Mater Dei: Historical Background.

Mater Dei hospital is on a  250,000 square metre area located in Imsida.  The hospital offers health care with 1,000 beds and 25 operating theatres.

In the beginning of 1990, the government developed plans to construct a 480 bed specialized teaching hospital.

In 1993 the Monte Tabur Foundation were contracted to provide FMSS with a design for the new hospital. The agreement was that Monte Tabor take over operation of the new hospital upon completion.

The designer, Orkesa Spa was selected by the Monte Tabor Foundation.

On the 12th September 1995, Skanska JV were awarded the construction contract and the work began on the 10^th October 1995.  By June 1996 level 8 and 9 were already constructed.

On the 26^th October 1996, there was a change in government.   The new government insisted on changing the project into a general hospital to be used instead of St. Luke’s Hospital.

On the 29^th January 1998, permission was given to add levels to the existing structure.

In 1998 Norman and Dawbarn were assigned as the designers for the project of the new Hospital.

In September 1998, there was another change in government and in December 1998, an MOU was signed with Skanska JV for the design.

Certification for Mater Dei were issued on the 29^th June 2007. Although work was concluded on the 19^th February 2009, there was some final touches which were concluded by 2011.

This is a basic historical background of the projects evolving.

Reference:

ARUP, 2015. FMS Mater Dei Hospital | Malta Volume 2: MAU building (PDF). Availableat:<https://0d2d5d19eb0c0d8cc8c6a655c0f6dcd98e765a68760c407565ae.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/ddc57ec207dc06e052de74e0d98b7f449ff17a4b.pdf> [Accessed 18^th March, 2017].

Ta Qali  

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

This week I had a landscape design assignment to submit. A few weeks ago, I choose Ta Qali to be my site analyses for the research of landscape in Malta. Although I didn’t’t choose the National Ta Qali Park, I choose the Family Adventure Park. It was difficult to find information on line, so I went to the Administration of Ta Qali and asked some questions that helped with the assignment.

I liked the design and the thought process behind certain things, so I decided to write a blog about Ta Qali Family Adventure Park.

Basically, Ta Qali Park has become an enjoyable place for families to visit and is an ideal area for a break and some relaxation from our busy lives. The park is the perfect place for picnics and offers a wide variety of interesting plants.

wordpress.2012,Ta Qali airfield prewa,

Ta Qali holds a historical aspect. Between 1943 and 1950, Ta Qali Park was an airfield which was later used as a racing track which had a picnic area.

As children frequented the picnic area, the racing track was considered dangerous, not to mention the air and sound pollution from the cars. It was then decided to create a family park to compliment the picnic area.

In March 2008, construction began and in 2009 the Ta Qali Family Park was officially opened to the public.

Print screen goggle maps, 13th March 2017, Ta Qali.

Surrounded by nature and the lack of cars made this an ideal location.  The aim was for people and families to feel connected to nature.

 

The project began with the Ta Qali National Park, followed by the Advantage Family Park

.

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

While designing, they thought about the target audiences who were parents, children and wheelchair users. So, they included several ramps, one being at the entrance level which is tilted for easy access.

Rachel Falzon, 6th March, 2017. Bov Advanture park Ta Qali. 

The restrooms and restaurants are in the centre, allowing easy access from all areas. The location of the restaurant, in the middle and above floor level, is so that parents can keep an eye on their children playing whilst they are having a coffee.

Parking is located alongside the park, to allow the use of bikes, pushchairs and other such items within the park.

Some of my information came from a site inspection along with answers from architects and designers that where involved in this project. 

Reference:

Government of Malta, N.D. Ta' Qali National Park. [online] Available at: <https://msdec.gov.mt/en/Pages/PARKS/taqali_nationalpark.aspx> [Accessed 14, March 2017].

Azure, N.D. FAMILY FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES. [online] Available at: <http://www.azure.com.mt/things-to-do-in-malta/family-friendly-activities.html> [Accessed 14, March 2017].

EL Te

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

El Te shop is situated at ground floor of a shopping centre in Porto Alegre. El te sells loose leaf tea and even tea products. The designer was Gatavos Bardelotte of Estudio 3051 that worked with an architect Mariana Bogarin to design in interior and exterior of El TE.

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

Their main focus of the design was to create an environment to enhance aromas for a variety of teas. So, in front of the cashpoint they created 30 variations of teas samples that are placed in small drawers This also allows the customer to be able to smell the product that he/she is going to buy. Beneath each drawer there is a colour that represent the package of that type of tea. These colours create a “stand out” display counter. With this when the customer enters the shop, they see the multi coloured cash point, which raises customer curiosity to go find out more about the product.

Gatavos Bardelotte choose wood for the primary material. The light natural wooden pallets used for the display counter allows the tea colours to stand out and be the focal point.

