PROJECT 2 : MARKET-PLACE (URBAN IN-FILL)

After completing the preliminary studies in project 1, students have concentrated on designing a contemporary market-place 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.

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 an urban market-place. 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.

Project Requirements and Design Stages, Objectives and Outcomes

The scheme for a contemporary urban market-place should strictly span a total floor area of between 1000m2 -1200m2 , and comprise between 3-5 storeys only within its infill lot.

Sufficient floor area must be allocated for the design of a public realm, circulation and ancillary functions (i.e. loading/unloading bays, ingress and egress, refuse circulation, collection and storage) that is required for a market-place of this scale and type.

The design scheme must also take into consideration the appropriate building setbacks and basic fire requirements (i.e. escape distances, stairs and shaft).

1) Final Presentation Boards

2) Final Model

PROJECT 1 : PRELIMINARY STUDIES

Site Documentation & Analysis

Site Documentation is conducted as class effort to produce a single common file for the digital site model, physical site models and CAD drawings respectively. 

Site Analysis

The purpose of the Site Analysis is to observe and record the site’s current condition, and to collect additional information to be used in the initial design conceptualization and strategy phase. Key concepts and themes to be discussed in relation to the analysis include: Way-finding (5 Lynchian Principles), Typology and Morphology, Figure/Ground Mapping, Patterns of Movement and Use, Human Behaviour, Street Culture.

Precedent Studies

Each group is required to study and analyse one example of an urban infill & one example of a market-place. In analysing this example, students should develop an understanding and awareness of:-

(1) What is an Urban Infill?

This investigation is to help you understand what an urban infill is, and what are the architectural strategies (massing, spatial planning, façade design, etc.) adopted that are necessary in response to its physical context and functional programme. Investigate what were the regulatory laws that the architects were required to comply to as well.

(2) What is a Market-Place?

In this module, we shall define the market-place as a “centre for retail and commercial trade that also acts as social meeting grounds for an urban/suburban community”. This part of the Precedent Study entails an investigation into a relevant example of a market-place and inquiry into establishing its role within its specific context and community.

Key themes and criteria that require consideration in this study include the following: Programmatic Response, Formal Response, Public/Private Realms, Society & Culture.

1) Precedent Studies

2) Site Analysis

PROJECT 2 : PROTOTYPING

PROJECT 1 : CASE STUDY & THEMATIC RESEARCH (NATURE-INSPIRED)

PROJECT 2 : ADVANCE ROOF & INDUSTRIALIZED BUILDING SYSTEM

PROJECT 1 : ALTERNATIVE CONSTRUCTION SOLUTION & DOCUMENTATION

This project requires modification of NAC (Design Studio 4). Some alterations to existing design has been made in terms of construction systems which is to be replaced with a different, more appropriate, more complex and/or more recent building technologies without affecting the designs entirely. Ultimately, the drawings are collated into a report that documents both the predecent studies and the detailed drawings of the design.

Modifications are carried out on the following building components :

1. Floor system
2. Wall system
3. Roof system
4. To include a new basement level into existing design

PROJECT 2 : INTEGRATION WITH DESIGN STUDIO 5

This project integrates with Design Studio 5 and comprises of 2 parts, 1) group component & 2) individual component.

 1) Group component (Lighting & Acoustic)

2) Individual component (Boards & Report)

PROJECT 1 : LIGHTING & ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE EVALUATION & DESIGN

In a group of 5, this assignment is conducted to evaluate the environment of a space comprising of lighting and acoustic performances. The space chosen is the Hit  & Mrs Bistro located in Bangsar. A measured drawing with appropriate scale of our case study has been prepared and shows all the necessary features which affect the lighting and acoustic conditions of the space.

