My second day in London was once again exciting, full, and pleasant as it involved a lot of walking and informative sightseeing. Certain thoughts and observations popped in my mind as I explored London via foot. To begin with, I like the dichotomy of City Hall, a modern glass-and-steel building placed on a side of the River Thames, and Tower of London, an old stone-and-mortar building placed on the other side of the river. River Thames could serve as a line of division that separates City Hall and Tower of London which were constructed at different periods in English history, which were built using common and available materials in accordance to timeframe, and which exemplify aesthetics of distinct architectural styles; however, the river also serves as a unifier of the two buildings, threading City Hall and Tower of London into the fabric of the city to create a whole urban identity open to architectural evolution. Second, I find that London is filled with bridges that function to link upper and lower London via the River Thames. Though bridges are not buildings, to me, bridges are nonetheless architectural as bridges engage people, contribute to industrialization, and involve both structure and aesthetics. Among the bridges in London, I, in particular, appreciate Millenium Bridge and Tower Bridge. Millenium Bridge and Tower Bridge, similar to City Hall and Tower of London, serve as a dichotomy as the former is a contemporary bridge constructed from glass and steel, whereas the latter is an historic bridge constructed from masonry units. Third, visiting Hyde Park at the end of the day after viewing a sheer number of buildings was a welcome respite. The expansive and open space, the greenery, and the water features rejuvenated me, allowed me to catch my breath, and permitted me to view scenery beyond buildings. At the park, there is a long and wide grass path lined with trees for which I specifically possess an affinity; with that said, if a future studio project of mine involves the development of outdoor space, I would refer to this for guidance.
* A detail of the structure of Millenium Bridge
* The iconic Tower Bridge viewed in the morning
* Trees meet sky at Hyde Park
* The grass path at Hyde Park for which I possess an affinity