Architectural Design IV (ARC60508)
Tutor: Mr. Bryan Chee
Project 1 | Design Esquisse – Disabilities Experience Pavilion
Project 1 deals with the understanding of materiality in relation to use and experience: Materiality is seen as a setting for communal activities to convey meaning and associations as well as a function of structure and construction. Students will be required to design a Disabilities Experience Pavilion, which is intended to showcase architectural form and materiality for a proposed set of activities. The exploration of themes centred around the notion of addressing universal accessibility as well as the spatial experience of disabled groups in this project will relate to the programmatic requirements in Project 2
Project Outcome
Reflection
In a group of 2, we have decided on a experiential playscape for the intellectual disability of autism spectrum disorder among young children, namely "Stim-uli". Through in-depth research, we've identify the inclination of our targets to self-stimulate through stimming behaviours which consist of tactile, visual, auditory, olfactory, and vestibular stimming (which pertains to balance). Some common examples of stimming (sometimes called stims) include hand flapping, clapping, rocking, excessive or hard blinking, pacing, head banging, repeating noises or words, snapping fingers, and spinning objects. With those considerations in mind, the playscape features sensory-rich spaces where the children can develop their motor skills and at the same time satisfy their craving for strong stimuli via tactile cues throughout the spaces.
Overall, I am grateful for my teammate Favorie who has been such a blessing to me. It is still a learning process for me in terms of delegating tasks according to our strengths so that we'll be able to work with maximum efficiency. With the lack of member, it can be quite challenging to get everything up on time. Our digital model took the back seat as it wasn't our forte, we were on time constraint and with the lack of skills, it has affected our overall outcome as it is not what we've initially envisioned. If we were to improve, I'd have focused on our strengths in physical modelling and perhaps develop from there. Regardless, I still had fun exploring different ideas and exchanging thoughts together!
Site Analysis & Design Response
Site Analysis & Response establishes an understanding of the context for Project 2. In assigned tutorial groups, we were to conduct a site visit where we record, observe, and gather data informing the physical and social dimensions of the context. Method used in data collection may include sketches, diagrams, photography, videography, audio recordings, secondary site data from various local authorities, and simple interviews focusing on but not limited to these said dimensions, as listed. We will also have to identify the intangible qualities together with the physical inventory that shape the character of the site. From the analysis, we were to develop design responses to initiate our project 2.
Project Outcome
Mr. Bryan Tutorial Group
Project II | Wellness Center PLUS
The project calls for the design of a Wellness Centre PLUS on the fringe between a suburban neighbourhood and a botanical garden. We are required to provide full design proposals incorporating findings from site analysis and precedent studies. We were to generate narratives that respond to the environment and community within the given context and explore environmental poetics of building enclosure’s design solutions that reduce environmental impact utilizing various complex typologies of spatial organisations and a variety of passive strategies for sustainable design. The design should contribute to and merge harmoniously with environment and site and provide the best of spatial experiences in fostering a sense of community.
Design Concept
Interim Presentation
Project Outcome
Reflection
In Project 2, we were to design a Wellness Centre PLUS, a community health and recreational facility at Kepong Botanical Garden. With the outbreak of the Covid-19 across Malaysia and the globe, wellness in the aspects of mental, physical, social, financial, spiritual, environmental, and vocational have been threatened. The pandemic has isolated people from the outside world, including family, friends and neighbours. There's a need for reconciliation and restoring the disconnection. My main target user focuses on the families of the adjacent Taman Ehsan neighbourhood, with the aim of promoting holistic wellness among residents.
This project is a wake-up call for me as I've realised a lack of maturity in my thought process. Lacking of a scheme, I should have done more in-depth research to my context and tackling issues of site at hand. Good concept comes from understanding the context, user groups and activities. I've learnt to acknowledge my context and come up with architecture that reflects its intention. Having clarity in my thought process is equally crucial so that I'm able to carefully address each issues in my design. There's again so much to improve but I'm glad to have Mr. Bryan who has been patiently guiding me through it all. I'm constantly inspired by the books and ideas he's shared, which has encouraged me to read more in hopes that moving forward, I'm able to develop maturity in my architectural works.