ARCHISTUDENT
AN ARCHITECTURE STUDENT'S PORTFOLIO SHOWCASING HER WORK AND THE LEARNING PROCESS
ARC 1126 - Architecture Design Studio 2
Emphasis on process of prototyping space through the exploration of solids, planes, lines, frames, surfaces and openings, with considerations of functional and spatial relationship, as well as form-making.
In a group of five, we are required to produce a video on a renowned architect. We then have to pick a project done by the architect and produce a set of architectural drawings on the project and a set of five conceptual model.
Video
Drawings
Conceptual Model
In this project, the students were required to produce a Site Analysis after visiting a site. Then, in pairs, we have to design a baywatch based on the site analysis.
While we were at the site, my groupmate and I have chosen the location based on the views. As the user of baywatch is a coastal guard, he would need a clear view of the beach and so we have chosen a location satisfying that requirement.
As our site was at the beach, we have decided to use the concept of wave. This is also because the user of the baywatch is a coastal guard and his job relates to the sea.
We had interpreted "wave" differently and extracted two elements from the it: the curvature of the wave form and also the ripple effect of the water wave.
From the ripple effect of the water, we can see that there is a repetitive element in it. We had applied this repetitive element on the structures like the base and also the body of the structure.
We had seperated the space into exterior and interior. This is to protect the guard from the rain especially during monsoon season. However, the walls and doors enclosing the interior space is all made of glass to allow viewing of surrounding even when the guard is staying indoor.
The body of the curved wall is designed with this curvature was to allow a wider view of the beach. We had also designed the baywatch with a ladder in front and a staircase behind for easy access of the guard during an emergency.
In this project I have learned how design a simple architectural space for a specific user. I have learned how to analyse and then incorporate a user's needs into the design. There were still requirements regarding anthropometric we have overlooked when designing this baywatch but we have learned from it. I have also understood the importance of the site when designing a building. Therefore, I have learned how to analyse and interprete simple site context and consider the context when designing. Climatic consideration is also important and I have learned to overcome problems regarding climate with design elements.
This project is a continual project of the Baywatch. Using the same site, we were required to design a retreat house for the coastal guard.
The location I have chosen for the retreat house is about 20 metres away from the baywatch. I have chosen this location because it is relatively near the baywatch and it is very convenient for the guard to walk over to his workplace. Also this location is surrounded with trees and bushes which gives privacy to the user. It is only 15 metres away from the sea during low tide. During high tide, the water goes almost up to the house but as the house is on a higher ground, the water will not flood the house. I have also chosen this location in which the house would be very near the ocean to give the user a sense of closeness to the ocean.
When I was on site, I saw an existing structure that has elements of a typical "Malay Kampung House". I did some precedent studies on the Kampung House and extracted a few elements to be inserted into my design.
Firstly, I have elevated the building like the kampung house. However, unlike the kampung house, I had made the ground floor habitable. The ground floor was left open without any walls as opposed to the first floor. This is to give a distinct difference between these two spaces in terms of privacy. The ground floor is where the storage, kitchen and dining room is, whereas the first floor is the bedroom, toilet and a reading area for the user.
As this is a retreat house, I had played around with the spaces. Instead of creating specific spaces for specific purposes, i had left the spaces open with little partition to give more flexibility to the user. This is also reflects the Kampung House where there is lil partition to allow ventilation without any blockage.
I have also taken the pitch roof from the kampung house. The pitch roof is to allow easy flowing of rainwater when it rains, especially during monsoon season. I had inclined and extended the roof, making it the facade of the house. A window is placed on the roof to allow a clear sea view from the first floor. This roof window also gives a clear view of the sunset. I had also extended the top part of the roof and created a clerestory window on the roof to allow morning sunlight to light up the room.
Presentation Board
In this project I have understood the importance of user and context in designing. I have learned to analyse and understand a user's needs and designed according to the user's needs. I have also understoof how a design of a space affects the user experience. I have also understood the importance context and learned to analyse how the surrounding affects the design. I have also learned to analyse and understand different architectural elements and improvise into creating a design that suits the context best.
With this project, I am now able to recognise more renowned architects and their works. I have also understood more about the chosen architect, Kisho Kurokawa, and his works. I have learned about his philisophies and how he had applied them into his designs. Based on the selected project, I have understood how the composition of solids, planes, lines and frames form a building. I have also learned to extract elements from a design and translate them in another form.
This conceptual model is based on the concept for the Maggi's Centre. Kisho Kurokawa designed the Maggi's Centre based on a cosmis whirlpool, representing a strong symbol of life, with everlasting forces swirling around a still centre.
This conceptual model is based on the main structure of the Maggi's Centre. This includes the beams and column and the steel structure that supports the roof.
This is a conceptual on the openings the allow light to enter the building. This includes the windows, the skylight, and the oculus. At night when the surrounding is dark, these openings allow light from the inside to illuminate the surrounding.
This is a conceptual model based on the repetitive element of Maggi's Centre forming the whole body. The panels on the exterior wall are the repetitive element that surrounds the building.
This conceptual model is based on the circulation in the building. As the centre of the building is the most important part of the building, there is more circulation around the centre. This is why in the model the centre is more concentrated. This also reflects the concept of cosmis whirlpool where the centre represents the strong energy force.
The project by Kisho Kurokawa we have chosen is Maggi's Cancer Caring Centre South West Wales in Swansea, United Kingdom. This was designed by Kisho Kurokawa in 2007 and construction of the centre completed in 2011. Unfortunately, Kisho Kurokawa did not live to see the completion of this project.
Transformation of Traditional Kampung House
Analysis of design
Project 1: Famous People, Familiar Faces -
Diagrammatic Expression
Project Duration: 4 weeks
Project 2: Baywatch
Project Duration: 4 weeks
Project 3: Retreat House
Project Duration: 8 weeks