In order to make any journey, whether it be one your familiar with or not, the process is strategic and for you own self-satisfaction, gratifying. The points of a journey are symbolised and memorised in our subconscious from the very first step we take, allowing for the process to evolve through our imagination.
Movement, memories and symbols are all we are given from maps and pursuing the journey itself. The points along the journey provide the participant with the satisfied knowledge of knowing that upon recognition of these points the memories will evoke a simple mental map.
Greg Anderson perceives the journey as an activity and the joy is found in doing the activity rather than the completion of the journey.
“Focus on the journey, not the destination.
Joy is found not in finishing an activity but doing it.”
The journey undertaken allowed for movement through many differing spaces, absorbing many different smells, textures, sites and most importantly landmarks in which the journey can be described.
From my experience of the journey and my knowledge of Portsmouth various sites and mental images were familiar to me. This allowed me complete a mental mapping process that I hope would inform participants of the journey and embark on the experiences that were gained from completing the journey.
- The Journey
The journey starts at the University of Portsmouth Portland Building, which to all architecture students would be familiar surroundings. From the main courtyard you simply want to move towards the Lion Gate Building courtyard, the purple University of Portsmouth gates enclose this area. Moving through these gates you are then met by a number of parked cars and a road to which you take a left the main road that is just visible in the distance.
Upon reaching this road you notice the business, the noise and the decorative naval entrance, which lies almost opposite the road you are leaving. There is no visible crossing on this busy road and therefore it is easier to follow the curve of the pavement round to the right. Looking down the road you can notice the cathedral of Portsmouth. As you move towards the cathedral you pass another dominant Naval Building on your right and arrive upon at the end of the road a very busy traffic light junction.
Upon tackling this junction you arrive at a gated area, which confines Victoria Park. The parks greenery vividly stands out from the monotone townscape that Portsmouth unfortunately boasts. Upon entering the park you notice a very large black glazed building further on just outside the park. This building signifies which end of the park you want to head towards. Likewise the heavy grey concrete path, which runs diagonally through park, leads you neatly towards the underpass of a railway bridge. Under the bridge it becomes very dark with artificial lighting to be used or manipulated but the clarity at the end of the tunnel is significant as the light grey of the War memorial stone stands out. When you are in this memorial area opposite to where you entered this space there are a few steps, which lead you up into Guildhall Square. This enclosed obviously by the Guildhall itself and the council buildings.
From the square you then want to head towards the town centre area of Portsmouth. This takes you under the council civic offices towards Portsmouth Harbour train station and likewise under another train bridge. Passing the train station you enter the high street, which is without doubt the busiest area in Portsmouth. As you head towards the end of the high street the pedestrianised area comes to and end, at this point you follow the road round to the right towards a busy roundabout.
As you get closer to the roundabout a blue fence emerges from behind a traditional red brick wall. The two opposing entities lead you down a small alley way cutting away from the busy road near the town centre to a quiet small street with a number of council houses lining the street.
In this area you notice the distinct absence of noise as there is far less traffic. As you move down the street towards the end of the road there seems to be more population and movement as it is a short distance to the local Tesco Express. On this busier road you head away from the movement and noise towards a street about 50 yards left of the one you have just exited.
Like previously this street has a number of council houses lining the road and there are large council development blocks visible. At the end of the street is a very busy main road, which links the Kingston area of Portsmouth with the main City Centre. As this is a very busy street it makes it tricky to cross and therefore if you a take right and head towards the town centre once again you come to a pedestrian crossing.
Upon moving across the road there is a street opposite which leads you towards the railway line. Walking down this road is a difficult experience as there are a number road works which cut onto the pavement meaning you have to walk on the road to be able to move round them. As you get to the end of the street the is a large red brick wall in front of you and the sound of trains can be clearly heard. If you look to your right you will see a number of steps that lead to a bridge which is a little old and rundown but has been brightened by vivid paint colours and children’s hand prints which in some way brings back some of the innocence of the city amongst a large amount of graffiti.
Once you have crossed the bridge you have a choice of to directions in this case take the staircase to the right which will lead you along side the railway line that heads towards the Portsmouth harbour station.
As you get closer to the rear of the station there is a small quiet roundabout that leads cars towards the city centre or leftwards towards Southsea. This road takes you past another small roundabout and towards the main police Station and law courts in Portsmouth. The police station is situated on the corner of yet another roundabout and leads to the final length of the journey towards the University of Portsmouth Eldon Building. At the roundabout you head right down a large dual carriageway style road, which runs past and alongside our destination. As there is no defined crossing near the building you have to head down to the pedestrian crossing at the end of the road and make your way back up the other side to reach your destination.
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