Revised Design Proposal

Reflection on My Original Studio Work

Original Project Brief

My original studio project was an Artist Studio Retreat for Piet Mondrian, located in the mangrove environment of Pulau Burong, Port Dickson. The project was designed as a private sanctuary where Mondrian could live, paint, write, rest, and reflect. The idea was to create a retreat that supported his artistic lifestyle while also responding to the natural condition of the site.

The original concept was called “The Purity.” It was inspired by Mondrian’s art, especially De Stijl and Neo-Plasticism. His work focused on vertical and horizontal lines, primary colours, black and white, balance, order, and simplicity. I tried to translate these ideas into architecture by using clear geometric forms, strong lines, open spaces, and colour accents.

Original Design Objectives

The main objective of my original project was to turn Mondrian’s artistic identity into an architectural design. I did not want to just copy his paintings directly. Instead, I wanted to understand his ideas about order, balance, purity, and proportion, then express them through space and form.

Another objective was to create a retreat that had different spaces for painting, reading and writing, relaxation, cooking and eating, resting, and reflection. The design also needed to respond to the mangrove site, so the building was lifted above the ground to reduce disturbance to the natural environment.

The project aimed to create a calm and ordered space where Mondrian could focus on his work while still being connected to nature.

Design Approach Adopted

My design process started with research about Piet Mondrian, his artworks, his lifestyle, and the De Stijl movement. I studied his use of vertical and horizontal lines, primary colours, asymmetrical balance, and pure composition. From this research, I developed keywords such as orderly, calm, minimalist, pure, balanced, and perfectionist.

These keywords helped guide the design. The building form was developed using simple rectangular volumes and a composition of lines and planes. I used primary colours such as red, blue, and yellow as accents, while black and white formed the main visual language.

The spatial arrangement was also influenced by Mondrian’s idea of order. Spaces were arranged clearly, with different zones for working, resting, and reflecting. I also used open-plan ideas so the spaces could feel connected instead of fully separated by heavy walls.

The mangrove site influenced the decision to elevate the building on piles. This helped the design respond to the soft ground, tidal movement, and mangrove roots.

Strengths of the Proposal

One of the main strengths of my original project was the clear connection between the artist and the design concept. The influence of Mondrian could be seen in the drawings, elevations, colours, and overall composition. The project had a strong visual identity.

Another strength was the use of vertical and horizontal lines. These helped create a clear architectural language and made the building feel connected to Mondrian’s artwork. The use of red, blue, yellow, black, and white also helped make the project recognisable and consistent.

The project also had a logical space programme. The painting area, reading and writing area, relaxation area, kitchen, bathroom, and resting space were all arranged based on the artist’s needs. The elevated structure was also a good response to the mangrove site because it reduced contact with the ground.

Limitations of the Proposal

Even though the project had a strong concept, it also had some limitations. The design was more focused on appearance and visual composition than on environmental performance. At that stage, I did not fully explore natural ventilation, daylighting, heat control, rainwater collection, or material durability in a coastal mangrove site.

Another limitation was the relationship between the building and nature. The building was placed in the mangrove environment, but the connection between the interior spaces and the surrounding landscape could have been stronger. The views, wind movement, and user experience could have been developed more carefully.

The circulation could also be improved. The spaces were arranged clearly, but the journey through the building could have created a stronger feeling of movement, discovery, and reflection.

Looking back, I also think the project needed more technical development. The structure, roof, environmental systems, and construction details could have been explained better.

What I Learned

From this original project, I learned how to translate an artist’s identity into architecture. I learned that architecture can come from ideas, not only from function. Mondrian’s paintings helped me understand how order, balance, proportion, and colour can become space.

I also learned that a strong concept is not enough by itself. A good project also needs to respond to the site, climate, structure, materials, and user experience. The original design gave me a strong starting point, but it also showed me what needed to be improved later.

This project helped me improve my skills in concept development, form making, planning, elevations, sections, and presentation. It also taught me that design is a process of testing, receiving feedback, and refining ideas.

Project Strengths

• The concept of “The Purity” was clear and connected well to Piet Mondrian.

• The design used Mondrian’s visual language through lines, planes, and primary colours.

• The building had a strong architectural identity.

• The space programme responded to the artist’s daily activities.

• The elevated structure was a suitable response to the mangrove site.

Project Weaknesses

• The environmental response was not developed deeply enough.

• Natural ventilation, daylighting, and thermal comfort needed more attention.

• The connection between interior spaces and the mangrove landscape could be stronger.

• The circulation and user journey could create a better spatial experience.

• Technical details and material response to the coastal site needed more development.

Future Improvements

In the future, I would improve the project by making the design more responsive to the mangrove environment. I would study the wind, sun path, rain, humidity, salt spray, tidal movement, and mangrove roots more carefully.

I would also improve the spatial experience by creating stronger framed views, better movement between spaces, and a clearer relationship between the artist, the building, and nature.

I would add more passive design strategies, such as cross ventilation, shaded openings, deep overhangs, rainwater collection, and lightweight construction. This would make the project not only visually connected to Mondrian, but also more suitable for Pulau Burong.

Overall, my original project had a strong concept and identity, but it needed more environmental and technical development. It was an important starting point that helped me understand how architectural ideas can grow from art, site, and reflection.