Architectural Studio 4

STAGE 1: PRECEDENT STUDIES (Group) 

Objective 

Stage 1 is to seek and investigate existing knowledge on similar scheme and sustainable architecture that respond to the basic natural context such as the sun, wind, heat, cold, energy issue, and context. The main aim is to analyse architectural precedents for: 

1. Spatial typology 

2. Spatial programming 

3. Poetic relationship between the built and natural setting. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Utilize precedent study as research technique 

2. Reflect precedent and techniques of analysis in the critique and development of projects 

3. Demonstrate the ability to execute a design integrating the analysis of precedent and context within the process of design 

4. Respond to environmental concerns in the development and realization of design projects through the study of precedent. 

STAGE 2: DISCOVERING THE ENVIRONMENT AND SOCIAL NEEDS FOR CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE  (Group & Individual) 

Objective
1. To identify and analyse environmental and social needs of a site

2. To propose for Nature Appreciation Center

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify site condition, topography, vegetation and socio-cultural events

2. Identify environmental features that influence architectural design

3. Identify and analyse environment and social needs of a site as basis for design proposal

PROJECT: NATURE APPRECIATION CENTER (Individual)

Objectives 

- To develop awareness of environmental sustainability in architectural design. 

- To develop the student’s ability to meet the imperative and inter-related environmental and social needs, as well as 

make poetry with the buildings. 

Learning Outcomes 

1. Apply ideas of environmental sustainability in design 

2. Design and create architectural spaces with consideration of environmental poetics in relation to the basic natural 

context and existing built context which impact on users’ experiences 

3. Combine the environmental needs, the site (site topography, history and socio-cultural events), and the users’ 

experiences within simple building design in the open landscape/suburban context. 

4. Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), modelling and verbal presentation to communicate and visualize architectural 

design and ideas based on clustered spatial typology. 

Asian Architecture

Project 1: Case Study Paper

Objectives of Project 
- To integrate architectural design and research through a specific case study, supporting students’
design through extensive research within the framework of sustainability design in Asia.
 - To introduce students to activities which culminate in the production of the study; collection, indexing
and evaluation of information; analysis of information; compilation and organization of study; writing of
study; assembly of illustration and text; design of layout; binding and presentation.

Learning Outcomes of this Project 
- Analyse and discuss in depth on the selected research area based on the assigned building, within the
framework of sustainable design.
- Identify significant elements of sustainable design through investigation on the assigned building.
- Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of sustainable design of the assigned building.
- A paper (3,000 to a maximum of 4000 words, double-spaced).
- A power point presentation (10 minutes) – which contains an outline of the paper covering key issues
and themes explored, as well as bibliography.

Project 2: Case Study- An Asian Street

Objectives of Project 
- To develop critical perspectives on architecture and urbanism in situations where tradition, modernity
and globalization intersect through an exploration of the history of South, Southeast and East Asian
architecture
- To promote and develop students’ knowledge and understanding of selected aspects of Asian
architectural and urban design through first-hand experience gained through a study visit to an
appropriate local or overseas location relevant to the theme
- To develop in each student increasing skills and independence in information gathering, visual and
verbal analysis, and critical synthesis
- To develop in each student increasing skills in clear, effective, written communication, employing
recognized scholarly and professional conventions
- To enhance further students’ interpersonal and intra personal skills

Learning Outcomes of this Project 

- Describe the historical development of the main strands of Asian architecture 

- Identify a broad range of issues related to the historical and chronological transitions of Asian 

architectural history 

- Interpret architectural language in relation to the development of Asian architecture and urbanism based 

on theme of tradition, modernity and globalization 

Building Structures

Project 1: Fettuccine Truss Bridge

Objectives of Project:
- To develop student’s understanding of tension and compressive strength of construction materials
- To develop student’s understanding of force distribution in a truss
- To design a perfect truss bridge which fulfils the following criterias:
o High level of aesthetic value
o Minimal construction material

Learning Outcomes of Project:

- Able to evaluate, explore and improve attributes of construction materials 

- Explore and apply understanding of load distribution in a truss 

- Able to evaluate and identify tension and compression members in a truss structure 

- Explore different arrangement of members in a truss structure

Project 2: Extension of R.C. Bungalow 

Objectives of Project:

- To introduce the basic process of building structures design process to the students. 

- To enable the students to have a holistic experience including Concept and Structure Layout 

Design, Building Structure Engineering Considerations, Structure Members Sizing and 

Calculations, Final Report and Presentation. 

