Project 1a | Preliminary Studies

A preparatory assignment that focuses on investigating basic notions of the city and learning from precedents around the world. This assignment aims to first introduce students to the basics of urban design and its relation to architecture. Secondly, it will study and determine the programmatic function, societal role, and spatial layout of a Community Centre and architectural responses for urban blocks.

Project Outcome

Project 1b | Architectural Design Strategy

With an aim to deduct a position for finding architecture and producing architectural design strategy. By this time of the semester, we should be able to find their positions to develop the Community Centre for the Creative City. We are to individually interpret the idea of ‘Community Centre for the Creative City’ and come up with an architectural design strategy for the same. This will be in-reflection to the issues and inspirations we found in Project 1a in order to offer to character, continuity and enclose, quality of public realm, ease of movement, legibility, adaptability, and diversity in the city. Architecture is about geometry. Exploration with 1:200 models on form-typologies such as linear, perimeter and diffused in terms of layering, subtraction, over - lapping etc is compulsory at this stage.

Project Outcome

Project 1c | Architecture for Place-making

Aim: to develop an architectural narration for place making in the city and to perform an integrated design. Architectural strategy should be resolved for form, activity and circulation, through technical integration. We were to develop architecture FORM, SPACE and FACADES for positive outdoor space (site layout)

▪ Animating the edge (Façade design)

▪ Building size and scale (sections)

▪ Building for change (space planning/function)

▪ A thriving public realm (connection to the street)

Architectural design strategy should be further resolved

a) by design through form, activity and circulation and

b) for technical and services integration through concepts and components.

The proposed building should be of an area of minimum 1200 m2 and a maximum of 1300 m2 and 3- 5 storeys high in the given block boundaries. Apart from developing a narrative on architectural strategy in response to the relevant questions pertaining to community and its context, the design should take into consideration a holistic application of structural, spatial, technical, environmental, services, and legislative requirements to address the user needs for an urban Community Centre. This will include a focus on tropical design, lighting as well as the design of the façade and building envelope that is of a coherent language to the overall design scheme. The design outcome has to exhibit strong integration in construction and theory, within the Studio, whilst concurrently integrating with the Module on Building Services through concepts and components.

Project Outcome