SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN
Modern Architecture Studies in Southern Asia (MASSA) Research Unit
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
Project 1: Diagrammatic Abstraction
This is my first project in semester 2 which is a group work of 5 peoples. This assignment required us to choose an architect and study his or her work. From his work we have to investigate and to explore how spaces are created from the architectural compositions of solids, planes, lines and frames. The architect that we have chosen is Kisho Kurokawa and the building that we worked on it is Maggie's Centre.
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Kisho Kurokawa Maggie's Centre
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This project is divided into three small parts. The first part is to do a five minutes video of the introduction of Kisho Kurokawa. In this video, we talked about the biography of Kisho Kurokawa and also some of his famous projects like Capsule Tower in Japan and Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Below is the video that is done by us.
In second part, we have to do a series of drawing of Maggie's Centre from Kisho Kurokawa. The drawing includes plans, elevations, sections and site plan.
For the last part, we are asked to do five models of 6x6x6 cm. These five models should be precise and informative to express the analysis of the ideas hidden in this building. In the beginning, our tutor asked us to do 15 models of it. After we had shown our finished models, we received some comments from our tutor and some classmates saying that our models are too direct and not abstract enough. So, we worked hard on it and finally we came out with our five final model.
Natural Light
Structure
Repetition and Unit to Whole
Concept
Hierarchy
My group mate and me!!
Throughout the process of this assignment, I really realised that team work and communication are very important. I really want to thanks to my group mates and I appreciate a lot during the process of completing this assignment. Besides, I also learnt how to introduce visual thinking through diagramming and to introduce the basic principles of form, space and in order in architectural design.
Project 2a: Bay Watch
This project is also a group project of two persons. Before this project, we went to a site visit to Pantai Kerachut in Penang. The purpose that we went fot this visit is to do an analysis for the site and required to build a tower in it as our next project. Besides Pantai Kerachut, we also visited the Botanical Garden. We were asked to take some pictures and from the pictures, we had to choose four pictures that inspired us. For me, I chosen the following pictures.
Repetiiton of tree branches
Unit to Whole (stones to form a structure)
Hierarchy
Space and Void
In the end, we chose the second picture from the above as the initial design. From that, we came out our final design of it. This tower is built on the lake. The whole concept of this design is to provide a variation of view, angles and height for the photographer to take a nice photo. In order to capture a good angle and view, this tower provides five prone position tripods for the photographer to take pictures in a prone position. Besides, this tower also gives the photographer a good view in capturing the sunrise and sunset at the top of the tower. The material used in this tower is timber as timber is a natural material. So it makes the tower more adapt to the nature environment. Glass also used as glass allows more penetration of light to illuminate the interior of the tower.
Our final model!!
Through this project, I did learnt a lot of things. I had learnt how to explore an user specific requirement into a spatial planning and also how the site that we chosen correspond to our building which I think these will help me a lot in my others coming assignment. Besides, I had learnt the importance of the surrounding of a site will affect a building in term of its weather, soil condition and the users and also the awareness of site specific design and the process of the site analysis.
Project 2b - Pantai Kerachut Retreat
Time flies so quickly! My last and final studio project is here. This is an individual project which causes 60% of our total mark. When I knew this, I told myself that I had to work very hard and put a lot of effort in it. This project is quite similar to the previous project which is also required us to design and build a retreat house up to a space of 150 square meter for a forest ranger in Pantai Kerachut. In the beginning, we are asked to find two case study and learnt from them by doing some sketches of them. I had chosen Miner's Refuge (weekend retreat house) by Johnson Architect and Toc House by Elias Rizo Arquitectoz. From these two case studies, I had learnt that how the spaces in it are arranged and worked through drawing their plans and also how the materials used in it correspond to the surrounding. After that, from what I had learnt from these two case studies, I modified out my own spaces by drawing it out some bubble diagrams and plans.
Toc House
Miner's Refuge
After a series of discussions with my tutor, he suggested me to do a massing model and play around with it. From that, I had learnt that actually the spaces in a house not need to be look so compact together. We can make some separation to the spaces which will make the building looks more unique. From these, I made out my first working model.
After receiving the comments from my tutor, I knew that I still need a lot of improvement in it. Honestly, I was very blur about this as I couldn't get actually what my tutor wants and I was stuck in my design . Luckily the ideas and different point of views throughout the discussions with my bunch friends may lead me to further cope up with the ideas on how to do. So again, I made out another model which I think is more better than the first one.
After showing this to my tutor, he gave some suggestion and taught me how can I make it better. Then, I worked on it. Finally, I made out my final model which I felt very satisfied with it. The idea of this retreat house is came from life force of the environment. The spaces in this house is build for the ranger to use and experience the feeling of vitality by walking to a narrow space to a big opening space. Glass are largely used in it as glass allows the penetration of light in it as light fills in the space can give different impressions for the forest ranger. It can make the space seem pleasant or unpleasant, moving or ambiguous.
My final model!
My Presentation board
My final presentation!
Throughout the process of this project, I did learnt a lot of things. It made me understand the importance of studies of case studies and reference books which help a lot in our design. I also realized that tutorial classes ware also very helpful for me which it enabled me to familiar with each topic that taught during the lessons. I was very appreciate to all my tutors, Mr Hong, Mr Caleb and Mr Edward. They gave a good tutorial to me every time. They was so hepful and guided me a lot whenever I met any difficulties and problems in doing my assignment or the understanding of the lectures. In addition of that, I might found it was hard to do at the beginning and yet, after discussing with my friends and tutors, I was able to understand well. The whole process is quite difficult and sometimes felt very tired of doing it. And yet, I didnt grouse about the heavy work load as I know it's part of the journey and a way of learning process in my university life.
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