University of Karachi,

Department of Architecture
Second Year Design Studio: VS 421
Faculty: Ali Bakshi, Wajiha Siddiqui and Ammar Anwar Ali

There is a famous romanticist understanding towards a design approach.

If you want to design a chair, you have to be a chair to design it.

Assignment No 3 - “Architect as I”

Architects over the years often develop their design philosophies based on their experiential knowledge
and priorities when it comes to designing. These philosophies go on to define the skyline of a city or the
style of an era and become essential milestones in the development of Architecture and context.

You are asked to understand an architect, such that you become one like him/her. You have to learn,
unlearn and relearn that particular architect in the entire duration of the project. Literally you have to
live like him/her and apply their philosophies in the design.

Project : Permanent Facades, Temporary Spaces, Transient Spaces.

You are asked to design a communal space/ temporary space/ transient space as ‘Architect as I’. Site is
ideally located in the old quarters of Karachi, it is 75’x200’ wide with south-west facing. It is adjacent to
an Art-Deco & Victorian Building.

Program: Vehicular Access Road

Communal Space / Temporary Spaces / Transient Spaces
Administrative Area
Sleeping Space for 2 Person
Victorian Art Deco
2 Guest Rooms Building Site Building
Washrooms m

Pedestrian Access Road

Timeline

Week 01 | 29th Mar, 2nd Apr

Architect’s Analysis.
Initial intuitions, Observations and responses to Program & Site.
Brief Development.

Week 02 | 5th April, 9th April

Architect’s Case Studies.
Bubble Diagrams/ Programmatic Analysis
Conceptual Diagrams and Development Design
Intent Explorations through Drawings and Maquettes
Write Up Intention
Initial Design- Plans, Section, Elevations.

Week 03 | 12th April, 16th Apr

Desk Crit – Mid Pinup

Week 04 | 19th Apr, 23th Apr

Desk Crit/ Final Review

Week 05 | 26th Apr, 30th Dec

Presentation

Readings & Sources

Architect’s Monograph
Architect visionaries by Richard Weston
El-Croquis Magazines.
Archnet Library for regional architects.
A+U Magazines
Modern Architecture Since 1900 by William J. R. Curtis
IVS, NED, Dawood, KU, Mehmood Hussain Library