CALVIN SUAH JAKE GINN
"life isn't about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself"
Design Studio 3
Module Introduction
This studio emphasizes on the poetics of place and spaces and the experiential qualities of space in architecture. In the subject, we are introduced firstly to an exploration of spatial typologies and poetics in architecture. Secondly, the concept of neighbourood and community.
In our preliminary design work, we engage with studies and design of different spatial typlogies. Subsequently, the major project involves the design of a small scale community building in the open landscape/suburban condition which engages with the spirit of place inherent within the site, the site topography, history and socio-cultral events. The design work explores the plan-section integration to achieve architectural form that is tectonically expressive, functional and responsive to its site.
Module Objective
1. To develop awareness of a wider place, a genius loci(town, countryside, coast) and the deisgn response towards the place.
2. To emphasize the importance of site and program in architectural design.
3. To introduce different spatial typologies in architectrual design (Spatial organization and relationships)
4. To emphasize the importance of section in the design of architectural space.
Project 1
This project is an introductory project by which you are required to explore issues of spatial typologies and poetics through simple design exercises. Working in groups of 4-5 students, we are to propose 2 schemes for a Memoril themed 'Journey for the 5 Senses'. We were required to design the memorials in the form of semi-open architecture by using two contrastiong spatial types of our choice. There is no specific site for this design work. The story of the memorial should translate the narrrative of events given by your tutor, and it should be informed by precendents studies. Before that, we had to pick a precedent study to study and analyse concentric as well as linear architecture.
Case Studies for the rohingya and sabah earthquake memorial parks
Renderings for the Sabah Earthquake Memorial Park
Presentation Board and Model both the Sabah Earthquake and Rohingya Memorial Parks
Reflection
After this project, I was able to identify and explain different spatial types in architecture, and how they inform spatial use and experience as well as identify and analyze case studies to inform the design project. On top of that, I learn how to create tectonic expressions of different spatial typologies which impact on the uses and experiential conditions of space and generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materiality and textures. I also improved my drawing skills, modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural design and ideas.
Project 2
The first assignment for Project 2 requires an analysis of the site context as a starting point. it is a fundamental need for any design project as it will suggest a series of parameters to suggest architectural slution, one that will be appropriate to t he place and its meaning, and contributes to its context. The site needs to be understood, in both intuitive and personal ways, as well as quantitative and measured means. Techniques to record and understand the site are varied, from physical suveys to qualitative aspects of experience and personal interpretation of the place.
The site that we had to visit and get inspirations from was at Sungai Lembing.
Inspirational site photos of Sungai Lembing
Furthermore, here's a video that me and my groupmates made during our site visit to Sungai Lembing. In this video, we portrayed a lot of site inspirations and also a brief introduction of our site that we had to build our Visitor Interpretive Centre for the next project.
Lastly, here is my concept and idea presentation board for Project 2:
Reflection
After this project, I am ale to produceb etter site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the 'genius loci' of places. I have also produced a concept design for a Visitor Interpretive Centre based on the site analysis conclusions. I learnt how to relate the needs of the site and incorporate it into my design concept to make a design a successful Visitor Interpretive Centre.
Project 3
From the concept derived from project 2, we had to design a Visitor Interpretive Centre that suit the site context. We had to produce 4 A1 boards to present our design and idea for the new Visitor Interpretive Centre. The interpretive centre serve to have two purposes which is to provide a physical point of reference with visual significance that keeps alive the culture/history/memory/essence of the site and to provide accommodation to house and display relevant material and interpretive material for public access and information.
Orthographic Drawings
Ground Floor Plan
Right Elevation
Left Elevation
Front Elevation
Interior Renderings
Presentation Board during presentation day:
Reflection
From this final project, I learned how to generate design based on the unique character and conditions of the site context and design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materials/texture. Also, I learnt to design a small scale community building which response to the site (Site topography, history and socio-cultural events), functional program and users' experiences.
Module Reflection
Upon successful completion of the module, I am capable of:-
1. Developing awareness of a wider place, a genius loci(town, countryside, coast) and the deisgn response towards the place.
2. Emphasizing the importance of site and program in architectural design.
3. Introducing different spatial typologies in architectrual design (Spatial organization and relationships)
4. Emphasizing the importance of section in the design of architectural space.
Also, I've learnt how to design and present a small scale community building which responds to the site and many functional programme and users' experiences.
Back Elevation
First Floor Plan
