In this module, we continue to enhance our knowledge in the culture and history of the architecture world. We learned from the Age of Englightenment, Industrial Revolution, Arts and Crafts Movement, American Architecture, and to Modern Movements such as Futurism, Constructivism, De Stijl, and International. We focus more of our understanding on modern architecture where we explore it through architecture in Malaysia. We investigate it through site visits and report assignments.
Project 1 - Timeline and Diagram Analysis
This project is a group project where we collaborated with 12 other members. This is a really big group project where we were required to make a timeline and diagram analysis on Modern Malaysian architecture. We had to show it in an appropriate chronology and diagram analysis of Malaysian architecture. We have to show our understanding on diagraming and analysis research. The area of Malaysia that we chose to study is in the NORTH WEST AREA. From there, we had to pick a few buildings that are considered to be in modern style. And then we go for site visits, take pictures and investigate the spaces and elements that made it to be modernistic. There were a lot of buildings that we chose, so we distribute the buildings between each other. I chose to research on Pusat Sains Negara.
Below is the final timeline and analysis diagram of our research and study.
Below is the final timeline and analysis diagram of our research and study.
TIMELINE AND DIAGRAM ANALYSIS
REFLECTION.
This project gave me the opportunity to learn about the architecture in Malaysia in more depth. I never actually got a chance to study each single buildings unless it really inspires or interest me, so this gave me a chance to study some buildings that I never took notice of before. However, the building that I had chose to study for this project was a building that I have seen and heard of before. BUT thank goodness, I had never investigate the design or elements about it so it was really fun to learn something new. Learning about these buildings gave me a lot of knowledge and ideas of modern architecture. Other than that, this project enhance my understanding in diagrammatic analysis more because we were required to make our own drawings digitally rather than sketching it out. I got to improve my drawing skills on the computer which kind of prepared me for next semester a bit. Also, doing the analysis took a lot of thinking and referring to lots of books and online research. I did not know much about the building, so I had to read a lot about the building in order to understand their function, purpose, users, design, location, ect. In order for me to get a good analysis, I have to know A LOT about the building itself and its surroundings. Basically any research work that I am required to do, I am willing to do it because I actually have a lot of fun reading about it. I also think that my researching skills has improve a lot from the past. But for upcoming projects in the future, I need to improve more of my diagram skill on the computer. I am more of a manual person so its taking me really slow to get use to digital work like AutoCAD or Photoshop. That was why the diagrams that I made was created in Word Document.
Project 2 - Report
This project is an individual project but compiled together as a group. The group that I will be working with is : Nur Farahiyah, Iman Jezdmeen, Ng Lek Yuen, and Ng Pui Yan. This project requires us to choose a modern building in Klang Valley area, and analyze and identify specific architectural features of Modern Architecture. We also need to document any architectural heritage in the from of writing, descriptive diagrams and photos. The end result will be an A4 Report. Basically we all have our own subtopics, different from each other. We will then research on that topic, take photos and create diagrams and drawings of it. The building that we as a group chose to study is : The National Mosque. We went for site visits, take photographs and explore the features and elements around the buildings and spaces. The subtopics that I focused on for this project is, Architecture Style Analysis.
Below is the full A4 Report of our research and study. The design and layout of the A4 report is designed by my group member, Ng Lek Yuen.
Below is the full A4 Report of our research and study. The design and layout of the A4 report is designed by my group member, Ng Lek Yuen.
A4 REPORT OF NATIONAL MOSQUE
REFLECTION.
After this project, I realize that I have a fond of site visits. Starting from studio site visits, building construction, and now culture and history. I think that this semester had really made me go to many different places and I got to make so many memories from it. Especially going with your friends which makes the visit so much more fun where you help each other out and discuss on the beautiful design and architecture. However, this project makes me more aware of what a modern architecture really means. I learned that you can still design something traditional but make it more contemporary. Basically, National Mosque have that style where it is inspired by a Malay Kampong House but its adding its own contemporary design to it. I learned that inspirations can really come from anything and if you are a really good architect then you can create something that is never been done before and amaze people like this beautiful mosque. I was so amazed that this mosque was inspired by an umbrella and learning more about the reason behind it kept me more interested. Basically, I learned a lot during this project. I got to take so many nice photos and improve my photography skills from an iPhone (LOL). I also learned that references and in text citations is VERY IMPORTANT in any report or research writing. We need to give credit to anything that is not ours, whether it be photos, facts or ideas. Overall, this project was really fun to do, especially with the group members that I had. I had no problems with them and they were really understanding and helpful in every away. Glad to be a part of their team and hopefully in the future we can work together again;