Building Materials [ARC 1513]

Lecturers :  
Sanjeh Raman, Edwin Nada Chomen, Ananthan A/L Valitherm (My Tutor), Ann See Peng

Exercise : " My Home My Space "

In this first exercise of Building Materials, we were required to identify FIVE materials that are being used in any areas in our HOME. Besides, we were also required to describe their general usage and produce documentation in an A2 presentation board as shown below :

Thanks to this exercise, it initiates me to search for more information base on the building materials and this helps me to develop the ability to identify various kind of materials that I never discover before. Frankly speaking, this is not my house, as I left my hometown and stayed as a resident here for further study. However, through this pleasant exercise I've know more about my current living environment and gained the knowledge on how to maintain and give proper care to the materials around me. 

Project One : Materiality of Space - An experiential exploration.

This is the first project for B.Matt, we were given a sufficient duration of 5 weeks to complete our tasks. This time we need to work as a team in group of FIVE, our task was to select a creative space of a commercial or residential building and explore the building materials covered in the module. After that, we were asked to produce a mood board, identify the materials and describe its general properties, and gain the ability to be able to explain the suitability of material used in context to concept, occupancy and climate.

On the other hand, we also needed to undergo experiential analysis of the materials and space individually and produce our documentation in an A2 paper.

My group has produced two A2 presentation boards, look below.

This is our Mood board.

And this is my individual presentation board.

I've realized how incredible the building materials creates a meaningful space with its appropriateness and the right purpose for a significant space. Now, I developed the analytical skill in choosing the right and suitable building materials for a building or a design. Through this project, I started to feel and experience my surrounding environments deeply. What a wonderful world! There are much more new building materials that I have ever discover yet, as the building materials never stop invented everyday.

Project Two : Integration of Building Materials

This final project for this subject was to test our knowledge and ability to choose the right and suitable materials for our hideout building which we created in the Design Studio. This project were supposed to be submitted two weeks before the final external presentation, a TOTAL disaster appears in front of me, as my hideout building haven't being finalize by my tutor in the Design Studio which makes this project delayed and had postponed its submission date.

My tasks for this project was basically the same as the previous project, I need to introduce the process materials selection process by designers during designing stages and also connect myself to the latest development and technology relating to the building materials. Furthermore, I also need to understand how the building materials selection affects the aesthetic and structural values of my design and my knowledge and understanding of the building materials would also be tested.

In this project, I feel like a real architect who analyze, creates and have the power to select the most suitable materials for my hideout building in design studio. After that , I need to compile all my documentations in a maximum amount of two A3 presentation boards.

There you go, these are my boards.

Reference List

Thanks to my lecturers who provided the most pleasant lessons and I truly learned and gained a lot of knowledges and skills from them.

             

Architecture Culture and History 1 [ARC 1313]

Instructors : Koh Jing Hao, Nurul Anida Mohamad, Shahrianne Mohd Shah, Sarly Adre Sarkum ( My Tutor ), Norhayati Ramli.

Project : Precedent Study

In this project, we worked together as a group of four, Hiew Yen Nee, Chen Rou Ann and Chu Szi Wei. We were asked to choose an ancient architectural period to work on our project. At the end, we chose Romanesque Architecture--- Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore.

The aim of this project is to introduce basic architectural theory through a consideration of intentions, concepts, patterns, disciplines, architectural language and contextual relationships. In addition, it was also to examine architecture history through a chronological survey, looking at the intellectual, aesthetic, technological, political and economic factors which have influenced the architectural design.

Our first task in this project was to write up a 500-word essay to summarize our researches.

After completed the essay, we were needed to provide an in-depth analysis of the building in an A2 presentation board. The analysis should be include:

• Concept analysis ( building concept or architect concepts)
• Building massing analysis ( structure, geometry)
• Circulation Analysis
• Spatial Organization analysis (public vs. private, symmetry and balance, unit to whole, repetitive to unique, additive and subtractive, hierarchy)
• Building sectional analysis.

The presentation board must be hand-drawn on an A2 presentation board.

Here is my A2 presentation board.

RIght after we completed our boards, we started the most challenging progress, model making. We were required to use balsa wood to build a 30cm x 30cm model of Basilica Di Santa Maria Maggiore.

We decided to emphasize on the external front view of the building and its interior space.

