Video: Drawing & Architecture for Wellbeing during lockdown

Dr Nicole Porter (PhD PGCHE MARCH BPD FHEA) is an Associate Professor of Architecture and Landscape at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her work focuses on the many values that humans associate with nature – ecological, philosophical, psychological, symbolic, spiritual, and economic – and interprets how these values are embodied in contemporary landscape design and policy. Current research interests include cross-cultural comparisons of biophilic design, national park design, integrating mindfulness and place-making for wellbeing and staring out the window at dog walkers, birds and the weather.

In this session, Nicole shares her observational drawing project ‘artist-in-residence: drawing during lockdown’. This presentation shows an ordinary UK suburban landscape in extraordinary times: While working from home (Nottingham) between March – October 2020, Nicole paused each day to draw the view from the first-floor window of her terrace house, which overlooks the shared garden of a council-owned estate for older persons. The resulting drawings are a meditation on place, awareness, nature, and community. Over 180 drawings reveal the changing weather and seasons as trees burst into leaf, birds come and go, shadows cross the red brick walls, and rain trickles down the windowpane. We share in the lives of neighbours who sit on garden benches, walk their dogs, and enjoy a socially distanced drink in the sun. Nicole discusses the process of drawing, and identify key themes of design (windows, gardens, streetscapes), social interaction and isolation, the importance of nature, and taking the time to mindfully notice and appreciate them all.

Dr Porter may be consulted for consent, should you wish to use any content of this video for any purpose.