Gatavos Bardelotte selected warm lighting to create a relaxed and cosy environment which is also associated with tea.

Marcelo Donadussi,2013, El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin

The window display has two huge wooden letters “TE” that holds more than just a window display sign. The sign forms the facade and the interior at the same time. Trough the letter “E” that is the main design element. The letter “E” holds the interior, “the showcase of teas, infusions, preparation desk and cashier.”

The window display they design it to be a visually obstruction because the side of the shop next door was enclosing the El TE shop.

Reference:

elte-casa de chas, 2015. Me encanta.... [online] Available at: <http://www.elte-casadechas.com/> [Accessed 1, March 2017].

dezeen, 2014. Huge glowing letters lead inside El Té tea house by Estudio 30 51 [online] Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/18/el-te-tea-house-brazil-estudio-30-51/> [Accessed 1, March 2017].

Arch daily, 2014.  El Té – Casa de Chás / Gustavo Sbardelotto (estudio 30 51) e Mariana Bogarin [online] Available at: < http://www.archdaily.com/474415/el-te-casa-de-chas-estudio-30-51 > [Accessed 1, March 2017].

PROPOSAL FORM.

This week we had a meeting with Mr Omar Caruana regarding the thesis, explaining about a form that we must complete by the 31st of May 2017.  Mr Cuarana also explained that instead of coming up with the title next year, we will be doing it this year.   This will allow us more time to research and design.

We have already had some lessons guiding us as to what topic we would like to continue with. Some students have kept the same topic because they felt that it’s an interesting subject while others have changed it completely because they didn’t find enough resources or the topic didn’t interest them.

My title of my dissertation is
“The impact of interior design on the emotional wellbeing of children as applied to local orphanages.”
I have kept this title because the topic interests me and I feel that in Malta there are many orphanages that need to be improved upon for the health and wellbeing of these children.  Although while I was interviewing and seeing local orphanages there are many things that are being done due to more resources, however there is always room for improvement. 

While I was visiting these homes, the person caring for these orphanages offered me a job as a career.  This will assist me greatly with my thesis.  What could be better than getting directly involved in what would be needed to create a better environment.  Observing from the outside would be impossible.  Strangers would not be allowed to observe or take part in any proposed changes to ensure the security of the children.

Mr Caruana told us that we should be familiar with the subject we are choosing.  Although I am not familiar with orphan’s issues, I am passionate about this topic.   I have discussed this topic with my lecturer, asking for her guidance and she agrees that it is an interesting topic to continue on.

As my lecturer, I have chosen Vanessa Pace O’Shea. I chose her because I enjoy working with her. She makes me feel comfortable and confident.  Possibly because I have had many assignments with her and I know how she works.  

I have not yet completed the form as I’m still concern about the title. Although I know that it’s a topic I will enjoy doing.

Eurovision

 Blog by Adrián Valiente (Spain) on December 29, 2016. esc-plus, MFCC Ta Qali.

This weekend, as everybody knows, the Malta Eurovision song contest was held. For me, the most important thing of The Eurovision is the voice, song and performance. It’s not about fashion, hair stylist or make up artist.
Another important thing for the viewer watching is the show. This consists of the stage, lighting, projection and obviously the singer.

As this semester we have a unit about stage design, my observation was enlightened while watching the Eurovision.

 Tvm site, Eurovision song contact 2017 MFCC Ta Qali

It appears that Malta is improving every year in the world of design. This year there were four thousand people that attended the Eurovision in the MFCC Ta Qali. Four thousand people for one show.  Quite a lot, especially for Malta, so the organisers had to keep the stage design aesthetically pleasing and use all the available space.

The shape of the stage was a diamond shape.  It created more connection with the audience… how? The diamond shaped stage has four flat sides, so the audience was placed on the left and the right sides of the stage. Because  of this the audience where really close to the singers, which created a better atmosphere. It even allowed for more audience space.

 Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

The back of the diamond shape had two triangular black screens for projection. Six long triangular strips where added to the design to help reflect the spot lights on the stage. 

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

 Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

The singers and dancers were entering on stage from the middle. So I assumed the entrance was from behind the black screen to the middle of the stage.
Looking from the top view, I realised that there were two ramps on both sides of the stage. This was so that when the winner was called to join the presenters on stage to sing the winning song from the green room, entrance to the stage was via the ramps, also the other singers could join the winner.

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina, MFCC Ta Qali, Eurovision song contest 2017.

Lights play an important role in the stage design industry. Lighting creates a certain atmosphere or mood. 

Every year there is something different in the Eurovision show. Because the technology is constantly changing they must keep up to date with this change to allow for a better performance.

Screenshots from Youtube, MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary), Mfcc Ta Qali,eurovisionfest, Published on Feb 18, 2017

These observations was made from looking at videos and from the watching the live performance on TV.   Therefore some things that were mentioned are my opinions from what I viewed.

