Project I: Memorials themed ‘Journey of the 5 senses'

Project 1 consists of 2 main tasks as described below:

1A PRECEDENT STUDIES: 

Analysing spatial poetics & spatial typologies in architecture 5% of final mark As part of this, the objective of Project 1a is to identify and analyze spatial order and spatial poetics through precedent studies. The main aim is to analyse 2 selected architectural precedents. Each group of students is to analyse the spatial poetics & spatial typology of the selected precedents. The analysis of the design approaches will inform the preceding design projects for the remaining semester. Thus, the selection of precedents should be critical and inspirational. 

Tasks In groups of 4-5 students, select 2 precedents for analysis. They can be local, national and/or international examples. One precedent must be PRE-MODERN MOVEMENT, and one precedent must be CONTEMPORARY. Also, one precedent must be LINEAR, and the other CONCENTRIC. Record your analysis on multiple sheets of A3 butter paper. The precedent study should provide the following analysis: 

SPATIAL TYPOLOGIES 

1. State and describe the spatial typologies applied in the design 

2. Explain how the spaces are organised and ordered 

3. Explain how the typologies ordered the use of the design

SPATIAL POETICS 

1. What is the design considerations employed to explore spatial poetry/poetics/experiences? 

2. How are the spaces articulated in terms of the poetics, sensuality and tactility of architectural spaces? 

• Flow of experience (identify key circulation/journey). 
• Using at least 5 images/perspective that illustrate poetics of space, analyse how the experiential space is created: Engagement with senses; Manipulation of light and its effects on space (natural & artificial); Texture and materiality; Scale and proportion of spaces etc 

3. Plan-Section relationship 

• Co-relate the plan to one of the most interesting section of your selected building. Study the section and analyse how it is designed. Comment on the relationship between inside/outside, volumes and scale of space, variation and hierarchy of spaces 

See Steven Holl’s Questions of Perception: The Phenomenology of Space & Juhani Pallasmaa’s The Eyes of the Skin Subsequent to your analysis of each precedent, conclude the manner in which spatial experiences and use are designed and articulated. Use diagrams, photos and minimal annotations to illustrate your analysis. 

Holocaust Memorial, Berlin

Taj Mahal, India

1B ‘Journey for the 5 senses’ Memorial 15% of final mark 

Using the design strategies based on the Project 1a, design a Memorial themed ‘journey for the five senses’. 

Tasks 

1. Read the given poetry and visualise it from an architectural viewpoint. 
2. Translate the poetry into a walk by using 2 contrasting spatial typologies.
3. Via white card or digital modelling, produce study models for each spatial typology. 
4. Based on the sketch design, develop plans and sections (at an appropriate scale depending on your design scheme) with considerations of human scale, light/shadow, materials/texture. Section is to be drawn using pencil on butter paper.

Memorial for Sabah Earthquake

 Memorial for Rohingya incident.

 Presentation board:

Kudos to my awesome teammate.

Reflection:

After this project we were able to identify and explain different spatial types in architecture, and how they inform spatial use and experience. We also utilized the case studies which is holocaust memorial and taj mahal to relate to our design concept and space. With the flexibility of creating our own site but restrain climate we were able to express  spatial typologies which impact on the uses and experiential conditions of space. To generate a design with 5 senses, human scale, natural light, materiality and textures were put in considerations. We worked together almost 24/7 to figure out how the concepts and ideas worked, after all the finalized design, we proceed to the production stage. Throughout this assignment, we started to consider a lot on the poetic spaces and how the concept worked out with the materials to create the feeling.