Thursday 11 July 2013

DESIGN COMMUNICATION

Project 1(a): On-site sketching

In this project, we are required to understand the idea of space in architecture and develop skills in sketching as a mode of communication.  Besides, we need to visualize spaces through observation and self perception of a given site and convey it in sketches.
In my opinion, sketching is a good method to record a particular event or place, where we are able to observe details that we might not notice through photo taking. Moreover, it also gives me the time to actually enjoy the given site I was sketching and a brand new perspective of a place which I have been seeing everyday yet neglected the beauty hidden in it.

Through my window

Tea set 

The memory trunk

Across the lake


Project 1(b): Tonal values

We were taught on developing various techniques of hatching and skills in communicating spaces in various tonal and depth values. It was because of this project, I am able to appreciate the beauty of different hatching styles as I used to dislike the visual effect created by crosshatching. Next, we also learnt on how to show the textural qualities and materiality of an object through different hatching techniques. It was really an interesting thing to learn.

Hatching

Scribbling

Stippling

Cross hatching


Project 2(a): Orthographic projections

For this project, we had to do our own research on the Barcelona Pavilion by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and produce drawings of detailed plan, site plan, sections and elevations on an A1 presentation board.  Even though I had learnt orthographic drawings in my foundation year, but this was the first time I did it with technical pens and tracing paper where some skills are needed in order to produce a clean and neat work. Besides, through this, I have learnt the drafting skills in modern and traditional architectural drawing methods were we were required to use T-square and set squares and drafting table. 

In addition, we need to be able to record and present clearly architectural information manually on the board in which line weights, line types, line qualities, and handwriting are given importance of. (So many people got their hand cuts from here while trying to scrap the ink of the tracing paper and I was one of them.)




Project 2(b): Axonometric projection

This is a project where we need to extract lines from the detailed plan and create an axonometric drawing. Our ability to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in 3-D was tested in this project. Not just that, we also did diagrammatic analysis for this and I realized the marble cladding structure for Barcelona Pavilion is quite fascinating as that was the time I knew how marbles are clad into walls. I find it really important to know your building well from how it's built till the materials used because those affects the aesthetic, functionality and meanings of a building.



Project 2(c): Perspectives

This is a project in which we need to have the ability to create one-point and two-point perspectives through the two-dimensional information we had.
Moreover, we need to understand well on the idea of what is perspective and the different types of it and how to present it aesthetically in consideration of human scale and proportion. Through this project, I actually get to know more in dept of the site around Barcelona pavilion and different views for the exterior and interior of the building. Even though it was a simple building, but I kinda like the spatial organization and simplicity created.
 One of biggest lesson I learnt from this last project for Barcelona pavilion is, never leave your presentation board too blank and add entourage in to show human scale and proportion when your drawings aren't to scale.

It turn out to be colorless after scanning.




BUILDING MATERIALS

Exercise: “My Home My SPACE”
This exercise introduced us to building materials that are commonly used in the local construction industry where we need to identify five materials, finishes or furnishes that are being used in a specific space in our home. We were required to document and describe them through photographs, sketches and some descriptions. 



Project 1a: “Materiality of SPACE: An experiential exploration”

In this project, we need to work as a group and choose an interesting place to study on the building materials used in it. The site that we had chosen was “The Hill” which is a hilltop restaurant and bistro located in Kuala Lumpur. We were required to produce a complete documentation and analysis of materials including their physical and chemical properties. Through this, I had learnt on how building materials actually affects the aesthetic and structural qualities of a space and what feelings that it can evoke in the users. We were also required to understand the suitability of the materials used in the chosen site considering the climate, concept and occupancy factors. Lastly, we need to be able to know simple construction on how the materials are joint together or installed.

individual board



group presentation board

Link to mood board:


Project 2 Integration:  Material Specification

For this last project, we were required to state the building materials used for our final studio design. We were given the freedom to choose the best and latest material technology developed into our design. Besides, we need to understand what are the effects created by the materials we had chosen and is it compatible to the site context of our site model. The building materials for this final project  that needs to be included covered the finishes, walls, floorings and roof of our studio design. 

Link to final presentation board:
http://www.slideshare.net/XingYue0907/bmats1