Personal Reflection

Main Concept/New Knowledge Learnt

From this project, I learnt that the process of designing an architectural design is long and tedious. Not only do we need to brainstorm for one idea and continue to develop it, we have to also take into consideration of other possible layouts and designs and then analyse which layout and the design best suit the target audience's needs. In addition, to come up with a good architectural design and building, it is essential to do a thorough research on the chosen location and the people around it. After this project, I have learnt to appreciate the designs of buildings that I come across. I have also learnt some of the skills in using photoshop, indesign and google sketchup.

Difficulties Encountered

The difficulties that I have encountered is using google sketchup to do a prototype of my building and design. I was not very familiar with google sketchup and hence, I was not able to do the google sketchup effectively within the shortest time. Furthermore, I was racing against time while doing the google sketchup as it kept on lagging. Hence, I had a difficulty in coming up with a good google sketch up and to be able to hand it in time.

How did you overcome the difficulties faced

I consulted some of my friends for help in my google sketchup when I faced a difficulty. This made it easier for me to continue in my work. Also, I tried to save time by using every opportunity I had to do a little bit of the google sketchup so that I could finish a bit of work each time.

Digital Presentation Board Write Up

Project Name: D' Mall

Purpose of the building: D' Mall seeks to be the choice for families and elderly to shop and get together to bond and strengthen relationships as well as socialise with one another. With its convenient location, it aims to attract people from every corner of Singapore with its unique exterior design and eco-friendly and elderly-friendly features.

Concept of the building: The shape of D' Mall is similar to that of a barge as the shape of the shopping mall resembles the hull of a barge while the hotel resembles the protrusion at the stern of the barge. D' Mall was designed as a barge to bring Singapore back to its heritage, when it was a fishing village with a thriving port. The port was where merchants from all over the world meet one another and socialise with one another. Therefore, since the mall aims to be the place where people socialise with one another, the design of the mall is designed as a barge which symbolises Singapore which was a thriving port in the past.

Features of Architectural Design

Unique building designs

The blend of art and science that includes the designing and construction of buildings and other structures. The design of the building has to show what the building’s function, it has to suit the building’s theme.

For example, the Kansas City Public Library. They made use of book bindings as the parking garage’s exterior. This was to inspire people to utilize the downtown Central Library.

Source: http://villageofjoy.com/50-strange-buildings-of-the-world/














Another unique design would be using the building’s shape to come up with a context. Like Cubic Houses (Rotterdam, Netherlands) The concept behind the building’s shape was that they tried to create a forest, using each cube to represent as abstract tree.

Source: http://www.bestdesigntuts.com/20-unique-buildings-architecture/














Another unique design of a building is the illusion it provides to the people. For example, the Blur Building Yverdon-les-Bainz, Switzerland). The mist coming out from the building creates the illusion that the building is floating above the water without structural support.













Colour

Here colour refers to hue (colour range). Colour is one of the pronounced elements of aesthetics and its selection is very crucial to the overall effect it has on aesthetics. A variety of effects can be produced by varying luminance, fullness and its transparency.

Source: http://www.architecture-student.com/architecture/aesthetic-components-design-unity-elements/
















The designer could perfectly collide and coalesce textures, colors, light and sound in tasteful perfect harmony.

Source: http://www.taabuk.com/tag/home-architecture/

Color schemes should be based on a certain concept and the concept depends on the nature of space. So, concepts changes for formal space or informal space; whether you want to have fresh effect or aged effect; whether you want to have organized discipline or controlled chaos.

Source: http://gees7.wordpress.com/2008/07/04/application-of-colors-in-architecture/
















Source: http://www.inoutdecor.com/DecoratingStyle/DC3.htm

Lights

Lighting is important to let people see their surroundings, be it natural lighting or artificial lighting. Proper lighting makes all work tasks easier. People receive about 85 percent of their information through their sense of sight, and appropriate lighting, without glare or shadows, can reduce eye fatigue and headaches. This is especially important as there will be people who go to certain places for long hours, such as people who work in the area.

Daylight: The amount of daylight entering the workplace can be controlled with tinted glass, window blinds, curtains, and awnings. Daylight is desirable in the workplace providing it does not cause glare or make the work area too bright.

Electric Lighting: The amount of light, the colour of the light itself and the colour that objects appear vary with the type of electric lighting. The lighting must match the workplace and the task.

Colored lights for the exterior of the building (advertisements, name of the shop, etc.) are important for the look of the building. If a person chooses lighting of the same colour as the building itself, the building would look a but dull.

Source: http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/lighting_general.html






Portland Museum

Source: http://www.architectureandlight.com/archlite/cLportm.html


























Source: http://www.al-d.net/

Texture

The word texture generally refers to the appearance and feel of a surface. However, it could also mean the physical composition or structure of something, especially with respect to its size, shape and arrangement of its parts.














In this figure, a variety of textures can be seen in the roofs, walls and paving. Strongly identifiable shapes in roofs and battered walls are seen as repeated units, presenting a definite and distinguishable feel of the surface.
Individual dwellings within a group, as well as decorations and carvings in buildings can create an effect of texture.

Source: http://www.architecture-student.com/architecture/aesthetic-components-design-unity-elements/

Texture is the interior design technique that brings a sense of depth and interest to your rooms rather it is wall or ceiling texture, wood, stone, brick or texture of decorator fabrics. Decorating with texture is the life of your rooms. This is the decorating element you see and touch.


















Source: http://www.inoutdecor.com/DecoratingStyle/DC3.htm

Denise Lim, Serene Fong, Helene Tan, Millie Thng

What makes a good architectural design?

A good architectural design is one that is aesthetically appealing and is able to serve its purpose well. An example of a good architectural design is the China Science and Technology Museum in Beijing, China.














The China Science and Technology Museum is considered to be a good design as the design is of the museum is aesthetically appealing. When one enters the museum, the display in the image as shown above will greet the public, attracting their attention and interest and captivating them with the science concepts behind the exhibition.

Another reason why the museum is considered a good architectural design is because of the large space that it provides. In the first image of the museum, it can be seen that the museum provides a large space area. This is a good design as it will make the public feel that the museum is very spacious and not cram. In other words, this deals with the psychological aspect of the public such that they will feel comfortable visiting the exhibitions instead of feeling uneasy and uncomfortable when there is a small space area.















The museum is also organised such that each level deals with a different theme. An example is the image as shown above. The exhibitions on this level deals with ancient Chinese technological innovations while other levels have different themes such as space and the human body.

Source: http://www.beijing-kids.com/magazine/2010/11/10/Whats-Fun-In-China-Science-and-Technology-Museum

What is Architectural Design?

1. Architectural Design refers to the actual design and layout of spaces.

Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-architecture-design.htm

2. Architectural Design is the concept that focuses on the components or elements of a structure or system and unifies them into a coherent and functional whole, according to a particular approach in achieving the objective(s) under the given constraints or limitations.

Source: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/architectural-design.html

3. Architectural Design is the designing of buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect.

Source: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/architecture