SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia (MASSA)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Architecture

USER & CONTEXT
_____________________________________________________________________________

Module: ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN ll (ARC60308)

Project 1: Diagramming Architectural Principles
MLO 1:
Explore architectural design through the abstraction of 2 dimensional and 3 dimensional
composition of space

Diagrams: Maria Botta, Church of San Giovanni Battista, Switzerland – Precedents in Architecture, 2005

Drawings + Diagrams Online Presentation

Group Assignment 10% + Models & Submission

INTRODUCTION

What are diagrams?

‘Diagrams are one of the tools of analysis; they can reveal geometric patterns providing order to
a work of architecture….. must also satisfy purpose: its functions must engage its form. The
distinction between formal principles and functional objectives comprises the difference between
perceived pattern and architectural intent, which begins with the architect’s sensitivity to the
experience of inhabitation’. (Balmer & Swisher, 2019)

What are Architectural Principles?

Architectural Principles are the fundamental ideas that the Architect uses to achieve a successful
design outcome such as balance, axis, symmetry, contrast etc.

How does this assignment relate to the above questions?

This assignment will teach you how to diagram architectural principles through the process of
abstracting and simplifying an idea so that it can be easily understood. You are required to
investigate how architecture and spaces are created from establishing design intentions and the
making of architectural elements: architectonics - solid, planes, lines and frames. The idea of
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using pure and diagrammatic models to express the architectural idea would be in-cooperated
into this assignment. Upon completion of the assignment you should be able to achieve a level
of understanding on the works assigned and will be able to apply the idea and concept in the
subsequent project.

OBJECTIVES

• To identify architects and their works

• To analyse and ‘diagram’ architectural work of selected architect
• To produce basic architectural compositions of solids, planes, lines and frames.

LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

• The ability to recognise architects and their works

• The ability to translate the analysis into architectural diagrams
• The ability to create basic architectural compositions of solids, planes, lines and frames.

METHODOLOGY

1. In groups of 5-6, you will be assigned to one of the following architects and their key
buildings;

No. Architects Key Buildings

Boolean Birdhouse
1 Phoebe Says https://www.archdaily.com/937403/boolean-birdhouse-phoebe-says-
Wow Architects wow-architects?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all

Atelier Marko Wooden Cabin on Stilts

2 Brajovic https://www.dezeen.com/2021/02/10/monkey-house-atelier-marko-
brajovic-brazil/#/
Kiyoaki Takeda House With 5 Retaining Walls
3 Architects https://www.archdaily.com/939204/house-with-5-retaining-walls-kiyoaki-
takeda-architects?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all

Studio Saxe "tropical atrium" within Jungle Frame House in Costa Rica
4 https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/29/jungle-frame-house-costa-rica-
studio-saxe/#/

SILAA Sahi W&D House

5 Architects https://www.archdaily.com/922091/sahi-w-and-d-house-
silaa?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=more-from-office-article-show
UID Architects Shrimp
6 https://www.archdaily.com/779995/shrimp-uid-
architects?ad_medium=office_landing&ad_name=article
Atelier Thu Sou House
7 https://www.archdaily.com/942206/sou-house-atelier-
thu?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all
ARCHWERK + COCO Art Villas Costa Rica
8 Formafatal https://www.archdaily.com/953529/coco-art-villas-costa-rica-archwerk-
plus-formafatal?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all
Studio Mumbai Palmyra House
9 https://www.archdaily.com/62136/palmyra-house-studio-
mumbai?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all
Stilt Studios Wooden Treehouse C
10 https://www.archdaily.com/966214/wooden-treehouse-c-stilt-
studios?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=more-from-office-article-show

Note:
1. Each group to be assigned one case study.
2. Case studies listed are just suggestions, students can re-propose case study with suitable context and
similar scale (area of 100sqm). Please discuss with your respective tutor.

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 2. You are required to conduct a background research on the assigned architect and his
selected key building and to produce a complete set of architectural drawings (scale
1:50). The drawings shall be hand drawn on A3 landscape format and carefully rendered.

3. You are then required to investigate and analyse the key building through the drawings
(i.e. floor plan, sections, elevations etc). Your analysis should be focusing on the following
criteria;
• CONCEPT
• STRUCTURE – grid, rhythm
• CONTEXT
• SPACE PLANNING (organization & relationship) - centralized, interlocking
• CIRCULATION – spiral, linear, radial
and how these intentions are translated via diagramming architectural principles.

4. Based on your analysis, you need to formulate your findings into a set of 5 analysis
diagrams and 5 diagrammatic models (8 x 8 x 8 cm). The diagrams and models should
be precise and informative to express the analysis of the ideas hidden in the key building.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of four (4) and maximum of eight (8) – A3s landscape format with the following:

1. A set of architectural - All drawings must be done manually, using

drawings (scale 1:50)
2. A set of five (5) analysis
diagrams and (5)
diagrammatic models
(8 x 8 x 8 cm).
Additional requirement
3. A compilation of the analysis
process
only black inked pens (with different
thicknesses) and 2 shades of grey markers.
- Include scale bar and clearly label your
drawings;
• Site plan
• Floor Plans
• Sections
• Elevations
• Perspective
- The analysis diagrams must be done
manually, using only black inked pens (with
different thicknesses) and 2 shades of grey
markers.
- The diagrammatic models must be well
crafted and beautifully made. You are required
to take pictures of the models and include
them in your submission boards.
Your working models/diagrams, thoughts,
ideas, development and process thinking.

