ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN III [ARC60408]
PROJECT 1 : POETIC ASSEMBLAGE: < CHOREOGRAPHY + ENVELOPE >
In the first assignment, we were given the task of exploring a design approach that combined collaborative research with personal creative expression. The focus was on developing a deeper understanding of bodily movements through observing and documenting contemporary dances inspired by native cultures.
Using ethnographic drawings, we analyzed the movements by mapping them in plan and elevation views, aiming to grasp their meaning through both study and hands-on processes. This exercise served as a foundation for a form-making process, where we were challenged to design a Choreography-Informed Envelope—a creative structure that reflects bodily awareness, emotional expression, and experimental design, inspired by the dynamics of a Pas de Deux.
Process :
From this assignment, I learned to approach design through a poetic and movement-inspired lens, gaining a deeper appreciation for how bodily movements can inform spatial and architectural expression. Observing and documenting contemporary dances taught me to translate motion into visual forms, enhancing my skills in ethnographic drawing and movement mapping.
The process deepened my understanding of how culture and choreography can influence design, encouraging me to think creatively about form-making. It also emphasized the importance of integrating emotional and physical experiences into architectural concepts, pushing me to explore innovative and experimental approaches to design. Overall, this assignment reinforced the connection between art, culture, and architecture while fostering critical observation and creative expression.
PROJECT 2 : THE (SITE) CHRONICLE + VISCERAL
task A
In this assignment, my group, the Model Makers, was tasked with constructing a 1:100 scale site model of Encore Melaka. Our work involved translating the detailed drawings and information provided by the Surveyors into a physical model that captured the essence and genius loci of the site. This required us to carefully study the Micro Site Plan and Sections, ensuring the representation was accurate and aligned with the drawings.
To achieve this, we conducted fieldwork to observe and experience the site firsthand, focusing on materiality and the surrounding environmental conditions. By walking through the site, we documented key features through photographs and videos, capturing the textures, forms, and spatial elements essential for the model.
The process emphasized attention to detail, collaboration, and creativity, as we worked to produce a model that reflected not only the physical characteristics of Encore Melaka but also the deeper cultural and environmental context.
task A
For this task, The Visceral, we were required to create a single A2 portrait board that captured the essence and embodied experience of the site through visual and analytical means. The focus was on synchronizing observations, understandings, and bodily consciousness to produce a visceral interpretation of the site.
The process involved analyzing the two Micro Sites using insights from The Site Chronicle and incorporating experiential observations. Drawing inspiration from materials like A Feeling of History by Peter Zumthor, we created diagrammatic, pictorial, or mapping-based representations that conveyed the Genius Loci and poetic qualities of the place.
The final board included a blend of analytical mapping, diagrams, and visual depictions. These elements were designed to communicate the site's unique character and atmosphere, emphasizing its spatial, cultural, and sensory dimensions. The task challenged us to translate intangible experiences into a visually engaging and meaningful representation.
Process :
Final Outcome:
From this task, I learned the importance of translating embodied experiences and abstract site qualities into visual representations. The process deepened my understanding of how to analyze a site's Genius Loci—its unique spirit and atmosphere—through both objective observations and subjective interpretations.
Working on The Visceral taught me to approach design with a heightened sense of awareness, considering the poetic and emotional dimensions of a place alongside its physical attributes. I also improved my skills in mapping, diagramming, and composition, learning how to synthesize complex site data and experiences into a single cohesive visual narrative.
Additionally, the task reinforced the value of interdisciplinary insights, as I drew inspiration from reading materials like Peter Zumthor's A Feeling of History, which emphasized the interplay between memory, emotion, and architecture. Overall, this assignment helped me develop a more holistic approach to design, integrating analytical rigor with creative expression.
PROJECT 3 : RECLAIMED ARCHITECTURE: < A DANCE ANNEXE >
In this assignment, we were tasked with designing a Dance Annexe as part of a project titled Reclaimed Architecture: A Dance Annexe. This required us to develop a comprehensive architectural proposal using design methodologies and approaches cultivated over the past weeks. The project aimed to create a single-volume standalone building adjacent to Encore Melaka, serving as a dedicated space to reclaim, preserve, and promote local native dance culture.
The annexe was envisioned to accommodate cultural dance activities, exhibitions, community engagement programs, and public events, fostering a deeper connection between the cultural heritage of Malacca and the community. The design challenge involved selecting either the Strait-Site or Park-Site, each with unique contextual relationships to Encore Melaka and its surroundings.
The building design was restricted to two stories above ground level (with an optional sunken area of up to 1 meter) and a total floor area between 350 sqm and 450 sqm. The spatial requirements included a dance hall for up to 30 people, spill-out spaces, a lobby, exhibition areas, a café, retail facilities, operational offices, toilets, a surau, and various service and landscape provisions.
We were encouraged to incorporate poetic and practical architectural elements, emphasizing user experience, environmental responsiveness, and the Genius Loci of the site. This project allowed us to integrate lessons from earlier tasks, such as The Site Chronicle, The Visceral, and workshops, into a cohesive and culturally meaningful architectural proposal.
Process :
From this assignment, I learned how to approach architectural design in a holistic and culturally sensitive way, integrating practical requirements with poetic and experiential qualities. Designing a Dance Annexe challenged me to think critically about how architecture can preserve and promote intangible heritage, such as local dance culture, while creating spaces that are functional, inclusive, and emotionally resonant.
I gained valuable experience in site analysis, especially in considering the Genius Loci and contextual relationships of the site to its surroundings. This helped me develop a deeper understanding of how environmental and cultural factors influence design decisions.
The task also enhanced my ability to balance spatial planning with creative expression, ensuring that the design addressed programmatic needs—such as dance activities, exhibitions, and community engagement—while also creating an inspiring and memorable user experience.
Additionally, I refined my technical skills in integrating passive design strategies, material selection, and construction detailing, learning how these elements can contribute to both the practicality and aesthetic appeal of the building. Overall, this project emphasized the importance of thoughtful, site-specific design that connects architecture to cultural identity and the community it serves.