Architectural Design II
Module Coordinator : Mr Nik Syazwan
Tutor : Ar. Alia Ahamad and Mr Nik Syazwan
This module introduces the principles and methods of analysis, abstraction, and synthesis in design thinking that are common to many design fields, including building and architecture. The key emphasis of the studio is “User and Context”, which investigates the relationship between user and natural environment. In this studio, students will undertake a series of studio-based exercises; firstly, an investigation of the architectural spaces and construction through precedent studies; and secondly, an exploration of form and space through architectural conceptualisation. Finally, students will design a small freestanding structure that meets user requirements and engages with the site context.
March 2022 - July 2022
The monkey house built in 2020 is an 86m2 cabin on stilts built in Paraty, Brazil. Architect Atelier Marko Brajovic built this house first as an isolation home during the pandemic but now used as a holiday home. The cabins’ stilts mimic the trees around as a way to camouflage with nature. The purpose of this house is to work with nature rather than working against nature. The cabin consists of three floors, the first floor is the living room and kitchen, second floor is the bedroom and bathroom, and third floor is an open patio allowing people to enjoy the view and relax outdoors with the comfort of the cabin.
Wooden Cabin on Stilts
Some Parti diagrams explorations.
Roles in Group work:
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Group Coordinator for progress and tutorial sessions
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In charge of model-making and diagramming the architectural principle Parti
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Developing presentation boards
Project 1: Diagramming Architectural Principles
Group Work
Students should 'learn from precedents' in the first assignment by analysing their design aims and principles, which include not just site and contextual approaches but also the examination of solids, planes, lines, and frames in architectural design. The aspects of architecture and architectonics that develop architectural shape and space through drawing and creating are highlighted. Our objective is to examine how architectural and constructional components are used to create spaces: architectonics.
Project 2: Introspective Pavilion
Group Work
This project explores the significance of architectural principle to aid us in generating forms and crafting spaces. We are required to generate and craft Introspective Architectural Pavilion that has spatial experience, with a maximum volume of 125 m3. We will have to demonstrate certain level of understanding towards materiality to capture experiential qualities in architecture.
Design Intention
Engawa
Engawa, defining veranda in Japanese, blurs the lines between inside and outside, reuniting humans with nature. The folly intends users to be able to experience the space between their feelings and post-covid environment in the same way Engawa does.
The use of stilts, steel and timber decks is intended to elicit emotions and make users ponder on ourselves throughout the pandemic. Engawa is supported by stilts of various heights and thicknesses that provide a sense of camouflage, allowing visitors to reconsider their relationship with nature. The user will walk through a sequence of settings that recall the pandemic predicament before approaching an open space to contemplate and reconsider life's meaning.
Roles in Group work:
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Group Coordinator for progress and tutorial sessions
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In charge of model-making
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Developing presentation boards
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Design Process sketches
Design Process
The design revolves on blurring the boundaries between the in and out, discussing the gray spaces and it's possibility to transcend people from the in and out, if so then how would the experience be? Is it transparent? Will people be able to reflect through the transcend?
An introspective pavilion that blurs the boundaries, provide a gray space to reflect on your thoughts while being hidden within the stilts.
Project 3: Atelier by the Stream
This project focuses on interpreting and analysing simple site context, users' character and needs. We are required to design an atelier at Wawasan Recreational Park, Pouching with the requirement of 100sqm built up space. The atelier has to respond to the tropical site context while including several activity spaces to promote pleasant living. We will be conducting site visits and several workshops throughout the project.
Arcadia
In the midst of bustling urban life, Arcadia is a poetic term associated with the bountiful natural splendor and harmony which aism to introduce a simpler lifestyle routine and connect with nature. It addresses the potential of sloping site with a composition of volumes followed with a central axis. This atelier accommodates my mother and I; deliberating a calm and protective dwelling, elegantly and beautifully detailed.
Designing with Poetics
Project Site
Wawasan Recreational Park
The site is located in a neighborhood park, it offers a steady slope with a river running through the park. A few design considerations are the encounter of joggers and the atelier and the views.
Site Response Vignettes
Site Use Alternatives
Site Analysis
The design process starts with site analysis with the production of site response vignettes, allowing ourselves to be more sensitive of the site. Progressing from that, site use alternatives are being produced to show simple massing configurations on 2D and 3D while considering tropical design elements.
Drawing as a Mean for Design Development
A drawing convention workshop is being conducted to ensure architectural orthographic drawings are well produced to address basic construction knowledge.
Design Intention
Elevated Calligraphy Studio
Programs
Courtyard
Opened- Living Area
The Plan
The spatial planning is divided into active and resting spaces to distinguish the mode of activities while having a large courtyard as a buffer.
Co-shared Space
The sectional detail cuts through the active paces of the atelier, providing a double volume space for my mother and I to perform our hobbies together without disturbing each other. The higher level accommodates my calligraphy hobby while showcasing the completed works to the joggers. The lower level provides views and natural ventilation with louvered panels.
Physical Model
Presentation Boards
I found out that this project is quite tough as it is my very first time to design a structure with a given site and users' requirement. I have learnt a lot throughout this project; site analysis, site-specific design and user-specific design. Besides, my exploration of materials on how it would enhance the spatial quality has helped a lot during this project. I enjoyed this project very much as I fully believe we live in architecture and architecture is daily life.