Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture
Architectural Design Studio 2 [ARC 1126]
Project 1: Famous People, Familiar Faces
Diagrammatic Abstraction
This is a group project which our final submission is to produce a 5 minutes video, A3 Drawings and 10 conceptual models of the selected project. Firstly, we were required to form a group of 5 and select a building of a famous architect. My group members are Cheah Hoong Fei, Joshua Ting Sing Rong, The Xue Kai and Celine Tee. Our selected building is Casa Armanda Passos by Alvaro Siza.
5 Minutes Video
For the 5 minutes video, we have to introduce the architect and the house. It seems like a easy project, but it is not. First of all, as a group, we searched data and information from books and internet. After that, we arranged all the information and planed the storyboard of the video. Then, we wrote down all the scripts and start to film it. In the 5 minutes, I have learnt much knowledge. Also, thank you Celine for teaching me the body language and the word pronunciations during the video filming.
A3 Drawings
After we have done the 5 minutes video, we have to produce all A3 drawings of Casa Armanda Passos House. 5 of us divided the works such as some drew floor plans, some drew section and some drew elevations. I drew 2 elevations and 1 section for this project. I found that we have forgotten some knowledge about technical drawings we have learnt from D.Com last semester such as the symbol of section in floor plan. Luckily, thank you Mr. Edward for teaching us again patiently.
10 Conceptual Models
This is the hardest part of this project. As a group, we have to produce 10 models and each of them represents one concept of Casa Armanda Passos House. The models have to be abstract, but somehow look like the selected house. We have faced many obstacles while doing these models as we didn’t really know how to transform the concept into a 3D model. However, finally, we have done it successfully and get a satisfied result.
Verbal Presentation
On the submission day, we have to present everything including drawings and models to one of the lecturers. During the presentation, I was nervous as I didn’t prepare it well. But it have me a lesson so I will manage my time well to prepare for presentation next time.
In this project, I am able to identify master architects and their works. Also, I have increased my understanding of basic architectural compositions of solids, planes, lines and frames. I am also able to “diagram” and analyze architectural work of selected architect.
Project 2A: Pavilion @ Kuala Selangor Nature Park
This is a group project. In a group of 2, we are to begin with a volume in the form of a solid cube 3x3x3 meter. By selecting a character, we are to design a pavilion at Kuala Selangor Nature Park for the purpose of relaxing/ contemplation. The final submission is to produce a series of detail drawings and a series of process models and a final model of the pavilion. First of all, we have to visit Kuala Selangor Nature Park to collect all the site information before doing this project. Unfortunately, I had my eyes allergy during that time, so I couldn’t make myself to the nature park. Thank you my partner, Cheah Hoong Fei for helping me to take photos and do the site analysis which are important for this project.
Model
Our character is a carpenter, and our selected site is forest. My partner and I started to do research about a carpenter. At the end, we found a blog of a female carpenter and we decided to choose her as our character to a pavilion. During the research, we have gained much knowledge. We have more understanding about the job of carpenter, the tool they use, and the system they use in their work. Therefore, we used the knowledge that we gained to design a pavilion for her to get inspiration. For example, we used the tool box system which is interlocking joint, hinges, the hand tools such as hammer and so on in the design. Also, we have to produce a site model to show the location of the pavilion in Kuala Selangor Nature Park.
Drawings
For the drawings, we have to produce a set of series of plans, sections, elevation and perspective with beautifully rendered. As our pavilion is curve shape, we have faced the problem of drawing a nice curve with technical pen. However, we managed to complete all the drawings at the end.
Verbal Presentation
On the submission day, we were required to pin up all the drawings and present everything to one of the lecturers like project 1. This time, our lecturer is Mr. Peng Wei. Firstly, we introduced him our female carpenter, then we talked about the site analysis, then lastly we explained our design concepts to him. Mr. Peng Wei gave us a lot of useful suggestions which I believe we can do better on next project. Thank you sir =D.
In this Project 2A, I am able to generate design possibilities through the use of architectonics in a simple architectural form space and function. Also I am able to translate design idea into habitable architectural spaces through drawing and making.
Project 2B: Retreat House
This is our final project (Individual). This project is about further developing our project 2A into a retreat at Kuala Selangor for our chosen character. This retreat must function as habitable architectural spaces to enable the activity associated with living, dining, and cleansing, cooking, storage and such within the built up space of 150 square meters. At the end of the submission, we have to produce a minimum 2 A1 papers which include site analysis, character, design development and all drawings of the retreat house.
Again, my character is a female furniture builder/carpenter, Ariele Alasko. After studying about a carpenter, I found that a display room is very important for a carpenter. Therefore, I decided to design a retreat house which its main program is a furniture display area. Also, I added in my entire studied item into my design such as the system of the shelter, the joint of the tool box and the significant patterns of Ariele’s work.
In this project, I am not really satisfied with my final work as I have no enough time to do it well. I couldn’t even finish rendering my drawings. However, I am happy that I did better in my verbal presentation this time. Also, I have learnt much knowledge in this project. I am able to interpret and analyze simple site context. In addition, I am also able to interpret and analyze client’s character and needs in relation to the design of a small building. I am able to design a simple building type that meets user requirements and respect site context that balances both internal and external design values.
Lastly, I want to thank Mr. Bryan who always helped me while I was lost. He guided me and my other group mates patiently and gave us a lot of opinion in our design. He also spent his time to do the module to help us do our work creatively such as the photo montage. I enjoy learning the modules! Thank you very much =D!