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ARC 3120 - Architecture Design Project

Sustaining Humanities - Design development of the project produced in Architecture Design Studio V, that integrates the considerations of building performance, feasibility and cost, and building technology.

Project 1 Developing an Architectural Position and Project

Project Duration: 2 weeks

This studio forms the cap stone project for the B Sc. (Honours) (Architecture) programme, emphasizing on the broad theme of sustaining humanities and resolution of architectural design.

This module is a thematic studio based on the theme of “sustaining humanities’’—architecture for people, place and time. Designing for sustainability has been a fundamental issue for architects in our time within global and regional contexts. In line with the current discourse on sustainability, It upholds the believe that architecture can create better places, that architecture can affect society and humanity, and that it can have a role in making a place civilized by making a community more liveable.

Students are required to further develop the proposed design project by their supervisor that reflect the theme and finalize a programme that addresses the needs of the required user group, as well as provide spaces that invite interaction with the surrounding contextual conditions. In addition to the theme of sustaining humanities, the module focuses on the development of students’ ability to integrate considerations of technology, environment and cultural context in architectural design, and offers a platform for students to develop their own position in developing their individual project.

Students are to further develop the studio design project and position in architecture.It should begin with considering a position/topic in architectural design that the students would like to explore, guided by supervisor. Based on that, students are required to conduct and present the following pre-design analysis:

Studies of the contextual conditions of site
Studies on selected user group and building types
Studies on precedents that inform the ideas/approach/strategies underlying the design project

Based on your pre-design phase, develop a simple design brief that includes: the topic of exploration, the building type, the user group, the schedule of accommodation. The project brief my group members have chosen is a Multifaith Centre. The final submission for this project is video presentation.

Project 2 Humanitarian Initiatives Project

Project Duration: 12 weeks

Following project 1, my group members had several discussions on the programmes for a Multifaith Centre. We discussed the common points of all faiths where we decide that it is when altruistic acts are performed that all faiths can come together and act. From here, the group decides to push forward with the theme "Humanitarian Initiatives" instead of "Multifaith". This also a result of the context of Malaysia where there are many diverse faiths with their own place of worship, hence, a Multifaith Centre may not be viable.

With "Humanitarian Initiatives" as the theme for this project, I have proposed to design a Youth and Cultural Centre. After conducting the site analysis, I found out that the largest issue in Pudu is the low quality of life of the Myanmar refugees. The issue I have decided to tackle on is the lack of holistic education for the youth, including the Myanmar youth.

In my opinion, the local youth are lack of the sense of unity. With the presence of technology, the youth are more separated and secluded from each other, they are always on their phones or computers. There is a lack of physical interaction. The easy access to technology also diverted the youths from responsibilities. The youths do not realise their responsibilities in a community, they are gradually becoming more ignorant and selfish.

On the other hand, the refugees have different issues. Being an outsider entering a foreign country, they do not have the sense of belonging. The refugee kids are unable to blend into the community as they do not speak and understand the local language, and they do not understand the local culture. They also do not have the opportunity of getting formal education as they have spent most of their lives running. With little money, they are unable to enter the local schools. The education are not proper even though the Myanmar community form schools for the children. The schools are only depending on volunteers to teach. With no opportunity, the youth are unable to develop skills and creativity as there are no facilities for them.

I have proposed the Youth and Cultural Centre, in hope that the youth of different background can mingle and learn from each other. The local youths should realise their responsibilities to assist others who are in need. The programme encourages youths of different age and background to interact, should also help the refugees adapt to the local community. By instilling the cultural aspect into the programme, the refugees are able to bring in their culture into the community which will make them feel less out-of-place. By understanding each other's cultures will build the unity among the youth, which will be brought forward to the future. Programmes and activities provided in the centre should build the youths' creativity, innovative and skills which will help them in the future.

Basement Plan	Ground Floor Plan	First Floor Plan
Second Floor Plan	Front Elevation	Left Elevation
Back Elevation	Section A-A	Section B-B
Section C-C

Initial conceptual sketch of plan	Conceptual Sketch	Study of relationship of spaces.
Zoning of spaces (ground floor)	Zoning of spaces (alternative ground floor plan)	Zoning of spaces (First floor plan)
Zoning of spaces (Second floor plan)	Developing linkage between two buildings on the first floor.	Developing the relationship of semi public spaces and private space.
Rough sketch of section.	Bird eye view sketch of building front.	Developed ground floor plan