ARCH. PORFOLIO
CHAN SIN YIE
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ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN I
Architectural Design I (ARC60208) is structured as an introduction to architectural design. This preliminary design module aims to present and explain design through the expression of the perception of ‘self’ and the body, construction and materiality in terms of tectonics. Students will undertake a series of studio-based exercises and assignments that introduces the fundamental methods, principles and approaches in design thinking and basic spatial design. This will be enhanced with understanding of anthropometrics and designing intrapersonal space with creative exercise involving the body movements and experiences of the user.
PROJECT 1
Geometry and Form:
Expressions through Architectural Design Elements & Principles
PROJECT TASK
AND OVERVIEW
This project aims to introduce basic understanding of the architectural design elements and principles, processes and approaches in generating ideas, developing design, creating geometric 2D artworks and transform them into 3D form, with the title of Expressions through Architecture Design Elements and Principles.
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The architectural elements and principles of design are the foundation of the language to be used to express and explain a design.
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In groups, students will be working closely with their assigned tutors and exchange ideas and thoughts in a vigorous process via series of workshops, namely The Serial Geometry Tattoo Transformation. Drawings, models, and sketches are to be compiled as design process journal to for submission. The outcome of this project is to showcase the whole exploration process and to display the students’ understanding on the design process and application of architectural design elements, design principles and form transformation techniques.
DESIGN INTENTION
The design intention was to use the design element of shapes, the design principle of scale and proportion, the composition of gradation, the descriptive word of layering , and the technique of interlocking transformation to further develop on initial tattoo stamps to a final cube model to show the application of these design concepts.
SKETCHES
THE PROCESS
For part 1, each person in the group had to choose 2 sets of a combination of a design element and design principle to produce 4 of 8cm*8cm tattoo stamps (square, triangle, circle, combined) for each set. The group then chooses the best tattoo stamps for the set by voting to compose on the board for part 1.
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For part 2, the tattoo stamps which had been chosen were redrawn but with ruler and compass to improve the conciseness and the neatness of the drawing.
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For part 3, 2 of the tattoo stamps in part 2 were selected and redeveloped into 2 of 13cm*13cm tattoo stamps with a selected composition and descriptive word, in my case "gradation" and "layering".
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For part 4, 1 artwork from part 3 was selected and made into a 3D model of 20cm*20cm*7cm and further express the descriptive word chosen.
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For part 5, a 3D model from part 4 is selected and developed into a 13cm*13cm*13cm cube model, in my case, with the type of "build up to a cube" plus continue to express the words chosen in part 3.
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For part 6, a model was selected and further developed into 3 of 13cm*13cm*13cm models to best represent the descriptive word chosen. The overall development of the design from part 1 to part 6 is also summarized through diagrams and drawings on the final board.
THE FINAL BOARDS
BOARD FOR PART 1
BOARD FOR PART 3
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BOARD FOR PART 5
BOARD FOR PART 2
BOARD FOR PART 4
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BOARD FOR PART 6
REFLECTION
I have learnt the elements and principles and how to apply them to real design situations. I have also learnt how a design process is carried out. A lot of experience was gained in developing the tattoo stamps in an organized manner. Besides, transforming the tattoo stamps into 3D models was a new experience for me too.
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The types of composition used, such as the rule of thirds, the golden ratio are useful for me to produce aesthetic designs in the future. The descriptive words have provided me with better glossary in expressing my future designs in words.
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Moreover, I have learnt more about the processes of model making. In part 4, everyone in the group built their models with 5 mm PVC board, which is not so appropriate in expressing the design and has limited the design exploration.
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In part 5, I used 1mm modeling board to continue on the design. Somehow the cube turned out to be overdesigned. I will strive further to achieve a better design.
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From our group, Voon Yit Nan's design of the cube in part 5 was comprehensive, aesthetic, and worth learning. I also admire the workmanship of Samuel Ng.
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Another thing to improve is the architectural writing I learnt from the design communication module. The description on the part 6 board is a bit unclear so I think it would be one of the things to improve in future boards.
PROJECT 2
Tectonics :
Design Principles, Anthropometric and Ergonomic Exploration
Isolation Structure
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PROJECT TASK
AND OVERVIEW
Based on individual tutorial groups, the student will be taken along a series of tutorials, explorative exercises, and tasks. These are to introduce and develop an awareness and dialogue about tectonics, materials, anthropometry, ergonomics, and its relation to forms and spaces. The student is to identify the different types of forces (compression, tension, bending, torsion, shear) and identify where it is applied in tectonic installation.
From Project 1, the student will further the understanding of the design elements and principles, processes and approaches in generating ideas, developing design and translating it from geometry into form. In the assigned tutorial group, the student will explore the tectonical expressions of the selected materials and the dimensions of the body. The student is required to produce a tectonic scaled model that encompasses form, understanding of structure and spatial quality. The use and manipulation of the materials should fulfill the need of the structure i.e., durable, and water-resistant.
