Project Management

Project 1:Defining and Documenting a Project

In a group of 6, this project require students to define project characteristics, objectives, organizations and success by applying tools and techniques from Project Managements to control and communicate in the project. We are to deal with the real world practice of a project through meetings as per the real deal, and prepare a report that communicate the proposed idea.

Project 2: Final Project Management Report

This assignment is integrated with the Architecture Design Project module, whereby students are required to document the journey of the project by applying the principle, tools and techniques we learnt in our previous project individually.

Studio 6

Architecture Design Project ( Studio 6) 

This capstone project is based on the theme of architecture with a social impact and the resolution and integration of technology, environment and cultural context in architectural design. Progressing from the urban issues of urban street environment, the design studio extends srame>tudents development of architectural position and design brief in proposing strategy to resolving social issues pertinent within the conditions of the urban landscape (for example, elderly, neglected communities, school, youth center, woman empowerment, skills training center and others). Located in an urban area, students are to further develop the site through and area chosen by their design supervisors, in which it will address the social needs of a particular urban place and provide interaction and connection of people in the urban spaces. Subsequently students are to produce detailed design of a selected portion of the scheme. The design work is to be supported by a comprehensive design report. The module is integrated with Building Technology 2 wherein, design shall consider the structure and construction of the building, use of the most appropriate structural building and apply considerations of building services, utilities and system.

Project 1A 

The first project of this module require students to work in a group to conduct a site survey, study and prepare site analysis with design brief.

Project 1C

This project involves the creation of the design proposal in which is used to drive and lead the students into the final design for the project. The final design should demonstrate student’s ability to integrate considerations for technology environment and cultural context through a finalized architectural design. As degree graduating students, the work is expected to have a structural sense (buildability), maturity (considering by laws and regulations), exploration (creative use of materials and space) and workability (a well referenced spatial organization & planning)

Final report 

Urban

Project 1: Case Study

In a group of 6-7, we are to analyse in depth the on the idea of "Life Between Buildings" as written by Jan Gehl at any streets in Philadelphia. 

The objectives of the assignment is:

1. To provide critical perspectives on key issues within the contemporary discourse of architecture, through integration of case studies and theoretical studies.

2. To enhance the understanding of the complexity of architecture and the ability to undertake independent research.

Attached is the A2 analysis board prepared by the group.

Project 2: Comparative Analysis Essay

This is an individual assignments whereby students are required to prepare 4 reaction papers based on the selected reading in 8 weeks duration. We are to identify the key points highlighted in the text and then focus on your personal perspective on issues raised through the text. In addition to our personal perspective, we are to identify experiences or insights that have shaped our perspective.  Then, students are to write an comparative analysis essays comparing the site in Design Studio 5 and the site assigned in project 1: Jalan Tar and Seoul Street 

The objectives of this assignment are:

1. Identification of key points from the reading

2. Use of appropriate architectural terminologies and writing skills in the synopsis

3. Clarity in opinions and reactions

4. Logical progression to ending with well-developed paragraphs

The selected readings are as follow:

1. Learning from Las Vegas, The Forgotten Symbolism of Architectural Form
2. Semiology and Architecture
3. The Geometry of Feeling
4. From "Towards a Critical Regionalism"

Building Science 2

Building Science 2

Project I : Lighting & Acoustic Performance Evaluation and Design

This assignment aims:
1. To understand the lighting and acoustic characteristics & requirement in a suggested space.
2. To critically report and analyse the space.

In a group of 6, we are to pick a place to carry out an evaluation on the light and acoustic performance. My group has chosen Church cafe located at Pj for this assignment. Reason because this cafe is located in an secluded industrial area next to residence, and it is famous thus always crowded. Later, we will need to prepare and report a summarize the findings, conclusion and data collected.

Project II : Integration

This is an individual assignment whereby students are required to use the project proposed in Studio 5 module as an integration. We are to propose a lighting system design and application including natural daylight and also artificial lighting according to MS1525 to meet specific requirement in an community libary. This assignment aims:

1. To show understanding of artificial lighting and daylighting strategies (PSALI) in final design.
2. To solve design problems in relation to sustainability issues (natural lighting, site analysis).
3. To design spaces incorporating artificial and daylighting (when necessary)

Reflection

Through these assignments i have learnt the proper way to evaluate the lightning and acoustic performance in a space. Also it gives me a better understanding on how different lighting fixtures are being used at different area (for project 1:auditorium) for different purpose. This allow me to have a clearer mind when it comes to the project 2 where we have to choose the suitable light fixture for spaces in a community library to maximize the efficiency, minimize the energy consumption and at the same time meet MS requirement in order to provide user comfort. Both this quality, lighting and acoustic are extremely important in achieveing user comfort thus i personally think that as a designer we should integrate this in a project more thoughtfully. However, i believe this will be more challenging when it comes to a real life project. Lastly, i appreciate all the effort and guidance by every lecturer and will work harder to fill the room of improvement.