Here are some pictures of our model.

This is the end of our Architecture Culture and History routine for Semester One. I would like to thank our tutor Mr. Sarly for giving helpful instructions and ideas on our project. Our presentation also went on very well on that day, I'm very glad for it.

Design Communication [ARC 1713]

Project 1A : On-site Sketching

In this project, we were required to produce 4 sketches : 2 exterior and 2 interior. We were suggested to choose 4 sites around Taylor's University to produce our work.

The aim for this project are as follows :

• To understand the notion of space in architecture.
• To develop skills in visualizing of space through observation and perception of a given site.
• To develop skills in sketching as a mode of communication.

Here are my 4 on-site sketches.

Through this project, I've learned the necessary skills on sketching and shading. At the meantime, I also learned how to communicate with the audience through my drawings. The experience of on-site sketching is a must for an architectural student.

Project 1B : Tonal Values

In this project, we were also asked to produce four sketches. We were told to choose one of our own object with shadow, sketch it out and trace it, but producing it in four different toning method. 

The four methods are :

• Scribbling
• Hatching
• Cross-hatching
• Stippling 

The aim for this project are as follows :

• To understand the notion of space in architecture.
• To develop skills in communicating the above in various tonal and depth values.
• To develop various techniques of hatching through different medium.

Here is the photo of the object I've chose.

Here are my 4 sketches.

Through this project, I've learned the significance of toning as it will make the sketches become alive. Furthermore, I've learned the basic types of toning skills which are very helpful to my further drawings for the following years in architecture course.

Project 2A : Orthographic Projections--- Plans, Sections, Elevations.

In this project, Mr. Sanjay introduced a very amazing building named Barcelona Pavilion. Then, we were asked to produce the orthographic drawings of Barcelona Pavilion.

The aim of this project is to utilize the given image of a simple building to be drawn up. By using the skills demonstrated and explained in the workshops, draw up the following required orthographic drawings in 1:100 scale as stated below :

• Floor plan
• North elevation, South elevation, East elevation and West elevation
• Cross-sectional view and Longitudinal-sectional view
• Site plan

The duration of the project took us approximately 3 weeks. We research, measure, draw, ink, and lastly render it. It was a tough project for me, but however, it was a very great experience I've ever had.

Now, let me show you my A1 orthographic drawings.

Floor Plan

North Elevation

South Elevation

West Elevation

East Elevation

Section AA

Section BB

Site Plan

Project 2B : Axonometric Projection

After our submission for orthographic drawings, the axonometric drawing came next. We used our 1:100 scale floor plan produced in project 2A to produce an axonometric drawing for Barcelona Pavilion in this project.

The aim of this project is to test our understanding and knowledge of the building to generate an external axonometric projection and a sectional axonometric of Barcelona Pavilion.

Here is my Axonometric Projection.

After this project, I've learned the skills on how to express spatial ideas and architectural details in the three-dimension drawing, axonometric.

Project 2C : Perspectives

This is our final project for Design Communications. We were required to produce two perspectives based on the Barcelona Pavilion building. A one-point interior perspective and a two-point exterior perspective.

The main aim for this project is to obtain the ability to express spatial ideas in three-dimensional form and to understand the relationship between two-dimension and three-dimension in architectural drawings.

These are my perspective drawings.

One-point Interior Perspective

Two-point Exterior Perspective

Although this last project is more time-consuming and more effort needed to be produced, I just love perspective drawing as it shows all the details of a particular building. 

Lastly, I would like to thank all of my lecturers for giving me the precious skills in drawings and I'm highly appreciated.

Architecture Design Studio 1 [ARC 1116]

Project One : Representing Me - Self-Expression through Object

This is the very first project for design studio and also an ice-breaking session for the freshmen of this course. We were instructed to explore our inner-self and create artworks and expressions of varied art forms to our personal interest. Lastly, we would select a medium of choice to communicate and best represent our abstract sense of self.

This is my initial idea on my sketchbook journal.

This is what I've made for this project, AMAZED.

We were also required to write up a summary of our project in around 50 words.

I've learned a lot of skills on how to translate and interpret my personality into something creative and visualizable. Before doing this project, I never bother about my true personality, but now I know what makes me a special person. Through this project I've also know more about my classmates, some of them have common personalities with me, and this made us a team for the next project, which is project two.

