Category Archives: Blog

‘Heart of the Campus’, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus

Tuesday, August 2nd 2014 – Collegiate Crescent, Sheffield Hallam University. Today I attended on site to review the Phase 1 glazing manifestation artwork installations for myself and meet with VGL who were on site to view the works in tandem with the main contractor, Graham Construction. I was also meeting with the University Clients to review the final scope for the Phase 2 installation of artwork. The building now appears to be semi open for use – but still going through various procedures and protocols, I suppose to ensure all goes smoothly once the mass of students arrive later this month! Great not to have to gear up with PPE. The building is looking amazing. Graham & HLM have done a wonderful job. External landscape is almost completed. The East Elevation of the building has an amazing aspect. It was a clear blue-sky day with lots of sun, which are good conditions for looking at the manifestations, as they are more likely to cast great shadows, which add considerably to the impact and variation within the works.

Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Crescent
As seen from Crescent Road
As seen from Crescent Road
cnc routed West Elevation rainscreen
CNC routed West Elevation rain screen

The West Elevation rain screen is really quite reflective in strong sun. Athough this is a painted grey finish, it is glossy and can appear metallic. The exposed Rockpanel material beneath the colour coat has now really darkened from the earlier yellow colour. The surface is more subtle, but richer in appearance. The impact is muted from afar, but the details really begin to emergeon the approach.

The Western Entrance off Broomgrove Road is now almost completed. Some final touches to the landscaping will see this completed. As you pass through the entrance doors, the interior quickly opens out onto the central atrium, which is spectacular. The glazing manifestation artwork can be clearly seen.
The Western Entrance off Broomgrove Road is now almost completed. Some final touches to the landscaping will see this completed. As you pass through the entrance doors, the interior quickly opens out onto the central atrium, which is spectacular. The glazing manifestation artwork can be clearly seen.

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Entering the atrium space and hub of the building, with the main reception on the right and the main East Entrance straight ahead, you can just start to make out the glazing installation. If you turn to the left, this is what you see....
Entering the atrium space and hub of the building, with the main reception on the right and the Main East Entrance straight ahead, you can just start to make out the glazing installation. If you turn to the left, this is what you see….
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The central atrium space as seen from Level 1

This is the three storey central atrium space and ‘Heart of the Campus’. The client had originally commissioned artwork manifestations to much of the visible glazing, but on reflection, the transparency and legibility of the interior spaces & architectural form may have been compromised and it was decided to omit them from the project.  The artwork manifestations to the ground floor exterior curtain wall glazing, linking the East and North entrances, is still being commissioned as the Phase 2 works.

Shadows cast by the artwork manifestation add another dimension to the work and come and go with the sun.
Shadows cast by the artwork manifestation add another dimension to the work and come and go with the sun.

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This image shows the artwork applied to the interior glazed lobby, with the central atrium space just visible on the left.
This image shows the artwork applied to the interior glazed lobby, with the central atrium space just visible on the left.

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In bright sunlight, shadows are cast form the manifestation to carry across structural elements such as glazing screen frames and supporting columns. This interplay extends the range and impact of the artwork.
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The East Elevation Main Entrance doors are automatic and the manifestations cross and overlap as the doors open, creating yet another pattern.

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North Entrance glazed elevation with applied artwork manifestations.
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Detail of digitally printed artwork to glazing manifestations. North Entrance glazed screen.
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East Elevation glazed screen with applied artwork manifestations. This is the main entrance and interior lobby area with reception.
Seen from the open balcony areas of Level 1, the North Elevation entrance artwork can be clearly seen.
Seen from the open balcony areas of Level 1, the North Elevation Entrance artwork can be clearly seen.
East entrance interior lobby space.
East Entrance interior lobby space.

‘Heart of the Campus’, Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus

Tuesday 26th August 2014 Several images of the installation have just come in from VGL ‘s installers. These are low res images. I will be making a trip up to Sheffield in the next week or so to review the site prior to the Phase 2 works being undertaken. I will hopefully get more detailed images too !