Building Technology

Building Technology 1

The purpose of the module is to infuse us with vast and various knowledge on existing technology and developing trend, so that we can adapt and learn to walking alongside the technology of the era. Giving more selection and possibility to design and letting students to achieve a more qualified design proposal.


Project 1: Industrialized Building System

The first project required us to incorporate the system into a 3-stores flat or residential housing. Working in a group of 6, we discussed together how to incorporate the system into our proposed buildings part by part, from foundation to columns, from columns to beams, walls, washrooms, roof, etc. We are required submit a 1:40 model showing the construction procedure and a video recording data, calculation (IBS scoe and Embodied energy) and steps of construction in real life.

Attached is the video and calculations for your review.

https://youtu.be/ku10wmJG7aY

Project 2: Construction Solution

This project works simultaneously with Design Studio V whereby we are to look into basic structural system for your library proposal in Design Studio V which include wall system, roof system, structural system and facade system.

This project open us up to various facade design technology, system and design. When considering a facade system, various factor needed to be dealt with and certain system does not work within our site. Submission includes all the related case studies/ precedent studies, 2 sectional perspective showing the construction details, and exploded detail drawings (if required), prepared in an A3 compound report.

Attached are the report for your review.

Reflection

Upon completing these assignments,  i have learnt to be more analytical and critical on some structural and facade system and their detailing. I also notice the importance to look for details in real life construction because it would give us a better in sight or understanding when we want to implement something similar to our design.

Studio 5

Architecture Design Studio 5 focuses on the theme of place-making for the urban street. It aims to explore and provide appropriate architectural solutions in designing a community library for the city’s inhabitants. We are to begin by conducting preliminary studies in that introduces them to the studies and context of urbanity through the analysis and documentation of the current urban condition of a selected inner-city site. This will be done in concurrence with the research of urban infill and community library precedents, and their architectural responses.


Project 1: Preliminary Studies

For this project, using Kevin Lynch's five elements of a city, we are to analyse a selected site and prepare the findings and data into 12 A3 boards. Through this assignements i have learnt about the priceless cultural and historical value of Kuala Lumpur and the importance of the 5 elements in a city.

Selected site: Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman ( Jalan Tar)
This assignment aims:
1. To have an overview of the formation of cities and introduce basic concepts of urban design in relation to architectural design
2. To introduce and implement basic methodologies of urban studies
3. To investigate the role of community libraries in traditional and contemporary urban societies
4. To examine various examples and architectural responses for urban infills

Project 2: Community Library

In final project, its an individual project whereby students 
are to 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 behavioural patterns as discerned and analysed 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 façade and building envelopes that is coherent with the architectural language of the overall design project.

The objectives of this assignment are:
1. To take into consideration key aspects of urban design and context in relation to architecture
2. To develop an awareness and basic compliance to Design Codes and Statutory Requirements
3. To emphasize the importance of elevational context and composition in developing architectural design
4. To implement and explore the conceptual, schematic and design development phases in an architectural design project.

Reflection

Upon completing this project i have learnt the importance of urban context in relation to building design and the application of legislative elements in building. However, i have received feedback that my core idea isn't prominent enough thus i will pay more effort to improve on the aspects that are lacking in coming projects

Community Services

In a group of 8, we are require to enhance foster of sense of care and concern among students for their community, environment and the world at large. This module will help develop students’ sense of personal and social responsibility. They will learn through participating in a community service experience and will have the opportunity to use their skills and knowledge in real-life situations.The series of community service are offered under 4 categories. As a student empowerment projects we are given to choose and to execute the project in the best manner.

Week 1 (Topic selection)
Module outline and briefing is given on the first day of class. A discussion is carried out to decide on the topic for this assignment. The 1 option for this assignment is create some architecture related activities to modified a better environment to animal but first of all finding an animal organisation is required. 2nd option, to modified some abandon space by using architecture knowledge make it more attractive to increase the usage of land and the spaces are decide by our own. Therefore, my group have chosen 2nd option on the topic "Street Community ".Therefore, we are require to conduct some analysis and identify the community and lastly evaluate for our final decision. 

Week 2 ( Proposal )
To attract and increase the usage from people, ideas must be attractive enough. Hence there are few ideas from group such as building a playground and wall plantation. After going through series of discussion, we decided to have wall plantation as the activities which we going to contribute for community as it is affordable.

