Architectural Design I
Module Coordinator : Ar. Lim Wey Shan
Tutor : Ar. Chong Sue May
Architectural Design I is structured as an introduction to architectural design. This preliminary design module aims to present and explain design through the expression of the perception of ‘self’ and the body, construction, and materiality in terms of tectonics. Students will undertake a series of studio-based exercises and assignments that introduces the fundamental methods, principles and approaches in design thinking and basic spatial design. This will be enhanced with understanding of anthropometrics and designing intrapersonal space with creative exercise involving the body movements and experiences of the user.
August 2021 - December 2021
Tattoos and Models
Project 1: Geometry and Form: Architectural Design Elements & Principles
This project aims to introduce basic understanding of the architectural design elements and principles, processes, and approaches in generating ideas, developing design, creating geometric 2D artworks (tattoo stamp) and transform them into 3D form (model), with the title of Expressions through Architecture Design Elements and Principles.
Lines and Repetition
Shapes and Symmetry
Isolation Structure
Project 2: Structure and Body: Materials, Anthropometric and Ergonomic Exploration
What is a structure? What is tension, compression, bending, torsion, and shear? What is anthropometry and ergonomics? And what is material and how is it important? We are to design a structure for self-isolation using recycled materials and to show our personal behavior during this pandemic period.
Design Intention
To create a self-isolation structure that is transparent to the surrounding and allowing users to nestled upon the structure; leading myself from the state of entangled to mindfulness.
Tectonic Study
Studying on Recycled and easily collectable materials and the possible joineries. Forces are also considered to prevent the structure from falling apart.
A Place for Mind
It all started with a hand holding an object, as if the structure is hugging myself. I intend the create a space that focuses on the mind, body and space; providing a sense of tranquillity and mindfulness opportunity to unleash every negative thoughts.
1:1 Model
Hand Drawn Floor Plan and Section
The language of fins is derived by Lines and Repetition with a play of rhythms. It follows the position of a human sitting cross legs while the fins controls the lighting.
Sensory and Space
Project 3: Space and Sensory: Self - Exploration through Spaces
In Project 3, we will look back our isolation structure and further develop it to a Sensory Space to anticipate and accommodate users’ needs and emotions. We are to identify a dominant theme from our understanding of emotion and enhance the structure to create a poetic architectural representation and our own reinterpretation of design.
Looking at Anthropometry and Ergonomics
Knowing my own body and measurements of certain positions like sitting, standing and crawling associated with emotions which responds to it.
Designing with Poetics
A journey analysis is being carried out with sketches to show emotions from left to right, perplexed, entangled, uncertainty, mindfulness and acceptance.
To design a sensory space that will evoke emotions reflecting the life under pandemic with a series of actions; revealing the user’s journey from an entangled mind to the acceptance of reality.
The design exploration focuses on how poetics can be crafted through architecture by an interplay of repetitive shapes.
Exploration
One of the design challenges is how can the rhythmic shapes can be experience not only on the exterior but also on the floor.
The poetics of space are being explored through the methods of drawing abstract drawings. The user journey is being captured at a glance with the presence of light and shadow. The design concept of ryhthmic shapes are shown with a degree of scale and light intensity throughout the journey.
Rhythmic Play of Lines
The playfulness and ryhthmic design is being amplified and reduced based on the spatial journey. The unprecedented placement of lines resulting in an intricate play of light and shadow.
As scale and visibility increases, user’s body tends to open up resulting inacceptance of surrounding ; comparing to initial stage which is dark and narrow, user tighten up the body.The human scale is considered when space is being crafted to give a sense of intimate or rather spacious scale by suiting the designed posture.
Series of Sections
The sections introduces the spatial journey by in a sequential order which reflects different stages of the pandemic; Curiosity, Perplexed, Entangled, Uncertainty, Mindfulness, and Acceptance .
Approaching my final project, I have a deeper understanding on how to express myself through design and architecture. I think the most challenging part of this project would be the creation of practical yet poetic space and execution of drawings and model. I've developed several study models which includes drafts of drawing, sketches of interior spaces, conceptual models and scaled model to discuss my ideas with my tutor. I also had to organised my time wisely to ensure myself to have enough time to draw the technical drawings. I had a great opportunity to discuss my design with my tutor, Ms May. She always shows interest in my projects and eager to discuss more to aid my design process. I really appreciate that ! Besides that, I've studied on basic construction materials and learnt some basic joinery which would definitely benefit myself in my further studies. All in all, I really enjoyed this project as I could narrate and tell stories through architecture.