawled on wood by the builders.
Kew gardens are beautiful, but disappointing after all I’ve heard about them. The grass was dry and little beyond a few hydrangeas and wilting roses were in bloom. A tram called the Kew Express took us around the perimeter of the gardens. The pagoda has been in place since 1762.
Nearby is a Japanese garden.
Tim seems to think that everything I do is a masterpiece. To prove him right I artfully composed this shot in the tram.
Kew has an amazing collection of plants and Barbara and I found the best of them in the conservatories.
Kew is lovely, but like all the gardens we’ve seen they’re not at their best. The heat also makes it difficult to enjoy things right now. I'm glad temperatures are reported in celcius because 36 degrees C, 47 degrees C in the Tube, doesn't sound that bad. This evening there were rolling blackouts in central London due to heavy electricity demands from air condtioners. Where are these air conditioners? I haven't seen any! The signs in Picadilly Circus went dark and shops had to close.
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