ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROJECT
PRJ60408
MODULE COORDINATOR : Ar. Prince Favis Isip
TUTOR :Ms. Teh Beng Siang
Presentation Board
Model
Project 1b
Design Strategies and Exploration
Project 1B focused on translating the findings and architectural position established in Project 1A into an individual design proposal. The exploration developed the project's architectural intent, design strategies, spatial organisation, form and massing, while responding to the existing site conditions and the proposed programme.
The design process explored different site planning and spatial organisation strategies to ensure that the required 1,800–2,000 m² floor area was efficiently accommodated while maintaining meaningful spatial experiences and supporting the project's concept. Different form and massing options were also investigated, considering the placement of building cores, back-of-house functions, circulation, fire safety, and the relationship between the building and surrounding urban spaces.
The project further explored how the architectural theme could be expressed through materiality, structural systems, environmental strategies, and building services. Precedent studies, drawings, and 1:400 study models were used to test and refine the design throughout the process. Floor plans, sections, elevations, axonometric drawings, and interior and exterior perspectives were developed to evaluate the proposal at different scales.
Through continuous testing, feedback, and refinement, the design was progressively developed towards a more resolved, functional, and contextually responsive architectural proposal, balancing concept, programme, spatial quality, form, structure, and technical considerations.
Project 1c
Final Design Presentation & Report
Project 1C focused on finalising and resolving the architectural proposal developed through the earlier stages of the design process. Over the final weeks, the project was progressively refined through tutor feedback, design reviews, and workshops addressing environmental strategies, building technology, structural systems, overall building design, and fire safety.
The final development aimed to bring together the project's concept, programme, spatial organisation, architectural expression, environmental response, structural logic, and technical requirements into a more coherent and resolved scheme. Critical feedback from internal and external reviewers was used to identify weaknesses and further improve the design before the final review.
The Final Design Report documents the complete design journey, from the initial site studies, analysis, conceptual development, and design exploration to the final architectural proposal. It demonstrates how knowledge gained from previous design studios, academic modules, lectures, tutorials, and technical workshops was integrated into the project. A weekly reflective journal was also included to record the development of the project, personal reflections, challenges, decisions, and progress throughout the semester.
Self Reflection
The journey of architecture for me has never been easy. Looking back, I realise that the difficulty itself has shaped the way I approach design, challenges, and even myself. I am deeply grateful for the guidance of my tutor, Ms. Teh, who has been my tutor during my first semester and again in Semester 6. Having her guide me again at this stage of my architectural journey makes this final project especially meaningful to me. From the beginning until the end, her feedback has encouraged me to question my decisions, improve my work, and continue pushing myself.
After going through the entire 15 weeks design process, I feel a sense of fulfilment from completing my final work, although I would not say that I am completely satisfied with the outcome. There were many challenges, setbacks, and moments of uncertainty throughout the process. The Urban Connector developed into a project that reflects my own design approach, particularly my intention to transform everyday pedestrian movement into opportunities for connection, interaction, and pause. I believe the project has developed its own identity, and I am glad that I was able to express an idea that I genuinely believe in, even though there are still many aspects that I would like to improve.
However, the final critique also made me realise that there are still weaknesses in my design. Although the concept of the Urban Connector is clear at the urban and massing level, I learned that the narrative needs to be translated more consistently into the interior spaces and programme organisation. A strong concept cannot exist independently from the building itself. It needs to work together with function, circulation, structure, technical requirements, and the actual experience of the users. This is something I want to improve if I continue my journey in architecture.
I also want to thank my friends who have accompanied me throughout the difficult and sometimes chaotic journey of architecture. We exchanged ideas, gave each other feedback, shared references, and experienced countless late nights trying to complete our projects. Although architecture can sometimes feel lonely, having people going through the same struggles made the journey much more bearable. These moments of stress, laughter, frustration, and togetherness are memories that I will carry with me beyond university.
Architecture has taught me that the final outcome is only one part of the journey. The failures, doubts, corrections, sleepless nights, and small moments of progress are equally important. I have stumbled many times throughout this process, but each setback taught me something new about design and, more importantly, about myself. I may not be completely satisfied with everything I have produced, but I know that I have grown through the process, and that growth is something I will carry with me into the next stage of the journey.