Analyse & Evaluate
Lighting:

• the site condition (sky condition, building orientation, etc)
• take readings of daylight level, lighting level & photos at different times of the day
• present data in a light contour diagram
• quantitative analysis is required in order to present the findings in conclusion
• identifying problems in both daylighting & lighting conditions
• provide calculations for the existing design

Acoustic:

• general site conditions (highway, main roads adjacent to site, etc)
• take readings of sound level for indoor and outdoor & photos at different times of the day
• present data in a noise contour diagram
• quantitative analysis is required in order to present the findings in conclusion
• identifying problems in both indoor & outdoor noise conditions
• provide calculations for the existing design

Assignment was conducted with the aid of lux-meter & sound level meter.

1) Lighting

2) Acoustic

3) Report

SYNOPSIS : INTERPRETING ARCHITECTURE

“Is architecture merely sculpture – the 3 Dimensional Compositions of forms in space? Is it the application of aesthetic considerations onto the form of buildings – the art of making building beautiful? Is it the decoration of buildings? Is it the introduction of poetic meaning into buildings? Is it the ordering of buildings according to some intellectual system – classicism, functionalism, post-modernism, etc? (Unwin, S. 2014)

This synopsis attempts to interpret architecture according to established architectural theory and conditions within which architecture is done.

In a group of 4, a reading is distributed weekly (4) and read, understood and discussed. The ideas derived from the reading is presented to the class and knowledge and opinions were taken into consideration. As of that, amendments have been made prior to submission.

Synopsis (compiled) :

Learning Outcomes :

1. Able to describe the theoretical issues related to design through study of architecture and urbanism and its related studies.
2. Further understanding of architectural theories.
3. Able to relate architectural theories to contemporary architecture and urban forms.
4. Promote interaction and discussion among students in terms of architectural ideas.

PROJECT 1 : ANALYZING & THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE (PART 1)

This project requires selection of a defined area of our hometown and see it “through the eyes” of one architect, urban designer or theoretician that was discussed in the lecture series. Then, apply or translate design theories and historic urban design approaches onto this area. Imagine how the architect or urban designer may have analysed and interpreted in this chosen area. The application or translation is done in both a graphical language and sketch design and accompanied by short reflective text of 500 words.

The chosen area is Putrajaya, Malaysia being a hometown for majority of our group members. Then, a theory is selected which is the Garden City Theory by Ebenezer Howard. Based on that, the ideas from the theory is further applied into the chosen area but however, only proposed for the micro-site which is Precinct 4. Firstly, problems were identified from the site and then, brainstorming sessions were conducted with aid of tutorials with the respective tutors. The problems were then solved using ideas of the Garden City Theory in order to make the site or generally, Putrajaya to be a better garden city.

Learning Outcomes :

1. Able to describe relevant theories which have shaped cities and experience around architecture, including its role as mediator between our society and its architecture.
2. Able to provide critical perspectives on key issues within the contemporary discourse of architecture, through integration of case-studies and theoretical studies.
3. Understanding of the complexity of architecture.

PROJECT 2 : ANALYZING & THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE (PART 2)

This project emphasizes architecture is like language with vocabulary, grammatical structure; both physical and intellectual. Through certain arrangement, it carries messages and communicates meanings. Nevertheless, in order to understand architecture, one must be aware of the conditions within which they are employed.

For this part of the project which is a continuous from the first, a particular building in Putrajaya is selected. The building chosen is The Energy Commision Headquarters (Diamond Building) by NR Architects. Again, ideas from the Garden City Theory by Ebenezer Howard is applied into the architecture and design of this building into realizing this building as part of the theory. Also, the impact of external factors (3) : 1) Garden City Theory, 2) Sustainability & 3) Technology is studied to understand and emphasize on how the architect had responded to the factors.

To include:

1. External contributing factors (min 3) 
2. Analysis diagrams (plan, section, elevation) 
3. To theorize architecture based on analysis of self & architecture

Learning Outcomes :

1. Able to identify the different architectural theories which inform the development of architecture and urban forms.
2. Able to analyze and critique the relationship between architecture and its social, cultural, and intellectual context.
3. Able to describe the theoretical issues related to design through study of architecture and urbanism and its related studies.
4. Promote critical interpretation of architecture and urbanism in relation to relevant theories within the contemporary discourse of architecture.

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