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Interior of the east elevation main entrance screen
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East elevation
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East elevation
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East elevation
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Interior view of north elevation entrance screen

‘Heart of the Campus’, Sheffield Hallam University, Crescent Road

Tuesday 26th August Glazing manifestation artworks for the ‘Heart of the Campus’ building, for Sheffield Hallam University, Collegiate Campus. DIGITALLY PRINTED WHITE INKS OVERLAIN IN OPAQUE & TRANSPARENT LAYERS ONTO OPTICALLY CLEAR VINYL . Phase 1 of the installation by VGL has now completed, but I have yet to get images of the completed works on site. The following images are of the approved production artwork for Phase 1. We are now awaiting confirmation that the Phase 2 project will be put into production. Graham_Construction_layout_ELV_A Graham_Construction_layout_ELV_B Graham_Construction_layout_ELV_C Graham_Construction_layout_ELV_D

Day 20 – Tuesday, 19th August 2014 – Independence Street, Canton, MA

Canton, MA Tuesday, 19th August 2014   So, our holiday here is almost at an end. This is the last full day we will spend in the US. Day 20 of ‘20 posts for 20 days’. No plans as yet for today, just letting it roll out before us.   Over the last 6 years we have made 3 trips over the water:

2010 – Road Trip – New York / Boston / Toronto / Niagara Falls

2012 – Florida – Orlando / Miami / St Petersburg

2014 – Boston, Massachusetts to Cincinnati, Ohio

Although we have been to the US many times before, as Shelly’s family all live here, these three trips have been particularly special.

If we could spend time here every year we certainly would.

  Blue Jays and Grey Squirrels are fighting over territory in the garden – so noisy! Four dead squirrels have been found over the last few months – have the Blue Jays done this?

Houghton's Pond, Blue Hills Reservation, MA
Houghton’s Pond, Blue Hills Reservation, MA

Houghton’s Pond is a spring-fed kettle hole pond formed by receding glaciers around 10,000 years ago. The Massachusek Indians fished the pond and hunted in the surrounding forests. Absolutely boiling there today. Had a swim and an amazing turkey, bacon & lettuce hot sandwich ! 2014-08-19 15.13.03 v1 Houghton's Pond 2 Houghton's Pond 1 2014-08-19 14.21.40 2014-08-19 15.13.08   2014-08-19 15.17.35   2014-08-19 15.23.30   2014-08-19 13.19.14

Houghton's Pond 3

Houghton's Pond Visitor Centre with curvy shingle roof.
Houghton’s Pond Visitor Centre with curvy shingle roof.
Wild Turkeys on the way home
Wild Turkeys on the way home

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A quick trip to Target to buy some gifts to take home…& then back to the house for drinks before heading off to Ninety Nine Restaurant for dinner. The final dinner in the US on this trip !

Ninety Nine restaurant

Day 19 – Monday 18th August, 2014 – Independence St, Canton, MA

Canton, MA Monday 18th August 2014 The penultimate day of our trip, then only one more full day to go before we have to pack ! Making the most of the good weather and sitting out on the deck in the cooler morning sunshine.

Had a brilliant visit this morning to an Airstream dealership in nearby Stoughton

Airstream of New England, Stoughton, MA

Such an iconic piece of Americana

Who wouldn’t want to own one of these? 

The rep. was really helpful and showed us the interiors of several models. As visitors from England he probably knew we were not there to buy, but was incredibly hospitable nonetheless. All very much appreciated.

An unmistakable and iconic  name
An unmistakable and iconic name
''Airstream'
”Airstream’

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‘Airstream’, ‘Bambi’

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‘Airstream’, ‘Flying Cloud’

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Interior window detailing
Interior window detailing
'Airstreams' all in a row...
‘Airstreams’ all in a row…
Vintage Airstream awaiting refurbishment
Vintage Airstream awaiting refurbishment
Vintage 'Airstream' awaiting refurbishment
Vintage ‘Airstream’ awaiting refurbishment

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Uncle Milty’s Army & Navy Store in Stoughton,MA 

 

Panelled Station Wagon in  Stoughton
Panelled Station Wagon in Stoughton

 

'First Family, Abigail and John Adams' by Joseph J Ellis
‘First Family, Abigail and John Adams’ by Joseph J Ellis

This has been my holiday reading…amongst other stuff ! John Adams lived in Braintree, which is around 8 miles from Canton, MA – so has been appropriately local reading for this trip…

Day 18 – Sunday 17th August 2014 – Victor to Canton,MA

Victor, NY to Canton, MA Sunday 17th August, 2014

Left our hotel at 11.00am to continue the drive home to Canton. The hotel was really packed as there was an air show in Rochester – ‘The Rochester International Air Show’, which probably accounted for the crowds. After several short stops for toilets and gas, we arrived back in Canton at 18.00pm.

