SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROJECT [ARC60108]

Sustaining Humanities
Project 1a: Developing an architectural position and the programme
Learning
Assessments Type Marks Presentation Submission
outcomes

1, 2 (refer
Project 1a Group/Individual 10% Video/multimedia Week 3
to MO)

Images: http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/archive/student-achievements/mla_sila.html

Introduction

Architectural Design Project is a studio that forms the cap stone project for the Bachelors of
Science (Honours) Architecture programme, emphasizing on: (1) the broad theme of sustaining
humanities. (2) Asian cities of the future.

This module is a thematic studio based on the theme of sustaining humanities architecture for
people, place and time. Designing for sustainability has been a fundamental issue for architects in
our time within global and regional contexts. In line with the current discourse on sustainability, It
upholds the believe that architecture can create better places, that architecture can affect society
and humanity, and that it can have a role in making a place civilized by making a community
more liveable.

Students are required to further develop the proposed design project by their supervisor that
reflect the theme and finalize a programme that addresses the needs of the required user group,
as well as provide spaces that invite interaction with the surrounding contextual conditions. In
addition to the theme of sustaining humanities, the module focuses on the development of
students ability to integrate considerations of technology, environment and cultural context in
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architectural design, and offers a platform for students to develop their own position in
developing their individual project.

To achieve this aim, the design project is divided into three main phases. This Project Brief is
developed for the first part (Project 1a) of the three-part assessment are as follows:

Objectives of Project

The objectives of this assignment are as follows:

1. Develop a simple brief for an architectural design project
2. Conduct pre-design analyse to inform the design project

Learning Outcomes of this Project

1. Formulate a simple brief that include appropriate architectural programme and planning
within a selected architectural context
2. Analyse case studies to gain understanding of architectural responses and strategies of an
intentional design strategy to inform the design project
3. Conduct contextual and user analysis in the pre-design phase

Tasks - Methodology

Students are to further develop the studio design project and position in architecture. You should
begin with considering a position/topic in architectural design that you would like to explore,
guided by your supervisor.

Based on that, students are required to conduct and present the following pre-design analysis:
1. Studies of the contextual conditions of your site
2. Studies on your selected user group and building types
3. Studies on precedents that inform the ideas/approach/strategies underlying your design.

Based on your pre-design phase, develop a simple design brief that includes: the topic of
exploration, the building type, the user group, the schedule of accommodation.

Pre-design analysis,
Is where students will assemble all the parts and pieces of the bigger picture. 1. Reviewing
building code and local or city ordinance, 2. Initiative on establishing design parameters, 3. Take
initiative consider and study solar analysis and other site specific analysis,

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4. Research on precedents or do actual visitation to projects related and directly relevant to the
proposal and 5. Research on demography, user profile and understanding who we are designing
for.

There are several guidelines that provide the scope of your proposed project as follows:
3-5 stories/levels
1800-2000 sq.mts. built up area (gross floor area)
No residential proposals (Housing project) and No repetition of previous design studio
projects.
Parking lot/layout (based on Uniform Building By-Laws and Local requirements).
Compliance with city planning or local guidelines and requirements.
Shall tackle and address the issue on site and look forward to aligning design addressing
the needs of the Asian cities of the future.

Expected output and project requirements

Multimedia/digital presentation will include the following components:

a. Brief historical background of the site.
b. Site Analysis (macro to micro site analysis)
c. Project/Programme Brief (building type and function, requirements,
target user, others)
d. Precedent Studies (programme-related)
e. User Analysis/User Study
f. Others (materials, specific regulations, issues & others)

Assessment Criteria
SATISFACTORY

VERYGOOD

EXCELLENT
(D-,D,D+)
Marks %

(C+,B-)

GOOD
(B,B+)
POOR

PASS
FAIL

(A-)

(A)

Marking Criteria Marks

(C)
(F)

These will be assessed via the

40-49

50-54

55-64

65-74

75-79
0-39

100
80-

following: 100

Programme & Project brief

(LO1) Ability to formulate a
simple brief that include
___/20
appropriate architectural
programme and planning within
a selected architectural context.

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 Precedent/Case Studies
(LO 2) Ability to analyse case
___/15
studies to gain understanding of
archl responses and strategies.
Programme related precedents.

Site contextual and user

analysis. (LO3) Ability to ___/40
conduct contextual and user
analysis in the pre-design phase

Multi Media/Video
Presentation. (PO 1 & PO2)
___/15
Ability to come up with a clear,
creative and organized
presentation
Peer Evaluation
(Individual Assessment) ___10

Assessment Weight : 10% ____/ 100 %

Note:
1. Rubric Assessment is attached to the Project 1a Assessment Sheet, refer to as page
2. Peer evaluation form can be downloaded in the TIMeS portal and Facebook Group.

Suggested References

1. Clark,R. & Pause, M. 2012, Precedents in Architecture Analytical Diagrams, Fomative Ideas
and Partis (4th Ed.), Hoboken N.J: John
2. Lynch, K. 1979, Image Of The City. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press
3. Moraes Zarzar, K., 2003, Use and Adaptation of Precedents in Architectural Design , Delft
University Press
4. LaGro Jr.J.A.,2001 Site Analysis: linking program and concept in land planning and design,
New York: Wiley

Timeline and Schedule

Week 1 : Briefing on architectural position

Site visitation and documentation
Week 2 : Research on precedents studies, work on programme
Local codes and guidelines, contextual studies, user studies, etc.
Week 3 : Finalization of programme, analysis and presentation
Final Presentation: Project 1a

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Note : Refer to module outline for the detailed activities, tutorials
and suggested reference and readings.

Submission Date and Guidelines

Submission DUE : Thursday, 13 April 2017 (Week 3)

Note
1. Video or Presentation should be within 10-15 minutes only.
2. Group Leader to submit softcopy to architectprinceisip@gmail.com
3. Peer Assessment to be compiled by group leader and forward to me before 7:00 pm.
4. All information presented must have proper referencing.
5. Proper attire. Business casual or business formal.

Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:

Prince Favis Isip See Kwang Li Mohd Adib Ramli

. . .
Date: 24/3/2017 Date: 24/3/2017 Date: 24/3/2017
Email: princefavis.isip@taylors.edu.my Stream Coordinator Programme Director
Office No.: +60 3 5629 5395 (Design Studio/Studies)
Office Location: Academic Suite C5

Remarks:
1. The Project Brief is to be distributed to the students in the first week of the semester.
2. Any changes to the Project Brief shall be communicated (in writing) to the Programme
Director and the approved revised version must be communicated to the students

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