SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

______________________________________________________________________________________

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture/

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
Project : CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY & CASE STUDY PAPER
80% of final marks (individual)
Submission date:

Week 13 (24 Nov 2015)

Introduction
This project is driven by Architectural Design Studio 4, as an approach to support students design through
extensive research within the framework of Contextual Architecture in Asia. The Contextual Architecture
framework focuses on students selection of building, with research objectives defined through in-depth literature
review, leading to a well-established case study paper structure and writing.
Assessments involve oral presentation and a written paper of 2,000 words. The final topic of the paper should
be evolved in discussion and consultation with the tutors and should be finalised by the fifth week of the course.
Students will present the summary of the paper with images in class which contains an outline of the paper
covering issues and themes explored, as well as a bibliography.
Objectives of Project
The objectives of this project are as follow:

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 selected building, within the
framework of Contextual Architecture.
Identify significant elements of Contextual Architecture through investigation on the selected building.
Produce, orally and in writing, a critical interpretation of Contextual Architecture of the selected building.
A paper (2,000 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.

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

1|Pa g e

Tasks Methodology
This project is divided into two (2) parts: Contextual Architecture Study (30%) and Case Study Paper (50%)
as illustrated in Figure1.

Contextual
Architecture
Study (30%)
Vernacular
Architecture
reference

Case
Study
Paper (50%)

Contextual
Architecture
elements

Concept
Mapping

Topic
Proposal

Presentat
ion &
Abstract

Final
Paper

Figure1: Coursework structure

Contextual Architecture Study (30%)

You are to identify a building in Asia which you intent to investigate through observation and readings
on contemporary Contextual Architecture practices and issues in Asia.

Based on the selected building, you need to conduct literature review on its vernacular architecture
reference attributes such as culture, construction, structure, layout, & etc.

You need to conduct extensive literature reviews, to identify the Contextual Architecture elements of
the selected building.

You need to show findings of the above in the form of a printed A2 presentation visual, with
appropriate visual communication design and clarity of information.

Case Study Paper (50%)

1
2

Using the same building, you need to identify the specific topic/ issues/significance of study and
then define specific scope of study.
Using the selected building, you are required to generate a good research title that reflects the
research intention and specific scope of study, within the framework of Contextual Architecture and
significance of study.
You need to create an concept mapping to highlight the specific topic/ issues/significance of study
and scope of study. The concept mapping (*refer Appendix A) must include the proposed research
title and research questions, to give an overview of the proposed case study paper. This visual
may be used in your design studio presentation to show the research process carried out in generating
the design proposal.

Depending on the scope of study, you may use examples of other relavant architecture design in
Asia, to support your discussions and arguments.

In some cases, a comparative study might be appropriate, it is recommended to discuss with

your tutors for approval to proceed.

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

2|Pa g e

The tutorials and submissions of the assignment will be carried out in stages.
1. Contextual Architecture Study

2.
3.
4.
5.

Submission of topic and issue

Paper presentation
Abstract submission
Paper submission

29 Sept 2015
29 Sept 2015
20 Oct 2015
20 Oct 2015
24 Nov 2015

30%
10%
10%
10%
20%

Submission Requirements

ONE A2 printed visual.

Digital copy of Contextual Architecture Study presentation visual to be uploaded
to TIMeS
A4 printed proposals visual map based on template given (to be resubmitted upon tutors request)
A4 printed abstract based on template given (to be resubmitted upon tutors request)
Softcopy of presentation slides to be uploaded to TIMeS
Online registration of research title and abstract

A4 printed loose copy of final report

Turnitin plagiarism report page indicating similarity percentage(to be included with

final report)

Upload final report (in .doc or .docx format) to TIMeS

Marking criteria
Contextual Architecture Study (30%)

Analysis of vernacular architecture reference

Analysis of Contextual Architecture elements
Clarity of information
Appropriate visual communication design

10
10
5
5

Submission of topic and issue (10%)