Project Two : Me in Space - Self-Expression through Architectural Space

In Project 2, we will be introduced to basic design principles and this helped us to gain the ability to articulate and dictate what our designs are as we move on to develop the ideas and interpretations of oneself. Before starting the project, we enrolled in tutorial class to learn more about anthropometry in order to understand how the body relates to space, and further develop the understanding of scale and proportion in the relationship between body and space.In a group of three, we received the task as shown below :

• 1:1 Installation within the maximum volume measuring 1.5m x 1.5m x 2m
• Presentation Panel A3 Board
• Verbal Presentation 5 minutes

This is the exercise we've done during tutorial class.

My ideas on my sketchbook journal.

My Study Models.

Our group hardworking process sneak peak!

      

 

   

Our Installation was almost done.

Behold, our 1:1 scale Installation Model. Compact Multifunctional Furniture.

  This is our group A3 presentation boards.

Finally, Installation Day at University Square!

These are some of my classmates masterpieces.

Through this project, I've learned the precious values of time management, partnership and cooperation between group members and also develop the ability to apply basic design principles and elements in a particular space and also learned the relationship between human body and a designed space from the chapter of scale and proportion.

Being able to design and create a space based on our personalities and able to express our conceptual narrative is the main aim for this entire project.

Project Three : My City Dreamspace

This is the final Design Studio project for Semester 1. Before we start the project, our lecturer gave us four movies to watch, they were Fifth Element, Tron, Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner. At the same time, we broke into groups of five and we were required to watch all of the movies together. My group members are Jasmine Chan (the leader), Nick Lim, Nasreen and Xavier Ooi. After watching all the movies, we were asked to choose one of them as our final studio project. At the end,  we chose this very funny movie--- Fifth Element. This movie blends the dramas and the comedies.

Wave goodbye to the enjoyment of the screening, now we immediately started to build our 1:50 scale site model after the approval from our tutor. 

This is the failed model we've made, because we were confused about the requirement of this project. However, I never felt wasted but pretty amazed by our models.

This is how our site model should be.

After we completed this site model, we were no longer working as a group, but complete our next task on our own. 

The tasks are that we were required to imagine ourselves inside the movie and play around with concepts and elements, after that create a character and a hideout for ourselves based on this movie. 

This is my initial ideas on my sketchbook journal.

My study Models.

 Introduction to my Project

I've created a spy in this Fifth Element movie and also a hideout. There were three spaces in total : the spy training space, low society space and high society space. The central space is the spy training space. It is in the form of cube, this is to show its originality and indicate it is the main hideout for my spy. The other two spaces are actually transformed from cubes. This significance is to differentiate out my main space from them. The stainless steel bars are tools for me to access to my spaces swiftly.

The Main Space--- Spy Training Space

It is a cubic structure. I used the basic shape, cube, to represent the originality of the main space for my spy. It is a training space, so I've created a very steep staircase of 0.4m height per steps, a platform as low as 0.4m above the ground, and two 4m walls which separates 1m away from each other for the wall training. This is to show that I am a determined person as I will overcome every difficulties in order to achieve my goals. At the same time, I also created some windows and skylight for the hideout, this is to allow some sunlight to penetrate through them and illuminate the interior spaces of the hideout. At the back of this, its actually show that I am an observer. I observes at anytime, at any places, regardless of what I'm currently doing.

Here is my Central Hideout Space located at the first floor.

The Low Society Space

At the second floor is my low society space. This is where I can pretend to be a more cultural and artistic person. I've created a one-way path in the space to let the visitors to fully experience the art and history along the way rather than paying more attention to me.

Here is the Low Society Space.

The High Society Space

At the third floor, is my high society space. This is where I can pretend to be a more enjoyable and socialite person. I've created a platform of 1.8m height above the ground. Normally, when I sat down, my height is 0.9m. So, I can fully enjoy the external view through the broad vista.

Here is my High Society Space.

This is my Hideout on the site models.

Here are the floor plans, elevations, sections and axonometric of my hideout.

Here are some of the pictures during final external presentation.

I've learned a lot from this final project, especially time management. Not only that, I also learned the basic skill on design and interpret my conceptual narratives through my designs. I'm truly experienced and earned so much through this project, and I'm highly appreciated.