This module introduces the principles and methods of analysis, abstraction, and synthesis in design thinking that are common to many design fields, including building and architecture. The key emphasis of the studio is “User and Context”, which investigates the relationship between user and natural environment. In this studio, students will undertake a series of studio-based exercises; firstly, an investigation of the architectural spaces and construction through precedent studies; and secondly, an exploration of form and space through architectural conceptualization. Finally, students will design a small freestanding structure that meets user requirements and engages with the site context.

The teaching objectives of the module are to:

1. To introduce spatial architectonics in the creation of architectural space and form/ understanding of building as an assembly of parts

2. To introduce the abstraction of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional compositions of space

3. To explore design processes through different types of drawing and making methods.

4. To emphasize the importance of space planning as a response to specific function and human needs.

5. To examine the basic awareness that user’s need and simple context have on design decisions.

The first assignment, you are required to ‘learn from precedents’ by analyzing their design objectives and principles, not limited to site and contextual approaches but also exploration of solids, planes, lines and frames in architectural design. Emphasis is given to the elements of architecture and architectonics that generate architectural form and space, produced by drawing and making. Your task is to investigate how spaces are created from the making of architectural and constructional elements: architectonics.

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.

The second assignment will challenge you to explore your conceptual and operational procedures in order to produce a significant gesture of architectural space(s). You need to select architectural principle(s) from the first assignment. This architectural principle(s) that you have selected will need you to define them. Your task is to explore the potential meanings and implications of this  architectural principle(s) in the sense that they will inform two areas; generating forms and crafting spaces.

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.

This final project requires you to further explore and integrate the design idea and construction method of the previous assignment into a more complex program. You are required to define a proposition for a small freestanding structure in relation to the natural landscape. Emphasis is given to the interpretation and synthesis of the user, site and function in architectural design. The design of this structure must demonstrate your application of architectural objectives and principles, materiality, constructability and the context in creating a memorable spatial experience for the user.

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.