KRISTOPHER TEOH
ARCHITECTURE LIFE
Architectural Design Studio 1 (ARC 1116)
Project 1: Self Expression Through Object
This project was introduced to help students to obtain basic methods of generating ideas and abstracting conceptual narratives for design. I was forced to explore and learn more about myself throughout this project in order for me to create the best method for me to represent myself.
I was able to explore various methods of designing in order for me to produce the final product. I had to be creative and I had to think critically to find the best possible way to represent myself in the form of an artwork.
In the end, I came up with the theme of duality to represent myself as I realized while exploring myself, I discovered things about me which I didn't know were a part of me all this while.
Through the process of engaging with others and discovering myself, I learnt a lot about myself. However, I felt that the final outcome could have been better in the form of real masks instead of a portrait.
Project 2: Self-Expression through Architectural Space
For project 2, students were told to form groups of 3 in each respective tutorial groups based on the similar theme that they had. I formed group with two other classmates that had themes based on duality.
Before beginning to build the full scale model, we were taught about the scale and proportion of the human body and we had to explore how human anthropometry and ergonomics relate to and inform space. Once we had a better understanding of the human body and how it is related to space, we started working on our models.
My team made several mock up models that suited our theme. From the theme of duality, we derived our most common characteristic which is blending in with the environment, also known as camouflaging. At first, we design several spaces that involved hidden panels. However, we alter our design to create a space using optical illusion with materials similar to mirrors as suggested by our lecturer. In the end, we were not able to create that space because we could not find the suitable material that could reflect like a mirror despite testing several different materials. Therefore, we were forced to alter and make a design based on one of our initial ideas with a jungle theme.
After completing the project, I had a better understanding of the role of scale and proportion in the relationship between the human body and a designed space or enclosure. I have also learnt how to work well with my team and I also realized the importance of teamwork. We designed and produced a space that best expressed our idea or conceptual narrative.
Project 3: Space for the Self
The final project allowed students to review 4 different movies given by the lecturers and then students had to select one movie for themselves. Students with the similar movies were to form groups of 5 in each respective tutorial group. We were to anaylse the movie and then we had to create our own characters in order build the model of our secret hideout individually. As a team, we had to make a site model based on screenshots captured from the movie.
The site model we produced at a scale of 1:50 was based on the movie called 'The Fifth Element'.
The space that I created for my character had to be reflected on the narrative of my individual character which was an arms dealer. The materials selected for the space created had to be selected carefully as it would affect the spatial experience. I also has to take the scale and proportion of the human body into consideration once again while building my model.
The model that I created in the end, was a floating shop. The exterior of the shop interacted with each building in the site. With greeneries on one side of the building for people looking through the windows of the site building and the other side of my shop has a window and a pick up zone. The back part of my building was linked to the fire escape and the front is open for people to come in.
The top two spaces provided was used as the electronic shop as a form of distraction. These spaces are large and well lit to provide a warm and welcoming feeling for customers. The private office is a smaller and darker space to provide a more intimidating feel to buyers and it is the only room that links to the gun shop at the bottom. The elevator ride down to the bottom would give buyers an anxious feeling as they don't know what to expect. The elevator also serves as an escape pod. The bottom space is large and walls made of steel to withstand any damage done. A space filled with weapons also provide an intimidating feel to buyers but they may also be curious to explore the space. The shooting range may provide customer satisfaction. Overall, the shop is divided into two spaces; the electronic shop and the gun shop, which relates to my characters personality. My character has a sense of duality as he need to be a warm and welcoming person as the electronic shop owner while he is also an intimidating arms dealer.
After completing the project, I able to distinguish and discern the role of scale and proportion in the relationship between the human body and a designed space or enclosure. I can also apply basic design principles in spatial organization. Team work was also very important in this project as well as critical and creative thinking.
