Lucy Roper’s weekly Built Environment blog: Buildings as cultural symbols

Posted on: 2019-05-15

Each week, UCEM Information Governance Manager, Lucy Roper points us in the direction of interesting stories from the Built Environment.

This week, Lucy provides her thoughts on mental health to mark Mental Health Awareness Week before pointing us to stories about buildings in relation to culture and examples where they carry cultural significance…

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and here, I share some thoughts on how I try to develop positive mental health in myself:

‘I often think people overlook ‘mental’ health. As a keen sportswoman I have learnt over the years the important role positive mental fitness plays combined with physical fitness to achieve success. At work I find time to go out for a walk at lunch and get some fresh air. This allows time to reflect, eases stress and you return re-energised and ready to tackle the tasks ahead.

I also keep an email folder entitled ‘Happy messages’ that I send positive emails to, reminding me that I am doing a good job and helps me to get through the tough days.’

How do you look after your mental health? I think it’s incredibly important to look after your mental health and if you have any tips, feel free to let me know!

Britain’s gift to France

If nothing else, the Notre-Dame fire brought people together as they put their hand up to help restore the cathedral back to its former glory.

One story which passed me by until recently was some of Britain’s most famous estates jointly volunteering valuable trees towards the restoration effort. Anglo-French relations have never been too smooth but this is a nice example of them looking out for each other. Chapeau!

Notre-Dame rooftop to incorporate farm?

If Parisian firm, Vincent Callebaut Architectures has its way then the Notre-Dame could soon feature an urban farm with its produce being sold at a farmer’s market each week. A very green solution but will it go any further?

London’s outstanding local community project

The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Project at Westminster Abbey was named London’s Project of the Year at the RICS Awards 2019. The award recognises exemplary built projects which positively contribute to local communities and the restoration of the medieval galleries has ensured they are accessible to all.

If Notre-Dame is a cultural symbol from the past, then the galleries above Westminster Abbey’s floor can become a more appreciated cultural symbol in London in future thanks to this excellent building conservation project.

Built Environment of the Future

And speaking of cultural symbols of the future, I’m sure there will be plenty of lively debate about what our cities and towns will look like in the future at our Built Environment of the Future centenary event tomorrow (Thursday 16 May).

The event is being livestreamed and the evening panel discussion will be of particular interest on that front so do tune in!

Come and meet us!

In the near future, this coming Saturday (18 May), we are hosting the first of seven open events ahead of our autumn intake. Members of our Academic and Admissions Teams will be on hand to discuss whether you would like to take the next step within your career and perhaps go on to play a large part in a building which will be cherished by others for years to come! If you’ve been inspired by the stories above then why not come along to one of these events (provided you can make it, of course)?

For more from Lucy, take a look at the latest edition of Knowledge Foundations.