Portfolio - Building Science 1 [BLD60803]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southern Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

Project 1: Case Study- Identifying innovative Passive Design Strategies

This is the only project that we had for this subject. This is a group project of 5 peoples. This project intends to encourage us to understand the importance of passive design. Passive design is design that does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Building that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort. The tasks that we had to do for this project is to choose two buildings which is one from Kuala Lumpur and one building in Singapore that best features a passive design strategy for tropical climate and recognized as Green Building. After a series of discussions with my groupmates, we had chosen G-Tower in Kuala Lumpur and Nanyang Technology University of Art, Design and Media in Singapore. Before that, our class had went to a site visit in Singapore which allows us to have a site analysis of that building that we chosen and understanding the passive design of it.

Report of G-Tower

Report of Nanyang Technology University of Art, Design and Media

Throughout the process of this project, I did learnt a lot of things. It made me understand what is thermal comfort and the factors relating to thermal comfort. It enables us to criticize design of the space in terms of thermal comfort by referring to MS1525, Green Mark Standards. In addition of that, it allows us to identify and define the principles of heat transfer in relation to building and people and also the effect of it. Besides, it increases my knowledge of the effect of insulation, thermal mass and air movement on thermal performance of buildings. 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, Ms Suja. She gave a good tutorial to me every time. She was so helpful and guided us a lot whenever we met any difficulties and problems in doing our assignment or the understanding of the lectures.

Portfolio - Building Construction 2 [ARC 2513]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

Project 1: Understanding Forces in Skeletal Structure

This is my first project in this subject. This project is a group project of six persons. The tasks that we had to do for this project are to construct model of a tower by using popsicle stick, toothpick, thread, pins and a base of A5 size. The requirement of this project are we are not allow to use glue and the height of the tower must not be more than 30cm and must not exceed 100 pieces of popsicle stick. The purpose of doing this project is show how a load applied to a structure will work and also the joint of the structure members. 

Firstly, we worked on two methods which is interlocking the popsicle stick and another one is using toothpick to penetrate it through the popsicle stick and then tied with thread. After finished doing the model, we went to test it with some loads, in the end, it only can withstand 35kg. After some discussion with my groupmates, we found that there is problem is connecting the upper component which will cause the load transfers to sideway. Since load is tranfers vertically downward, so we decided to connect the vertical member end to end to each others and used toothpick and thread to strengthen it as well as added diagonal bracing to it which to overcome its shear force.

My groupmates and me were in the process of doing the model

This is our model final looks!!

Our model can withstand 137.5kg!! 

After the model was finished tested, we had to do a report of it. We had went through some discussion with out tutor, she suggested that we can test our model again until it breaks. So, we went though another testing it. In the end, we found that actually our model can withstand 176.5kg until it broke. 

Heng yee was putting the loads on it.

When up to 176.5kg, our model finally couldn't withstand the force of the load on top. So, it breaks. 

This is my report:

In this final project, I did learnt a lot of things. I understand how a skeletal reacts under loading which can apply construction system in design. It allows me to demonstrate my understanding and knowledge of how skeletal construction works. I also allow me to analyse the issues of strength, stiffness and stability of structures including modes of structural systems, forces, stress and strain and law of static. Lastly, I want to thanks my tutor who helped us a lot in this project and guided us step by step on how to improve our model and also whenever we met any difficulties and problems in doing our project or the understanding of the lectures.

Project 2: Understanding Forces in Solid Structure and Surface Structure

This project is also a group project of seven persons and consists of an individual part. The tasks that we had to do for this project is to proposed a building either solid construction or surface construction and identify the different types of structural systems used in the construction of the building. In the end, we had to produce a model showing the different structural system used in the building with suitable scale and materials. After a series discussions with my groupmates, we had chosen St. Paulo Church by Fuksas to work on.

 Our final model!!!

This is our booklet:

For the individual part, I had chosen roof construction to work on. During the process of doing the model, I had learnt the construction detail of the roof. So, it ease my work in doing the detail drawing of the roof construction.

Throughout the process of this assignment, it lets me learnt what is the difference between solid and surface construction systems in terms of loads and forces acting on structural elements and also identifications of basics structural systems in concrtuction. Besides, 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. 

Portfolio - Architectural Design Studio 3 [ARC 2118]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southern Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

Project 1a :Precedent Studies: Analysis spatial poetics & spatial typologies in architecture

This is my first project in semester 3 which is a group work of 5 peoples. This assignment required us to select 2 precedents for analysis which are one of it have to be pre-modern movement and another one is contemporary; and also one of the precedent must be linear and other one must be concentric. So, for our concentric one, we had chosen Hagia Sophia as our pre-modern precedent study; for the linear one, we had chosen Chapel of St. Mary of the Angels as our contemporary precedent study. The below are our presentation board of these two precedent studies.

 HAGIA SOPHIA

ST. MARY OF THE ANGELS

Project 1b: The Journey of the 5 Senses

In the project 1b, we had to use the design strategies  based on the Project 1a to design a walk themed 'journey for the five senses'. We had to read on the given poetry and visualized it from an architectural viewport and translated the poetry into a walk by using 2 contrasting spatial typologies. The poem that we had given is THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM

It was a summer evening,

Old Kaspar's work was done,

And he before his cottage door

Was sitting in the sun,

And by him sported on the green

His little grandchild Wilhelmine.

