DESIGN COMMUNICATION
This module introduces fundamental skills for the appropriate communication of architectural design. It engages different means of visualization and expression of space and spatial ideas through architectural drawings and modelling to prepare students with the skills required in Design projects. These skills are taught through a series of freehand, constructed drawing, and architectural modelling held both outdoors and in the studio
PROJECT ONE
ON SITE SKETCHING+ TONAL VALUES
Our first Design Communications project was a warming up exercise to prepare us for our coming drawings and to examine the importance of understanding and articulation of space. To introduce us to visualization and expression of space, we were required to do a on-site sketching activity on campus. Students are required to develop their skills in creating depth and tone in a sketch, and thus refining and enhancing the ability to produce an architectural sketch that is legible.
The first part of this project was to produce 19 sketches which included interior and exterior spaces of our campus.
After that, the best 4 sketches were chosen to be submitted in an A2 presentation board. Furthermore, we were required to capture/emphasize the following aspects of the built environment within the site to demonstrate our understanding of space:
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Solids and voids: Form, Skin, Structure
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Opening/Aperture; openness/enclosure; inside/outside; light/shadow
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Rhythm in architecture
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Details / Textural effects/Materials
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Landscape/Setting
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Scale and proportion (Relation to human and other surrounding built environment)
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< My 15 sketches
The 4 best sketches chosen:
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REFLECTION :
Through this assignment, I am able to exercise my sketches to show depth and complexity of visualization of space through my observation and perception. I had to make sure of the details and the proportions had to be correct so that the sketches will convey the emphasizing element to the viewer.
PROJECT TWO
ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS+
AXONOMETRIC PROJECTIONS + PERSPECTIVES
PROJECT 2A: ORTHOGRAPHIC PROJECTIONS: PLANS, SECTIONS, ELEVATIONS
The second project in this module helped us get a better approach on architectural drawings. Project 2A consists mainly of the ability to demonstrate drafting skills in modern and traditional methods of architectural drawings as well as the recording and presentation of legible architectural information, conventions and symbols.
To allow us to be familiar with what technical drawings were like, we first started off with a smaller scale furniture.
In this Part 1, we were required to study and take measurements of the drafting table and then construct our plans, elevations and sections with a scale of 1:7.5. The drawings were first produced on butter paper and then inked with technical pens on tracing paper. The clarity and accuracy of drawings as well as the quality of lineweight were emphasized.
In Part 2, we were then required to study the selected building, which was the Cooper Residence, in Orleans, MA by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects. We were also required to search for images of the building and produce a 1:100 scaled study model of the said building.
After that, we were to present proper architectural drawings with architectural symbols, proper line weight andhand lettering manually with the help of our lecturers and tutors.
The following are my orthographic drawings for Cooper Residence.
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PROJECT 2B: AXONOMETRIC PROJECTIONS
The following project is still based on the same building, Cooper Residence and demonstrates our ability to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in three-dimension, in the format of an axonometric projection. From our understanding from the orthographic projections, we were required to produce an exploded axonometric drawing of the building to show the interior and exterior form of the building.
REFLECTION :
From this assignment, I learnt how axonometric drawings can show the details whether interior or exterior of the building in 3D form. This allows people to understand and get the idea of the whole building thoroughly. Also, I have learnt the use of lineweight to show clarity in the difference of each element according to their importance to emphasize; such as the section line, the profile line and the details.
PROJECT 2C: PERSPECTIVES
The final project based on the Cooper Residence is to produce a two-point perspective and a one-point sectional perspective drawing of the building. The objective of this project is to demonstrate the student's ability to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in three-dimension, in the format of one-point and two-point perspectives.
Things to consider here include: where to place your picture plane, what is your viewing angle and your stationary point.
Once I decided on which view would look interesting and show most of the details of the building, I first constructed them on butter paper, inked them on tracing paper and finally rendered them with pencils to show the materiality and the overall expression of the building.
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REFLECTION :
Through this assignment, I have a clearer understanding of the basics in projecting one-point and two point perspectives using the proper method. I also gain insight on the different choices of eye levels, viewing angles, standing point positioning(distance between the building and the person standing) can show different and interesting views. Beside that, I understand how rendering can give life and expression to a building. I will have to improve on my rendering skills to properly convey my ideas creatively.
PROJECT THREE
STUDIO FINAL PROJECT+ PRESENTATION
This assessment is integrated with the final project for Design Studio 1- a Hideout for ourselves. This final project is aimed to help us to communicate visually with clarity and produce these drawings that are presentable, as well as be able to be understood easily and clearly. In accordance to the skills learnt from the previous projects; the orthographic drawings, axonometric and perspective drawings, I was required utilise those abilities to convey and present our own designs effectively, in terms of drawing conventions and graphical evidence, to viewers.
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REFLECTION :
Through this project, I have learnt to utilise all the drawing techniques I have learnt through all the previous projects. I was able to produce proper techincal drawings to help me convey my ideas and design concepts. I was able to express the idea of the projects, understand the roles of different means of communication and their interrelations, demonstrate skills and clarity in drawings and composition.