ROUGE RHYTHM
WEI YING'S PORTFOLIO
Architectural Design Studio 3
Project 1 Memorials Themed "Journey of The 5 Senses"
Project 1 Presentation Panels (MV Sewol)
For our very first Design Studio 3 project, in a group of 5, we are assigned to propose 2 schemes for 2 Memorials themed ‘journey for the 5 senses’. We are required to design the Memorials in the form of semi-open architecture by using concentric and linear typologies. The sites for these 2 memorials are fictional and could be based and fix upon the narratives and designs of the memorials. The design and spatial typologies should also be informed by the two concentric and linear typology precedent studies.
2014 has been a tragic year for both Malaysia and South Korea as we suffered the mysterious lost of Malaysian Airlines flight MH370, China bound and the unfortunate plane crash of MH17 on Ukriane border, Netherlands bound. South Korea has also suffered great loss due to the capsized of MV SEWOL Ferry. Most of the passengers consist of high school youths. We were informed to design a memorial each for the MV Sewol Ferry case and also one of the MAS incidents.
Our group has decided to select the Stonehenge as the concentric typology study and the Mortuary Chapel, Farkasréti Cemetry by Imre Makovecz as the linear spatial typology for the precedent studies. We then proceed to design memorials for Flight MH17 and the MV Sewol case.
Project 1 Precedent Study Panels (Linear and Concentric Spatial Typologies)
Project 1 Presentation Panels (MH17)
Memorial for Flight MH17. Please click on the presentation panels to zoom in.
The design concepts derived from the narrative include:
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Inbalanced The memorial's diamond form is transformed from the notion of half-folded palms put together by the edges. It emphasizes on care and healing in this cradling notion. The form is designed with an end hovering over the sloped terrain of the site and also it resembles the position of a plane that is about to take off from the runway. The hovering edge is a metaphor of the brink of life and death as well as reminder of life is fragile to the living.
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Minimalist The memorial is designed with sleek concrete folded plates. The top disk which acting as the roof require visitors to bow slightly upon entering the building to pay tribute to the victims of MH17. A glass shaft is fixed at the central core of the building which is to emphasize on the profound sense of loss with the void within. The names of the flight victims are inscribed upon the glass shaft.
Memorial for the Capsized of MV SEWOL Korean Ferry. Please click on the presentation panels to zoom in.
The design concepts derived from narrative include:
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Scale & Proportion The design of the MV Sewol Memorial is based on the manipulation of scale and proportion to emphasize on the sense of loss. It is designed with hollow Core-10 Steel tubes arranged in such a way that it looks like it was pried opened by unknown forces to create tunnel and cave-like spaces within. The design also emphasize on verticality and horizontality to create a stronger impact on the metaphor.
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Contrasting Spatial Experiences The memorial is designed in 2 contrasting spatial experiences by having a wet and cave like area which contribute to the claustrophobic feeling, as well as a dry and semi-open space which contribute to healing and sense of warmth. These 2 contrasting spaces are the metaphor of the survivors and the deceased.
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Echos of Tidal Waves The memorial is situated on a rocky shore to capture echos as tidal waves hit across the hollow tubes that resembles the humming of engines of the ship.
Section A - A shows the dry area of the memorial whereas Section B-B shows the wet area of the memorial during high tide.
Final Models of the Memorials
Project 2 Genius Loci: Site Analysis & Concept Development
Our selected site for Project 2 is Pulau Besar, Malacca, Malaysia. We were brought to the island for study visit and students are to explore and understand the historical value, meaning and surrounding context. The site needs to be understood, in both intuitive and personal ways, as well as quantitative and measured means. Pulau Besar is an island full of historical context dated back to the 1400s, acting as the central gathering spot of the Islamic pilgrims from India. Legends, myths and stories have surrounded the island for centuries and it is dubbed as the Holy Island. The abandoned island consisted of tombs of the deceased Sultans as well as some of the legendary figures that made up the myths and legends of the island. The island itself is filled with the beauty of mother nature that radiates serenity, peace and tranquility. Most of the visitors of the island seek refuge in the spiritual dwelling of the island. We are required to interprate these qualities and record down our perception of the island in the form of sketches. These sketches are solely based on personal interpretation of the island. They should be interpreting the overall character of the site which will inform subsequent design concepts and decisions for the Visitor Interpretive Centre.
