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.

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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. 

Portfolio - Computer Application [ARC 2723]

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE. BUILDING. DESIGN

Modern Architecture Studies in Southern Asia (MASSA) Research Unit

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

Project 1: Modelling of an Architectural Design

In this project, we are required to choose one building from books, magazines, websites or our Design Studio 2 Project to create a complete model by using 3DS Max or Rhinoceros or a combination of both. For me, I had chosen my Design Studio 2 Project which is a two-storey retreat house to produce a model by using Rhinoceros.

Firstly, I inserted the image of plan of the building in AutoCAD and traced it out.

Then, I imported it into Rhinoceros to make it into a 3D model.

Since this building is built up from the ground which is supported by few columns with different heights, so from the plans in Rhino, I need to make out the level distance from the ground in order to make a clear vision for the next steps.

I start to make out the building by following the sequence from the floor, columns and walls then roof. So, I made out the floor slabs by extruding them out from the plans.

 

From the left, it is where the kitchen and laundry will be and the middle part is an opening space. I extruded the columns and walls of these two parts up to a specific height then extruded the roofs.

The space from right is the entrance and living room. As the previous works, I made out the floor slab and extruded the wall up to a specific height.

 This building contains a lot of windows which allows more light to illuminate into it. So, I created few boxes with the different sizes of different windows then made them cut through the wall. After that, I typed 'boolean difference', so that the wall will create holes according to the sizes of the boxes.

 For the first floor which is the bedroom, as the previous steps, I created the floor slab, extruded the wall and roofs from the plan. Then, I created the windows by using the previous methods.

For the interior of the building, I created a staircase by extruding the risers and balusters from the plan to certain heights.



Glasses with thickness are inserted into the windows of the ground floor and first floor. The first floor is joined to the ground floor after finished adding the glass.

Beams are added under the roofs to bear the structure and also acts as weather proofing layers.

 Shed roof covering (aluminium) is added by drawing the outline of its shape then extruded it.

A perspective view of this building.

Colours are used to indicate its materials which are brown represents timber; grey represents metal (aluminium); sky blue represents glass.

I imported the works in rhino file into 3DS Max file as I chose to do the contour in 3DS Max.

FIVE RENDERINGS

Project 2a : Still Rendering with Materials, Lights, Camera Views with Site Context

For this project, we are required to add in materials, lights, cameras and site context for final rendering of our previous model. Site context may include landscaping, furniture, vehicles and human characters. This project, we have to create materials and use lights in 3DS Max for rendering.
 
Firstly, I started by putting materials in it. Before that, I searched the image of the materials that I needed and then inserted it into 3DS Max. For the floor slab of open space, I chosen concrete tiles as conrete tiles are strong and durable and able to withstand various climate.

For the external wall and interior floor wall, I chosen timber as material but both in different texture. The reason of choosing timber as material is because the site is in a rural area and the surrounding is full of plants and trees. So, the site context will make the building more adapt to the environment.

 For the roof beam and roof decking, I chosen plywood as material because plywood is freedom from shrinking, swelling and warping.

Now, I added the artificial lighting to the building itself to create the shadows and also used camera to capture some eye view.

I used the camera lens 15mm to capture this view.

After finished added the materials to the building, I downloaded some furniture and trees from internet and added them to the building to increase it appearance.

 After finished adding the surrounding trees and furniture, I added the skylight in it. However, I met a problem in it. Once I rendered it out, the couldn't show out the skylight behind and it just stayed in black colour. The following pictures are the results of after rendering.

Even though the skylight is added, but after render, the background still appear in black. In the end, I decided to use Photoshop to add the background for it. 

Bird's eye view

Bird's eye view

2 EYE LEVEL VIEW

Project 2b : Still Rendering with Materials, Lights, Camera Views with Site Context

For this project, we are required to render the interior of the building. As same as project 2a, we are required to add in materials, lights, cameras and site context for final rendering of our previous model. This project, we have to create materials and use lights for interior in 3DS Max for rendering.

In project 2a, I met a problem which is the daylight couldn't appear after rendered. So, in project 2b, I tried again and finally, I solved this problem. This problem occurred is because in the beginning, I changed the environment map to a blue sky, but in the end, I decided by not using a blue sky. So, I selected the background colour directly to black and didnt change the environment map to Mr Physical Sky. So, this is the reason why black colour occurred during rendering. 

After solving the skylight problem, I started inserting camera to the interior. The pictures above show the two camera views which are living room and bedroom.

After fixing my camera view, I started inserting some furniture and lamps which I downloaded from the 3D Archieve inside the building.

For the lighting, I used free light. Since the lamps have different shapes, I set the light emit shape according to the shape of lamps and also chose halogen warm for the light colour. 

 After setting up the lighting, I made a render to make sure the out come of light emit is in a cylinder shape.

For the bedroom, I found out an error. The picture hanged on the wall doesn't show the picture in it and also the carpet on the floor doesn't show the pattern in it.  Besides, the two pillows on the bed appear partially in transparent. 

So, in material editor, I inserted the images to it and then applied them to the picture and carpet.

The result will be like this after rendered. However, I couldn't solve the problem of that pillow as I did tried to change the material of it, but it still appeared in partially transparent. So, I decided to download another pillow to see how will it appear. Besides, I also found an error which is the lighting. The light emit shape of the lamp is not precise to the shape of the lamp. It is because the radius of the light emit shape is bigger than the radius of the lamp. So, it appeared in a whole ring of light.

 So, it adjusted the radius of the light emit shape to fit the shape of the lamp.

 The problem of the light emit is solved and it looks more natural now.

For the render, I set the FG Precision Preset to low and also the diffuse bounces to 1. 

2 EYE LEVEL VIEW

Project 3: A Maximum 90 seconds Animation of the Completed 3D Scene 

This is our final project. In this project, we are required to produce a maximum 90 seconds animation of the completed 3D scene using 3DS Max’s animation commands and tools. It also involves simple video editing work such as stitching video clips, background music & special effects editing, through the use of Windows Movie Maker, iMovie, Adobe Premiere and After Affects.

Firstly, I decided to divide the video into 3 part. For the first part, I'm going to show the exterior of the building. So, I created a circle which would create a circular view of the building, then I inserted a free camera to it by using the path constraint. After that, I clicked into the 'walkthough assistant' under the animation and click on the 'follow path'. The reason of doing this is to make the camera run by following the circular path. After setting all the views and height that I wanted, I made a render to it.

After finishing rendered the three part of animations, I used Video Movie Maker to compile them together into one video. I also added a music to it. The below is my 80 seconds video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1Rl3hnTcsk