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1. Adapted by AL 1 Updated 4/19/2016
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO 3 [ARC 60106 / 2118]
Prerequisite: Architecture Design Studio 2
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Project 2
GENIUS LOCI: Site Analysis & Concept Development
DISCOVERING THE SITE & ITS GENIUS LOCI
25% of final mark (5% group + 20% individual)
Society, culture, history, memory and the landscape of a particular place echoes the meaning of that ‘place’, or its ‘genius
loci’. These qualities will inform the architectural concept and generators for Project 2. In Project 2, the design brief calls for
an architectural response toward the sense of place with a strong engagement and relationship to the site and
programmatic requirements.
The first assignment for Project 2 requires an analysis of the site context as a starting point. It is a fundamental need for any
design project as it will suggest a series of parameters to suggest architectural solution, one that will be appropriate to the
place and its meaning, and contributes to its context. The site needs to be understood, in both intuitive and personal ways,
as well as quantitative and measured means. Techniques to record and understand the site are varied, from physical
surveys to qualitative aspects of experience and personal interpretation of the place.
 Produce site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the ‘genius loci’ of place
 Produce a concept design for a Visitor Interpretive Centre based on the site analysis conclusions.
Introduction
Learning Outcomes

2. Adapted by AL 2 Updated 4/19/2016
In the same group from Project 1, conduct site analysis of the physical context within the identified MACRO & MICRO sites.
Use the following reference as a framework for your recording and analysis of your site: White, E. 2004. Site Analysis:
Diagramming Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media Ltd. Collect data and record on
the following using maps/diagrams and/or models:
 Orientation (sun path)
 Climate (rainfall & temperature)
 Site contours
 Adjacent street and vehicular traffic
patterns
 Pedestrian circulation
 Neighbouring contexts
 Vegetation
 Views from the site
 Views to the site
 Views through the site
 Noise
 Human-Cultural
 SWOT Analysis
Historical research: Historical tracings of the MACRO site
Mapping a site over a series of significant stages in the course of its history provides a description of the life and memory of
a place. They can provide inspiration for a contemporary idea that connects directly with past archaeology/memory/history
of the site. Conduct a historical research on the place. Data could be in the form of literature (published/unpublished), old
photographs, maps/plans etc.
Submission:
Produce a site analysis of the identified MACRO (40%) & MICRO (60%) site. 7-10 minute digital presentation per group.
Interim pin-ups are formative and summative assessments that guide and assess the process of design. Each student will
be asked to pin up and present their design process using butter paper. Process must be legible and all evidence
supporting the design scheme must be included.
The interim submission will guide and assesses students on the schematic design phase. Students must show how their
conceptual ideas / design strategy and its development into a design scheme works and how it is responsive to the context.
Students must also show how the design has been developed into an “Experiential space” taking into account the
considerations of users, context, function and experience.
Submission:
Individually, produce your personal interpretation of the MICRO site in the form
of sketches, diagrams & photographs. The personal interpretations of the
overall character of the site will inform subsequent design decisions, and it is
important to record these honestly and immediately.
Use Gordon Cullen’s serial vision and/or Steven Holl’s phenomenological
readings as the basis/tool for recording your interpretation of the character of
place (sketches). You may pay attention to the following on site:
 Materials. Each site has an intrinsic materiality (photos)
 The memory of place. Significant characteristics, sounds, textures,
events that make them memorable. There may be aspects of the
history and memory of the site that needs to be reinforced in your
design.
Group work: Site conditions & analysis (5%)
Interim Individual work (20%) Personal Interpretation & Concept Development as a response

3. Adapted by AL 3 Updated 4/19/2016
Conclude by identifying the key character(s) and the SWOT analysis of place that would form inspiration in the design, and
then present a Design Concept for a Visitor’s Interpretive Centre derived from the issues discovered. This Design Concept
should be presented in the form of drawings & a model as follows:
Submission:
1. Submit your individual MICRO site analysis on A2 panel. Provide dimensions of its width and depth and indicate
any adjacent buildings at the levels of plans, elevations and sections to create an accurate record of what
currently exists.
2. Submit your individual Concept Drawings: 1 Plan, 1 Section, and 1 Elevation at an appropriate scale, with text to
illustrate the concept. Also submit 1 concept model (either physical OR digital), in context with your MICRO site
(total 2 x A2 panels + physical model OR 3 x A2 panels, including digital model).
Scale 1:100
3. The above submissions will be supported by an individual, 10-minute verbal presentation.
Assessment criteria
Site conditions and analysis
Group performance
 Ability to plan and carry out research
 Ability to analyse and conclude data
 Ability to convey/communicate findings (audio and visual)
Personal interpretation of place
 Ability to record and analyse the character of place
 Ability to convey/communicate findings
 Ability to conclude/make sense of findings for the subsequent design work
 Ability to produce a meaningful concept which is communicated well via drawings & model.
Cullen, Gordon. 1961. The Concise Townscape. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Holl, Steven. Questions of Perception: Phenomenology of Architecture, eds Steven Holl, Juhani Pallasmaa, Alberto Perez-
Gomez, A+U
Norberg-Schulz, Christian. 1980. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli, London.
White, E. 2004. Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media
Ltd.
References