Simmering Gently.

Finally the warm weather has hit us and it looks like the Wood Workshop is heating up nicely as well as we begin to see many interesting projects of all shapes and sizes under construction. For the BA Year 3 students we are also entering the final phase of time in which they can build their work. It will certainly be full steam ahead for the next few weeks. Below are some images taken from the past few days. Click on the image for a closer look.

A forest of work within our walls.

This construction will see plants growing from within once completed. 

Always lovely to see some considered hardwood construction. 

Small Works bustling with life and energy. 

Getting hands on (and knees) with this build. 

Some very accomplished Lathe work here on display. 

Lets make tracks. Setting up the Router for the next cut. 

Outside edge done. 

All done. 

Full scale prototype for a bench/shelter project. 

 Room on this platform for one.

Making good use of the large scale making space.

From Our House To Bauhaus (in 20 photographs)

Our very own John, from the Wood Workshop here at Chelsea, headed out to Germany last week and visited Weimar, Dessau and Berlin, all associated with the Bauhaus. Founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius, the Bauhaus was an art school that combined crafts and the fine arts. Her are some images taken from the visit.

The iconic building in Dessau designed by Gropius. 1925. 

The beautiful Weimar Bauhaus, designed by Henry Van De Veld. 

Loved the curved roof windows. 

When doors were doors. 

Myself with Michael Siebenbrodt, director of the Bauhaus Museum,, standing in front of Johannes Itten's "Tower of Fire" (1920) Incidentally, Michael curated the Bauhaus exhibition at the Barbican in 2012 

Michael delivers a passionate two hour lecture in the museum. 

The famous staircase, once the main thoroughfare to the workshops. 

On the bridge outside Gropius's office. 

Our guide Frank discussing the contents of the office. 

The auditorium and the stage opens to reveal the canteen.

View from stage out onto the auditorium. 

View from student accommodation. 

The Masters block. 

Frank explained who lived where. 

Stairwell to Klee's studio 

In Klee's studio. 

Like all good tourists we left via the gift shop.

Scalextric Hits our Workshop

After last nights charity Scalextric evening in the Wood Workshop, the gang plus a few others continued the fun today. Three fantastic circuits were created and built by Stef and Phil with the added attraction of a time trial challenge to see who could post the fastest time driving a camper van pulling a caravan! This competition has really hotted up today and it's looking tight at the top. Below are some images of what all the fuss is about.
Click on the photos for a closer look.

Like several previous events, like table tennis, it is great to see the workshop put to other uses. Closest to us is the 'Le Man' circuit used for the time trial challenge.

Here we see the 'F1' Circuit with two Formula1 cars put through their paces. 

Finally here we have the 'Urban Street' circuit with the two cars seen in the James Bond movie, Spectre, racing.  

We had some fun today with Timmy and Amy here impressing the others with our Top Gera style leader board to the right.

The camper van pulling a caravan speeds through the shot. 

Would You Sit on These?

This middle term always means we have the student's from FDA Interior Design, with us in the Wood Workshop, designing and re appropriating some old furniture, usually chairs. Despite a slow start they pulled things together to create the interesting pieces below.  These will now be showcased at the degree show at the end of the summer term. 

Nearing the End. For Now.

It seems like deadlines are arriving thick and fast as the this term nears it's conclusion. Students from both Art and Design courses have been finishing off ready for shows, exhibitions and project hand ins. There has been a lovely balance of student work this term, with us in the Wood Workshop and we have enjoyed seeing many exciting and interesting projects taking shape. We are sure the final term will continue this way. Below are some images taken from the past few days. Click on the images for a closer look.

With just a little help it's great to see our students producing some lovely pieces on the Wood Lathe 

 The FDA Interior Design students working on the chair project.

Acrylic based art forms being finalised for display. 

 Another piece from the Lathe being sanded.

This chair nears completion and having utilised a rather large number of cable ties, it certainly has the wow factor.

Clamps for every job. 

Always good to have a set of drawings to work to.