Architectural Studio 5

Project 1 : Preliminary studies

The Preliminary Studies is a preparatory assignment that focuses on investigating basic notions of the city, and learning from examples of community library around the world. This assignment aims to firstly introduce students to the basics in urban design and its relation to architecture, and secondly, studying and determining the programmatic function, societal role and spatial layout of a community library and architectural responses for urban infills. The Preliminary Studies comprises of three components: Site Documentation, Site Analysis, and Precedent Studies of Urban Infills and Community Library. The Site Documentation and Site Analysis will equip students with a firm understanding of the site they will be working with this semester, while the Precedent Studies will provide an insight into architectural responses for designing an urban infill community library. The outcome of the Preliminary Studies will include the production of site documentation materials (drawings and models in both digital and physical copy for further use), a comprehensive analysis of the site, and a detailed case study of a relevant urban infill and community library.

Objectives & Learning Outcomes

To have an overview of the formation of cities and introduce basic concepts of urban design in relation to architectural design.
Analyze the site character and identify conditions of the urban streetscape and urban behavioural patterns.
Analyze case studies to gain understanding of architectural response for urban infill sites and for spatial programming to inform the design project.

Final Presentation Boards

Taltal Library Board

1/15

Physical Site Model

Project 2 : Final Project

From now on, students will concentrate on designing a community library within an urban infill site. The design of the building is to consist of appropriate architectural responses that address the aspects of the urban street context and user behavioral patterns as discerned and analyzed in the Preliminary Studies.
Apart from developing a narrative on architectural strategy in response to the relevant questions pertaining to community and its context, the design should take into consideration a holistic application of structural, spatial, functional and environmental requirements to address the user needs for a community library. The design development of this project will include an introduction to the legislative restrictions that impact an architectural scheme, the integration of lighting and acoustic design, as well as the design exploration and detailing of the facade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.

Objectives & Learning Outcomes

To take into consideration key aspects of urban design and context in relation to architecture To develop an awareness and basic compliance to
Design Codes and Statutory Requirements
To emphasize the importance of elevation context and composition in developing architectural design
Produce drawings (both 2D and 3D), models and presentations to verbally and visually communicate architectural ideas and scheme