Author: Taylor Brill

Taylor’s Post Travel Reflection

I had such a good time in London and I am very glad that I got to participate in this trip. I was originally very apprehensive about traveling abroad and thought that it was going to be a lot more stressful than it was. I really enjoyed myself on this trip and it made me want to go to other places abroad that I have always wanted to visit.

There was not a site that I was disappointed in but, there were some that I enjoyed more than others. I really liked Kew Gardens and our day trip to Stonehenge and Stourhead. I was surprised at Kew that there were so many flowers in bloom and I liked just getting to walk around to look at all the plants. The sites that we saw on the day trip were even better in person. I feel like you cannot fully appreciate these landscapes unless you see them in person.

I really had wished that it was warmer on our free day out to Dover and Canterbury. I know that we would have got to see more if it had not been windy and snowing. I wished that we could have got into the castle because I really wanted to see some castles while in London. I like this k older architecture and think that it is really interesting to see the construction and use of materials from many centuries ago. All in all the trip was great and I got to see some interesting places that I have never been to before.

Taylor’s Day 5

Kew Gardens was my favorite place we went to so far on the trip. I liked seeing also the flowers and plants. The space was designed nicely, spreading the buildings out in the space to have you walk through the landscape to get to each destination. The buildings and greenhouses were also very beautiful architecturally. I have never saw a greenhouse quite like the Plam house or Princess of Wales conservatory ever before. I think that this intricate architecture helped to add a sort of whimsical element to the space that fit nicely with the landscape. The thin white structure appeared light and blended in as to not take away from the plants and nature. I think I would have spent the whole day at Kew if time allowed just so that I could see everything.

Inside the Plam House

A pathway through Kew Garden

Taylor’s Day 3

Hackney empire theater interior

On day 3 of our trip I along with Jaime and Rachel, decided to go see Hamlet put on by the Royal Shakespeare Company. The production was a contemporary twist on a classic which I think was really unique and a great way to add more modern culture but still stay true to the original. It was really interesting that the production wasn’t limited to the stage. They were able to come through the isle and create a 360 degree experience for the audience. I was not familiar with this play of Shakespeare’s but I was still able to understand the plot with the amazing acting and the set and costuming which added to the appeal.
The production took place in the Hackney Empire theater which is right off of the hackney central London overground stop. The theater had a recent renovation which enlarged some of the spaces behind the stage but they were still able to keep the original design and style. Inside the theater was ornate in its detail and the ceiling was beautiful. It was a nice rich red with murals and gold detailing all around. It seemed like a very small intimate space but was able to hold a large audience.

Taylor’s Day 2

Today on our big walking tour I got to see some iconic pieces of the city. I walked across Tower Bridge with the Tower of London on one side and the contemporary architecture on the opposite. I thought this was a cool contrast, the old across the Thames from the new. It was nice to see the city appreciate both aspects giving them their own place without imposing the two.

One of the last parts of our walk was through Hyde Park. I liked this piece of the city because it was its own space within the context of London. London is very dense and this one spot that is not. Once we were in the park, the city seemed to disappear in a way that emphasized the park space and it’s importance to the city. There was a large walking path through the center which, in my opinion, was nice to move large volumes of people through and seemed more public than other parts off of the path. The Princess Diana Memorial was a nice element in the park. I was really amused with the flow of the water and this is where I spent most of my time in the park. The memorial seemed one with the park and sat nicely in the landscape. Pictures I don’t think, do it justice, so I am glad that I got the opportunity to go there and see it in person.

View from Tower Bridge

Princess Diana Memorial

Taylor’s Day 1

Among many things that we did on the first day in London, I found Barbican quite interesting. The brutalist style of architecture usually comes off to me as very heavy and bold, but the way it was used at Barbican made it seem softer and more subtle. I think this had to to with the strong presence of landscape that was woven into the project. The large green spaces that line the plaza space and the plants on the building help to distract the eye from the large concrete mass that makes up the residential buildings. I also think that this development was a great way to incorporate residential areas in the city that have a since of privacy. Overall I think it was a unique project and I think that incorporating plants within the architecture is a unique element that helps blend architecture into the natural environment.

Barbacan

Taylor’s Pre-Departure Post

I am really excited to go to London and am trying to get all of the last-minute things together before we leave. I can’t wait to get to the city it just is going to come with a really long plane ride that I am less excited about. I am ready to spend the week traveling around London and getting to embark on a once in a lifetime experience.

This week has been very busy for me with midterms and assignments so, I have had not time to even begin to process going to London. Packing has really been a struggle because of the weather and I have still yet to do so. I hope that the weather will be nice and it wont be too cold. I want to make sure that I have everything packed by the afternoon today so, I am not as stressed by the last minute scramble to pack everything. The closer it gets to us leaving the more nervous I am getting, but it’s a good nervous because I know the trip is going to be amazing.

I am ready to be in London and just want to fast forward through the airport and flying logistics. I think I am most excited to see Kew Gardens as of now but, honestly I think that once I get in London everything will be interesting to me. Just thinking that I am going to be in London tomorrow is crazy!

Taylor’s Bio

My name is Taylor Brill and I am a second year majoring in City and Regional Planning with a minor in Architectural Studies. My hometown is Richwood, Ohio and it is just a small town about 40 minutes from campus. No one usually knows where that is unless they are from the area or bigger towns like Marysville or Marion, which are just right outside of the my town. I was pretty familiar with the Columbus area before coming to OSU because I lived so close. Columbus was the place that I  always went growing up if I wanted to do something fun with my friends or family. Some of my hobbies include reading, watching Netflix and shopping.

I have never been abroad before so, I am excited yet nervous to travel to London. I know that it will be a good experience for me in the long run and I hope to learn a lot. There are a lot of things that I want to see in London so, it is hard just to pick one. The Salisbury Cathedral is probably one of the site at the top of my list and then maybe Hyde Park. I want to see all of the old and new architecture in the city and how it all comes together, including sustainable methods. I am excited for the trip and can’t wait to experience London in the spring.

This is a picture of me taken on a recent vacation in Tennessee.