Building Materials - Project 2 (Materiality of Space : An Experimental Exploration)

This project was the final project assigned to us and for this project we were required to form a group of maximum 5 members and then select a commercial/residential building which allow us to experience and explore the most materials covered in the module.

We were required to go for a site visit of the selected place, experience, explore and research about the use of materials at that specific space. And in the end, we were required to submit our research and information in the form of

Group :

1. A2 mood board
2. A2 board of identification of materials
3. A2 board of the application of materials

Individual : 

1. A2 board of our own experiential analysis of a selected specific space.

The site we had selected for our group is Heritage Lane which is located at the Empire Soho, Damansara. It's a place specially built for the use of the residents living nearby where they could spend time resting and chilling to have coffee or tea break.

We visited the place twice, and for the first time we explored and identified the materials used for the construction of the place. For the second visit, each of the member had selected our own space to do further analysis of the space and also the application of materials, it was more to our very own feelings and experiences of that specific space.

Mood Board

Introduction Board

Materials Board

Individual Board

After completed this assignment, I had learnt how to coordinate myself better in working as a group as I learnt how to listen and accept others suggestions and opinions in order to get the best results. This assignment had provided me many chances to get in deeper about the use of materials as well as widen my knowledge of the variety of different materials and how the materials work in a space/in the construction of a building. Besides, the personal experiential analysis part of this assignment also allowed me to really be at a specific space, to feel how the type, appearance and texture of each material create a whole different kind of ambiance and essence from its original state. 

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Intrapersonal Skills

Citizenship and Global Perspectives

Building Materials - Project 1 (Space Out : The Material Cube)

It was the first project (individual) assigned to us, and for this project we were required to design and create two cubes

A. Paper cube
B. Wooden cube

The objective of this project is to help students to get better in recognizing the intrinsic forms, limitation and boundaries of a material factor in a design process. Besides, to push students to work more effectively with a material in line with design requirements and to be able to express a material within its contextual application.

We were required to design and make the cubes and define the volume in the size of 12''x12''x12''. And we were limited to one material only for each cube.

The paper cube made by using brown board and joined by using uhu glue.

In this cube, I was trying to show how the repetition of a shape/form can create the sense of depth by using only one single material.

This was the wooden cube I made using balsa wood. 

It shows how space can be defined in the way of its shape change by viewing it from different perspectives and angles.

This was the A2 presentation done to show my ideas and assembly diagrams of both cubes. 

After completed this assignment, I have learnt a lot in working on only one single material and to make the best use of it to create a complete form/shape. I have also learnt how to define space in limitation in the way that I also got to understand about how it works to give different kind of texture and senses. And I also got to know how to create depth and different forms in a limited space by using the repetition of the same shape and also the flexibility of arrangement.

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

 Discipline Specific Knowledge

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Intrapersonal Skills

Citizenship and Global Perspectives

Design Communication - Project 3

This project is integrated with the final project for our Design Studio I, at which we were required to apply all the skills learnt through project 1 and 2 in Design Communication and to produce technical drawings of the building (hideout) designed by our own in order to communicate our final design at its best.

The objectives of this project are as follow :

1. To identify appropriate types of architectural drawings, sketches and models to convey own idea and design in its form and space.
2. To illustrate own design’s form and space through selected types of architectural drawings, sketches and models.
3. Produce architectural ideas and designs through 2D and 3D technical drawings.
4. Produce an architectural model which demonstrates the ideas of space and form.
5. Apply learnt skills and techniques in producing visual materials for design project.


We were required to produce the drawings as listed below :

1. Floor plans (of each floor)
2. Elevations
3. Section
4. Axonometric projection
5. Exterior and Interior perspective drawings.

Upper row (from the left) : Level 1, Level 2, Level 3

Bottom row (from the left) : Front elevation, Side elevation

On the left : Section (Upper), Interior one point perspective drawing (Bottom)

On the right : Axonometry drawing

In this assignment, I had gotten the chance to practice all the skills I had in the previous assignments which definitely helped a lot in getting me to master the techniques learnt. Besides, it was a challenging task to complete so many drawings in limited time as it really taught me in managing my time better and to work more efficiently. I also had the chance to illustrate and communicate my own design through the use of all these technical drawings in a much better way. 

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Design Communication - Project 2 (Barcelona Pavilion)

It was the second project which was also the first technical project assigned to us. For this second project, it was divided into three parts where we were required to produce an orthographic drawings for part A, axonometric drawings for part B and perspectives drawings for part C.

Project 2A - Orthographic Projections

We were given a building which was Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van der Rohe and after the lectures given we were required to produce an orthographic projection based on the given drawing details during the tutorial classes.

The objectives of this project are as follow :

1. To demonstrate drafting skills in modern and traditional methods of architectural drawing.
2. To record and present clear and legible architectural information manually.
3. To identify and apply architectural conventions and symbols.
4. To demonstrate in pencil and ink, examples of line types, line weights, line quality and architectural lettering.

