Architectural Design III
Module Coordinator : Ms Delliya Mohd Zain
Tutor : Ar. Shahirah Shararuddin
The module emphasizes on ‘experiencing space and place’ in architecture. In the subject, students are introduced to, firstly, an exploration of spatial typologies and poetics in architecture; and secondly, the concept of neighborhood and community. In their preliminary design work, students engage with studies and design of different spatial typologies (i.e. linear, spiral, spine, centric, etc.) for a simple dwelling space which explores the idea of architectural tectonics and experiences. Subsequently, the major project involves the design of a small-scale community building (e.g. gallery, small library) in the open landscape/suburban condition which engages with the spirit of place inherent within the site, the site topography, history and socio-cultural events. The design work explores the plan-section integration to achieve architectural form that is tectonically expressive, functional, and responsive to its site.
August 2022 - December 2022
To narrate the mystic scenes of rainforest when night falls, discovering the phase to phase changes of a rainforest when users enters while revealing the hidden and forgotten threat to a rainforest, deforestation through experiencing deconstruction of a rainforest, leaving users with awareness and gratefulness towards our rainforest.
Lang Lang Rok
Roles in Group work:
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Group Coordinator for progress and tutorial sessions
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Design collages
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In charge of manual drawing renders
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Developing presentation boards
Design Study
The design started with a study on Malaysian tropical rainforest. Understanding the functions and layers of rainforest and recent concerns on the changes of biodiversity due to pollution, illegal logging etc has led us to our design intention.
Individual study on oversea projects to delve into the making of poetic architecture by analyzing the modifying elements. The most often used are light and shadow, scale and color.
Storyboard
The forest breathes as hollow moonlight beams.
Unsettling shrieks come out at night,
Eerie mist dancing through
The only guidance is the moon,
With stars aligning to form signs.
Lost dreads the mind,
All alone in the depths of the undergrowth,
The aroma of foliage,
The noise of critters jittering about,
The shadows of trees
Leads me towards a secret.
Every swing of the axe
Perfectly attuned to the bark.
A cue nearly missed,
As we lose sight of the forest
Amongst the trees we have fell.
Call me a slave for the magical scent,
the lonely wanderer with no intent.
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The Journey
The plan-section showcases the journey travelling through four levels of a rainforest, then meeting an intersection that signifies the changes of the rainforest, travelling through a mixture of timber and concrete stilts. The end of the journey is denoted by large concrete columns with a strain of water, flowing .... the cycle continues ....
Project 1: Poetic Journey Structure
Group Work
Project 1 focuses on poetic architecture that forms expressive experiential spatial journey which tells a story and engages with the users through their individual senses. Poetic architecture convey beauty together with meaningful experiences that leaves one feeling more fulfilled. The task will be supported by reading precedence, site visit & site exploration of a given building, plus inventory and categorization of poetic spaces.
Project 2: Site Analysis and Design Concept
Group Work
Society, culture, history, memory and the landscape of a particular place echoes the meaning of that ‘place’, or its ‘genius loci’. These qualities will inform the architectural concept and generators for Project 2 as the aim of the project is to design a Discovery Center (aka visitor center) for Kampung Janda Baik, Janda Baik, Pahang. The project design brief calls for an architectural response toward the sense of place with a strong engagement and relationship to the site and programmatic requirements. Project 2a requires an analysis of the site context as a starting point.
Roles in Group work:
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Group Coordinator for progress and tutorial sessions
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In charge of Task 4
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Developing presentation boards
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Assisting group members in their task
Kampung Chemperoh, Janda Baik
Project Site
Key Plan , NTS
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Historical Research , Tracings of Macro Site
Historical and background research on the place was first conducted through compilation of write ups, images, photographs, video clips. After a thorough understanding of the site, we traced down the tangibles and intangibles element that represents the spirit of place.
Site Analysis
We then conducted site analysis and collected data of sunpath, circulation, vegetation etc. We are to compile our findings into series of diagrams and supported with pictures taken on site.
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Preparation of drawings for the site and a site model.
Extracting the Tangibles and Intangibles
Two visceral boards were done to present the tangibles and intangibles. The boards freely expressed our feelings and impression of site through water color and image collages.
