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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO 3 [ARC 60106 / 2118] Prerequisite: Architecture Design Studio 2 __________________________________________________________________________________

Project 2

GENIUS LOCI: Site Analysis & Concept Development DISCOVERING THE SITE & ITS GENIUS LOCI 25% of final mark (5% group + 20% individual)

Society, culture, history, memory and the landscape of a particular place echoes the meaning of that ‘place’, or its ‘genius loci’. These qualities will inform the architectural concept and generators for Project 2. In Project 2, the design brief calls for an architectural response toward the sense of place with a strong engagement and relationship to the site and programmatic requirements. The first assignment for Project 2 requires an analysis of the site context as a starting point. It is a fundamental need for any design project as it will suggest a series of parameters to suggest architectural solution, one that will be appropriate to the place and its meaning, and contributes to its context. The site needs to be understood, in both intuitive and personal ways, as well as quantitative and measured means. Techniques to record and understand the site are varied, from physical surveys to qualitative aspects of experience and personal interpretation of the place.

Produce site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the ‘genius loci’ of place Produce a concept design for a Visitor Interpretive Centre based on the site analysis conclusions.

Introduction

Learning Outcomes

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In the same group from Project 1, conduct site analysis of the physical context within the identified MACRO & MICRO sites. Use the following reference as a framework for your recording and analysis of your site: White, E. 2004. Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media Ltd. Collect data and record on the following using maps/diagrams and/or models:

Orientation (sun path) Climate (rainfall & temperature) Site contours Adjacent street and vehicular traffic

patterns Pedestrian circulation Neighbouring contexts Vegetation Views from the site Views to the site Views through the site Noise Human-Cultural SWOT Analysis

Historical research: Historical tracings of the MACRO site Mapping a site over a series of significant stages in the course of its history provides a description of the life and memory of a place. They can provide inspiration for a contemporary idea that connects directly with past archaeology/memory/history of the site. Conduct a historical research on the place. Data could be in the form of literature (published/unpublished), old photographs, maps/plans etc. Submission: Produce a site analysis of the identified MACRO (40%) & MICRO (60%) site. 7-10 minute digital presentation per group.

Interim pin-ups are formative and summative assessments that guide and assess the process of design. Each student will be asked to pin up and present their design process using butter paper. Process must be legible and all evidence supporting the design scheme must be included. The interim submission will guide and assesses students on the schematic design phase. Students must show how their conceptual ideas / design strategy and its development into a design scheme works and how it is responsive to the context. Students must also show how the design has been developed into an “Experiential space” taking into account the considerations of users, context, function and experience. Submission: Individually, produce your personal interpretation of the MICRO site in the form of sketches, diagrams & photographs. The personal interpretations of the overall character of the site will inform subsequent design decisions, and it is important to record these honestly and immediately. Use Gordon Cullen’s serial vision and/or Steven Holl’s phenomenological readings as the basis/tool for recording your interpretation of the character of place (sketches). You may pay attention to the following on site:

Materials. Each site has an intrinsic materiality (photos)

The memory of place. Significant characteristics, sounds, textures, events that make them memorable. There may be aspects of the history and memory of the site that needs to be reinforced in your design.

Group work: Site conditions & analysis (5%)

Interim Individual work (20%) Personal Interpretation & Concept Development as a response

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Conclude by identifying the key character(s) and the SWOT analysis of place that would form inspiration in the design, and then present a Design Concept for a Visitor’s Interpretive Centre derived from the issues discovered. This Design Concept should be presented in the form of drawings & a model as follows: Submission:

1. Submit your individual MICRO site analysis on A2 panel. Provide dimensions of its width and depth and indicate any adjacent buildings at the levels of plans, elevations and sections to create an accurate record of what currently exists.

2. Submit your individual Concept Drawings: 1 Plan, 1 Section, and 1 Elevation at an appropriate scale, with text to

illustrate the concept. Also submit 1 concept model (either physical OR digital), in context with your MICRO site (total 2 x A2 panels + physical model OR 3 x A2 panels, including digital model).

Scale 1:100

3. The above submissions will be supported by an individual, 10-minute verbal presentation. Assessment criteria Site conditions and analysis Group performance

Ability to plan and carry out research

Ability to analyse and conclude data

Ability to convey/communicate findings (audio and visual) Personal interpretation of place

Ability to record and analyse the character of place

Ability to convey/communicate findings

Ability to conclude/make sense of findings for the subsequent design work

Ability to produce a meaningful concept which is communicated well via drawings & model.

Cullen, Gordon. 1961. The Concise Townscape. Van Nostrand Reinhold. Holl, Steven. Questions of Perception: Phenomenology of Architecture, eds Steven Holl, Juhani Pallasmaa, Alberto Perez-Gomez, A+U Norberg-Schulz, Christian. 1980. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli, London. White, E. 2004. Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media Ltd.

References