Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture
Architectural Design Studio 5 [ARC3117]
Project 1: Preliminary Studies
The Preliminary Studies is a preparatory assignment that focuses on investigating basic notions of the city, and learning from examples of community libraries around the world. This assignment aims to firstly introduce students to the basics in urban design and its relation to architecture, and secondly, studying and determining the programmatic function, societal role and spatial layout of a community library and architectural responses for urban infills.
The Preliminary Studies comprises of three components: Site Documentation, Site Analysis, and Precedent Studies of Urban Infills and Community libraries. The Site Documentation and Site Analysis will equip students with a firm understanding of the site they will be working with this semester, while the Precedent Studies will provide an insight into architectural responses for designing an urban infill contemporary community library.
The outcome of the Preliminary Studies will include the production of site documentation materials (drawings and models in both digital and physical copy for further use), a comprehensive analysis of the site, and a detailed case study of a relevant urban infill and community library.
Through this project, I am able to conduct case studies and site analysis to generate an understanding of the physical and cultural context and development of urban environments. Also, I am able to determine and describe the role of a community library in a contemporary urban setting . I am also able to examine and establish appropriate architectural responses and strategies for designing within an urban infill site. Besides, I am able to produce necessary documentation (diagrams, mappings, photographic images, orthographic drawings and models) to record and communicate site analysis findings, and for further use in the coming design stages.
Project 2: Urban Infill Community Library
For the rest of the semester, students will concentrate on designing a community library within an urban infill site. The design of the building is to consist of appropriate architectural responses that address the aspects of the urban street context and user behavioural patterns as discerned and analysed in the Preliminary Studies.
Apart from developing an appropriate formal and elevational strategy in response to the character of the street, the design should take into consideration a holistic application of structural, spatial, functional and environmental requirements to address the user needs for a community library. The design development of this project will include an introduction to the legislative restrictions that impact an architectural scheme, the integration of lighting and acoustic design, as well as the design exploration and detailing of the façade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.
I am able to produce a design outcome for an urban community library is site-specific through its formal, cultural, legislative, structural and environmental design responses. I am able to apply basic knowledge of urban architectural typologies, infill design strategies and community library programming. Also, I am able to demonstrate fundamental knowledge and awareness of design codes and regulations and design within the constraints of feasibility and in response to basic design codes and statutory requirements. Besides, I am able to utilise study models, diagramming, mapping, orthographic plan-section and elevational studies to explore and resolve relevant spatial, structural, functional and environmental issues in the design development phase. Also, I am able produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), models and presentations to verbally and visually communicate architectural ideas and scheme. `
