Architectural Studio 5

PROJECT 1: PRELIMINARY STUDIES

Introduction

 

For this project, we were introduced to basic notions of a city, and required to learn from examples of community library around the world. This assignment aims to firstly introduce the basics in urban design and its relation to architecture, and secondly, studying and determining the programmatic function, societal role and spatial layout of a community library and architectural responses for urban infills.

The Preliminary Studies comprises of three components: Site Documentation, Site Analysis, and Precedent Studies of Urban Infills and Community Library.

• Site Documentation and Site Analysis will equip students with a firm understanding of the site   

• Precedent Studies will provide an insight into architectural responses for designing an urban infill

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Objectives Met

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Through this project, I have gained further understanding in:

• The formation of cities and introduce basic concepts of urban design in relation to architectural design

• The implementation of basic methodologies of urban studies

• The role of community libraries in traditional and contemporary urban societies

• Architectural responses for urban infills

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Learning Outcomes

 

Through this project, I have developed the ability to:

• 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 to record and communicate site analysis findings, and for further use 

 

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Submission Requirements

 

In a group of 12, we were required to conduct;

• Site analysis of an assigned area (Site 2, Jalan Ipoh), observing and documenting the current site condition, more specifically, Way-finding (5 LynchianPrinciples), Typology and Morphology, Figure/Ground Mapping, Patterns of Movement and Use, Human Behaviour and Street Culture.

• Precedent Studies of one example of an urban infill and one community library so as to develop understanding and awareness of:-
  (1) Architectural strategiesof Urban Infills that are necessary in response to its physical context and functional programme. 
  (2) The community library as a “place which provides public with access to books and periodicals acts as social meeting grounds for an urban/suburban community”. 
  Key themes and criteria that require consideration in this study include the following: Programmatic Response, Formal Response, Public/Private Realms, Society & Culture.

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Our findings and results were compiled into;

• A power point presentation 

• A 1:100 microsite model

• 8 A3 panels for Site Analysis

• 4 A3 panels for Precedent Studies

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Reflection

 

Through this project, I have come to better understand the assigned site of Sentul and Jalan Ipoh, its people and deep history, its current condition and how it would change in the future. Armed with this knowledege, I am able to proceed in an enlightened manner to the design stage of the community library. Through exploring numerous precedent studies, I have gained further knowledge into the nature and strategies adopted in the construction of urban infills and their response to the context and its people. I have also gained insight into the role of community libraries in the society to be applied in the design.

PROJECT 2 : FINAL PROJECT

Introduction

 

For this project, we were required to design a community library within an urban infill site. The design of the building is to consist of appropriate architectural responses that address the aspects of the urban street context and user behavioural patterns as discerned and analysed in the Preliminary Studies.

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Apart from developing an appropriate formal and elevational strategy in response to the character of the street, the design should take into consideration a holistic application of structural, spatial, functional and environmental requirements to address the user needs for a community library. The design development of this project will include an introduction to the legislative restrictions that impact an architectural scheme, the integration of lighting and acoustic design, as well as the design exploration and detailing of the façade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.

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Project Objectives 

 

Through this project, I gained better understanding in:

• The key aspects of urban design and context in relation to architecture

• Basic compliance to Design Codes and Statutory Requirements

• The importance of elevational context and composition in developing architectural design

• The conceptual, schematic and design development phases in an architectural design project

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Learning Outcomes

 

Through this project, I have developed the ability to:

• 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 of 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

• Utilise study models, diagramming, mapping, orthographic plan-section and elevational studies to explore and resolve relevant spatial, structural, functional and environmental issues in the design development phase

• Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), models and presentations to verbally and visually communicate architectural ideas and scheme.

 

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Submission Requirements

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Individually, we were required to design a Community Library with a set boundary as a focus for community interaction as the focus for a variety of cultural, learning and recreational opportunities. The design scheme must also take into consideration the appropriate building setbacks and basic fire requirements. The design must then be submitted in the following format;

• 6 - 10 A1 Presentation Panels 

               Sectional Perspective

               Floor plans 1:100

               Sections 1:100 to include site boundaries and description of lighting and acoustic integration

               Site plan 1:200

               Diagrams, sketches and additional images

• 1:100 Physical Model 

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Reflection

 

Through this project, I was able to design in an urban context for the first time. Through this experience, I have learned more about the differences between a rural and urban site and the considerations that needed to be taken into account when designing an urban infill.

I have also been exposed to legislative requirements in design, more specifically in the inclusion of fire stairs and means of escape from buildings. I have learned a great deal on programmatic responses as well, the importance of making them specific to a certain intention or concept that corresponds to the people and the context.