DESIGN INTENTION
The design intention is to design an isolation structure by using the design element shapes and the design principle scale and proportion to highlight the banal action of sitting with legs hugged and express the depressed state of mind (personal experience) during the isolation period.
SKETCHES
THE PROCESS
I started off by measuring a space of 5m³ and let myself be in that space to feel how big was that volume of space. Next, I started to do some explorations in ergonomics and anthropometry. By knowing my own body measurements, I became aware of my own volume in a certain space.
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For the tectonic structure, I initially started with a design of a big triangle and a man lying and slanting inside the structure. I sought some comments from the tutor and became aware of the problems in space dominance. The space where the banal action is performed was not dominant enough.
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Then I moved on to another design and went through some changes in the form. Consequently, I came out with a design of obtuse triangles with different scales and proportions to highlight the banal action of sitting with legs hugged.
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A 1:10 scaled model is then constructed. I also did some exercises on orthographic drawings and exploded axonometric drawings during the workshop.
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The presentation for Project 2 was on 24/5/2021 and I received lots of constructive criticism from the moderator.
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PROJECT 2 PRESENTATION SLIDES
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THE FINAL BOARDS
BOARD 1 FOR ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS
BOARD 2 FOR EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC DRAWING
BOARD 3 FOR JOINERY DETAILS AND TATTOO STAMPS
PHOTOS OF FINAL MODEL
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REFLECTION
Although I went through a certain amount of study in ergonomics and anthropometry, the final design did not successfully highlight the banal action. The space created is undefined and gives tension to the user, which contradicts the existence of ergonomics.
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For the orthographic drawings, a floor line was not drawn in the elevation and section drawings.
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The joinery details were not properly explained and lack study. It was pointed out in the presentation that the joineries are not to be 'labelled' but to suit in the design.
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The tattoo stamps in the last board did not provide me with much inspiration for the form of the structure.
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During the tutorials, the concept of 'using structure to create space' was emphasized the whole time. 'The removal of one piece of the structure should make the whole structure collapse'
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To make the smaller obtuse triangle in the design valid, it had to be designed in such a way that it was needed to provide structural support to the whole structure.
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During the workshop, I have learnt how to differentiate between the elevation and section drawings with an example of a bell pepper. I thought it was a very genius explanation. It was after the workshop when I started to realize the importance of line weight in drawings.
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In one of Mr. Chern's lecture, the Chidori joint by Kengo Kuma left me with a strong impression on wood joineries.
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However, I finalized my design too late. As a result, I was rushing with my boards and I had no time to make a 1:5 scaled joinery to show how the joineries work.
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Among my peers, I really admire Daryl's work. His form of the model is very aesthetically pleasing and the workmanship is really good. His ergonomic study of the lying banal action inspires me a lot. Moreover, his study on the material selection was really specific, if I remembered it correctly, it was 'Scotland Timber' and its characteristics does highlight the whole structure.
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For Samuel, I was amazed by his workmanship again and his idea of a sitting structure resembling a Japanese Zen structure. One of the 'columns' added was additional, but the moderator pointed out that it could be a secret sitting structure which sparked something in my mind. His detailed drawing of the exploded axonometry was amazing too.
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As for Xin Tung in my group, I admire her study on the space frame and how she was able to explain clearly on her application of the unique joinery.
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PROJECT 3
Interpretation and Representation:
Principles, Tectonics and Sensory – Sensory Space
PROJECT TASK
AND OVERVIEW
In project 3, the student will look back at the tectonic structure and further develop it to a Sensory Space (20m3 , +- 3 m3 ) to anticipate and accommodate users’ needs and emotions.
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From here, the student will identify a dominant theme from the understanding of emotion and enhance the structure to create a poetic architectural representation and own reinterpretation of Tectonic. The student's sensitivity to the articulation and mastery of spatial experience should ignite a sensorial experience for the user during this pandemic period.
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Use the skills that are learned in Design Communication to create an architectural drawing depicting this.
The student is to create a set of diagrams (tattoo stamps) to express the design/ideas using the knowledge that are retained from the previous projects. The diagrams should represent three aspects of the design from its conception and intention to its finality. The first aspect is to depict the translation and interpretation of intention and conception of the design from the tectonic structure. The second aspect is to extract and highlight the main idea/themes from the final design as how the student have done within the first and second project. The third aspect is to capture the user’s response through the understanding of anthropometry and ergonomics.
DESIGN INTENTION
The design intention of this project is to capture a particular rhythm - "the rhythm of crawling". Derived from the back view of the project 2 model, the gaps between the crawling structure creates a slight feeling of uneasiness, which is important in expressing the insecurity during the isolation period. The dominant theme chosen is "anticipation" which represents the hope in overcoming the pandemic period and is expressed in the structure in the form of steps which are going upwards.