Reference:

Eurovisionfest, 2017. MESC 2017 - Opening (30 year Anniversary). [video online] Available at: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i8Y6LbGZj8> [Accessed 19, February 2017].

Adrián Valiente (Spain) , esc-plus, 2016. Malta: PBS CEO John Bundy confirms winning song will not be changed, Available at: < http://www.esc-plus.com/malta-pbs-ceo-john-bundy-confirms-winning-song-will-not-changed/> [Accessed 19, February 2017].

timesofmalta, Mark Zammit Cordina, 2017. Malta selects its Eurovision song tonight Winner to be decided through a 100% televote, Available at: < http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170218/local/malta-votes-for-its-eurovision-song-tonight.639952 [Accessed 19, February 2017].

Rating myself

From the beginning of the blogs till now I feel that I improved my English writing. I had problems forming sentence, spelling and use technique words. This is the nineteen blog that I am writing and while I am writing it, it feels more confident and flowing. To connect one sentence with another I learned to use conjunctions Like however. Although it’s a basic thing but it helps me further my information while I’m writing. On the other hand, I know that I should work more on my spelling. Well the Microsoft word has an advantage and disadvantage side. While I’m writing, it will automatically select the spelling mistakes. For me I feel that when I write something wrong, I don’t try to think if the word is written right or wrong and try to find how to write the word on a dictionary, I will select and correct it without even looking at the word. This will not help me improve my spelling.

In these blogs, I worked on using some technique words that will make my English writing more formal and interesting to read. although there is a whole lot of room for improvement. I felt this when I was writing my literature review.

While I was writing, my literature review it was hard to put all that information into a small amount of words. Although this was, sort of a trial literature review. For the final it consists of more words although it included to find more research so it’s going to be the same thing. 

Schön’s Reflective Model

Donald Schon is a professor and philosopher who developed the concept of “The reflective practitioner.” Schon’s theory (1983) introduced a new reflective practise that is reflective in action and reflective on action. This is created by people’s life’s experiences by reflecting action is done after and experience.

Reflection in action is when the event is happening. Everything you are experiencing at that time.  So one should think immediately.

While reflection on action is thinking after the action has been done. This is when you reflect on the action completed and think about what could have been done differently.

My personal opinion is that these refections  help us learn more about life’s decisions by using the same situation and knowing how to handle the situation better next time.

Based on Kurt Lewin's work. David Kolb - Experiential Learning.http://www.bradford.ac.uk/wimba-files/skill-space/Reflective_Writing_HTML/images/pic003.gif

This image is a great example of reflective practise.

 Lessons.

I realised that during lecturers I would get distracted easily. During the lecture,  I would  try to stay focused and look only at the lecturer. Although I try to stay focused on the lecture, I realised I sometimes get sleepy or my mind will wonder and  think about other things and so  I lose all my concentration. The most embarrassing thing is that the lecturer asks me a question and I wouldn’t be able to respond because I don’t know what she/he was talking about.

I couldn’t keep going like this because I was missing out on a lot of tutorials that are useful to me. These tutorials were going to help me during my assignment and with future employment. So, I researched  the web to see if I could find why this was happening to me. As Remez Sasson on the website success consciousness called  “Does your mind wander when you need to focus it?” said that losing attention with your mind wandering on other things that are completely different to what you were doing is quite normal.

Remez Sasson said that this happens when you are doing something you don’t like or  tired. Let’s face it when we are doing tutorials it’s not fun at all, even if the subject its interesting. So, I started thinking how can I turn something boring into something fun and interesting. Something similar use to happen to me when I was studying. When reading, I use to get tired or I wouldn’t understand what I’m reading, so I would write some important points down and that would keep my mind alert about everything I’m reading. So, I decided to use the same method for the tutorials. Write important points down on what the teacher is saying.

Another thing I thought of doing is that when I start getting distracted I ask the teacher for a bathroom break knowing that by taking a break, on my return I would  be able to concentrate more.  Also when I am tired I pick up a coffee.

When the next lesson came along I would be all prepared, pen, paper and coffee. So far this still works for me and my concentration is hanging in there.

This was Schön’s Reflective Model

Reference:

Success consciousness, 2011.  Does Your Mind Wander when You Need to Focus It? [online] Available at: < http://www.successconsciousness.com/wandering-mind.html> [Accessed 5 February 2017].

University of Bradford, N.D. Reflection models and frameworks. [online] Available at: < http://www.bradford.ac.uk/wimba-files/skill-space/Reflective_Writing_HTML/page_04.htm> [Accessed 5 February 2017].

Theresa Felicia, 2015. Reflective Frameworks. [video online] Available at: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_m92KKgQPA> [Accessed 5 February 2017]

Vicky Tsiantis, 2016. Reflective Practice. [video online] Available at: < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubWGxjM80Us> [Accessed 5 February 2017]