ASSIGNMENT FOUR.

Assignment 4

Promoting Design against crime.

Research has shown that design can influence the occurrence of crime, -positively and negatively. In order to reduce the vulnerability of people and property, design against crime needs to be taken seriously.

Reducing crime also reduces fear of crime, and therefore helps to improve quality of life.

Designing security into a project need not increase costs, and can be more economical in the long term. However, it does require some thought and imagination. The best solutions often result from a co-ordinated approach; bringing together the ideas and experience of the developer, the designer, the local authority, the police and the community.

Activity 4A:

-Promoting Design against Crime

Simon Learmount

This paper reports the findings of research that aims to cast light on the current state of crime-resistant design in the U.K. It looks at how crime resistance is currently incorporated into design education and practise, and what might be done to raise awareness of the issue amongst design, educators and designers themselves.

The paper also looks at a survey of consumer attitudes towards crime-resistant design. These are thought to be of key importance in encouraging businesses to design against crime.

The main objective within the paper is to discuss the effect that logical design can have in reducing crime. There are already existing security features, such as improved locks, alarms, immobilizers and tracking systems which have, in turn, significantly reduced the degree of car crime in the U.K over the past 10 years. The introduction of crime prevention in modern cars has lead to older cars being at a significantly greater risk of theft.

What I found to be the most important information in this paper was how design against crime has been introduced to education and designers.

It was reported that only 41% of design educators claimed that crime was not at all relevant to their design discipline. Design educators argued that environmental, disability, and demographic issues were perceived to be of greater relevance than crime. However, 71% of architectural design educators claimed that crime was an important issue within their discipline. This research obviously highlights that design against crime is significant within the architectural criteria.

These methods of research are an example of primary information as questionnaires were constructed and sent off to course leaders of the principal design courses listed in the 1999 entry prospectuses of U.K. Higher education institutions.

Following this information, it was discovered that design educators agreed that having been made aware of design against crime, crime- resistant design was something that that could be usefully addressed within current and future design courses. Respondents consequently requested a combination of literature and information relevant to crime-resistant design.

The key aspect understood in this paper is how clueless the many design schools across the country are when it comes to design against crime. Some schools would admit that the majority of their students see design against crime as a ''male'' design domain. With these sort of attitudes, it is not surprising that there is little to no interest amongst students regarding the subject.

The paper touches on ways to raise awareness of the importance of design against crime. The author suggests that we make use of existing design bodies such as the Design Council, the Design Business Association, British Design and Art Direction, the Chartered Society of Designers and the Royal Society of Arts. After all, it is these key organisations that have significant influence within the industry. Members of these organisations will admit that the design profession currently regards crime prevention in a negative way.

The main point within the paper was that those in charge of design courses are showing enthusiasm for promoting design within crime. With some effort, the government could make use of existing channels to increase the enthusiasm for the idea that with attention to detail and quality, design within the U.K. could also excel in its capacity and willingness to design against crime.

-Making Cities Work

George Hazel and Roger Parry

The main purpose of this particular book is to enable communities to be more successful. It showcases not just theories, but ideas in action worldwide. These ideas are initiatives that enhance the quality of urban life.

Cities encounter the human race at both it's very best, and it's very worst. Cities can be inspirational, technological and artistic at the best of times, however they will have aspects of poverty, disease and crime. These issues cannot be ignored. We, as designers, must find ways to make cities better places, for everyone.

This book explores ideas from around the world that have enabled cities to work more successfully and have therefore enhanced the quality of life for the city dwellers. One of the main methods of increasing quality of life for those who live in a city, is to logically design against crime. Many of the proposed ideas are linked to more effective transport systems, as well as redesigning the urban environment in a way to make it more sympathetic to the needs of people and their safety within a city.

The information within the book explores and investigates successful design, within particular cities. It also looks at how designers achieve a balance on how we design and operate cities to balance the conflicting demands upon them.

First impressions are a must when arriving in a city. A city that demonstrates a commitment to quality and accessibility already starts with a huge advantage. Cities are not just where people live, but are destinations visited by millions of people per month!

Cities want to look good. They don't want to highlight their problems. They tend to be a welcoming and exciting environment for both the traveller, and the habitants.

Getting around the city is an issue that can create problems. How to move people around in safety, comfort and speed is a challenge faced by urban leaders.

It is difficult to design places such as railway stations, bus terminals and airports, that take away from conventional squalid and exhausting experience. Such places are often disordered -when quite frankly, they don't need to be. The examples of logical design within this book whether they are large or small, famous, or little-known, show the design at its best.

