studio 5 | mcwj

Project 1: Preliminary Studies

This project is a preparatory assignment that introduces students to the basics in urban design and its relation to architecture. Moreover, it also allows students to determine the programmatic function, societal role and spatial layout of a community library and urban infills architectural responses. This project is divided into three parts: Site documentation, site analysis and precedent studies of urban infills and community libraries.

Learning outcomes:

Conduct case studies and site analysis to generate an understanding of the physical and cultural context and development of urban environments.
Determine and describe the role of a community library in a contemporary urban setting.
Examine and establish appropriate architectural responses and strategies for designing within an urban infill site.
Produce necessary documentation (diagrams, mappings, photographic images, orthographic drawings and models) to record and communicate site analysis findings and for further use in the coming design stages.

Shown below are the presentation boards produced:

Through this project, i learnt the basics of urban design and also did thorough research on the 5 elements from the Lynchian Theory which further helped me in understanding the design of urban layouts. Moreover, these elements also facilitate my understanding of the site in terms of human behaviour, street culture, topography and also figure ground mapping. All these accumulation of knowledge towards the site, which is Jalan Ipoh, has prepared me for the upcoming final project, which is to propose a community library urban infill project along Jalan Ipoh.

Project 2: Community Library Urban Infill

In this final project, students are to design a community library within an urban infill site, in which is located in between shop houses in Jalan Ipoh. The design of the community library needs to take into account the urban street context and user behavioural patterns as analysed in Project 1. The design should also take into consideration the application of structural, spatial, functional and environmental requirements to address the user needs for a community library. Moreover, there is also consideration on legislative restrictions, integration of lighting and acoustic design, as well as exploration of the detailing of the facade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.

Learning outcomes:

Produce a design outcome for a community library that is site-specific through its formal, cultural, legislative,structural and environmental design responses.
Apply basic knowledge or urban architectural typologies, infill design strategies and community library programming.
Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and awareness of local design codes and regulations
Design within the constraints of feasibility and in response to basic design codes and statutory requirements.
Utilies study models, diagramming, mapping, orthographic plan-section and elevational studies to explore and resolve relevant spatial, structural, functional and environmental issues in the desin development phase.
Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), models and presentations to verbally and visually communicate architectural ideas and schemes.

Shown below are the final presentation boards produced:

Through this project, I learnt how to integrate an architectural design to its surrounding and to relate to the human activities and culture of the site. Moreover, I also gained knowledge on governmental building restrictions related to the safety and comfort of the users of the building. Spatial layout is also a huge concern in this project, which was challenging to design, as many considerations needed to be taken into account. Finally, I also learnt to integrate lighting and acoustic features into my building according to UBBL, creating a comfortable environment for the users.