Victor

Rochester

Canandaigua

Syracuse

Utica, in the Mohawk Valley

Schenectady

Albany

Hudson River

Springfield

Worcester

Boston

Canton

Some images of the day… 2014-08-17 10.17.52

Canandaigua, is a city near Rochester, NY, founded on the site of a Seneca Iroquois Village

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Schenectady, NY at 14.25pm –

Originally, the region that is now Schenectady was the home of the Mohawk Tribe. The Schenectady Massacre took place here in 1690

On the road...
On the road…

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I am certain I saw an Otter by the roadside ! 11.35am

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Saw a ‘Bambi’ Silver Stream RV –

…not the image above…11.20am

Hudson River road bridge
Hudson River road bridge

 

Crossed the Hudson River at 14.55pm.

A great road bridge…on Interstate 90…

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Masachusetts State line...very blurred!!
Masachusetts State line…very blurred!!
Classic American roadside advertising
Classic American roadside advertising

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Blurred yellow truck...
Blurred yellow truck…

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Crossed the Appalachian Trail at 15.30pm

Crossed the Connecticut River at 16.05pm

Crossed the Quaboag River in Massachusetts at 16.28pm

Saw a family of Wild Turkeys at the roadside…17.50pm

 

Boston, MA
Boston, MA

 

Day 17 – Saturday 16th August 2014 – West Chester, Ohio, to Victor, New York State

West Chester, Ohio Saturday 16th August, 2014

Boston Globe, Sunday 17th August 2014
Boston Globe, Sunday 17th August 2014

Started our journey today back to Massachusetts, after a great visit to Shelly’s parents in West Chester, but to round off the trip we made a journey to Yellow Springs,   in Greene County, Ohio, to meet up with extended family for breakfast at Young’s Dairy.

 

Xenia, Tornad0 Super Outbreak 1974

Yellow Springs

Columbus

Mansfield

Cleveland

Ashtabula

Erie

Buffalo – The All American City

Rochester

Victor

Leaving Haden Lane, West Chester. Ohio
Leaving Haden Lane, West Chester. Ohio
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Haden Lane, West Chester, Ohio, 07.52
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‘Young’s Dairy’, Yellow Springs, Ohio
The big table at Young;s Dairy
The big table at Young’s Dairy
Goats at Young's Dairy
Goats at Young’s Dairy
All the goats were heavily pregnant...births seemed imminent !
All the goats were heavily pregnant…births seemed imminent !
Signage at the adjacent garage...
Signage at the adjacent garage…

Today & yesterday, we saw some very unusual cloud formations…which of course I didn’t photograph. Jellyfish Clouds’, aka ‘Altocumulus Castelanus’ …they were mentioned on the evening news !

Bypassing Columbus, Ohio, travelling north...
Bypassing Columbus, Ohio, travelling north…
On the road...American Red Cross
On the road…American Red Cross
...a truck...
…a truck…
Roadside advertising posts...
Roadside advertising posts…
A Turkey Vulture...
A Turkey Vulture…you have to look hard !
Ohio / Pennsylvania State Line
Ohio / Pennsylvania State Line
Shelly's shoes & socks...
Shelly’s shoes & socks…

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Water towers from the highway...
Water towers from the highway…like a scene from the 1953 film ‘War of the Worlds’…the adaptation of HG Wells book of the same name…

2014-08-16 17.39.35 v2 A   We saw around 10 White tailed Deer on the way…just grazing in the green zones around the highway…wonderful !   Arrived at Victor, just outside Rochester, New York State at around 19.30 and checked into our rooms at the Holiday Inn Express before going out to The Olive Garden for dinner. We like the restaurant as it is mentioned a lot in the ‘Big Bang Theory’. Bath & bed !