The visceral board depicts the history of Janda Baik as a agriculture-based community full with paddy fields. It also showcases the natural resources of the site like rivers, mountains and rainforests.
We focuses on the texture of the site like grass, pebbles, greens and stones where we feel it is authentic to the architecture itself. The humans are often connected to haptics through senses which interconnects.
Site Response and Concept Development
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On-site Sketch
Sketches were produced to express my take on the tangibles and intangibles elements of the site which connects from the history of place to the rich natural resources that the site has to offer.
Project 2B: Janda Baik Discovery Center
This project focuses on experiencing space and place through genius loci of the site. We are required to design a structure to allow visitors to discover the people, place, culture and history. It will function as a visitor center that accommodates programs to reconnect people and natural environment. The outcome will be transformed with a touch of poetic architecture.
Gunung Didaki
A Journey through Landscape and Topography
Kampung Janda Baik is located in the midst of rainforest, connecting from the spinal of Malaysia Peninsula, Titiwangsa Range. High geographical location became it’s significance for rich natural resources, the river and forest. Inhabited by mostly Malays and the aboriginals, people live in harmony and unity while facing natural challenges without fear.
Janda Baik is what it is now with the existense of rich natural resources. Gunung Didaki unveils the story behind Janda Baik through sequence of story telling, a journey through topography.
Project Site
Tapak Kobaik
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The site is located in Kampung Janda Baik, an old Malay village up in the highlands. The site offers lush greeneries with views towards the mountains. It was said that the site used to be a paddy field but it has been pushed to a halt over time.
Storyboard
The design process starts with a storyboard to capture the historical timeline of the place that results in the making of Janda Baik. Through the storyboard, the natural resources are the most valuable asset that Janda Baik has and lures visitors to discover it.
The genius loci of Kampung Janda Baik revolves on the sky, forest and river which serves as my design inspiration for visitors to discover. The design intention includes
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Paying homage to the rainforest natural resources which nurtures Janda Baik, embodying the small highland community.
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A cultural and historical distillation node for visitors while a community hub for locals.
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Bringing in the topography of Janda Baik, allowing visitors to experience a topographical variation experience.
Massing Models
A drawing convention workshop is being conducted to ensure architectural orthographic drawings are well produced to address basic construction knowledge.
Schematic Floor Plan
Schematic Floor Plan
Journey Analysis
A Journey through Topography and Landscape
Ramp as a storyteller
Play of materiality, allowing conversations and trees to flow from a level to another. “ Hutan o hutan “ It’s the rich rainforest that makes what Janda Baik is. The rainforest is calling upon the visitors, bridging conversations with nature. The gallery is a living forest.
Scene 1 Bridging
Living Forest
Cold texture of concrete with a glimpse of light suggests the darkness and humidity of rainforest. The walkway connects incoming visitors and those who are moving forward to their next journey. Just like how Janda Baik was settled down in the past. Interactions, solemn then a glimpse of hope awaits.
Lawn
Passageway
Scene 2 Amalgamation
Exhibition Ramp with Panels
Scene 3 Discovery
Contrast of bright and dark unveils the story of Janda Baik. The deck is embodied by locally sourced materials sich as mengkuang and chengal, allowing users to discover bits of Janda Baik through texture.
Viewing Deck
Scene 4 Epilogue
Activity Area
Folding clouds soaring into the sky, is it reachable? The roof is cut through to allow visitors to go through, allowing them to feel smaller and more aware to the surroundings . Visitors start to reflect themselves after the journey.
Diagramming
Design Strategies
Ground Floor Plan
First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan
Sectional Perspective
Presentation Boards
Physical Model
I enjoyed this project a lot as the brief challenges us to design a discovery center for Janda Baik. Through research and analysis of the site, I have discovered a lot of interesting elements to be added into my design, like the roads in Janda Baik, mountainscape and river banks. Janda Baik is embodied with rich natural resources where without them, Janda Baik is no longer what it is. I would like to thank my tutor, Ar. Shahira for guiding me throughout this semester. It was really nice exchanging ideas and exploring what architecture could do to a community. I am grateful for what i have produced for this project.