"...and this is how I design..." 

Architecture Design Studio 2 - ARC60205

 

Project 1: Famous People, Familiar Faces- Diagramatic Abstraction

 

The first project for this Semester saw us look back at some of the great works created by a given set of Master Architects of the 20th Century. The purpose of this project was to get a thorough understanding of the architects as well as their designs and philosophies through a series of precedent studies.

 

The project was divided into two sections and was carried out in groups of 5/6 members. The first part required us to outline in the form of a presentation, the chosen Architect's biography, his important works and how all of that portrays his design philosophy. Saurabha, Alisha, Mubarak, Nabeel and I worked as a group to present the works of Japanese Architect Tadao Ando. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second part of the project required us to choose one particular building (private residence) by our chosen Modern Master and come up with 10 diagramatic abstraction models that expressed the architectural ideas incorporated in his design. In addition, we also had to reproduce the orthographic drawings of this particular building. The purpose of this project was to strengthen our skills in diagramming and its use in the analysis of architectural designs.

 

Koshino House by Tadao Ando was our chosen building.  We made use of the principles in precedent studies to to help strengthen our diagramatic abstractions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting back...

Project 1 taught us how design possibilities can be generated in the use of ‘architectonics’ in form, space and function.  I now realize that diagramming is an important tool in analysis. I also understand how it aides in conveying the significance of architectural principles of a design. I was also reminded of the importance of precedent studies and how it aids us in the understanding of the past Master Architects and their design philosophies and how those influences and principles help us to make better our own work as students and future aspiring architects.

 

 

Project 2A: Site Analysis and Picnic Pavilion at Port Dickson

 

1. Site Conditions and Analysis

 

The first part of Project 2A was a site visit to Port Dickson, Malaysia in order to conduct an overall site analysis of two allocated sites. For this purpose, our class was divided into two groups.  Thereafter we further divided ourselves into smaller groups and took up responsibility to focus on different aspects of the analysis. After a rather tiresome, yet exciting weekend full of experience at Port Dickson, we headed back to compile all our findings and data in order to produce two complete presentations based on the analysis of the two sites.

(Refer to the link below for complete analysis of my group’s allocated site in Port Dickson)

 

 

http://www.slideshare.net/adibahawang/studio-2a-site-analysis

 

 

2. Picnic Pavilion at Port Dickson

 

The second part of Project 2A, was to design a picnic pavilion to be located at our site in Port Dickson. The pavilion was to be no more than 30 cubic meters and serve the purpose of activities such as eating, relaxing, meditation and observation of nature. More importantly, the pavilion needed to correspond well with the site context and also have proper access, circulation and fenestration. Furthermore, a good site analysis of our location for the pavilion, a series of detailed architectural drawings, 2D diagrams and a series of models together with the final model were required. This project was to be carried out in pairs.

 

 

My good friend, Alisha and I, teamed up to design a picnic pavilion for former Politician and current Environmental Activist, Al Gore. The design was inspired by nature; in particular, the veins of a leaf. The meeting of these veins at a centralized point of the leaf inspired us to create a pavilion with different access points. We also incorporated light and show in our design inspired by Architect Tadao Ando. This was done by creating a series of equally spaced gaps to allow sunlight to fall through and thereby create a feeling of walking through the forest within the pavilion just as the spacing between trees allow sunlight to fall through in a forest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting back…

There were many lessons learnt throughout the course of this project. We understood the importance of a good site analysis and how a design should not only be a proper functional space that meets user requirement but also respect site context and have a strong connection to its natural setting. Creating a space specific to the client was a difficult task. In order to achieve this, we needed to find a tangible aspect in the client’s life/background and interpret it into our design. Therefore we also learnt to strengthen our skills in analyzing the client’s character and his needs in relation to the design. Another important part of the design process was the use of 2D diagramming to depict conceptualization of ideas and to help explain the composition of space and form.

 

 

Project 2B: Retreat House at Port Dickson

 

This was an individual project and a further development of Project 2B into a retreat house for the same client. The maximum area allocated for the retreat house was to be 150 sq meters. The aim here was to explore the notions of concepts, programming and process in architectural design. A proper site analysis, a full set of architectural drawings, diagramming to explain space and form, and a series of models including a final model were the requirements for this project.

 

My design for the retreat house was based on the concept of Rebirth. It focused on Al Gore’s life and his need to strive for change as an environmental activist. These feelings were brought about by a life changing incident (the near fatal death of his son) that caused him to make a change in his way of approach to life. Giving up his career as a politician, he chose environmentalism in the hope of making the world a safer place for his son and in turn the present and future generations to come. The highlight of the design is the library that has views out onto an obstacle course full of human activity at Port Dickson. It is in here that he is reminded of his son and how important life is to him which encourages him to work harder to create change through environmental activism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflecting back…

Site context was a key factor in relation to the design concept as the retreat house had views to specific parts of nature that helped relate back to the client’s life which helped me understand again, how crucial a proper site analysis is. Proper conceptualization of form and space was the most important lesson for me throughout this project. I learned that a design should not be thought of in a hurry, but requires a long process of development and change until the final outcome is achieved. I also improved on how to analyze the client’s character in order to create something specific for him. Time management was a vital factor in the completion of this project and I also was able to improve my communication skills more effectively by means of presentation to an external panel of architects.