Project 1: Exploring the Environmental Poetics: Taylor's Gateway
This project allows students to explore the environmental poetics of a structure that responds to the basic natural context such as the sun, wind, heat, cold, energy issue and the existing context. Students are required to design a structure within, which in this case, a recreational area for students, at an open area applying ideas of environmental sustainability in architectural design. The site provided is a flat land surrounded by slopes right beside Taylor's basketball court. The structure should provide both a shelter and suitable environment for users.
Learning outcomes:
1. Identify and analyze environmental qualities and contextula needs of a site.
2. Apply ideas of environmental sustainability ( gained from precedent studies, ESD and Building Science 1) in architectural design.
3. Employ particular material and construction tecnique.
The following tasks were given to complete the project:
PRE-DESIGN ( DESIGN ANALYSIS )
1. Understanding the site: In groups of 2 students, investigate the given site. Record and analyse the site context and the natural environment through photographs and diagrams.
2. Understanding the brief: Identify and research the user needs.
3. Based on the site and user needs, brainstorm ideas for exploration of the shed.
SCHEMATIC DESIGN (PROBLEM SOLVING)
1. Conceptual thinking
2. Develop sketch plan and section to respond to environmental and user needs.
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT ( RESOLVING DESIGN)
1. Develop interior poetics (inside/outside relationship) by taking into account interaction between environment and architectural space/ form.
Presentation board
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Through this project, i learnt how to integrate architectural design with the surrounding context, taking into account the user's needs.It has been a challenging project as we were only given a week's time to complete the design but all in all, it was a good experience in terms of gaining knowledge on environmental sustainability and time management.
Project 2: Nature Appreciation Center: Gateway to Royal Belum
This project allows students to design a simple public building with some complexity that includes site topography and vegetation, socio-cultural events and variety of strategies for sustainable design. It provides an opportunity for students to explore design solutions that harness environmental qualities and conditions for humand and environment sustainability through a project with a specific community of users. Students are required to explore design solutions that reduce environmental impact utilising clustered spatial typology and passive design approach. The design work should contribute to and merge harmoniously with nature and the site and provide the best experiece to the users.
Learning Outcome:
1. Apply ideas of environmental sustainability in design.
2. Design and create architectural spaces with consideration of environmental poetics in relation to the basic natural contexta and existing built context which impact on users experiences.
3. Combine the environmental needs, the site (site topography, history and socio-cultural events) and the users experiences within simple building design in the open landscape/ suburban context.
4. Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural design and ideas based on clustered spatial typology.
Students are to propose a facility accommodating several functions such as exhibition, learning and recreation in a suburban context.The site given is Pulau Banding which is located in Gerik, Perak. Pulau Banding is a 243 hectare man-made island located within Temenggor Lake. Sitting amidst the 130 million year old Royal Belum Rainforest, this island provides numerous nature-based activities for its visitors such as fishing, bird watching, camping, etc.
Site analysis
Interim Presentation Boards
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Final Presentation Board
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Through this project, i learnt a lot on designing along with site context, and also on spatial planning. A lot of emphasis have been given to orthographical drawings, therefore improving my ability to produce more detailed technical drawings.