Personal Reflections

1. Main concepts/new knowledge learnt

The architectural design project has taught me many things. Prior to the project, I had almost no knowledge of the subject. As the weeks passed, I learnt that architectural design was not only about drawing and designing of buildings and structures, but requires many other concepts as well (such as the notions on the target audience of the building, the purpose of the building, the idea behind the design of the building etc). These concepts are crucial to the success of the design, because the design would not be effective if it does not carry out its purpose to contribute to the urbanisation of society. 

Also, I learnt about unique and unconventional architectural designs in the world. These unique buildings have gained awards and recognition in architectural excellency, but they are overlooked by the rest of us who do not understand the brilliance and difficulties faced behind such innovative concepts and designs. After the project, I have gained a deeper appreciation and understanding behind the designs of buildings, as I have had a glimpse in the trials and tribulations of coming up with a good design. Designing a building is not as easy as I had thought it would be, and I have encountered many difficulties during the duration of this project. 

2. Difficulties encountered

One of the difficulties I had encountered was time management. I had underestimated the difficulty of the project, and miscalculated the time I needed to complete the project. This resulted in a manic rush at the last few weeks before the deadline of the project. I did not do the best I could have done for the project because of the time constraints and other priorities such as school assignments and project work that had to be completed as well. Most of the time I felt like locking myself up in a room for several days straight to complete my design without having to face hindrances, but alas, life goes on and attending school is mandatory.

Another difficulty I encountered was technical problems. Google SketchUp, the software used to model the design, would frequently lag and cause a setback to my project. Sometimes, it would take more than 10mins just to move a component, and an hour to import a component. Without the lag, I feel that I would have been to complete my design much faster, and more efficiently. I found myself skipping some minor components in my design because I knew it would cause the software to lag. 

3. Overcoming the difficulties

Despite the fact I regretted putting off the project until the very last week before the deadline, I made use of whatever time I had left to carry out the project. During the last week, I would hurriedly complete my homework before staying up till ungodly hours to complete my design. I had to live with the fatigue I experienced during school hours, before I went home and the cycle began again. That was the price I paid for my poor time management. 

The technical problems were inevitable, and there were times I felt frustrated and on the brink of madness when when the rainbow wheel of doom appeared on my screen.  However, I managed to calm myself and accept the technical problems as a challenge I would have to overcome. I wouldn't have felt so rushed and frustrated if I had not started the project so late. 

T3W8 Discussion

1. Illustrate with examples what would you see in the design of a building that you would consider it to be unique.

A building would be considered unique when they have features which are creative. For example, the NTU ADM building has a grass roof, which not only makes it look unique, but it also doubles as a air-conditioning cooling.

2. Illustrate with examples how does colors affect the look and feel of a building (exterior/interior)?

It makes it look livelier. For example, in Britain, they color grey buildings with colors so as to make the exterior brighter and their homes unique, because it gets boring when all the houses look the same.

3. Illustrate with examples how does lights affect the look and feel of a building (exterior/interior)?

Lights can attract the attention of consumers to come to the building. For example, the Iluma shopping centre in Singapore is illuminated on the exterior. It is situated in the heart of Bugis, Singapore's shopping district, and the lights would attract many people to the shopping centre. The lights also doubles as a media showcase.

Iluma, Bugis

4. Illustrate with examples how does texture affect the look and feel of a building (exterior/interior)?

Textures can add definition to the building, and also set the ambience. It can also make it blend into the background, as with this flood-proof home, which is shaped like a wave to imitate the flood waves and is made with wood to help it blend into the it's natural surroundings.

Done with: Fatin

Factors that affect design

1. Surroundings

(i) Natural surroundings
e.g. trees, forests, reserves, reservoirs, rivers, temperature

It affects the design because if building is located in a hot place, it's suitable to install air-conditioning in the building. Likewise, if it is located in a cold place, heaters should be installed. The geography of the location also affects the design because if the ground is too soft to build a structure on, the building should not be built there.

(ii) Artificial surroundings
e.g. buildings, roads, other structures

It affects the design because it must be in-sync with the other buildings around it. For example, it would be inappropriate to build a skyscraper near the airport.

2. Target audience

It affects the design because the functionality of the structure is dependent on who the design is targeted at. For example, if the target audience of a design is the elderly, the design has to be able to meet the needs of the elderly.