Learning Outcomes of Project:

- Produce a complete documentation on structural system of a case study 

- Explore and understand the concept of structural analysis 

- Identification of structural components 

- Recognize, Execute and implement basic procedures of building structure design 

- Produce a structural proposal 

Nature & Architecture

Project 1: Research Poster

Objectives of the Project:
 1. To introduce basic awareness of sustainability - learning from nature.
2. To provide exposure to various terminology and researches relating to nature design inspired
(ecomimicry, biomimicry and biomemetis).
3. To allow students to explore the opportunity to generate design ideas from nature as a model for form
as well as function.
4. To create awareness of the importance of creating an environmentally sustainable product/design.
5. To be able to understand and explain the principles of sustainability from environmental and social
perspective.
6. To develop a critical and comprehensive analysis of nature and architecture.
7. To employ graphics to convey the analysis on a building/product to explain the idea of the design
8. To develop an awareness of the communicative efficacy of diagrams.

Learning Outcomes of the Project:
1. Understand and able to explain the unique form and function of the chosen element of nature.
2. Explain how the concept that you have derived from your selected and studied natural element can be
mimicked in your product/ design/ idea.
3. Produce a complete documentation and analysis of particular element of nature that inspired the
design ideas.
4. Create a composition of the outcome of the analysis and interpretation of the potential design/ idea.
5. Discern and produce visually effective and communicative diagrams
6. Employ the use of diagrams to explore and investigate key ideas and thematic issues related to
building design product/ idea.

Project 2: NATURE Inspired Design – Module Design Element 

Objectives of the Project:

1. To develop greater awareness of sustainability in architectural design - learning from nature. 

2. To apply the various terminology and researches relating to nature design inspired as introduced in 

Project 1 (ecomimicry, biomimicry and biomemetis). 

3. To allow students to develop the opportunity to generate design ideas from nature as a model for form 

as well as function. 

4. To develop greater awareness of the importance of creating an environmentally sustainable 

product/design. 

5. To be able to understand and explain the principles of sustainability from environmental and social 

perspective. 

6. To develop a critical and comprehensive analysis of nature and architecture. 

7. To employ graphics to convey the analysis on a building/product to explain the idea of the design 

8. To develop an awareness of the communicative efficacy of diagrams. 

Learning Outcomes of the Project:

1. Understand and able to explain the unique form and function of the chosen element of nature. 

2. Explain how the concept that you have derived from your selected and studied natural element can be 

mimicked in your product/ design/ idea. 

3. Produce a complete documentation and analysis of particular element of nature that inspired the 

design ideas. 

4. Create a composition of the outcome of the analysis and interpretation of the potential design/ idea. 

5. Discern and produce visually effective and communicative diagrams 

6. Employ the use of diagrams to explore and investigate key ideas and thematic issues related to 

building design product/ idea. 

Building Technology 1

Project 1: Design Modification & Documentation 

Objectives of Project 

 

1. To encourage analytical and critical study of the principles, practices and details of construction technology 

in the existing building. 

2. To encourage students to explore alternative construction systems 

3. To adapt and implement the alternative construction systems into the students’ design. 

4. To develop the students’ skills in producing working drawings. 

Learning Outcomes of this Project 

 

1. Identify and collect relevant research data. 

2. Explain a set of architectural and structural documentation. 

3. Relate basic structural elements and structural principles in construction. 

4. Analyse and document construction methods and materials 

Project 2: Industrialised Building System 

Objectives of Project 

 

1. To develop students’ understanding in different types of IBS construction method. 

2. To apply appropriate IBS construction method in the production of a model for a specific building. 

3. To demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of IBS construction process through model making. 

4. To develop students’ understanding in matters related to energy efficiency and ecological impact. 

5. To foster good communication skills among group members through proper delegation of works and also a proper academic report. 

Learning Outcomes of this Project 

 

1. Identify and collect relevant research data. 

2. Evaluate existing construction system and detailing of the selected project. 

3. Critique issues pertaining to construction principles, materials, techniques, process of assembly and 

detailing. 

4. Critique issues pertaining to energy efficiency, embodied energy as well as ecological impact. 

Theories of Architecture & Urbanism

PROJECT PART I: ANALYSING SELF (30%) (Group & Individual)

Part 1 of the project is to provide information on the architect in order to comprehend personal attributes that contribute to the construction
of architectural theory.

PROJECT PART II: ANALYZING AND THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE (30%) (Individual)

Part 2 of the project emphasises architecture is like language with vocabulary, grammatical structure; both physical and intellectual.
Through certain arrangement, it carries messages and communicates meanings. Nevertheless, in order to understand architecture, one
must be aware of the conditions within which they are employed.