Alchemy

Two years ago I sponsored a project at Newport University's fashion department entitled 'Frocks from Rocks', with the hope of seeing how the mineral images could be used to create striking dresses. The latest student to explore the possibilities, Sophie Shardelow, graduated in June this year with a collection based on the theme of 'alchemy'. Inspired by the alchemists' dream of the transmutation of base metals into gold she created a series of 'looks' that began with a combination of knitwear and suede calculated to evoke the feeling of lead and culminated with a golden silk evening dress. To represent the process of transmutation she chose an image from Tiger's Eye to make the garments picture above - a stretch body suits made of printed lycra, a silk backless all-in-one, and a Grecian-style draped dress. Sophie is now working with me developing more ideas, so watch this space for developments!

Sagenitic sections

These mysterious looking formations are taken from what is known as sagenitic agate, which is characterised by straight needles that often radiate in hemispheres and are commonly found at the boundary between the agate and surrounding bedrock. Quite how these needles, let alone structures as intricate in cross-section as these, are incorporated into an agate is far from clear, but it seems likely that they form first in the cavity and are subsequently surrounded by the gel from which the agate forms. As an architect, I find these intricate examples uncannily reminiscent of extruded metal door and window frames!

Ledbury Library

Architype, one of the UK's leading architectural practices working at the forefront of sustainable design, have recently won a competition for a new library for the delightful Herefordshire town of Ledbury. Renowned for its medieval, timber box-framed buildings, Ledbury's historic character can also be gleaned from the fact that, when built, the library will feature the town's first lift! Architype's design is a thoroughly contemporary reinterpretation of the repeated gables found on several of the town's finest old buildings, and when you look a little closer you notice that it is intended to feature images from the earth database. I am looking forward to seeing how the project develops.