ARC e-portfolio: December 2015

Project 2- Research Report

11:06 PM

The second project is a continuation of project one. Small groups of 4-5 were formed out of the previous group to be each given one specific site. My group had chosen a significant building in Bukit Bintang called Maybank Tower/ Menara Maybank to be further analysed.

The research analysis was divided into 5 categories:

1. Site Context Analysis

2. Architectural Layout

3. Architectural Style Analysis

4. Building Construction, Structure and Materials Analysis

5. Architectural Elements/ Components Analysis

Individually we had focused on one categories during the research work. The information gathered was compiled into a research report. Below is our final report.

This research project had increased my understanding on the ideas, principles and contributing factors in Modern Architecture in Malaysia in a greater depth. I realized that it is greatly influenced by the local context, social and cultural components in our society. The understanding of architectural culture and history growth of a site is important in enhancing our sensitivity on the local needs and the surrounding context. It is also important in the process of creating even better architecture in the future.

Project 1- Research Timeline Analysis

10:35 PM

Architecture Culture and History II module started off with the first project, a group research work emphasizing on Modern Malaysian architecture.

Separated into groups of about 20, we were each given a specific area in the city of Kuala Lumpur and Selangor to be explored and researched on.

My group was given the North East of Kuala Lumpur. Each one of us had individually explored one building within the area and the information was to be compiled and presented in a timeline poster chronologically interpreting the growth of Modern Malaysian Architecture.

Below is our final timeline poster.

This research project allows me to learn about the relationship between the historical period and architectural growth in Malaysia. During the process, it was much influenced by the local social, cultural and environmental factors. It was a great learning which enable us to widen our historical knowledge in the transformation of Malaysian Architecture from before until the Independence in 1957.

Project 1- Green-Go Short Environmental Film

9:49 PM

For the first and only project in Environmental Sustainable Design, we were to produce a short film about green to go in a group of 9, to showcase the change that we want to see for a better future of the world. This project aims to increase awareness of global environmental issues and to explore the global growth in relation to its impact on our environment.

For my group, we had selected a topic focusing on how we can save our paper usage in our daily lives to reduce the rate of deforestation and to minimize its negative impacts by implementing the 3R method, which are Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
Below is our final video produced.

What I had learnt throughout this project was recognizing the negative human effects on the environments in the process of globalization while enhancing human lifestyles. However, it is important that we, being the cause of these to be responsible on finding balance between global growth and the environment. Everyone can give a helping hand on saving our mother earth.

Project 2- Construction Detail and Specification

6:08 AM

The second project is a continuation of the first project. From what we had learned, we were to individually produce construction details solution for our own retreat house design in Design Studio II. This is to show our understanding on construction materials, procedures and technology.
The detailed construction drawings and sketches were to be compiled into a presentation board with the 3 categories:
1. Roof Structure
2. Superstructure
3. Joints and connection

My retreat house was built on a cliff for a lonely filmmaker. Below with attached is my designed house. More details in this link.

From my house design, I had selected some of the elements to be drawn including the roof, beams and columns and flooring system. The construction has to be well responded to the site context. Below is my presentation board.

Through this project, I had learnt that designing building is not just about the good design concepts and principles. Construction is one of the must have elements during the design process. The building has to be able to be built. Without a good supporting system, the design wouldn't be successful. Moreover, I had learnt more about construction detailing and I shall continue improving my knowledge in it so as to apply it into my designing architecture in my future projects.

Project 1- Experiencing Construction

3:36 AM

Building Construction project started off with a group work consists of 8 members. We were to select a few construction sites to be visited and based on what we observed and the lectures learned in class, a group report was to be done, each member with one category.
The categories included:
1. Site and Safety
2. Plants and Machinery
3. External Work
4. Foundation
5. Superstructure
6. Doors and Windows
7. Roof

Our group had visited 2 sites with different construction phases during the time so that more information could be obtained. It is a good learning method as we could experience construction by directly observing the workers and contractors working on the site. After a few weeks of research, site visiting and tutorials, below is our final report.