Floor Plan of Barcelona Pavilion

Elevations and Sections of Barcelona Pavilion

Project 2B - Axonometric Drawings

For this part, we were required to execute an axonometric projection by generating partial of an external and a sectional (internal) axonometric of the Pavilion.

The objectives of this project are as follow :

1. To learn and understand how to draw a building in axonometric projection.
2. To apply the basic principles of axonometric projection to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in the three-dimension.
3. To demonstrate in pencil and ink, examples of line types, line weights, line quality and architectural lettering.

Axonometric Drawing of Barcelona Pavilion

The element I had chose to explode is glass.

Project 2C - Perspectives Drawings

We were required to produce two perspective drawings for this task including one-point sectional perspective (interior) and two-point perspective (exterior) to illustrate the spacial functions, structural components of the building better.

The objectives of this project are as follow :

1. To learn and understand how to draw a building in one-point and two-point perspectives.
2. To apply the basic principles of perspective drawing to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in the three-dimension.
3. To demonstrate in pencil and ink, examples of line types, line weights, line quality and architectural lettering.

One-point Sectional Perspective (Interior) of Barcelona Pavilion

Two-point perspective drawing (Exterior) of Barcelona Pavilion

In this assignment, I was introduced to the basic skills of technical drawings as I got to practice the orthographic drawings, axonometric drawings and also perspectives drawings. All these exercises had me a lot in getting to know more about the illustration of a building through not photographs but through these technical drawings which can actually explain the spatial organization and function, structural component of the building itself much better than just photos. It was an useful experience to get us started in architectural drawings.

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Design Comunication - Project 1A (On site sketching) and Project 1B (Tonal value)

It was the first project assigned to us for the module Design Communication. This project was divided into two parts, Project 1A and 1B.

Project 1A - On site sketching

For project 1A, we were required to produce 5 sketches on A4 sized sketch journal by using different types of medium including pencils, pen, charcoal and etc. We were required to record down the observation and perception from the site we experienced and translate them into sketches and the 5 sketches produced must include both interior and exterior spaces.

The objectives of this project are as listed below :

1. To understand the notion of space in architecture.
2. To develop skills in visualizing the space through observation and perception of a given site.
3. To develop skills in sketching as a mode of communication.

The site given was our own campus, Taylor's University Lakeside Campus.

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Sketch 3

Sketch 4

Sketch 5

Project 1B - Tonal Value

For the part B of this first project, we were required to produce four variations of a tonal value sketch based on the image provided including hatching, cross-hatching, stippling and scribbling.

The objectives of this project are as listed :

1. To understand the notion of space and detailing in architecture and objects.

2. To develop skills in communicating the above in various tonal and depth values.

3. To develop various techniques of hatching with different media.

1. Hatching

2. Cross hatching 

3. Scribbling

4. Stippling

This project has taught me the basic skills of drawing and sketching as well as the different techniques of producing tonal values. Besides, I had gotten the chance to experience on site sketching and also had the chance to practice my sketching skills. The tonal value exercises had definitely helped in improving my skills too as I got better in creating shadow and toning for my sketches. It was a great introduction project to get all of us warmed up a little before we started doing more technical things.

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Communication Skills

Architectural Design Studio I - Project 1 (Representing Me)

This was the first project ever assigned to us on the first week of lecture.
It was an individual project and we were required to explore about ourselves and translate the ideas into an abstract form which our artwork shall not exceed (30x30x30)cm and the materials used were limited to cardboard, acrylic, transparencies, tracing paper or other form of cardboards.

The objective of this project is to explore different possibilities of generating ideas through rigorous design process, to explore various approaches in translating ideas and abstracting translation and interpretation, to explore varied forms of artwork in communication and expression of self and its sense, to enhance ability not only in sketching but in crafting three dimensional design or art form.

My way of approach was through the inner self and life experiences of mine where I extract the key of both my personalities and family background into an abstract form of sculpture.

Final sketch model of my work.

I tried out on a few designs for the facade of my sculpture by using the Chinese character of my name.

This was the final facade chosen to be carved on my sculpture.

FINAL MODEL - QIU

Presentation board that I had done for a clearer view of my design process, concepts and development of my ideas. 

Through this project, I'm able to have the chance to explore and got to know deeper about myself. And I'm able to translate the ideas that I had gathered into a form of abstraction which came out to be an artistic sculpture. Besides, it had thought me the way of communications through not only the use of verbal but also through an art piece. I had also developed skills in organizing and translating my ideas into a better form to be more understandable by everyone who views my work. Nevertheless, I had improved my crafting skills as well through the process of making mock up models and final model.

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities :

Lifelong Learning

Thinking and Problem Solving Skills

Intrapersonal Skills

Citizenship and Global Perspectives