Interim Crit

: ) 

今日好開心

Was the 5th/6th to be crit-ed today, can't help but felt really scared all morning (still, after three years of crits), 打從心底的驚 for no reason, probably because this morning, one critic 一開口就勁challenge Doug (who's supposed to be quite ging) 

The critics we had today were

- Clive - a very ging critic who's the director of Malcolm Fraser Architects (who designed my fav building in Edinburgh - DANCEBASE!!) 

- Alexandra Heese, wonderful ging person, wife and student of our second year devil tutor

- Mark, our tutor

- Craig - from the Edinburgh City Council

Like Clive the critic, I don't understand why so many classmates fragmented their programme, which we both thought won't work, in a city with such horrible weather, and on such a transient site. 

I am so glad that they seems to really love mine, as it's completely opposite to any of the ones presented in the morning (not trying to show off lol) The site was actually a very difficult one, located at the edge of New Town and City Centre, and on top of the Leith Walk the only route that links to the leith area - it has been abandoned for like 40 years - (just like Kai tak and West Kowloon Cultural district) people always shy away from prominent site. 

My initial feeling towards the site was that it's just really transient, no one ever wants to stop there, because of its scale, and the facades around - a Cathedral that never opens - the New Town Georgian Building front that completely cuts off from the street - and the Omni Theatre - which is a theatre, and does not spill out to the road. Then now it's a roundabout - where cars go round and round - noisy - bright....

So I was thinking of something like avatar's tree or a zen stone, something simple, but like a beacon, where people will come here as a destination, not as a route. and something that connects, and stops that crazy stirring pot (at least a bit)

They thought my idea was really beautiful, and it's the first programme that actually sits amazingly in the site. Not trying to take all axis/routes in account - but work together with every viewpoint very well. 

"A simple building is the most complex one - most difficult to design" - said clive, and something I admire MOST ! 

But there would be a lot of small details to resolve - like how the programme would fit into the building, how to enter etc. 

All of which I am aware of, but need a lot of thinking to make it a simple, elegant but well resolved design. 

It really motivates me, even though what is remained is just tonnes of challenge, as those aren't my strength, but I really wish that this will be a project that I'd love.

Doing it for myself. 

Isn't it weird... I was made happy because of architecture again. so weird

We are looking forward to tomorrow :)