Visiting “The Big Smoke” is a journey I will surely never forget. From every historical site, to museum, to architectural innovation, London was all I imagined it would be and then some. With the class being called, “London Culture & City”, not only did this trip focus on London’s history and literal physical attributes, but also the contextual attributes as well, namely culture. To be engrossed in the cosmopolitan aura of the city, it was truly mesmerizing to behold. For example, to visit the local grocers and compare products and prices to that of the US was what I would say is one of the most stark contrasts between the U.K. and home. The portions, versus the price of life were nearly the opposite of that back home. Granted this was expected, but still a shock nonetheless. Along with that, even though both countries speak English, the difference between “The Queen’s English” and “American English” was baffling. Even though it is the same language, the usage of terms, and accentuation of words was stark. However, though these differences were stark, I still found the cultural immersion within London all the worthwhile, and am thankful that I was able to partake in this amazing opportunity to study abroad in one of the worlds global capitals.
Author: Carrick Reider
Free Day
The free day was a day of markets to say the least. After taking the tube to Camden town, the Camden market as well the Stables market were overwhelming in all aspects; multiple levels of labyrinthine booths and stalls. Although I had to step back and process the situation, it was amazing to behold. Along with that, it was interesting to witness the refabrication of the spaces into a contemporary shopping place from their original paddock and dock yards design. In contrast, later that day we ventured to Portobello street in the Notting Hill neighborhood. Not only was the market itself different, but so was the neighborhood itself, which does make sense. Differing from the punk aspect of Camden, Notting Hill was evidently more a residence of the upper crust. This was reflected in the Portobello market itself. In this case the street was shut off for only pedestrian traffic for a handful of blocks with the store fronts opening into the road on the single long strip. Though both markets had the same hustle and bustle vibe, they brought them about in uniquely different ways, which I am glad to have been able to witness on this given free day.
Day 5-Carrick
After Kew Gardens I had the pleasure of visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum before the group tea. There was an exhibit on the design and legacy of ocean liners. As a child I was enthralled with the ocean liner and partaking in this exhibit was worth every pence. It was fascinating to see the correlation between the interior of these floating palaces with the architecture of their time. For example, the SS Normandie of the French Line was perhaps the greatest passenger ship ever built. Constructed at the height of the Art Deco era its interior layout and decor were crafted specifically to feel like a ship, not like a hotel as previous ships had. Along with that, her deck plans were organized exactly like a 12 story skyscraper; with public and private spaces with proper circulation oriented around utilities in order to hide these maintenance aspects from the naked eye of every passenger to keep the clean sleek and streamlined look of the Art Deco age(as seen in the poster I cannot express my fortune for happening upon this exhibit here in Londontown, and though I gave up my dreams of being a commercial naval engineer after my childhood, after this walk down memory lane I realized my area of study now in architecture is not too far off from where my aspirations once laid.
Carrick’s 2nd in city post
Visiting Salisbury Cathedral was truly a treat today. Though the journey got off to a rough start, and considering the present circumstances of the espionage retaliation between the UK and Russia that befell the town in the part few weeks, the cathedral itself offered a place of welcome and stability in the community. Specifically within the structure it was fascinating to see the continuous shades of materials, most identifiably the interchanging if the dark and light stone for the pylon bundles within the nave, most apparent inside the “quire.” These dark bundles serving for structural and aesthetic purposes did not differ in design, artistry, aesthetic image due to the rapid construction of the cathedral itself. This was almost impossible to believe considering other similar sized cathedrals construction dates incomparable ticthsy ofnSalisbury’s rapidity, and also the sheer size of the site. However, due to its presentation of interior and extortion design, the fluidity or structure and ornamentation gave warrant to the claim of rapid construction. For me this was my favorite point of the day because not only did I witness a remarkable achievement in engineeering, but also the fact that it’s impossible feats of design are physically displayed within the structure as proof of its success as a building.
Carrick’s first day (reposted)
Exploring the Barbican complex was an enlightening experience
. In incorporating all aspects of architecture, landscape, and urban planning, the Barbican showcased itself as a successful development of the post World War II housing era, which was interesting to behold since such successful projects are few and far between. It was also interesting to see the brutalist style in contrast with the verdure. The green was able to bring out the natural qualities of each structures materiality, in my opinion, and present the complex as more of a community, bringing the residents out into the public spaces, specifically with the central court illustrated in the picture. Along with that, the civic purposes further added to this aspect of community, which completes the complex and make it an extraordinary place to visit to actually see a successful post war housing area utilizing architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning; one that I myself would even be up for living in!
Carrick’s predeparture (reposted)
What I am most nervous about for this upcoming trip is being able to see most of the things I want to see in London. Traveling itself rarely irks me, in particular I usually enjoy the airport, but upon arrival I fret over whether or not the plan that has been formed will be followed or not. I always appreciate a good plan and schedule so if I do not have one usually I will be more focused on the uncertainty of whatever is going to happen next rather than being satisfied with everything good surrounding me in the present moment. Now, I know for a fact that I obviously won’t get to see everything I wish to see, but there are just so many sights outside of what we are already visiting I am going to try and see such as Harrod’s, the Tate Britain Museum, and even maybe see a West End show. To do this I know I will have to use my free time wisely, get use to the tube and buses, and plan accordingly and be sure to stick to my plans, but also be flexible if problems should arise. London has so much to offer that I have always dreamed of visiting in person and now that I have the chance to do so my dreams may become reality. I am thankful for being able to partake in such an all encompassing trip, and hope all is well.
Exploring the Barbican complex was an enlightening experience. In incorporating all aspects of architecture, landscape, and urban planning, the Barbican showcased itself as a successful development of the post World War II housing era, which was interesting to behold since such successful projects are few and far between. It was also interesting to see the brutalist style in contrast with the verdure. The green was able to bring out the natural qualities of each structures materiality, in my opinion, and present the complex as more of a community, bringing the residents out into the public spaces, specifically with the central court illustrated in the picture. Along with that, the civic purposes further added to this aspect of community, which completes the complex and make it an extraordinary place to visit to actually see a successful post war housing area utilizing architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning; one that I myself would even be up for living in!
Carrick’s Bio
Hello everyone! My name is Carrick Reider and I am a Sophomore double majoring in Architecture and Italian, with a completed minor in City & Regional Planning. I was born and raised by my mom and dad in Upper Arlington, Ohio, along with my two older brothers just right across the Olentangy River west of OSU, and coincidentally right by Aimee’s house! My hobbies include playing the piano (specifically Rachmaninoff and Liszt), and am a self-proclaimed movie buff (and with it being Oscar season you can catch me at Gateway almost every other day). I also have always loved geography and history, so being in London around the time of the royal wedding and the birth of the new royal baby will be very exciting. I have been to London Heathrow Airport for a layover before, but never the city itself. That being said, I am fortunate enough to have travelled to Ireland 4 times Scotland twice, Nicaragua for a mission trip in high school, and Chile last spring break with Aimee. My Grandmother herself is a proud Anglophile, so going to London for my first time will be a lot of fun to report back to her. I am very much looking forward to this study abroad, especially in seeing sights such as the 2012 Olympic Park (another interest of mine is the Olympic Games, summer and winter), the British Museum, the Shard, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, Carnaby Street, Harrod’s, and the Princess Diana Memorial Fountain (Rest In Peace). Looking forward to getting to know all of you before we embark to “The Big Smoke”!