All drawings must be hand drawn and beautifully rendered. CAD drawings are
unacceptable and will be disregarded.
Notes:
• Create a folder and label it clearly using this format ‘GROUP (X)’
• The folder shall consist 3 files; final submission (the A3s in Pdf format), analysis
process (in Pdf format) and pre-recorded presentation
• Upload the folder to < https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1K7NA2U-
DbKYkiGZZI5PX7FfWiGJ57-po?usp=sharing >
• Submission deadline – 6th September by 2pm MYT (GMT +8 hours)

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MARKING CRITERIA
Marks shall be distributed as follows:

Acquired
TGC FAIL POOR SATISFACTORY GOOD EXCELLENT
Marking Criteria 100% (F) (D) (C) (B) (A)

Research and
2.1,2.2,
presenting selected 15 2.3
architects biography
and their works

Clear and complete 5

background study

Identify key
10
architectural principles
& concept

Analysis and
70 2.1,2.2,
Diagramming of 3.1
selected key building
20
Clarity of analysis

Translation and
20
development of
analysis into diagrams

Originality of the 20
diagrams

Use appropriate
10
drawings

Visual / Verbal 15 4.1

presentation

Quality of diagrams 10
and drawings

Layout Presentation 5

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TIMELINE + SCHEDULE

Week Session Topic Submission Remarks

Lecture 1 (online via TIMeS):

Precedents through Analytic
Diagrams Online tutorial
sessions shall be
Online Briefing : conducted via
- Module Introduction ZOOM / TEAMS +
1
- Project 1 MIRO
(23.8.2021)
Tutorial activities: Please liaise with
- Ice breaker session your respective
- Form groups of 5 tutors accordingly.
1 - Precedent Study
- Research Activity

Tutorial activities:
- Team Buildings – Batch activity
- Precedent Study:
2 10 min presentation (pre-
(26.8.2021) recorded)
- Analysis + Diagramming exercise

Team Building Activities

Lecture 2 (online via TIMeS): Online tutorial

Materials and Texture in Space
Making – Experiential Space

1 Peer Discussion (30 mins)

(30.8.2021) -Findings from lecture and reading
2 materials

Tutorial activities:
-Analysis + Diagramming Exercise

Tutorial activities:
2
Preparation for final models and
(2.9.2021)
drawings

Group to pre-
record 10-minute
Online presentation in a
1
3 Project 1 (10%) Presentation/ video recording
(6.9.2021)
Submission and upload the
video to google
drive

Note:
1. All lectures and workshops to be conducted online, students to view lecture prior to class.
2. All submissions and presentation (interim & final design review) are to be conducted online.
3. Tutorials to be conducted online first 4 weeks, hybrid learning might be implemented from week 5 onwards (Subject to
prevailing situation, announcement from the school/ university and majority consensus of class)
4. Schedule subject to change on short notice.

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REFERENCES

1. Balmer, J., & Swisher, M. T. (2019). Diagramming the big idea: methods for architectural
composition. New York, NY: Routledge.

2. Ching, F. (1993). Architecture, form, space & order (2nd ed.). New York: Van Nostrand
Reinhold. (e-book available at Taylor’s Library: https://ebookcentral-proquest-
com.ezproxy.taylors.edu.my/lib/taylors/detail.action?docID=1771578)

3. Clark, R. & Pause, M. (2012). Precedents in architecture analytic diagrams, formative ideas,
and partis (4th ed.). Hoboken, N.J.: John. (e-book available at Taylor’s Library:
http://ezproxy.taylors.edu.my/login?url=https://search-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.taylors.edu.my/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=437640&site=eds-
live&scope=site&ebv=EK&ppid=Page-__-2)

4. Davies, C. (2006). Key Houses of the Twentieth Century: Plans, Sections & Elevations.
W.W.Norton & Company

5. Pyo, M.Y. (2015). Architectural Diagrams 1. Berlin:DOM Publishers.

6. Simitch, A., Warke, V., Carnicero, I., Fong, S., Hays, K. M., Lewis, D. J., … Williamson, J.
(2014). The language of architecture 26 principles every architect should know. Beverly,
MA: Rockport. (e-book available at Taylor’s Library: https://eds-b-ebscohost-
com.ezproxy.taylors.edu.my/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzc4NjcwOV9fQU41?si
d=5fbbcaec-72c5-479e-8e3d-
2a55cae6bff8@sessionmgr103&vid=1&format=EB&lpid=lp_9&rid=0)

7. Unwin, S. (2014). Twenty-Five Buildings Every Architect Should Understand. Routledge.

Prepared by: Checked by: Approved by:

Nik Syazwan Nik Ab. Wahab Prince Favis Isip Mohd Adib Ramli

…………………………………… ……………………………. ………………………….

Date: 15 August 2021 Date: 15 August 2021 Date: 15 August 2021
Module Coordinator Stream Coordinator Program Director
Academic suite C9 (Design & Design Studies)

Remarks:
1. The Project Brief is to be distributed to the students in the first week of the semester.
2. Any changes to the Project Brief shall be communicated (in writing) to the Programme Director
and the approved revised version must be communicated to the students

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