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Module Synopsis:

 

This studio emphasizes on the poetics of place and the experiential qualities of space in architecture. In the subject, students are introduced to, firstly, an exploration of spatial typologies and poetics in architecture; and secondly, the concept of neighborhood and community. In their preliminary design work, students engage with studies and design of different spatial typologies (i.e. linear, spiral, spine, centric, etc) for a simple dwelling space which explores the idea of architectural tectonics and experiences. Subsequently, the major project involves the design of a small scale community building (e.g. gallery, small library) in the open landscape/suburban condition which engages with the spirit of place inherent within the site, the site topography, history and socio-cultural events. The design work explores the plan-section integration to achieve architectural form that is tectonically expressive, functional and responsive to its site. This studio is integrated with Building Science 1 to instill awareness of considerations of thermal comfort by exploring strategies that reflect the climate and context of the building.

Project 1          Journey for the 5 senses

 

Project 1 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 3-4 students, you are to propose 2 schemes for a ‘walk’ themed ‘journey for the 5 senses’.  I am required to design the walk in the form of a semi-open architecture by using two contrasting spatial types of your choice. There is no specific site for this design work. The story of my walk should translate a poetry given by my tutor, and it should be informed by precedents studies. 

 

Learning Outcome:

  1. Identify and explain different spatial types in architecture, and how they inform spatial use and experience

  2. Identify and analyze case studies to inform the design project

  3. Create tectonic expressions of different spatial typologies which impact on the uses and experiential conditions of space

  4. Generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materiality and textures

  5. Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural design and ideas. 

 

 

 

 

1a  )         PRECEDENT STUDIES: Analysing spatial poetics & spatial typologies in architecture

As part of this, the objective of Project 1a is to identify and analyze spatial order and spatial poetics through precedent studies. The main aim is to analyse 2 selected architectural precedents. Each group of students is to analyse the spatial poetics & spatial typology of the selected precedents. The analysis of the design approaches will inform the preceding design projects for the remaining semester. Thus, the selection of precedents should be critical and inspirational.

 

CRYSTAL PALACE

SERPENTINE GALLERY 2012

The precedents that my group have selected were Crystal Palace and Serpentine Gallery 2012. We chose both of them because they have their own attracted concept. Crystal Palace has a very interesting concept, green house concept that the building surface covered with all glasses that let the sunlight penetrate inside to survive the plant that live inside the building. Besides that, Serpentine Gallery 2012 have a reflective concept, the roof of the building have a space that can keep the water on the roof that reflect the view of the sky. People can see the view of sky in the house through the reflection pond.

 

 

 

 

Dream Poem

 

                                                                            A Bed Of Clouds

 

© Ashley L. May

 

I sleep in the clouds, dream in the sky,
I'll keep dreaming as life passes me by,
I think my dreams keep me sane,
I dream of happiness, a life without pain,
some people say I'm stuck in this place,
and I'll never go anywhere,
but in my dreams I've already been there,
I know some day I'll have to wake up,
but I feel the real world is more like a nightmare,
I'm safe in my closed eye wonderland,
this poem goes to all the dreamers that understand,
no matter what they say...
keep your dreams but don't dream your life away.



 

1b        The Journey for the 5 senses

Using the design strategies based on the Project 1a, design a walk themed ‘journey for the five senses’. 

 

This is the design that we had created. It is an underground building which have glasses on the ground surface. This design strategy is from the concept of Crystal Palace, green house concept. It can let the sunlight penetrate inside the building. The material in the space we using the cork which it got the texture that people can feel when touch. When yo first come to the space, you can slide down to another spacethat create a happy feeling that mentioned in the poem. In the end, everything should back to the reality, so we create a staircase for them to feel like they are hard to climb up the staircase just like they dont want to go back to reality because reality are cruel and tired.

This design strategy is from the Serpentine Gallery 2012. The reflection concept. It is build up by 6 mirror panel. It have the infinity effect when the mirror is face to face each other. When you are inside the space of this building, you can see to outside via a small gap only. So, you can relax inside the space because the mirror have seperate the space inside and the reality outside. So, you can forgot all the tired and stress inside the space just like the poem mentioned.

Society, culture, history, memory and the landscape of a particular place echoes the meaning of that ‘place’, or its ‘genius loci’. These qualities will inform the architectural concept and generators for Project 2. In Project 2, the design brief calls for an architectural response toward the sense of place with a strong engagement and relationship to the site and programmatic requirements.

 

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 solution, one that will be appropriate to the 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 surveys to qualitative aspects of experience and personal interpretation of the place.

 

 

Learning Outcome:

  • Produce site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the ‘genius loci’ of place

Project 2

GENIUS LOCI: Site Analysis & Concept Development

 

DISCOVERING THE SITE & ITS GENIUS LOCI 

Group work: Site conditions & analysis 

-conduct site analysis of the physical context, social, cultural and/or historical issues within the overall site.

 

 

The site we went is Pulau Jerejak beside Pulau Penang. It is a beautiful island with a lot of heritage inside. There got Prison cell, bunkers, Leprosy Hospital, Prison ruins, temples, old Jetty and othes. Pulau Jerejak's untouched jungle is full of history offering intrepid trekkers the opportunity to observe tropical trees and plants. Pulau Jerejak was known as The Alcatraz of Malaysia because of Pulau Jerejak Prison. This 362ha island is rich with historical events, flora and fauna.

 

Group performanceis

  • Ability to plan and carry out research

  • Ability to analyse and conclude data

  • Ability to convey/communicate findings (verbal and visual and model)

The prezi file of our presentation about the site analysis of Pulau Jerejak.

