CALVIN SUAH JAKE GINN
"life isn't about finding yourself, it is about creating yourself"
Designed to introduce students to ideas, principles, and methods of solving architectural problems in a studio setting. Through a graduated sequence of exercises culminating in a major semester project, students explore the architectural concepts of space, form, function, and technology. Instruction is via highly personalized critiques of individual student work by assigned department faculty members, as well as periodic reviews of the group by invited faculty and guest critics. The grade is based on the overall performance in the studio with special emphasis on the quality of a major studio project. Here are the projects that we've done this semester:-
About Design Studio II
Project 1: Famous People, Familiar Faces
“The design process can be thought of as a series of transformations going from uncertainty towards information. The successive stages of the process are usually registered by some kind of graphic model. In the final stage of the design process, designers use highly formalized graphic languages as a tool to register the information that would facilitate the communication process.”
-Juan Pablo Bonta
Objectives Of This Project
Firstly, to investigate and to explore how spaces are created from the making of architectural elements: architectonics.- solid, planes, lines and frames. Upon completion of the project, we should be able to achieve a level of understanding on the works assigned and will be able to apply the idea and concept to their project later. The idea of using pure and diagrammatic models to express the architectural idea would also be in cooperated into this assignment.
Task of This Project
We are required to produce a complete set of architectural drawings which consist of site plan, floor plans, sections, elevations at a scale of 1:100 of the selected project on A3 size tracing paper. Furthermore, all drawings have to be hand drawn. Then, we are required to investigate and formulate our findings into a set of 10 diagrammatic models(10 x 10 x 10 cm). The models should be precise and informative to express the analysis of the ideas hidden in the project assigned. Lastly, we must not use more than three colours and the models should be well crafted and beautifully made to be mounted on an A3 MDF board.
My Project 1 Project Work
Project 2A: Site Conditions and Analysis (Part 1)
In groups of 8 members, we are required to conduct a site analysis of the physical context within our overall site which is located at a slope of Eagle Ranch Resort in Port Dickson. We are also required to collect data and record on the following using physical maps/diagrams and models:
1. Orientation (Sun Path)
2. Climate (Rainfall & Temperature)
3. Site topography / Contours
4. Access and Circulation
5. Existing Structure
6. Materiality of the site surrounding
7. Vegetation and Hydrology
8. Views and Vistas
Here is the link to our group's site analysis:-
http://www.slideshare.net/AdibahAwang/studio-2a-site-analysis
Task of This Project
My Project 2A: Site Conditions and Analysis Report
Learning Outcomes of Project 1, 2A and 2B
As a group we had visited the site, Port Dickson and finished the site investigation & ‘nature scanning’ to initiate the preliminary conceptual approach of the Picnic Pavilion. Now it is important for our work to reflect your understanding of how architecture is created by applying the basic design principles and spatial organization skills. Our work must also illustrate an understanding of how a building is conceptualized and transformed into reality. Project 2b extends the understanding of design concept and process. It introduces the notion of architectural space making through the design of a user specific architectural scheme. This project explores the relationship between architectural tectonics, function and space in architecture.
Project 2A: Picnic Pavilion (Part 2)
Task of This Project
In groups of 2, we are to design a Picnic Pavilion with a maximum volume of 30m3 for the purpose of eating and relaxing. It shall include other activities such as meditation, observation, etc. in which furniture and equipment must fit and be incorporated into the design. This structure should correspond to the site that we have chosen. Adequate access, circulation and fenestration are mandatory.
Objectives Of This Project
By the end of the project, we are required a full set of:-
1.Site analysis - of the physical context on 1 piece of A3.
2. A series of detail drawings (1:50 scale) - as a set of a series of site plan, floor plans, sections, elevations, axon and perspectives, which must be done freehand and beautifully rendered. The drawings must demonstrate the concept that has informed the design on 4 pieces of A3 or 2 pieces of A2.
3. A series of 2D diagrams - Diagrammatic explanation of the composition of Space and Form (which explains how the design is responding to the character and context),
4. A series of models (1:50 scale) a minimum of 4 which includes: 3 process models and a final model.
5.The final model must be beautifully crafted with balsa wood.
My Project 2A: Picnic Pavilion Works
Project 3: Picnic Pavilion (Part 2)
Task of This Project
Objectives Of This Project
5. Site Analysis
As a group, we are expected to complete a site visit to record important information pertaining to your project. A completed site analysis should be available in our design studio at all time for references during the design process. The site analysis must be clearly printed on an A2 paper and to be presented.
6. Final Design Scheme
The final submission for this project includes:-
1. A full set of architectural drawing (site plan, floor plans, sections, elevations, axon and perspectives)
2. Diagrammatic explanation of the composition of Space and Form (which explains how the design is responding to the character and context), beautifully hand drawn onto 2 A1 size tracing/cartridge paper and a model.
We are encouraged to explore our own presentation technique however the size for the drawing must be in the scale of 1:200 hand drawn and the model should be made of white board and/or balsa wood of the same scale, beautifully presented on MDF board.
My Project 2B: Beach House Works
The objectives of this project are:
1. To introduce the notions of concepts, program and process in architectural design
2. To introduce students’ to the understanding of user specific design requirements
3. To introduce the notions of space, form and function in architectural design
4. To introduce awareness of site specific design and the process of site analysis
Upon successful completion of the module, we are able to:
1. Generate design possibilities through the use of architectonics in a simple architectural form space and function
2. Translate design ideas into habitable architectural spaces through drawing and making
3. Explore architectural design through the abstraction of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional compositions of space
4. Interpret and analyze simple site context
5. Interpret and analyze client’s character and needs in relation to the design of a small building
6. Design a simple building type that meets user requirements and respects site context that balances both internal (architectural spaces/layout/circulation) and external (aesthetics and forms) design values