She saw her brother Peterkin

Roll something large and round

Which he beside the rivulet

In playing there had found;

He came to ask what he had found,

That was so large, and smooth, and round.

Old Kaspar took it from the boy,

Who stood expectant by;

And then the old man shook his head,

And with a natural sigh,

"'Tis some poor fellow's skull," said he,

"Who fell in the great victory.

"I find them in the garden,

For there's many here about;

And often when I go to plough,

The ploughshare turns them out!

For many thousand men," said he,

"Were slain in that great victory."

"Now tell us what 'twas all about,"

Young Peterkin, he cries;

And little Wilhelmine looks up

With wonder-waiting eyes;

"Now tell us all about the war,

And what they fought each other for."

"It was the English," Kaspar cried,

"Who put the French to rout;

But what they fought each other for

I could not well make out;

But everybody said," quoth he,

"That 'twas a famous victory.

"My father lived at Blenheim then,

Yon little stream hard by;

They burnt his dwelling to the ground,

And he was forced to fly;

So with his wife and child he fled,

Nor had he where to rest his head.

"With fire and sword the country round

Was wasted far and wide,

And many a childing mother then,

And new-born baby died;

But things like that, you know, must be

At every famous victory.

"They said it was a shocking sight

After the field was won;

For many thousand bodies here

Lay rotting in the sun;

But things like that, you know, must be

After a famous victory.

"Great praise the Duke of Marlbro' won,

And our good Prince Eugene."

"Why, 'twas a very wicked thing!"

Said little Wilhelmine.

"Nay ... nay ... my little girl," quoth he,

"It was a famous victory."

"And everybody praised the Duke

Who this great fight did win."

"But what good came of it at last?"

Quoth little Peterkin.

"Why, that I cannot tell," said he,

"But 'twas a famous victory."

After a few times of group discussion with my groupmates, finally, we had came out the concentric and linear design based on the translation of the poem. The following pictures are the design of our model, site analysis board and presentation board.

.

Our concentric model

Our linear model

Our presentation boards

My groupmates and me!!!

 Throughout the process of this project, I had learnt what are the design considerations employed spatial poetry and the different spatial types in architecture and how they inform spatial use and experience. Besides,  it lets me know how important an expression of different typologies which impact on the uses and experiential conditions of space. Besides of that, I really realized that team work and communication are very important! Really thanks to my group mates and I appreciate a lot during the process of completing the assignment. I realized that tutorial classes were also very helpful for me which it enabled me to familiar with each topic that taught during the lessons.





Project 2: GENIUS LOCI: Sire Analysis & Concept Development

This project is an individual project. Before this project, we went to a site visit to Labrador Park in Singapore. The purpose that we went for this visit is to do an analysis for the site and required to build a visitor interpretive centre in it as our next project. In the site, we were asked to take some pictures and after the trip, we had to do an interpretation hand-sketches which bring inspirations to our design project. Besides, we also have to understand and record the historical background of this park such as its significant characteristics, sounds, texture, human features. The pictures below are the sketches that I drawn. 

The ideas of drawing these two sketches are inspired by the creeping plants and creepers in the Labrador Park during the journey walking in it. The abstract diagram on the right brings out the characteristics of the creeps that it grows in a continuous motion but in a different direction. Besides, I chosen ' Connectivity and Continuity' as my design concept. In additional, we had to make out a conception model based on the site analysis that we got from the Labrador Park and also the inspiration that we got in the park. The below pictures are my presentation board. 

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, surrounding context and the users.

Project 2: GENIUS LOCI: Visitor Interpretive Centre (VIC)

Time flies so quickly! My last and final studio project is here. This is an individual project which causes 55% 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 related to the previous project which is also required us to develop our conceptual design into a visitor interpretive centre which emphasize a strong engagement and relationship to the site, spatial experiences and programmatic requirements. Besides, this centre have to provide a physical point of reference with visual significant that keeps the culture, history and essence of the site. The total floor area have to be 450sqm. After a series of discussions with my tutor, I continued using my previous concept which is 'Connectivity and Continuity'. She also suggested me to do some sketches on how the interior space of the centre will be and how much area will it required. In addition of that, she also taught me some construction knowledge which I never know before which made me feel very interesting with it. After a series of tutorials, my design had finalised. The idea of getting into this design is inspired by creepers as they have the potential to direct space with continuous motion and guidance through the spaces by varying direction changes. This aims to derive an idea on creating a space which running in opposite direction is to offer an indication of the different uses of spaces and to continue a spatial movement from one part of the site to the other. The below pictures are my presentation board and also a sectional model of scale 1:75.

Throughout the process of this project, I did learnt a lot of things. It made me understand the importance of designing though conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materials and textures and also the importance of the building which response to the site and functional program and user's experiences. 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, Ms Yan and Dr. Roya. They gave a good tutorial to me every time. They was so helpful 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 didn't 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.