The document discusses a proposed below-ground addition to an existing architecture school that aims to have minimal impact on the historic context. Sculptural forms would connect the new spaces to the existing building and urban context, drawing attention through contrasts in light and shadow. A new grid system extended from the courtyard would provide order while sculptural cubes would highlight intersections before dissolving into the streetscape. The goal is to respect the historic context through subtle contrasts between old and new.

1. Chiaroscuro
o
The abstract quality of light and shadow has the
ability to transform the visual quality and
experience of space without physically modifying it.
Taking the same notion, the new intervention
endeavours to have minimal physical disturbance to
the existing fabric, drawing attentions by being
subservient. Just as shadow can only exist in the
presence of light, the new architecture relies on the
existing historical context; where the existing built
forms expresses a sense of solitude, the new
intervention signals the desire to connect.
To respect and preserve the historical context, the
proposed spatial growth is below ground – with
hints of these new spaces through the insertions of
pure geometrical sculptural forms that penetrates
both above and below ground levels. These spaces
are visible from above to encourage interaction
between the public and the architecture school,
bringing in also natural light (and therefore
shadows), creating interesting visual impact to the
spaces below. At night, the effect is reversed-
allowing light from below ground to punch through
onto the historic township. Access into the new
spaces below is via minimal incisions into the
ground. The use of pure geometric forms as
demarcation intuitively provides visual clues to
circulation points.
Using the existing courtyard paving pattern as
reference, a new layer of grid is introduced to
provide order and structure to the whole proposal.
This layer of grid is extended beyond the courtyard,
reinforcing the interaction between the new
architecture and the existing urban context.
Sculptural cubes are inserted on the nodes to
highlight the grid, which are then dissolved and
assimilated into the historic streetscape.
There is a clear definition between the old and the
new architecture- this juxtaposition intensifies the
architecture with intrigue, contrast and tension that The grid
is similar to the paradoxical relationship between
light and shadow.
1 Public Square Entry The incisions & entry markers
2 Gallery Space
3 Exhibition Space
4 Existing Archway to the Courtyard
5 Existing School of Architecture
6 Entry from Courtyard
7 Amphitheatre
8 Access to existing basement (future laboratory space)
5
1 5 The procession of spaces
4 6
2
3 7 8
LONGITUDINAL SECTION
0 10 20 30 40 50m
AA004

2. I
II
V
I II V
1
1
3
2 III
II 2
4
I 3 IV
1. Entry
2. Gallery
3. Multi-use space
4. Amphitheatre
FLOOR PLAN
IV 0 10 20 30 40 50 AA004