PROJECT 1A

PRECEDENT STUDIES - Analysing spatial poetics & spatial typologies in architecture

Spatial organisation is a key consideration for architects in architectural design. The study and exploration of different spatial organization methods is important in design because it informs human occupation, behavior, and experience within architectural spaces. Writers such as Francis D.K. Ching labeled this as architectural ‘order’ whilst Alexander Purves called this ‘the formal patterns’.

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

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.

PROJECT 1B

' JOURNEY FOR THE 5 SENSES ' - Poetic architecture

Using the design strategies based on the Project 1a, design a Poetic Space themed ‘journey for the five senses’. Tasks are below:

Read the given literature, poetry, lyric and visualise it from an architectural viewpoint.
Translate the literature, poetry or lyric into a journey by using 2 contrasting spatial typologies. Guidelines are below:

50 meters for linear and 10x10x10 cubic meters for centric.
Via white cardboard or digital modelling, produce study models for each spatial typology.
Based on the sketch design, develop plans and sections (at an appropriate scale depending on your design scheme) with

considerations of human scale, light / shadow, materials / texture. Section is to be drawn using pencil on butter paper.

PROJECT 2A

SITE CONDITIONS & ANALYSIS VIDEO - Bukit Cina

Historical research: Historical tracings of the MACRO site

Mapping a site over a series of significant stages in the course of its history provides a description of the life and memory of a place. They can provide inspiration for a contemporary idea that connects directly with past archaeology/memory/history of the site. Conduct a historical research on the place. Data could be in the form of literature (published/unpublished), old photographs, maps/plans etc.

Submission:
Produce a site analysis of the identified MACRO (40%) & MICRO (60%) site. 7-10 minute digital presentation per group.

In the same group from Project 1, conduct site analysis of the physical context within the identified MACRO & MICRO sites. Use the following reference as a framework for your recording and analysis of your site:  Orientation(sunpath), Climate (rainfall & temperature), Site contours, Adjacent street and vehicular traffic, patterns, Pedestriancirculation, Neighbouringcontexts, Vegetation, Views from the site, Views to the site, Views through the site, Noise, Human-Cultural, SWOTAnalysis

PROJECT 2B

INTERIM - Visitor Interpretive Centre

Interim pin-ups are formative and summative assessments that guide and assess the process of design. Each student will be asked to pin up and present their design process using butter paper. Process must be legible and all evidence supporting the design scheme must be included.

The interim submission will guide and assesses students on the schematic design phase. Students must show how their conceptual ideas / design strategy and its development into a design scheme works and how it is responsive to the context. Students must also show how the design has been developed into an “Experiential space” taking into account the considerations of users, context, function and experience.

PROJECT 3

GENIUS LOCI - Visitor Interpretive Centre ( Bukit Cina )

Project 1 introduced and explored the formal and poetic articulation of architecture in a site-less condition. Project 2 established a Design Concept as a driver for architectural development. In Project 3, the design brief calls for an architectural response to design AN INTERPRETIVE CENTRE emphasising a strong engagement and relationship to the site, spatial experiences and programmatic requirements.