The designs mentioned involve the 'Gardrmoen Airport' in Oslo, Norway and the new 'TGV Mediterrnee Stations' in France. The design for the TGV station has the intention to the prepare travellers for the idea that they are about to embark upon a safe, enjoyable journey. This is how we all want to feel when travelling. We don't want to experience fear, or have to come face to face with crime. We want to feel looked after. We want to feel safe.

Activity 4B:

I feel like both my resources promote the design of safe cities, through design against crime. In the 'promoting design against crime' paper it was encouraging that design against crime is being increasingly introduced within design schools.

It is important for information regarding crime to be taught to those students who will be in charge or urban design and environment in the future. As time goes on, there is a greater demand on successful design in terms of sustainability and quality of life.

Within current city centres, CCTV cameras and good lighting are necessities when it comes to crime prevention/reduction. Good lighting should be used to improve natural surveillance beyond daylight hours and therefore reduce fear of crime. Lighting plays a part in creating a feeling of territoriality. It can influence an individual’s perception about his environment in aesthetic terms as well as safety.

There is a problem with theft with Listed buildings. However, almost any building with historic fixtures and fittings (both internal and external) can be a target for thieves who make large amounts of money reselling architectural artefacts. Architectural theft occurs most frequently when buildings are vacant or undergoing building work.

It is the combined responsibility of the urban designers and the police who need to ensure cities are kept secure at all times. Without constant refreshing ideas, cities will not be admirable places to live.  

Bibliography:

Journal:

Learmount, S. (2005) Promoting Design Against Crime. Designing Out Crime From Products and Systems. Crime prevention studies vol 18, 141 - 178

Book:

Hazel, G., Parry, R. (2004) Making Cities Work. Great Britain: Wiley-Academy  

It's the final countdown...

The day before a presentation is hectic - no matter how organised you are.  


I spent the majority of my day in the workshop, sanding my life away! - EVERYTHING needed to be sanded..through stages.. we used  4 variations of sandpaper, including, 220, 240, 280, and lastly, 360.  Time needed to be equally spent with each of the sandpapers to produce an extra smooth finish... 

the view from the top of our bench

The picture above shows the four planks of wood that are curved onto two supports, to make our bench.  All four pieces of wood were sanded in the workshop today, to remove any imperfections and as a finish.

Image illustrating how the planks are placed onto the supportive sides

One of main problems that occurred in the workshop today was the proposed method of attaching the planks of wood to the supportive sides in a way what would be secure.  The proposed method involved drilling a hole into the plank of wood, and into the support sides, FOLLOWED by hammering small wooden bolts into the hole... I suppose the success of this will be determined after time...

the wedge, allowing the fixture to be secure

In order to increase security with our bench, an extra piece of wood was needed to join the two supportive sides together.  As an attachment for the piece of wood, we used a chisel to create a hold big enough for the extra piece of wood, followed by the insertion a wedge.  Having a wedge meant that glue was not necessary.  I also think that the wedge makes the bench athletically pleasing...

The art of the 'chisel'

With only a few days left to go with this project, it is important that we all give 100% in order to be ready for presentation on Tuesday 14th December...

Today in the workshop Cara and I were taught how to use the chisel properly as a method of cutting out wood in the legs of our bench.

the drilled hole, before chiseling...

The above image shows the piece of wood that we needed to make a hole in, using a chisel.  Before using the chisel, we used the drill to make initial holes in the wood before removing the remaining part of the hole with the chisel.

Cara making a start on the chiseling...

using the chisel...

the finished work...

I never realised that chiseling would involve such concentration and patience. It is rather time consuming, but it is important to realise that if the effort is not put in to ensure it is cut out correctly, the completion of the piece of furniture will be affected.  

Organic shapes prove to be the way forward

Now a days it seems like if a design isn't 'outrageous', it is boring.


No one likes looking at the same design twice, we want variety.


The thing is, HOW do we design for the future, ensuring that our designs are innovating and inspirational!? HOW do we know our design is the first of its kind!?


-the idea is to think OUTSIDE of the box. 


With this thought in mind, I had a go at designing a few shapes that could be used in public spaces, either within interior spaces or exterior spaces....




IDEA ONE:

sketch of my initial organic shape

a rendered image of my initial organic shape

When creating this particular shape, my aim was to create an abstract piece of art that could be placed in an art gallery,  a museum or perhaps in the reception of an open planed art college...