Next, we are to develop conceptual massing of the Visitor Interpretive Centre informed by the sketches on site. Students are encouraged to derived concepts from the "Genius Loci" of Pulau Besar.
We are then required to conduct site analysis of the physical context within the identified micro site of the island. The identified micro sites include: The Plaza of Marina Resort, The Dragon's Tail, Golf Course and The Square in front of the Golf Clubhouse. Our group of 5 from the previous Project 1 group had selected The Golf Clubhouse to carry out our micro site analysis.
Project 2 Micro Site Analysis of Golf Clubhouse
Project 2 Personal Interpretation Sketches of Site
Sketches are to be interpreted in clockwise direction.
Porject 2 Conceptual Massing Drawings of Visitor Interpretive Centre (VIC)
The conceptual massing of the Visitor Interpretive Centre is heavily influenced by the micro site as well as the Personal Interpretation Sketches. The massing started off with 3 blocks arranged with gaps within. This is the perception of how rumours, myths and legends surrounding the island. It is perceived as these influences come in all direction and meet at a central point within the gap. The 3 blocks are also informed by the split rock(batu belah) found on site which believed to be a blessing spot for whichever individual that ventures into split rock until the edge of the split ends and say their prayers within.
The gaps amongst the 3 massing also features an anchoring staircase which acts as the transition space of the building. The concept of Multilayered is developed which encourages visitors to delve deeper within the building, layer-by-layer to achieve their own sense of peace and tranquility. In this case, the staircase platform underneath the dominant cantilever massing is acting as the central point of discovering the realm of spiritual dwelling.
Final Model of VIC Concept Development
Project 3 Genius Loci: Visitor Interpretive Centre
Project 3 is a continuation of Project 2, where the Visitor Interpretive Centre (VIC) is further developed into a fully functional building with a strong engagement and relationship to the site, spatial experiences and programmatic requirements. This small scaled community building should be design within 450sqm, two to three storeys high. The VIC will serve the purpose on providing a physical point of reference with visual significance that keeps alive the culture/history/memory/essence of the site. It is to provide accommodation to house and display relevant material and interpretive material for public access and information as well.
Design Intentions:
Visitors are able to access to information tracing back to the historical records, the featured legendary spots, the culture and also the local myths. The VIC will serve as a recreational, educational and adventurous platform on the site. Moreover, visitors are able to gain an insight on the spiritual dwelling of the island before they begin to explore around the island.
The VIC consist of 3 massings sitting on a splayed out fan-like staircases nestling on the hill, with the dominant East-facing cantilever hovering high above the golf course. The 3 massings are identified with transition, dominant and secondary spaces which would guide visitors from one gallery to another. The alley-like staircases located on both sides of the building leads down to the splayed out fan-like staircases at the base which serves as the anchoring point of the entire structure as well as transition passage ways. These spaces will then ultimately meet at a platform located underneath the East-facing dominant cantilever. Visitors are directed into the galleries via entrance from the green roof which creates an element of surprise.
The poetry of gallery spaces include light, dark and transition galleries. The light and dark galleries are set off dramatically via the thickening of walls flanked on both sides and depth of the spaces increases as the journey goes on. The mood of the dark gallery is further enhanced by the switching of materials. Daylight are directed into the light and transitional galleries via openings on the East which frames the panoramic views from site. Contrasting solid and void spaces further enhance the poetic spaces, guiding visitors to seek for their inner peace and tranquility.
Upon the completion of Project 2, I am able to produce a thorough site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the ‘genius loci’ of place. I have also learned to exract design concepts for a Visitor Interpretive Centre based on the on-site sketches as well as the site analysis conclusions. I am definitely inspired to design a VIC that is sympathetic to the site along with a strong narrative of design intentions.
Project 3 Visitor Interpretive Centre Presentation Panels
Final Sectional Model of Visitor Interpretive Centre
Upon completion of project 3, I have learned to design a small scale community building which response to the site (site topography, history and socio-cultural events), functional program and users’ experiences. I have also learned to generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materials/texture. The unique experience of extracting design concepts via on-site sketches and further develop the idea into a fully functional space is truly enriching. I definitely gained alot of first-hand experiences and knowledge in designing a small scaled sustainable community building that respond well to the user's need and requirements and site context. By the end of this project, I have definitely understood the genius loci design notion.