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.

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 (tattoo stamp) and transform them into 3D form (model), with the title of Expressions through Architecture Design Elements and Principles.

1. To explore different approaches of generating ideas thorough rigorous design processes through workshop-based learning.

2. To explore various approaches in translating ideas, design translation and interpretation.

3. To explore varied forms of design principles in communication and expression of self and its sense.

4. To enhance ability in designing three-dimensional design and translated to diagrams.

1. Produce design concepts through the process of exploring various sources and abstracting ideas.

2. Identify key architectural design elements and principles and employ them in creating an architectural composition that demonstrates space-making.

3. Demonstrate satisfactory manual drawing and model-making skills to represent and communicate the design.

What is a structure? What is tension, compression, bending, torsion, and shear? What is anthropometry and ergonomics? And what is material and how is it important?

Project 2 will have you go on a journey to answer all the questions. You will be working with several materials to understand the nature and characteristics of these materials and how it is to be used in your design. You are to design a structure for self-isolation and to show your personal behavior during this pandemic period. You will explore construction details, joinery, and structural quality and how the selected materials work together. You are to have an imaginary north point to locate your tectonic structure, indicating the direction of sunlight. The next step is to amalgamate your design intention (choose from your Project 1) with anthropometry and ergonomics to form your structure.

In exploring anthropometry and ergonomics, imagine how you isolate in a +/-2.5m3 structure, 1.2 m(W)x1.2m(L)x1.8m(H). Does the person sit, sleep, jump, or lean? Look into the anthropometry and ergonomic of the action and study the how the structure being used.

You are to develop your Isolation Structure through a series of tutorials, tests and investigations involving scaled ‘study models’ using selected materials, exploring architectural elements and principles with anthropometry and ergonomics. The final design will be produced as a scaled model and series of drawings.

1. To introduce and create an awareness of anthropometry and ergonomics and relating it to form and space.

2. To introduce basic understanding of structure in general, design principles and architectural terminologies on application to spatial and form configuration.

3. To create and work on a structure installation and understand material, quality of space, human scale, and articulation form.

1. Relate the idea of the individual ‘self’ and the body’ to space and its experiential qualities.

2. Establish a basic level of understanding of materiality and detailing as means to capture experiential qualities of the design.

In project 1, you have developed an understanding of design principles, processes and approaches in generating ideas and translating it into form. In project 2, you learned about structure, materials, anthropometry, and ergonomics. Project 3 incorporates all that you have learned from the previous projects and will challenge you to execute your methods rigorously.

In project 3, you will look back your isolation structure and further develop it to a Sensory Space (20m3, +- 3 m3), with to anticipate and accommodate users’ needs and emotions. How does the user response to the design? What does it represent when you look at it at a different perspective? Are there any reoccurring elements or strong implementation of elements and principles? Was the anthropometry and ergonomic of the structure incorporated successfully? You will have to study and explore on actual building materials, i.e concrete, timber, steel and glass and apply it in your design.

Final project will be in three stages:

1. Develop your tectonic structure and identify a dominant emotion. Look at your chosen design elements and principles from your Project 2 as your design intention.

2. Re-explore the relationship between the structure and emotions. Your structure should be interpreted as how you understand the selected materials and represented as how you see it. You are to explore spatial relationship and capture the essence and poetry of your own intention.

3. Develop your idea to generate notions of sensorial experience with the combination of all the above. Your design should cover all of what you have learned from previous projects.

1. To introduce and create an awareness of anthropometry and ergonomics and relating it to form and space.

2. To introduce basic understanding of structure in general, design principles and architectural terminologies on application to spatial and form configuration.

3. To create and work on a structure installation and understand material, quality of space, human scale, and articulation form.

1. Produce design concepts through the process of exploring various sources and abstracting ideas.

2. Identify key architectural design elements and principles and employ them in creating an architectural composition that demonstrates space-making.

3. Relate the idea of the individual ‘self’ and the body’ to space and its experiential qualities.

4. Establish a basic level of understanding of materiality and detailing as means to capture experiential qualities of the design.

5. Demonstrate satisfactory manual drawing and model-making skills to represent and communicate the design.