Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Checklist


As of 20.09.11

1) Research √
i) Decided on the location and justify with reasons and evidence why the location is chosen.
ii) Decided on the type of building to build, justify with reason and evidence why the type of building is chosen. Is there a need for it? Is there a trend among the target audience? Why is the target audience chosen? √
iii) Research on the type of building that you intend to build. √

Note: Evidence, Analysis, Conclude √
(Evidence/Research information in the form of data, observations, images, newspaper cutting, etc.
Analysis: making comparison, deduction, inference
Conclusion: What can you conclude from the research information?)

2) Idea Generation (fluency, quality, elaboration)
- the exterior design of the building √
- the interior (explore the possible layout taking into consideration movement flow) √
(Elaboration of ideas - within each idea, explain the thought process why the building was design in that particular way. What are the design considerations?)

Note:
You would need to research on existing designs to help you with idea trigger. Make sure that you have commented/analyses the existing design and talk about what you would like to incorporate in your design. After which, you would then need to illustrate with sketches how the design look like. There could be more than one possible design.

3) Development of Idea √
Work on the development of the selected idea going into the details of the selected design such as the choice of colors, texture, lighting, furniture, etc. Make sure that you have included the thinking process of why the choice is made. You would need to include images of your final design (done on google sketchup) and explain the thinkingbehind the design. Take note that there must be a unique feature in the design.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Housing Estate for the Elderly


       The building serves as a user-friendly and environment-friendly home to the elderly. The significant designs of the building is important to achieve a suitable home that provides convenience to the elderly. It is cost effective, green and most importantly elderly friendly. It is important to create a suitable living environment for the elderly, in order to help them to lead live a normal life, a life in which they can be independent, healthy and happy. 
        When the elderly retires from work, they want to escape from the hectic work of work and stress. They would want to spend the rest of their time relaxing, enjoying life with their friends and family and leading a stressless life. This building is designed to create better bonds between the elderly and their families, and their friends. Friends are just doors away from them and their families can visit them conveniently. With the company of family and friends, the elderly would not feel lonely. Facilities such as the cafeteria and the lounge create great opportunities for building relationships. 
The building also provides convenience to the user as necessary facilities such as the supermarket, cafeteria, clinic and recreational spaces are build in the building. 
        The building is also catered to adapt to the world around them. Hence, factors such as space limitations and high cost of living, is overcome by the design of the building. Due to space limitations, the building is designed as a high-rise building to maximize the space vertically. 
The building is made eco-friendly, to go green and also for cost-effective purposes. The apartments have full-length window panels to allow sunlight to light up the apartment. Hence, less light bulbs would not need to be turned on in the day. At the same time, solar panels are installed. Even after the sun set, the building is still eco-friendly as it will run on the energy stored in the solar panels. 

Monday, July 11, 2011

V2: What makes a good architecture design?


Adapted from: My Several Worlds. Carrie Kellenberger. Adapted from the My Several Worlds on July 10,2011: http://www.myseveralworlds.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/The-Fullerton.jpg

Adapted from: My Several Worlds. Carrie Kellenberger. Adapted from the My Several Worlds on July 10,2011: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3600554924_b2bc757dfa.jpg


1.Fullerton Hotel
Designer: Major P.H. Keys of Keys & Dowdeswell

Built in: 1928

The Fullerton Hotel is located at one of the most famous tourist attractions in Singapore, on the shores of the Singapore River. It is also located in the city of Singapore, where there are many business, such as shopping malls and offices. The Fullerton hotel also provides a scenic view of the busy city.
The original appearance of the Fullerton building is preserved. The architectural concept of the Fullerton is not based on modern architecture but is designed with a british accent. The design of building comprises of tall pillars, terrance and towers at its corners. The hotel rooms are stacked on top of one another. The features of the original building is preserved both on the inside and outside of the building. The Fullerton Hotel has facilities such as restaurants, bars, shops, spas and a heritage centre. These are to pertain to the need of their customers. The Heritage Centre helps to preserve the history of the hotel and the hotel. The Heritage Centre is a unique feature of the Fullerton hotel. The Fullerton hotel does not only has the residential area, but also have halls for customers to host events.

The Fullerton hotel is good piece architecture as it suits the purpose of the building–hotel service.

What is a good architecture design?
• Openness to various user groups:
Can it be used by everyone? (Especially when Singapore is a multiracial country and people come from all walks of life)

• Functionality:
Is it multifunctional? (etc. facilities)

• Adaptations:
Can there be changes made to the architectural design? In terms of design and structural aspects.

• Environmental Factors:
What are the other businesses and communities that are in the same neighbourhood?
How will they affect the architecture? Positively and/or negatively.

Monday, July 4, 2011

What makes a good Architectural Design?

Raffles Hotel, Dubai
[http://theluxbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/raffles-dubai-hotel-1.jpg]

Integrated Resort Singapore
[http://www.basf-cc.com.sg/SiteCollectionImages/singapore/Sands2.JPG]

Raffles Hotel
[http://hotel-online.com/News/PR2004_2nd/RafflesSingaporePhoto.jpeg]


Fullerton Hotel
[http://wac.0e13.edgecastcdn.net/800E13/www.fullertonhotel.com/d/fullertonhotel/media/Hotel_Images/__thumbs_958_397_crop/The_Fullerton_Hotel_Singapore_-_Entrancebc68d0.jpg]


Definition:
A good architectural design is a design of a structure that is of good functionality, adapts to the environment, lifestyle and culture.

Idea: Convert existing structures to hotels.

Existing Good Architectural Designs for Hotels:

1. Fullerton Hotel
- preserves heritage
- cultural influence (heritage + modern urbanisation)
- preserved the architectural designs
- maximizes and exploits functionality (hotel + shopping + museum aka the heritage)

2. Raffles Hotel
- preserves heritage
- cultural influence (heritage + modern urbanisation)
- preserved the architectural designs
- maximizes and exploits functionality (hotel + shopping + museum aka the heritage)

3. Integrated Resort
- modern architecture (innovative design)
- maximizes and exploits functionality (casino + hotel + shopping + museum)

4. Raffles Hotel, Dubai
- Modern Architecture + Cultural Influence (Dubai is in the middle east, where there are deserts; in the ancient times, people build pyramids in the desert)
-


Monday, June 27, 2011

What is Architecture Design?

Architecture design is...
1. The art and science of designing and erecting buildings and other physical structures.
(Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture)

2. 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.
(Dictionary.com. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/architectural-design.html)

3. the profession of designing buildings, open areas, communities, and other artificial constructions and environments, usually with some regard to aesthetic effect. Architecture often includes design or selection of furnishings and decorations, supervision of construction work, and the examination, restoration, or remodeling of existing buildings.
(dictionary.com. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/architecture)