Appropriate title and topic selection
Appropriate research questions
Suitable reference materials and concise annotation
Appropriate concept mapping visual communication design

2.5
2.5
2.5
2.5

Paper presentation (10%)

Understanding of research topic
Presentation quality

5
5

Abstract submission (10%)

Topic and issue
Objectives of the study
Methodology: literature review
Case study
Findings
Discussion and conclusion

1
2
1
1
3
1

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

3|Pa g e

Final submission (20%) (marks translated from 100%)

Clarity of content
Organization and structure of essay
Writing conventions
APA citations

40%
20%
20%
20%

Suggested References:
1. Emerald Group Publishing (u.d.). How to... write an abstract. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/authors/guides/write/abstracts.htm. [Last Accessed 12 Mar
2014].
2. Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2012). The literature review: Six steps to success. Corwin Press.
3.

McGinnis, M. V. (2005). Bioregionalism. In Taylor, B. R., & Kaplan, J. (Eds.), The Encyclopedia of
Religion and Nature. London: Thoemmes Continuum.

4. Quirk,

V.

(2013)

How

To

Make

Architecture,

Not

Art.

[ONLINE]

Available

at:

http://www.archdaily.com/337603/how-to-make-architecture-not-art . [Last Accessed 21 Aug 2015]

5. Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students. Sage.

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

4|Pa g e

Appendix A
Credit: Tang, H.Y, 2014. Solutions to Heat Gain Challenge Using Roof Garden As An Approach In Nature
Responsive Design In Modern Deluxe Suit Of Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding. [Coursework] Kuala
Lumpur: Taylors University.

Solutions to Heat Gain Challenge Using Roof Garden As An Approach

In Nature Responsive Design In Modern Deluxe Suit Of Belum
Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding.
Concept mapping:

Research Questions:
Question 1:

Why the roof garden of Belum Rainforest Resort is considered as

part of the nature driven design?

Question 2:

What is the design concept of roof garden adopted in Belum

Rainforest Resort?
Question 3:

In terms of contextual climate, what is the problem encountered by

applying this concept into Belum Rainforest Resort?

Question 4:

Responding to this natural factor, what are the significant features

adopted in the roof garden of Belum Rainforest Resort?

Question 5:

How does each of the features act as a solution and help in solving
the problem faced?

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

5|Pa g e

Appendix B: Tutorial Progression Table

Week/
Date
Week 1
25 Aug

Week 2
1 Sept

Week 3
8 Sept

Week 4
15 Sept

Week 5
22 Sept

Preparation

Activity
-

Project 1 Briefing: Writing case study

paper

To identify building and conduct literature review of

Vernacular Architecture.

Data Gathering

To confirm building and literature review findings of

the respective Vernacular Architecture and issues
pertaining Contextual Architecture of the selected
building.

Tutorial 1: Present selected building and

findings of the respective Vernacular
Architecture
and
issues
pertaining
Contextual Architecture of the selected
building.

To confirm building, generate research title, proposed

research questions and concept mapping

Tutorial 2: Present concept mapping with

research title and research questions

To revise / proceed for topic proposal completion

Tutorial 3: Present and confirm concept

mapping with research title and research
questions

To complete Contextual Architecture Study visual

and topic proposal
Project : Submission of Topic Proposal (10%)
Submission of Contextual Architecture Study
(30%)

Tutorial 4: To confirm concept mapping

with research title and research questions

Week 7
6 Oct

To prepare paper structure outline& abstract draft

Tutorial 5: To present paper structure

outline and abstract draft.

Week 9
20 Oct

To complete presentation and abstract

Project : Presentation (10%)

Project : Submission of Abstract (10%)

Week 6
29 Sept

- To prepare case study paper draft

Week
10-11

-To complete case study paper for submission

Tutorial 6: Final review of case study paper

-To perform online paper title & abstract registration

-To run Turnitin Plagiarism Check
Week 13
24 Nov

To complete case study paper for submission

Asian Architecture (ARC 2234 /ARC60403): Aug 2015

Project : Submission (20%)

6|Pa g e