It was an introductory project on the basic construction methods and technology. I had learned about the current construction technology, materials and elements on local construction site through our analysis and research. I realized that the procedures, safety and sequence in construction industry are very crucial in building architecture, including houses, bridges, towers and etc.

Project 2B- Retreat House @ Cape Rachado, Port Dickson

4:21 AM

Here comes the final wave for Design Studio II!

This project is a continuation from the previous project (Project 2A), where we were to based on the similar site context and design a retreat house for a given character. This final project is an individual work which carries the highest percentage of the module. The user and subject given to me was a Lonely Filmmaker. I had to research on the characteristics of this user to create a retreat house that would be the best suit for him.

My retreat house designed for a Lonely Fimmaker has the concept of healing silence which is incorporated with the interplay of natural lights. Below are some of the progresses I have went through until the final design.

Mock up Model 1- House is built as cliffhanger for its naturally guaranteed privacy.

Mock up Model 2- Slit openings exploration

Interim model with space planning

Final Mock up Model

Final Model with Site (scale 1:100)

Detail 1

Detail 2

Detail 3

Detail 4

Progresses

Drawings explanation

Final Presentation board and model

What I have learnt throughout this project were that understanding of a specific client and the analysis of the site context are the initial must have phases before the design process. While during design, I ought to keep based on the client's needs; at the same time responding to the site condition. I also learnt about planning spaces in a more efficient way so that the user experiences could be more comfortable and most importantly, an experience loved by the client.

This final project has summed up my first year in Architecture. There are still a lot more to improve and I shall strive harder to be a successful architect in the future.

Project 2A- Introduction to Site Analysis + Observation Deck @ Cape Rachado

1:05 AM

Second project is about site analysis and designing an observation deck.

Part I

First of all, there was a class trip to Cape Rachado located in Port Dickson. The whole class was divided into two big groups, each with one specific site to be visited. Our group was given the jungle trekking track while the other group was given the seaside. Sub groups were created out of our big groups to separate the analysis work to ensure the efficiency as the trip was only for 2 days. The sub groups included Site Plan group Landscape group, Existing Structure group, Activities Group etc.

Site visit

Cape Rachado Light House

The analysis was to be compiled after the visit and a presentation was done in class. Below is the presentation slide of our group.

Part II

From the big groups, we were to form pairs to work on an observation deck design on the site analysed. This project emphasized on user requirement, ergonomics and site responding to develop an architectural composition.

For my pair, we have designed an observation deck with the function of bird watching and resting, while applying the keyword 'cubism', a concept chosen from the first project.

View from our selected site

Progress

Final presentation boards and models

Final model

Zoom in image of final model

Finally, I had learnt designing architecture responding to the site condition, landscape, weather, activities and many other elements. It is crucial to understand my site before building on it so that it is suitable, last longer and it is an important step in creating a good design.

Project 1- Famous People, Familiar Faces

11:04 PM

Semester 2 started off with getting deeply into the thoughts of famous architects, on how they design, what they did that makes their buildings so significant and famous until today. It is a group project of 5 members and each group would be given a famous building. Let's check out what we've got!

Rufer House by Architect Adolf Loos

Well, very shameful to say, five of us didn't even know about this architect at first, not to mention his Rufer House. However, with the guidance of our tutor, we managed to do a well research and analysis on this building. And lastly the final outcome were the architectural set drawings, 10 analysis diagrams and 10 diagrammatic models to explain our understanding of the building.

Working scene in studio

Mock up models

Drawings and Diagrams

Final presentation boards and models

Final models

Group photo of the presentation day

It was a fun learning project working with these group members. Most importantly, I learnt that understanding those great architectural work is very crucial in our early stage in this course so that we could understand the history of architecture and apply the good design elements and principles in our future projects more confidently.

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