3. Cost

The budget affects the limitations and restrictions of the building.

4. Rules and regulations

Rules and regulations affect the design because the government sets up certain rules to ensure safety in buildings, so this might hinder the full potential of the design.

5. Sustainability

A building should be able to last in the long run. Designers must think about how to make it sustain for a long time (and overcome natural occurrences like prolonged exposure to rain). They must also think about environmental friendliness.

Term 3 Week 4 Group Task

Task: Design a recreation centre.

Who are the user of the recreation centre? (Decide on the Target Audience.)
The users of the recreation centre will be the students of the schools nearby, which is Nahhua High, Clementi Town Secondary, Singapore Polytechnic, NUS, SST, etc.

What are the needs of the user? (Decide on the facilities needed at the recreation centre.)
Cinema, Concert Area, Cafes, Study Area, Function Rooms

How do you think you can attract people to the recreation centre? What are the factors of considerations?
Modern, Cost, Convenience, Comfort

How would you make use of the space to build the recreation centre and why? (You need to consider the layout at different floors, inside and outside the building. Also consider the movement flow of the user. )

1 rooftop, 5 floors up, 5 floors down.

Roof - concert area
5th floor - Function rooms
4th floor - Study area (for individuals and group conferences) and library
3rd floor - Gym
2nd floor - Food & beverages shops e.g. Starbucks, McDonalds
1st floor - Lobby

Basement 1 - Lobby
Basement 2 - Shops e.g. Comics Connection, Mini Toons
Basement 3 - Stationery shops e.g. Popular, Paper Market, ArtFriend
Basement 4 - Arcades and movie ticketing + snack counter
Basement 5 - Cinema theaters

What makes a good architectural design

Case study -
South Tai Sheng Road Mixed-Use Development

Image 1 - South Tai Sheng Road Mixed-Use Development

Type of space: City space
Location within the urban context: Chengdu, China
General description:
The South Tai Sheng Road Mixed-use Development Chengdu reflects in its planning and architecture the objectives and visions of the client. The master planning of the different components generates an overall sense of balance using a very strong concept to dynamically link the four components of the Hotel, Office, Residential and Retail Commercial into a unified whole.

“Urban Oasis Park” is the architectural theme of the design. The design adopted one of the theme landscape of Sichuan, “Terrace Court”.

The architecture here combines modernism with the regional characteristic landscape to create mutual harmony in the city. The challenge is to achieve an appropriate balance between the sublime and the functional. The following conceptual and design issues have been embedded in the development process and our design proposal.

The building aspires to become one of Chengdu’s high quality benchmark developments, and a new “Urban Landmark Jewel in Park” rising above this District. Aedas is the Lead Consultant and Architect for this project.

Image 2 - The architectural design is a balance between the sublime and the functional.

Image 3 - Combines the Hotel, Office, Residential and Commercial into a unified whole.

Image 4 - Modernism

Source: Aedas

My comments:

What is in the design that you consider to be good design? What are the criteria?

The design of the mixed-use development is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it is also functional, as it combines four components (Hotel, Office, Residential, and Commercial) together into a single development. People would be able to easily access the four components in the space. Combining four components together also saves landspace used in the building of the development, which is an important factor for countries with not much landspace to spare and is densely populated e.g. Singapore. The glass walls also make the building an environmentally friendly one, as the sunlight would naturally light the interior of the building, and not much electricity would be needed to use the artificial lighting.

In a nutshell, the criteria are FUNCTIONALITY, AESTHETICS, CONSUMERS, & SUSTAINABILITY.

What is architectural design

Define 'architectural design' from 3 different sources:

1. A concept that focuses on the components or elements of a structure or system and unifies them into a coherent and functional whole, according to a particular approach in achieving the objective(s) under the given constraints or limitations.
   
   Source: BusinessDictionary
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2. Architecture design refers to the actual design and layout of spaces. Architecture encompasses many different elements including construction, design, and the manipulation of light as it relates to shadow. Throughout history, architects have found ways to create functional and practical spaces using any materials that were available.
   
   Source: wiseGEEK
   
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3. "...I define architectural design as problem solving by adding value. To try to break it down to its most simplistic state, we design to solve a problem."
   
   Source: Eric McNeal
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