The idea is that the piece could be used as a water feature.  Water would slowly fall down through the organic shapes, and into the circular tank...

IDEA: TWO

sketch of the 'enclosing space'

rendered image (1) of the 'enclosing space'

rendered image (2) of the 'enclosing space'

This particular design was initially designed as part of an 'enclosed reading space'.  It could be placed in a library, or perhaps in a public space.  


My design aims to create a safe and comfortable place to read, or to study.  The space can be occupied individually, or as a group. 

Anyone for a biscuit?

THE WORKSHOP: Over the past two days we have been focusing on the continuation of our final design.  As we are making a bench, we have started laminating materials together.  We have also recently been introduced to 'biscuit jointing'.  


I have found that 'biscuit jointing' is a simple, yet effective method of joining two pieces of would together.  When biscuit jointing, an oval-shaped piece of wood (i.e. a biscuit) is inserted into slots in the two pieces of wood that are to be connected permanently.  When glue is put on the 'biscuits', they expand, creating a 'snug' fit and a very clean joint.

The side of our bench, that has been 'biscuit jointed'

The advantage of 'biscuit jointing' is that the joints are completely hidden.  As they are internal fixations, this technique is popular with woodworkers who do not want people to be able to see the joint.

Picture illustrating the internal fixations in the wood

The biscuit joints

The above picture is a photograph of our final biscuit joint.  What I find interesting is that the process conceals the means of reinforcement, without sacrificing any strength.  This technique has worked effectively within our design.

The snow is in more control of our project, than us.

So, we just found out today that we have a 4 day extension on our current project, due to extreme weather conditions...i.e THE SNOW. I wish the snow would just disappear to be honest..-it's fun at first, but then it just gets irritating...


As our current project is particularly workshop based, the majority of our time needs to be spent in the workshop.  Due to the quantity of snowfall in the past week, it has meant that we haven't been able to continue our work in the workshop.

I never imagined that the weather could potentially control the rate of completion of this project.  But, it is something everyone has to deal with...

Substitute Law Hill for Mont Blanc
and Dundee could easily pose as a town
in the Alps...

Dundee?

How exterior influences interior: The Turning Torso, Santiago Calatrava

I am always fascinated by what is going on around me, because I am curious about my surroundings.

Space should be used wisely, but with a design of true logic. I believe that everything has been designed for a purpose – the world is a reflection of true design. Objects and materials have the ability to compliment each other, in ways that presently seem unimaginable. Careful and strategic designs, such as 'The Turning Torso' in the city of Malmo, in the south of Sweden, are simply extraordinary – this is my opinion of course.

the 'Turning Torso' from a distance

Spanish architect, Santiago Calatrava was the genus behind this 190 metre high building. It was officially opened on 27 August 2005 and has 54 stories in total!

a view from the foot of the design

Within the building, there are 147 apartments and 3 high speed elevators. The high speed elevators are said to transport tenants to the top of the building in 38 seconds! -impressive!

The building can be seen many miles from the city.  This is something that I think is beneficial to the city of Malmo.  It allows Malmo to be recognised from  the distance.

When looking at the building from a distance, the shape of the building almost appears to be leaning to one side - it's a trick of they eye.

The shape of the Turning Torso is meant to resemble a 'body in motion'.  I find this concept interesting as it tries to connect human design, with the design of a building.  This goes to show that a design can derive from anything.  I feel that the Turning Torso design is a successful design, despite being rather daring!

structural drawing of the design

I feel that the outer image of the building has a direct influence on the interior structure. There is an evident link between the exterior architecture and the interior architecture.

the interior space of the 'Turning Torso'

As each part of the building is a different shape, then evidently every interior space within the building will be of an unique shape.  This is fascinating. Every apartment will also have a slightly different view of the surrounding city.  This adds to the uniqueness of each individual apartment.

the interior and exterior space

the interior space of one of the apartments

an example of the type of bathroom

the gym within the building

describes what is on each floor, in Swedish of course!

  

Britain - man up, it's only snow.

I never realised that snow could be such a distraction.  I also didn't realise its capability to delay EVERYTHING, especially everything University related....

In this past week DOJ has been closed due to the bad weather conditions.  

This news was great at first because let's face it - we will all admit to loving a cheeky day off...HOWEVER, the snow got worse, and so DOJ remained closed...

..I am very much aware that deadlines are luming, so I would very much appreciate if the snow would melt so we can all get back into uni to finished what we have started!