Week 3 (Site Visit 1)
During our community discussion, we have spotted few primary school as our site and we requested for the permission to undergo our community service. Fortunately, Sekolah Kebangsan Sunway which located at PJS 7 itself is the only school that accepted our offer. The headmaster is friendly and cooperative to us towards the conversation. After we divided into few group to have site analysis from the 3 site given from the headmaster and select the most suitable site for us to have our product. 

Site 1 : This site is located beside of the school field and play ground and surrounded by school buildings and always in high density of students.

Site 2 : This site located at the entrance before the school building and always noticeable by the people.

Site 3: This is the chosen site for this project. Although it just located beside the canteen, the site is poorly occupied and lack of attraction. Hence, this is the best site for use to achieve to relive the space and to increase the usage of the space. 

Week 4 ( Item collection and  preparation)
First of all, every member have assigned to collect and gather materials for wall plantation. These material are robes, wood for floor steps, recycled water bottles, hanger, bricks, and etc. Meanwhile, I  am responsible to collect various size of water bottles. 

Week 5 (Site Visit 2)
We had a face to face meeting with Mr. Adib to show our progress. Yet, we had our second time visit to the site for data collection. Measurements and photos are taken in order to produce the model as well as presentation board. Interviews are carried out to ensure the school are satisfy on this proposal. Since our proposal of wall plantation is not shown and not readily constructed yet, the school could only respond based on our briefing. In the same time we have modeled some options from the 3D program. Based on the brainstorming section we have model out a series of model as an option to the headmaster. 

Week 6(Discussion) 
Due to rules and regulations from the school, model level intended to be build lower. In addition to accommodate primary student whose have limited height, it strengthen our concept to have certain height.

Week 7( 3D model making ) 
Based on a series of ideas of wall plantation we have construct a series of model with different design. According to our schedule we will have the headmaster select from this series of designed as the final product. 

Week 8( Presentation board/ Site Visit 3 ) 
An A0 board is required to show the idea, concept, objectives and development of this assignments. Spliting into 2 groups, 4 of us focus on the 1:1 scale prototype making while the other 3 focus on the presentation boards. Layout, composition, color codes are discussed to achieve a better visual quality. Photomontage as well as detailed diagrams are illustrated digitally to convey the idea development. At the end, all of us does not work as the arrangement. We ended working with the A0 board at first then only construct the 1: 1 model.

Week 9( Construction ) 
Based this week we are going to complete this product as we estimate. we end up adding few compartments and some flower. To make sure the product is durable enough we once again strengthen the rope and the foundation pad. Hence, we pull out a full stop for our construction and its end of our physical modeling section. 

Week 10( Video)
The contents and clips to be inserted in the video are discussed. Working as a team, some picks the photo and clips to be inserted to the video, some generate graphics in video production. Lastly, we went back to the site film so respond from the students and the interaction between the students with the product we build. 

Below is the link for our community service video: 
https://youtu.be/eQv6GUxpncQ

Final Board 

Reflection

There are several meaningful lessons that I learned from this module. First and foremost, one of the important things that I learned from this module is communication skill. I have learnt how to communicate with my course mates and also the headmaster without feeling fear and able to speak confidently. This project has helped me to improve my communication skills, it boosted up my confidence between communication with people and also in my Bahasa Melayu. 

      The first TGC that I can relate on is communication skill (TGC 4.1). Teamwork is very important during our project, because as a team, we have to learn to listen to others and try to cope with them. We also have to prevent any arguments whenever there is bifurcation among us. It is important for us to learn how to be united and have each other’s back all the times. In fact, this communication skill not only play its part in our integrated project but also important for our future when we start to work. In future, we might have chance to communicate with different kinds of people with different backgrounds, languages and cultures. With higher communication skills, only we are able to communicate and corporate with others no matter who are we dealing with boss or colleagues and I will have higher chance for getting job and accept by the boss.

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      Thus, I realized that interpersonal skill (TGC 5.1) is also very important in our daily social communication with others. This skill includes our thinking and also listening (TGC 3.0) thus making decision. We also have to learn how to solve problems under any circumstances (TGC 3.0) with much help from others. Through this project, I knew better about my course mates from the aspect of their characters, habits, attitudes, manners, and behaviors and so I have learn how to communicate with them in a better way. By knowing the way of people’s thinking and talking. We can get along with people more easily.

      As we work in the future, we might use this skill to communicate with our colleagues and customers. If we are good in these skills, a good relationship between colleagues can be produce and they could help me in my work by face any problems.

      In conclusion, this project has helped me a lot by gaining tons of precise experiences that cannot be getting through normal class section. Taylor’s Graduate Capabilities are definitely part of my life in my future.