Exercise: Exploring Function.

Outline: To photograph a space while exploring it's purpose.

I recently took my family to visit the Museum of Welsh Life in Cardiff, otherwise known as St Fagans.

"St Fagans is one of Europe's leading open-air museums and Wales's most popular heritage attraction. It stands in the grounds of the magnificent St Fagans Castle, a late 16th-century manor house donated to the people of Wales by the Earl of Plymouth." - St Fagans: National History Museum website. 

St Fagans Museum of Welsh Life

This image shows the entrance to the museum. With the actual 'museum' consisting of buildings in an open air setting, this is actually the 'entrance hall' to be exact. As this is the main focus of the museum, one would expect a number of factors to be evident in this section:

• Welcome visitors
• Provide information about the museum itself
• Provide space for shelter from the elements with the visitors being outside for the duration of the attraction
• Provide a place for refreshments

On entering the building itself, I am impressed by how they use the space available and immediately I can see that my initial pointers above are addressed. I was greeted by two ladies who handed me an information leaflet all about the museum, with a little bit of history and a map. The space was light and airy with the welcome 'console' in the middle immediately as you walk in. I asked if I was able to take photos in this area and was granted permission. I originally took the shot as though you were walking through the front door but with the console being where it was, it didn't show much of the actual space as a whole, and made the image look a little flat, so i decided to stand off to the right corner and then take the shot.

First image not showing space well

Capturing the space of the entrance.

Conclusion: The image shows that there is plenty of space here. There is an information point for enquiries and to generally welcome visitors. There is information on the walls and also stands with leaflets promoting other attractions in the local vicinity. It is also sheltered from the elements and consists of a cafe and a gift shop. I think as a welcome area for the museum, this meets its function very well.