SKETCHES
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THE PROCESS
I was not really satisfied with my project 2 isolation structure, as a result, I was struggling in how to further develop my project 2 model. Then, I found the view from the back of my project 2 model rather intriguing, it was like to enter an abyss with a series of "unstable" steps.
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Aside from designing a structure, a design narration was needed. From the interim critic session, I was told that my design narration was too abstract, and it somehow affected my thoughts in design development and exploration. After that, I tried make some improvements in my design narration to better highlight and express my main design thoughts and intention of the structure, and the results came out, at least, not that bad.
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The main study in anthropometry and ergonomics was to figure out the comfortable dimensions for myself to crawl in the structure.
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My tutor guided me to do some study in the parts of "defining space with vertical structures" from D.K. Ching's "Form, Space, and Order" but I had some difficulties in applying it into my design. Nevertheless, this study is still helpful for my future designs.
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The inspiration from the artists in the guidelines were very useful in completing the few abstract architectural drawings.
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Another important part in my study was to do research on the sensorial experience different materials provide to human as my main banal action chosen is largely focused on the sense of touch. Consequently I found a list with the emotions that might trigger with the sense of touch of different materials. I think it is considered as a useful exploration in sensorial experience.
DESIGN NARRATION
As boredom during the isolation period continues, it is important that we have faith, or "anticipation" in our future. There will be highs and lows throughout this period of time, but it is certain that it leads to a satisfying ending.​
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In order to create sensorial experience to the user, the main banal action chosen is crawling, which allows the user to feel the texture of the material by bare hands and feet. The structure and space is designed to capture a particular rhythm — the "rhythm of crawling" ​
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Crawling with rhythm, the user gets to experience a series of sensorial events created by the structure, such as the play of light and shadow, a sudden downslope hinted by the gradual decreasing height of the upper surface, tension caused by narrower crawling spaces.​
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To challenge the unknown with anticipation is the main theme of the design.​
FINAL BOARDS
​Board 1
​Board 3
​Board 5
​Board 2
​Board 4
​Board 6
PRESENTATION SLIDES
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PHOTOS OF FINAL MODEL
REFLECTION
I learnt a lot of things in this project. I was more aware of the space I had created during the design development process. There were also more detailed study on ergonomics and anthropometry.
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One of the comments I received from the presentation session was "my design has no soul" I was in awe because I indeed follow blankly to the rules, and I carried out my project in a way that it was like a tick list instead of an exploration of design. I think that was what limited me in the design exploration.
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Another comment I received during the presentation was that, although my dominant them for the project is "anticipation", my presentation for the project in the whole, lack the excitement of anticipation. This tells me to have a more well arranged presentation sequence for the coming projects. I did not did well in presenting as most of it was reading out the slide content monotonously.
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I also learnt how to hatch the structures to show them as timber or concrete material. Another thing that I would like to improve is on the axonometry drawing, in which a small part of the timber structure is in a different language than others. In the process, I have also learnt how to draw human figures in order to give a sense of scale to the overall plan and elevations but finding references of banal actions that suit my thoughts was quite a challenge.
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I finalized my design too late again this time and it led to some problems in completing the project. I was unable to produce drawings with the intended neatness and precision.
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I was also told that I am lack of exposure. In order to improve, I should seek more inspiration and experience from all sorts of sources other than architecture related such as graphic designs, fashion design, and more, just to let myself be outside the box. This is the main thing that I think I need to improve for the coming semesters.
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The work from my peers were very interesting too. Samuel again amazes me with his incredible workmanship. I personally did not find his design so attractive initially but I was blown away by his passion and discipline in completing the project. The pictures he took to show a specific significant detail of his model were carefully planned. I would like to learn from him.
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As for Daryl, his design is really aesthetic in my opinion. As far as I remember, his design is related to the movie 'Inception'. His narration was really successful, just that I remember the panel criticized him for emphasizing on reality instead of the dream part. His exploration in the details of construction, the study in material usage, and the explanation in space really inspires me a lot. His work was very comprehensive and of high standards.
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Xin Tung had a really detailed explanation of the spaces in her model. Like Daryl, her complete understanding of her entire design made her stand out among others in the group. She had a unique construction detail of the KK-ball node system.
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I also liked the form of Shareeha's model. I remember there was a hole in the middle of her model where it was uncomprehensive at first but turned out to be showing a quality of 'limitless', which is really intriguing. Although her narration his a bit off from her theme of 'illusion', I still find her main theme really attractive.
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The last thing I remembered about the panels were they had been emphasizing on the importance of the material selection throughout the presentation. It was advised that possible future architects should study more in material and use more varied types of material in future designs.
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The learning process in this semester was really interesting and inspiring.
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