The video of our chosed site, Prison Cell.

Prison Cell / Leprosy Hospital:

Our site can named as Prison cell or Leprosy Hospital. The Leprosy Hospital was also located on the eastern part of the island. It was built in 1930 by the British Empire to accommodate 150 patients at a time. Although the hospital has been damaged over a period of time, part of the building still exists.

 

There are 2 blocks of 12 individual cells which were used to quarantine the most critical patients suffering from this disease. However, after Jerejak Island was converted to place criminal, these cells were used to house the most wanted criminals in Malaysia. Each cell measures about 8 feet x 8 feet with a small window to alow daylight in. There was no electricity in the cells, thus the immates had to endure pitch black darkness at night in the thick jungle. The warden's house(which is the only building in that area that  had electicity) is about 20 feet away.

 

The figure of Prison cell

Individual work 

Personal Interpretation & Concept Development as a response 

Individually, produce your personal interpretation of the site in the form of sketches. The personal interpretations of the overall character of the site will inform subsequent design decisions, and it is important to record these honestly and immediately.

 

Personal interpretation of place

  • Ability to record and analyse the character of place

  • Ability to convey/communicate findings

  • Ability to conclude/make sense of findings for the subsequent design work

  • Ability to produce a meaningful concept which is communicated well via drawings & model. 

​

 

Personal Interpretation:

When I first time walk in the tropical forest of Pulau Jerejak, I feel I get lost in the thick forest and the surrounding was gloomy because lack penetration of sunlight that covered by the trees. But , when I walk to somewhere that less tree survive, I feel warm because of the sunlight. When I went to the Leprosy Hospital, I feel the darkness inside the cells that only have one small window  allow the sunlight in. I can feel the pain of the Leprosy patient. They hope that one day they can go home and gather with their family. But it is impossible. They have to live inside the cell until they die. But, they can feel the warm from the small window that give them hope, this is the things that let them want to survive. 

Concept:

In this project, i used the concept, ‘the light in the dark’. The concept is come from my feeling and interpretation of my site, Prison cell. When we walk in a space, we can feel the gloomy and feel like get lose in the space because of lack light. But, when you go deep inside the space, you can feel the warm and hope now because the sunlight penetrated in through the window from the top to give us direction.

4 panels of my presentation board

Project 3             

GENIUS LOCI: VISITOR INTERPRETIVE CENTRE (VIC)

In Project 3, an architectural response to design AN INTERPRETIVE CENTRE emphasising a strong engagement and relationship to the site, spatial experiences and programmatic requirements. 

 

Learning Outcomes:

  1. Generate design based on the unique character and conditions of the site context

  2. Generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light materials/texture

  3. Design a small scale community building which response to the site (site topography, history and socio-cultural events), functional program and users’ experiences

  4. Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural design and ideas.

 

 

Concept

Hope To Return

When I first saw the Prison Cell, It give me a feeling like myself trapped inside a small and dark room and cannot escape when i do something wrong. In the narrow and dark space, I Just hope that one day I can go out, I can escape and be freedom .

 

So, I may know the feeling of the prisoner that time. So, I got the idea like to creating two spaces , one is bright and wide and one is dark and narrow. In the middle part is a most narrow and dark space of whole VIC just like the feeling of trapped inside the prison and have to determined to turn a new leaf.

 

A rectangular shape I have used first, it means like a world that is no criminal. But, human being start to do the wrong way, so a line is appears to divide the two world. One id dark that full with criminal and one is after dark, bright space, which mean after the people who do wrong can turn a new leaf. They determined and work hard to  do thing positively. So, In the middle I have a turn, it just like the prison that can make prisoner to think and  determined to turn a new leaf.

Development Of Concept.

The poetry of space

This space is the Exhibition Space which is located beside the reception area. When you first entry the space, the space is quite dark because it is an underground space which have no opening to allow daylight in. It give us a feeling like a prisoner do something wrong, so his life is not bright anymore, he have to run from the police and law. His life start to become darker.This space is become more narrow when you keep going. And the whole space was using the artificial light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the exhibition space, you will entry a gallery space, both sides of the wall was hanging of the poster and picture of the prison cell and the prisoner suufering in the prison. This space is the most dark area in whole building with only a little sunlight penetrate inside. On the roof of this space have a small opening to let the sunlight in just like a prison. You can see the view outside but you can't go out. You lost freedom after caught by the police. So the prisoner must suffer in this space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the prisoner finally determined to turn a new leaf, he is released and become freedom again. So, the way now he go is a wide and light place. This space is at the higher level and allow a lot of daylight anad skylight penetrate inside, the space is become wider as well to represent the way of prisoner after turn a new leaf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interior Spaces in Visitor Center:

Images Of Pulau Jerejak

Sketches Of the Genius Loci

Image Of Prison Cell

                                 Cafeteria                                                                                Souvenir Shop

                             Reading Area                                                                            Auditorium

                                       Office                                                                                Reception Area

Photomontage:

Orthographic Drawing

                                  Groud Floor Plan                                                                                                   First Floor Plan

Site Plan

Roof Plan

                                        South Elevation                                                                                             North Elevation

                                       Section A-A                                                                                                     Section B-B

                                      East Elevation                                                                                                 West Elevation

Presentation Board

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

 

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 3 (ARC 2118)

From this project, i learnt how to generate design based on the unique character and conditions of the site contextand how to generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light materials/texture. Besides that, i also able to design a small scale community building which response to the site (site topography, history and socio-cultural events), functional program and users’ experiencesProduce drawings (both 2D and 3D), modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural design and ideas.

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