BY A STUDENT FROM TAYLOR'S UNIVERSITY
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN I
PROJECT 1
Models & Tattoos: Expressions through Design Elements & Principles
This was my first time approaching architecture in a serious, academic form.
Though daunting and challenging, my lecturer Mr Fadzlee was helpful and willing to guide me through the basic ideas of Design Elements and Principles, and how to express them in a physical format such as a model.
Reflection:
I learnt that although design outcome may be a subjective matter, it is the amount of complex thought and detail gone into creating a structure that determines what makes a "good" design. This project was helpful in making a first step into this field and prepared me for what is to come.
PROJECT 2
Tectonics: Design Principles, Anthropometric and Ergonomic Exploration
Now that I had learnt to create models and drawings that express my design ideas, it was time to learn how to bring the concept of human interaction and usage into my work. The tutors guided us in how to make body measurements, how to arrange information for presenting to an audience, as well as basic presentation etiquette.
Reflection:
Through lectures and past examples, I understood how to conduct research on ergonomics and anthropometry and bringing that theory into creating a structure designed to be used in an effective and comfortable way. The project was also a great lesson in time management and how to split and prioritize different parts of a single project, which I will certainly remember in carrying out future projects in the coming semesters.
PROJECT 3
Interpretation and Representation: Principles, Tectonics and Sensory
My final project for this semester's studio work now combined both my understanding of design elements/principles and anthropometry with bringing in a sensorial experience for the user interacting with my structure. It was a long process to merge these ideas into a singular outcome, but my tutors were communicative in showing me how to make my design intentions known and how to accommodate for said intention in the details of a structure.
Reflection:
Though I feel that this project could have concluded better - my drawing fundamentals still need work and the user intention for this tectonic was compromised in the final model - those mistakes at least point me in the direction I need to go for my upcoming projects. The guest architects who viewed my work helped me look at things from a different (and more advanced) perspective and corrected me where I fell short. I am willing to bring these concepts forward and improve on my weaknesses in Semester 2.
REFLECTION
In conclusion, this module:
Introduced me to architectural design in an easy-to-understand manner, and helped me to consistently practice designing through drawing and model making
Use the perspectives and information from my tutor(s) to improve my work and properly align it with my original design elements/principles
Learn from firsthand experience how to manage my time with different parts of a single assignment, or multiple assignments
These projects helped me gain an insight in how to work and design like an architect which will be invaluable knowledge for my next semester.