A new colleague arrived for her first day in the office today and has been assigned the desk next to me. Having been there a couple of hours, she said to me, "I can't help but notice you have a Barbie on your desk".
"Oh, that's Architect Barbie," I responded, and passed her over.
This made me realise that I never got around to introducing her to my readers. So, without further ado, meet Architect Barbie!
Isn't she amazing! She has a hard hat and drawing roll with blueprints. And awesome glasses. I'm not sure how well her high-heeled boots and skirt would go down on a work site though...
I read about her in the architectural press ages ago, when she was released. When I graduated from my Building Conservation course last year, my mum and I thought this would be a highly appropriate gift. I took her into work to show her off and my workmates insisted she stayed. So now she lives at my desk.
We did discuss how we might transform her into Architectural Historian Barbie with a few additional props and some wee changes to her outfit, but haven't got very far yet. She has a mini version of English Heritage's "Conservation Principles" now but she definitely needs more work. I want to get her some tweed, that's for sure. All architectural historians should own some tweed. And we thought we could age some of her drawings to look like they've come out of archives. Rip them up a bit, take them for a dip in some tea to yellow them up. (Did you ever used to do that as a kid? I used to burn the edges to make pirate maps...)
I would ask for your suggestions on how to make her look like more of historian but I think it's a bit of a niche corner of geekery! Well, if she does gain some tweed or a crumbling ruin to reside in, I will keep you posted anyway.
Do you have any quirky things you keep at your desk or workplace? After five years, my desk is littered with bits and bobs. I could almost devote a post to it...
My inner six year old just let out the biggest squeal of excitement when she saw this post! Oh my goodness, no matter my age, that's a Barbie that I would truly love to play with. I don't collect as an adult, but I've never stopped loving Barbie and think this truly has to be one of the best professions anyone has ever bestowed on her. Love it, love it, love! :)
ReplyDelete♥ Jessica
I've never stopped loving Barbie either. Like you, I don't collect as an adult (though I had a sizable collection as a child) but I'm always interested to see what they're coming out with. And, despite the fact that I don't collect them, I came to obtain two last year - this one, and a Grace Kelly Rear Window one my sister got me. Considering both gave me absolute delight, I can almost picture myself accidentally beginning a collection...
DeleteThis is awesome! Are you one of those people who stops us listed building owners knocking down walls? ;) Fie!
ReplyDeleteHa, but seriously, it sounds like a fascinating job xxx
Ha! No, I'm one of those people that will help you find a way to argue for knocking down a wall if I genuinely feel that it won't damage the importance (or structure!) of the building. Naturally it's a case by case thing but I'm of the opinion that a building needs be able to function well. If it doesn't function well, people won't occupy it and use it. If people don't occupy it, it both fails to be maintained and loses its meaning and vitality. Sometimes taking out a wall equates to a small bit of harm but reaps larger benefits... But then sometimes I will tell you that there's no way in hell that you'll be able to take out a wall. Case by case...
DeleteSo, do you need me to help you out with a listed building consent application then?
We were hoping to knock down a fireplace which is taking up masses of room between our kitchen and dining room. We asked the conservation man at Bromley if it would be possible and he made it clear that he would completely oppose it. Our House is Grade II, the listing is for the outside features only and most importantly OUR HOUSE ISN'T A MUSEUM! He said it'd take away from the 'character' of the building, but I don't see how a fireplace hole with a radiator sitting in it can have character! But as you say, you've got to think about the structure too, and when we thought about how we would have to make our planning application water-tight, we'd not just need to pay a structural engineer and builders, but I assume Bromley would insist on an architect as well. The planning man was open to discussions about us uncovering a different fireplace in the kitchen, but it would basically mean that we had absolutely nowhere to put an oven. So, we've had to give up on it and agree to knock our stairs wall through and get bannisters to open it up. Not ideal, because it means keeping the monstrous ugly fireplace, but it'll save us lots of money and stress.
DeleteThank you for your kind offer, though. I am hoping to eventually move into another almshouse so you never know, I may still need to take you up on it! x
Oh, that's frustrating for you but sounds like a wise idea to abandon the plan, especially if you're on a limited budget. From what I know about almshouses (which is very little, I must confess) I can imagine that the interiors were originally very basic and utilitarian and the fireplace would have been almost a focus of the interior as probably the sole "decorative" feature. So that's probably what the conservation officer was getting at. Original fireplaces in general tend to be quite valued, even if they look pretty basic. And "character" is just some of the jargon we use as it's included in most policy, probably because it's a way of covering not only fabulous architectural masterpieces but also more humble elements of a building, which are still considered important for enabling an understanding of how the building was designed and functioned. But yes, from my experience, I'm not surprised you're encountering problems wanting to take out a fireplace. It's something people often want to do to free up more space (as you're experiencing) but they're also features which are obvious focal points in an historic building and therefore usually tiptoed around. And it may end up a good thing you kept it because the next person you sell it onto one day might be super excited to have a genuine Victorian fireplace!
DeleteFor the record though, it's a common misconception that only the exterior of a building is listed but the protection always applies to the whole building, inside and out. The reason list descriptions often only cover the outside features is because they're just supposed to enable you to identify the building. More recent list descriptions have more detail included but it still remains that, just because a feature isn't included in the write-up, it doesn't mean it's not listed. Just something you may want to bear in mind next time you're buying a place!
That is a very interesting fact! Thank you!!
DeleteVery close to perfect, she is! What fun?! Is that James Dean or Elvis on the bike behind her?
ReplyDeleteHa! Well spotted! It's Elvis. Someone sent me a postcard at work so it went up at my desk.
DeleteThis made me remember all the awesome times I had playing with and accessorising my Barbie when I was a ki - I was so serious about it, it was actually really cool. I bet I'd still get a kick out of it now! Love the fact that you have a profession specific Barbie - I'm going to have to look for mine now!
ReplyDeletewww.foodfashfit.com
I was so serious and involved about it too! My sister and I used to make up whole characters and stories, and had to dress the Barbies accordingly - from punky for the rebel teenagers to demure for the conservative adults. I can't wait to dress my architectural historian in something a bit more suited to her character...
DeleteWow! That is SO interesting - all that you've written to Kate O. That little bit about fireplaces in almshouses is a fascinating observation. Difficult for Kate, of course, though. I've seen stoves tucked into large old fireplaces, looking fun and quirky. A friend and I sat, stretched out on the hearth, almost in, the fireplace in the Jerusalem Room at Westminster Abbey. I lay down on it, with my hands folded, like the King who was laid there when taken ill while travelling in London.
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