Day 16 – Friday 15th August 2014 – West Chester, Ohio

West Chester, Ohio

Friday 15th August 2014

Another quiet day to rest today. Tomorrow we embark on a two day journey back to Canton.MA.

Bob Evans for breakfast –

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Actually this was Steve’s breakfast, not mine – see below…

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Visited a couple of thrift stores  – another Vincent dePaul Charity store, but no purchases, although I did see some interesting glassware.

Cactus Stemmed Glasses
Cactus Stemmed Glasses

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Chicken Glassware
Chicken Glassware

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Weather – brilliant and hot all day. Very clear skies . Wonderful end to the Ohio leg of our journey.

 

 

Day 15 – Thursday 14th August 2014 – King’s Island, Ohio

 

West Chester, Ohio Thursday 14th August 2014

 

King’s Island today – big funfair / amusement park with many roller coasters including The Beast, the longest, largest and oldest timber roller coaster in the US.

Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower

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Some of the family know the place really well having grown up here in Ohio, so we were able to  get around the park really easily. Also, being mid-week, it wasn’t too busy so everyone went on loads of rides. To put it into perspective, Michael Ascolese (16), who came with us, has been to the park on many occasions and once, only managed to get on two rides, due to the long queues. Our family tally for the day was:

Nell – 20 rides

Rose – 19 rides

Steve – 17 rides

Michael – 16 rides

Chris – 5 rides

Shelly – 3 rides

Lesley – 1 ride

…although to be fair on Lesley, she had all the bags, mobiles, sunglasses, food & drink to look after ! 

'The Drop'
‘The Drop’

The rides we took were:

Drop Tower

Banshee

Invertigo

Diamondback

Vortex

The Windseeker

The Beast

FireHawk

BackLot Stunt Coaster

Eiffel Tower (more a lift than a ride !)

The Racer

Whitewater Canyon

The Bat

Dodgem Cars

'Banshee' & 'Delirium'.
‘Banshee’ & ‘Delirium’.
'Delirium'
‘Delirium’

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'Diamondback'.
‘Diamondback’

I went on Diamondback & felt ill for an hour after !

'Windseeker'
‘Windseeker’
'Windseeker' on the ground
‘Windseeker’ on the ground

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'The Racer' in the distance, an old fashioned timber coaster.
‘The Racer’ in the distance, an old fashioned timber coaster.

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T Rex !
T Rex !

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What a brilliant day all round !

We stopped at Bob Evans for dinner on the way home.

We obviously like it there…this must be the 4th or 5th time this trip ! 

On the drive back through the fields at dusk, Shelly saw a very large White Tailed StagI wish I had seen it !

 

Day 14 – Wednesday 13th August 2014 – rest day !

West Chester, Ohio Wednesday 13th August 2014   Finally I have caught up with myself & am posting on the right day in real time ! Sat in the garden of my parents in law in West Chester, Ohio. The rest of the family have gone over to Yellow Springs where my sister in law’s husband Steve originates from.  As much a I would have liked to go to Yellow Springs with them, I really need some down time.   Spotted this great trailer in a nearby front yard !   2014-08-12 15.38.52

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Air Stream RV ?

 

 

Vulture

Hawk

Hummingbird Moth

Yapping dogs

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Valley Thrift Store, Evendale, Ohio. A great morning had visiting thrift stores in the local area.

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…and then on to the nearby Vincent dePaul charity store…

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St Vincent dePaul Charity Store, Evendale, Ohio
St Vincent dePaul Charity Store, Evendale, Ohio

2014-08-13 14.33.54 Shelly bought this wedding dress. We think it is 1950’s. 2014-08-13 14.34.02 2014-08-13 14.34.23

Plastic bags full of toys...
Plastic bags full of toys…

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There is a house I really like, quite near to my parents in law in West Chester, Ohio. It is called the James D .Conrey House. 

It may have been modelled on the Jefferson plantation house at Montichello.

The image  of the house below, came from the U.S. National Register of Historic Places

James D. Conrey House West Chester, Ohio
James D. Conrey House
West Chester, Ohio