Design

Design

Most of what we see in the world which is man-made is there by design, whether that be good or bad is a matter of opinion, but it is a crucial aspect of this subject that both the creative and logistical sides of the topic are discussed in full. Undertaking trips is a great way to generate debate, inspire students creatively and also make them think about implications of things such as location, weather, longevity, colour, shape, materials, texture interaction with the surrounding environment, design history, fashion and fads.

Trips for design are very often either practical workshops or visits to museums, buildings or venues which have exhibits or themselves designed to inspire students to think creatively or logistically. Great examples include a trip to the Victoria and Albert museum in London, to view the Eden Project in Cornwall or the Sage arena in Gateshead from a design perspective.

Often trips will lead to major follow-up projects in the classroom which will include both practical and theoretical session, and other topics such as Physics or Technology can be involved. 

Due to the nature of the practical sessions which often take place on design-based trips, the implications for safety are very important and increased attention should be paid to the suitability fo the activities, the tools being used and also ensuring the students are well-briefed, wear any protective equipment or clothing at all times and behave themselves.

Or you could be inspired by visiting design icons such as the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery or even the studios of Aardman Animations.

Main organisations:

Design and Technology Association (DATA)

National Society for Education in Art and Design

Design Council

British Institute of Interior Design

Inclusion: NASEN

Venues for this Curriculum

Jacobean-style house with gardens and a working watermill

A passion for tradition and impressing guests inspired one man to transform a run-down country house and desolate landscape.

As you sail up Loch Scresort towards the new landing stage on Rum, Kinloch Castle dominates the view at the head of the bay. Today it is surrounded by trees but early pictures show it in isolated splendour in open country. The Castle remains the most intact Edwardian country house in Britain.

13th-century stone barn

Great Barn in Great Coxwell village is the sole surviving part of a thriving 13th-century grange that once provided vital income to Beaulieu Abbey.

Built from Cotswold rubble-stone walling, the barn is an impressive reminder of the skills of the Gothic carpenters and the wealth of the great monastic orders.

This bizarre structure, in the shape of a pineapple, was built in 1761 as a folly to enjoy the fantastic views.

Extensive glasshouses and pineapple pits once grew a variety of exotic fruit and vegetables within these walls. 

Ongoing research, survey and repair work continues on the walls and is revealing a great deal of information for future consideration.

Two ornamental gateways, once part of Portsmouth's defences.

King James's Gate (of 1687) has been moved, but Landport Gate (1760), once the principal entrance to Portsmouth and possibly based on a design by Nicholas Hawksmoor, remains in its original position.

An outstanding display of English medieval carpentry, this mighty timber-framed barn is the largest cruck structure in Britain.

Built for Pershore Abbey in about 1325, it is over 42 metres (140 feet) long, with 18 cruck blades each made from a single oak tree. 

There were once other farm buildings and houses, and the abbot himself is known to have sometimes resided here.

The first Belfast Castle was built by the Normans in Belfast city centre in the late 12th century. A second castle, made of stone and timber, was later constructed by Sir Arthur Chichester, Baron of Belfast, on the same site in 1611. 

Sadly, the castle burned down almost 100 years later, leaving only street names, such as Castle Place, to mark its location.

18th-century merchant's house

Rebuilt in 1743 after a fire, this merchant's house survives from Kingston-upon-Hull's international trading heyday.

The exterior of the House appears very plain but this simplicity is a typical feature of Palladian architecture. The present stone steps and railings at the front entrance were designed by Mr. Johnson in a Georgian style.

Outstanding 400-year-old Cotswold market hall

In the centre of Chipping Campden, a lovely small town in the Cotswolds stands the beautiful Market Hall. Surrounded by ancient houses made from the local honey-coloured stone, it’s easy to imagine the market-place alive with the bustle of traders from centuries past.

The home of one of the most remarkable men of the 20th century

Nuffield Place reveals the surprisingly down-to-earth lives of Lord Nuffield, founder of the Morris Motor Company, and his wife. Their home and personal possessions are just as they left them, the decor and furnishings intact.

16th-century half-timbered dovecote

The last remnant of a former medieval monastic grange, this curious crooked dovecote sits prettily in the Worcestershire countryside.

Surviving virtually unaltered since the late 16th century, the picturesque dovecote, retains many of its nesting boxes and original features.

The vast and immensely impressive ruins of a palatial medieval manor house arranged round a pair of courtyards, with a huge undercrofted Great Hall and a defensible High Tower 22 metres (72 feet) tall.

Prior’s Hall Barn is one of the finest surviving medieval barns in the east of England. Its wood is tree-ring dated to the mid-15th century. It boasts a breathtaking aisled interior and crown post roof, the product of some 400 oaks.

Situated just 10 miles away from prehistoric Stonehenge is a medieval fortress. Built in the late 11th century, today only ruins and earthworks remain.  

Much-restored Tudor house, park and garden with notable topiary

The culmination of a lifetime of dreams: salvaged objects and exotic pieces come together in a Jacobean meets Edwardian style. Beautiful, homely, warm and welcoming. We can't put it better than a visitor in the 1920s did: A house to dream of, a garden to dream in.

The impressive full-height 15th-century tower and other remains of a remote abbey of Premonstratensian 'white canons'.

Shap Abbey is in a remote valley that was once home to a community of Premonstratensian canons. Living a contemplative monastic life, these canons also served as priests in nearby parishes.

Beautifully set in a valley landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th Century. Roche Abbey has one of the most complete ground plans of any English Cistercian monastery, laid out as excavated foundations. 

Medieval courthouse

The courthouse is a fine example of an early 15th-century timber-frame construction, set in an idyllic village. The ground floor (now tenanted) was the village poor house. You can visit an exhibition on the village in this property. Please note, there are very steep stairs.

The only surviving monastic fishery building in England, this housed the Abbot of Glastonbury's water bailiff and provided facilities for fish-salting and drying.

Last remaining galleried inn in London

Dating from the 17th century this public house, leased to a private company, is London's last remaining galleried inn.

Did you know?

One of the UK's first stone-built churches, St. Peter’s, built on land given by King Ecgfrith to St. Benedict Biscop in 673 AD, is the earlier of the twin site (along with St Paul's Monastery, Jarrow.) to come to life.

Rescued by English Heritage after years of neglect, this Grade I listed barn ranks alongside the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey for its exceptional architectural and historic interest. It was dubbed by the late poet laureate and heritage campaigner Sir John Betjeman as the "Cathedral of Middlesex".

Constructed next to Durham Cathedral, Durham Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Medieval Merchant's House is tucked away within walking distance from the busy city centre. Escape from city life and take in the history of Southampton’s “old town”.

This unique museum is situated in Nay, between Lourdes and Pau, in the heart of the Bearn.

It gives an insight into the history of beret manufacturing, from the earliest times to the present day.

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