[ REBIRTH ] - Project 2b - 'Genius Loci’ - Visitor Interpretive Centre (VIC)

Hi, I am Yeo Shi Jie, 0330176.

For the final project, we are to design a Visitor Interpretive Centre (VIC) which will serve two purposes:

- To provide a physical point of reference with visual significance that keeps alive the culture/history/ memory/essence of the site.

- To provide accommodation to house and display relevant material and interpretive material for public access and information.

Visitors should be inspired and informed in ways that somehow express the spirit of the place (genius loci).

Objectives:

-To create tectonic expressions of different spatial typologies which impact on the uses and experimental conditions of space

-To generate design through conscious consideration of section-plan relationship with considerations of human scale, natural light, materiality and textures

-To design and present a small scale community building which responds to the site (site topography, history and social-cultural events), a functional programme and users’ experiences

Tasks:

i. SCHEMATIC DESIGN:

- Propose a design scheme which response to the site (site topography, history and social-cultural events), functional program and users’ experiences.

- Select and/or consolidate initial design ideas and develop it by producing a schematic plan and section, and a study model 1:250. The schematic should respond to the physical site context and functional requirements.

- Consider and develop the primary circulation of the visitor through your architecture (the route).

ii. KEY SECTION AND EXPERIENTIAL SPACES:

-Generate design through conscious consideration of human scale, natural light, materials/ texture (User experience).

-Develop the schematic ideas. Consider the flow of experience: flow of space, intermediate/transition spaces, the variation and hierarchy of spaces, inside/outside relationship, manipulation of light, texture & materiality and scale & proportion.

-Develop your design through the sectional drawing of your architecture. Produce interior perspectives to illustrate the experiential spaces of your architecture.

Outcomes:

Narration:

“Life gives way into death, and death turns around and gives way into life”. Death is not the end, being forgotten is.

We face life & death everyday, signifying a cyclical nature of life. Despite the death, the spirit of soul revolves around the continuing whole of cosmos, it lives on in the hearts of loved ones, and as part of the infinite force of the eternal beyond, as if it will never be varnished, like the locus of memories.

The concept is expressed in the visitor interpretive center, where visitors experience going down the earth, and back to the ground, through an intermediate space to connecting to another cosmos between the duality of life & death, surface & beneath, present & past as inspired by cemetery of Bukit Cina Hill.

The architecture embodies an universal understanding that human spirit unites people in their time of past and future.

We, the descendants that carry along the culture of Bukit Cina, strives to conserve and preserve the remnants of the deceased and inherit the essence of the past and carry them along the way to the future.

Site Responses Diagrams:

Micro Site Plan with Roof Plan of VIC:

Orthographic Drawings:

>>> SURFACE - LIFE - PRESENT & FUTURE

1. TIME MACHINE- Looking Back To The Past: THE OLD FIVE FOOT WAY

The entryway of the VIC leads the users along a row of half-built arches, reminiscing the old Malacca five-foot way and yet some of them are abandoned, just like the past memories, “People are ahead of their life, why not sit down and listen to the sound of your childhood ?”

2. RING OF HOPE- The Center Foyer: SURFACE & BENEATH CONNECTING POINT

Centric sphere represents perfection and majesty, creating soft gradations of light across its curved surface . Embracing every glimpse of light shines upon us: gradient of light seeps through aperture gives hope. “Elevated ascending ground opens up wide vistas for hope, prospect as well as the future vision of Bukit Cina.”

3. CAFETERIA- Conversation with Roots of Culture :SHOPHOUSES

“The strong scent of rice wine cake attracts the users to come to sit down under the polycarbonate roofing, while having conversation the miniature and landmarks of Malacca are within the view range to imprint the culture of Bukit Cina. Walking and sitting under the expanded metal, gives a feeling of lightness and relieved, the future walkway are mostly open to surrounding, symbolising acceptance to any circumstances in future. ”

4. READING SPACE- Roots of Knowledge : FUTURE AWAITS OF YOU

Opens up the root of book of Malacca, the glory of Bukit Cina. Utilising the sun orientation of site, the space is designed to provide diffused sunlight to user by implementing layerings of walls and roofs to illuminate the space. ” “Lights gently cast upon the users, as if it knows the future generation is paving the road of knowledge.”

>>> BENEATH - DEATH - PAST

5. A LIVING MEMORIAL -Dark Gallery Hallway: DARK AGES OF COLONISATION ERA

“The spherical entry portal at the lower level gives way to a dark, long tunnel that runs below the central volume. Discovery of archive, which contains the remains of the deceased- the memory space to invoke deep thoughts reflection. The archive built up over time as a collection and a record of the past that continues to resonate in the present. A collection of artefacts, signs, sedimented patterns of activity and practices embedded in the history of Bukit Cina.”

6. AMBUSH !- You Don't Know What Is Coming To You: EERIE & FEAR

“Darkness evokes the uncertainty of not being able to see, of potential dangers, it also inspires deep mystery and curiousity just like Chinese pioneers first came to Malacca in the past.” “Translucent built-up of the structural ramp gives a vague and uncertainty feeling to remisnisce the atmosphere of Chinese pioneers in the past during the colonisation era of Malacca.

7. RESURRECTION WELL- The Protected Spirit: BUKIT CINA WELL

The bottom most of the beneath encounter a reflective pool for spiritual contemplation, just like the Bukit Cina Well which is deep and buried, the ring of electrical water sizzling down to the pool of water. “Design based on nature’s fleeting, reflected image from the ripple of water: its shadow. Illusive reflected image signifies buried memories and cultures & elusive quality of time, struggling to find their places under the sun.

8. REBIRTH -A New Beginning of “LIFE” : A DIALOGUE WITH THE DECEASED

The space for cultural root to be unveiled, calling for remembrance. Water sliding across the user under the protection of light, with atmosphere of solemnity, silence and respect. Soft gradations of light across its curved surface and having an “immeasurable hold over our senses”, encourages the living to access their own inner light and peace. “As descendants that carry along the culture of Bukit Cina, strives to inherit the essence of past & bring them to future.

Presentation Boards:

Digital Model Show Up:

Progress Model Development:

Overall Pin-Up Presentation:

Pin-up Presentation

Pin-up Presentation

Pin-up Presentation with studies models + working progresses

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities (TGCs):

Reflections:

Throughout this final project, I have improved myself in terms of understanding how spatial typologies and spatial poetics help to create architectural spaces, and at the same time how spaces are arranged co-responding to site context and programmatic purposes. Furthermore, I also understood the significance of section and plan relationship in informing design.

Learning from precedent studies are always important to understand how an architecture is created with various elements and principles, therefore precedent studies definitely help me in my learning journey.

Also, I have improved my digital presentation skill and verbal presentation skill which help me to gain more confidence in presentation skill in the future. I hope in the future projects, I could have better and efficient time management skill so that I am able to give my best to my future projects!