This document provides the project brief for an architectural design studio assignment. Students are tasked with designing a 300 cubic meter structure with two purposes: an indoor games/social space and a security station/watch tower. The structure must be located in an open area on Taylor's University Lakeside Campus and demonstrate environmental sustainability and response to the site context through its design. Key considerations include the structure's relationship to the sun, wind, heat, cold and existing site features. Students must submit site analysis, plans, sections, diagrams and a physical model showing their design's environmental poetics and response to the natural environment.

1. Prepared by NHH 1 Updated 8/29/2015
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 4 [ARC60206][ARC 2128][ARC2126]
Project 1: EXPLORING THE ENVIRONMENTAL POETICS: TAYLOR’S “GATEWAY”
2 weeks
20 % of final mark
Introduction
Project 1 explores the environmental poetics of a structure that respond to the basic natural context such as the sun, wind, heat, cold,
energy issue, and the existing context. Students are required to design a structure within an open area applying ideas of environmental
sustainability in architectural design. The structure should provide both a shelter and suitable environment for users.
Learning Outcomes
1. Identify and analyze environmental qualities and contextual needs of a site
2. Apply ideas of environmental sustainability (gained from precedent studies, ESD and Building Science 1) in architectural design
3. Employ particular material and construction technique
Project Brief
The ‘GATEWAY’ is to be based on the following requirements:
1) Volume: 300 m³ (min 2 storey)
2) To serve TWO main purposes:
a) Students’ activities areas
i) Indoor games room
ii) social space
b) Security surveillance
i) Security Station
ii) Watch Tower
There is no restriction on structure design or materials to be used nor shall budget constraints other than the unit be practical, useful and
manageable in terms of its operations and upkeep. Project must demonstrate sound construction and good understanding of building
economics. Responses to the site and existing context and access requirements are essential criteria and consideration in the design.
Submission requirements
 Site Analysis board
 Site Plan & Model (1:200)
 Plans & Sections 1:20 min (indicating strong relationship with the physical environment/site)
 Diagrams showing environmental response
 One key interior perspective demonstrating poetics generated by relationship between environment and architectural space
 A final physical model at 1:20 min (indicating strong relationship with the physical environment/site)
 Evidence of design process and thoughts through a series of models vignettes
Prepare a 10 minute verbal presentation.
Format: Visual presentation is to be composed on 3 A1 panels (Landscape) (Mixed Media : AutoCAD & Manual Drawings)
Note: No Flat roof allowed

2. Prepared by NHH 2 Updated 8/29/2015
Site: Taylor’s University Lakeside Campus
Tasks
Pre-Design (Design Analysis)
1. Understanding the site: In groups of 2 students, investigate the given site. Record and analyse the site context and the natural
environment through photographs and diagrams.
2. Understanding the brief: Identify and research the user needs
3. Based on the site and user needs, brainstorm ideas for exploration of the shed
Schematic Design (Problem Solving
1. Conceptual thinking
2. Develop sketch plan and section to respond to environmental and user needs
Design Development (Resolving Design)
1. Develop interior poetics (inside/outside relationship) by taking into account interaction between environment and architectural
space/form
The site is located next
to the sport facilities
area (facing the lake)

3. Prepared by NHH 3 Updated 8/29/2015
Assessment criteria
 Conceptual thinking (ability to generate ideas based on environmental poetics)
 Poetic response (consideration of the qualities of the environment to inform the user experiences of the architecture)
 Environmental response (consideration of environmental needs which informed architectural spaces and form)
 Level of craft and quality of model and drawings
Timeline and Schedule
Week/Date Topics/Readers
Lecture Tutorial
Self-directed
Study
Hours Hours Hours
Week 1
25/08
27/08
Subject Introduction
Introduction to Module outline
PROJECT 1 BRIEFING
Proposal Presentation
Site Analysis Research
2 8 8
Week 2
31/03
02/04
Lecture 1 : Site Analysis (Alvin & Anne)
Progress Presentation
Final Presentation and submission of Project 1
Tutorial Research
2 8 8
EXAMPLES OF PRESENTATION LAYOUT
https://www.google.com

4. Prepared by NHH 4 Updated 8/29/2015
SITE
SITE MODEL
BOUNDARY
SCALE 1:200