Architecture Design III
Poetic architecture serves as a medium to celebrate and embody the rich cultural identities of communities such as Baba Nyonya, Kristang, and Chetti. These cultures, deeply rooted in history and tradition, offer a wealth of inspiration through their intricate art forms, unique spatial practices, and vibrant aesthetics. By integrating the rhythms, patterns, and narratives of these cultural expressions, architecture can transcend functionality to evoke a deeper connection to heritage. Through thoughtful design, spaces become living embodiments of tradition, offering a sensory and emotional experience that honors the legacy of these communities while fostering a sense of identity and belonging.
Project 1:Poetic Assemblage
Project 1 is focused on fostering collaborative research and knowledge sharing, while also encouraging individual exploration of bodily awareness, emotional experience, and creative expression through design. It introduces a poetic design approach, influenced by the choreography of contemporary dances inspired by native cultures. We are tasked with observing and documenting the movements of the choreographed dance, using ethnographic drawings to capture and interpret the body's gestures and motions.
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We work in quartets to create Choreographic Ethnography drawings at a 1:20 scale, observing and document the dance, focusing on six significant "pauses/suspensions" and the body gestures before and after each pause. We produce six plans and six elevations, each featuring the dancer's body, body gestures, and movement traces between pauses. The plans include a nine-grid layout, while the elevations will show the body in profile. . After completing the drawings, we scan and arrange them in PowerPoint, then export them as a GIF showing each drawing for one second.
Design consider spatial typologies, the relationship between sections and plans, and contextual factors while prioritizing human scale. Natural light, materials, and textures thoughtfully integrated to enhance the space. The final design should effectively communicated through clear visual and verbal presentations to peers, tutors, and industry professionals.
Project 2:The Site Chronical + Visceral Board
The Site Chronical
Project 2 is a group-based task focused on conducting site and vicinity surveys, as well as investigating the people and stories related to the location. We are required to create The (Site) Chronicle, which goes beyond physical site data to capture the essence of the place and its unique spirit (Genius Loci) through various methods. This includes photography, sketching, CAD, and physical model-making techniques. The information gathered during this process will inform the subsequent design phase.
The Site Chronicle is a Canva-Book (A4 portrait format, designed in CANVA) that compiles various elements, each handled by a specific group. These tasks involve both fieldwork and studio work, and the collected data should be used as a reference during the design process. The raw materials gathered—such as photographs, drawings, and field notes—should be transformed into illustrations, drawings, or annotated photos to effectively document and convey the site's characteristics and essence.
Link to the canva book:
Encore Site Model(1:100)
Visceral Board
We are tasked with analyzing the site and its embodied experience, focusing on specific interests through a process of synchronization. Our observations, understanding, and bodily awareness will be represented through diagrams, pictures, maps, or other visual depictions, resulting in a visceral board. The final work will be presented on a single A2 board.
The Visceral board includes analytical representations of the two micro-sites, such as maps, drawings, diagrams, or visual depictions, using materials and ideas from The Site Chronicle or our embodied experiences of the site and place. Additionally, it feature drawings, mappings, or illustrations in any form or medium that convey the Genius Loci and the poetic essence of the place, capturing its unique character and atmosphere.
We are tasked with recording, interpreting, and analyzing the physical attributes of the site, along with its 'genius loci'—the distinctive spirit of the place. From this understanding, we will develop a design that aligns with and reflects the site’s unique context and characteristics.
Project 3:Reclaimed Architecture: A Dance Annex
Project 3 requires us to develop an architectural proposal for Reclaimed Architecture: A Dance Annexe, focused on preserving and promoting local native dance culture. The building will be a two-storey structure, located adjacent to the Encore Melaka Theatre, serving as an extension of the existing art center. We can choose between two site options, either the ‘Strait-Site’ or the ‘Park-Site,’ both situated along the coastline of Malacca in a developing reclaimed land zone. Our design must accommodate cultural dance programmes and public engagement activities. The building should have a total floor area of 350-450 sqm, with a maximum sunken area of 1000mm deep. It should be a standalone, monolithic structure, designed with universal accessibility in mind, reflecting the cultural heritage of Malacca while connecting the dance community with the public.
Conclusion
Learning poetic architecture through the lens of cultural dance, specifically Baba Nyonya, Chetti, and Kristang, has provided us with a deeper understanding of how movement, tradition, and space can intertwine. By studying these dances, we’ve learned to interpret and express cultural narratives through architectural forms, capturing the essence of heritage and emotion in built environments. The fluidity and symbolism of each dance have taught us to consider how spaces can evoke feeling and communicate stories. Ultimately, this approach to architecture has allowed us to explore the power of design as a means to preserve and celebrate cultural identity.