This document provides information for Project 1a of the Architectural Design Project module. The objectives of Project 1a are to develop a simple design brief and conduct pre-design analysis to inform an architectural design project. Students are required to choose an architectural position, study the site context, identify user needs, and analyze precedent projects. They must then formulate a brief outlining the design topic, building type, user group, and schedule of accommodation. The pre-design analysis and brief will be presented through a 10-15 minute multimedia presentation in Week 3. The presentation will be assessed based on the quality of the brief, precedent studies, contextual and user analysis, and presentation delivery.

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SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROJECT [ARC60108/ARC 3127]
Sustaining Humanities
Project 1a: Developing an architectural position and the project
Assessments Type
Learning
outcomes
Marks Presentation Submission
Project 1a:
Developing an
architectural
position
Group/Individual
1, 2 (refer
module
outline)
10% Video/multimedia Week 3
Images: http://www.arch.nus.edu.sg/archive/student-achievements/mla_sila.html
Introduction
Architectural Design Project is a studio that forms the cap stone project for the Bachelors of
Science (Honours) Architecture programme, emphasizing on: (1) the broad theme of
sustaining humanities and (2) resolution of architectural design, theme Discovering and
establishing Malaysian identity in the contemporary architectural design’.
This module is a thematic studio based on the theme of “sustaining humanities’ architecture
for people, place and time. Designing for sustainability has been a fundamental issue for
architects in our time within global and regional contexts. In line with the current discourse on
sustainability, It upholds the believe that architecture can create better places, that
architecture can affect society and humanity, and that it can have a role in making a place
civilized by making a community more liveable.
Students are required to further develop the proposed design project by their supervisor that
reflect the theme and finalize a programme that addresses the needs of the required user
group, as well as provide spaces that invite interaction with the surrounding contextual
conditions. In addition to the theme of sustaining humanities, the module focuses on the
development of students’ ability to integrate considerations of technology, environment and

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cultural context in architectural design, and offers a platform for students to develop their
own position in developing their individual project.
To achieve this aim, the design project is divided into three main phases. This Project Brief is
developed for the first part (Project 1a) of the three-part assessment are as follows:
Objectives of Project
The objectives of this assignment are as follows:
1. Develop a simple brief for an architectural design project
2. Conduct pre-design analyse to inform the design project
Learning Outcomes of this Project
1. Formulate a simple brief that include appropriate architectural programme and
planning within a selected architectural context
2. Analyse case studies to gain understanding of architectural responses and strategies
of an intentional design strategy to inform the design project
3. Conduct contextual and user analysis in the pre-design phase
Tasks - Methodology
Students are to further develop the studio design project and position in architecture. You
should begin with considering a position/topic in architectural design that you would like to
explore, guided by your supervisor.
Based on that, students are required to conduct and present the following pre-design
analysis:
1. Studies of the contextual conditions of your site
2. Studies on your selected user group and building types
3. Studies on precedents that inform the ideas/approach/strategies underlying your
design project
Based on your pre-design phase, develop a simple design brief that includes: the topic of
exploration, the building type, the user group, the schedule of accommodation.
Pre-design analysis, is where students will assemble all the parts and pieces of the bigger
picture. 1. Reviewing building code and local or city ordinance, 2. Initiative on establishing
design parameters, 3. Take initiative consider and study solar analysis and other site specific
analysis, 4. Research on precedents or do actual visitation to projects related and directly
relevant to the proposal and 5. Research on demography, user profile and understanding
who we are designing for.
There are several guidelines that provide the scope of your proposed project as follows:
 3-5 stories/levels
 1800-2000 sq.mts. built up area (gross floor area)
 No residential proposals and No repetition of previous design studio projects.
 Parking lot (based on Uniform Building By-Laws and Local requirements).
 Compliance with city planning or local guidelines and requirements.
 Shall incorporate the project theme ‘Sustaining Humanities’ and architectural design
theme ‘Discovering Malaysian architectural identity in the contemporary designs’.

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Expected output and project requirements
Multimedia/digital presentation will include the following components:
a. Brief historical background of the site.
b. Site Analysis (macro to micro site analysis)
c. Project/Programme Brief (building type and function, requirements,
target user, others)
d. Precedent Studies
e. User Analysis/User Study
Assessment Criteria
Marking Criteria
Marks%
FAIL
(F)
POOR
(D-,D,D+)
PASS
(C)
SATISFACTORY
(C+,B-)
GOOD
(B,B+)
VERYGOOD
(A-)
EXCELLENT
(A)
Marks
These will be assessed via
the following: 10%
0-
4
5
6-6.5
7
7.5
8-10
Programme and project
brief Ability to formulate a
simple brief that include
appropriate architectural
programme and planning
within a selected
architectural context.
___/25
Precedent/Case Studies
Ability to analyse case
studies to gain
understanding of arch’l
responses and strategies of
an intentional design
strategy to inform the design
project
___/15
Site contextual and user
analysis. Ability to conduct
contextual and user analysis
in the pre-design phase
Multi Media/Video
Presentation. Ability to
come up with a clear,
creative and organized
presentation
___/15
Peer Evaluation
(Individual Assessment) ___20
Total (Over-all)
/100
___/25
_

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Suggested References
1. Clark,R. & Pause, M. 2012, Precedents in Architecture Analytical Diagrams, Fomative
Ideas and Partis (4th
Ed.), Hoboken N.J: John
2. Lynch, K. 1979, Image Of The City. Cambridge, Massachusetts: The MIT Press
3. Moraes Zarzar, K., 2003, Use and Adaptation of Precedents in Architectural Design,
Delft University Press
4. LaGro Jr.J.A.,2001 Site Analysis: linking program and concept in land planning and
design, New York: Wiley
Timeline and Schedule
Week 1 : Briefing on architectural position
Site visitation and documentation
Week 2 : Research on precedents studies, work on programme
Local codes and guidelines, contextual studies, user studies, etc.
Week 3 : Finalization of programme, analysis and presentation
Final Presentation 1a
Refer to module outline for the detailed activities, tutorials
and suggested reference and readings.
Submission Date and Guidelines
DUE : Thursday, 15 September 2016 (WEEK 3)
Group presentation : 10-15 minutes to present their work
Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:
Prince Favis Isip Dr. Veronica Ng /
Mohd Adib Ramli
……………………………. ……………………………. …………………………….
Date: Date: Date:
Email: princefavis.isip@taylors.edu.my Stream Coordinator Deputy Dean/PD
Office No.: +60 3 5629 5395 (Design Studio/Studies)
Office Location: Academic Suite C5
Remarks:
1. The Scheme of Work is to be distributed to the students in the first week of the semester.
2. Any changes to the Scheme of Work shall be communicated (in writing) to the Programme Director and the
approved revised version must be communicated to the students