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
Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023
1|P a g e
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 a group of 5-6 members, you will be assigned to one of the following architects and
their key buildings;

No. Architects Key Buildings

Atelier Wooden Cabin on Stilts
1 Marko https://www.dezeen.com/2021/02/10/monkey-house-atelier-
Brajovic marko-brajovic-brazil/#/
Studio Saxe "tropical atrium" within Jungle Frame House in Costa Rica
2 https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/29/jungle-frame-house-
costa-rica-studio-saxe/#/
SILAA Sahi W&D House
3 Architects https://www.archdaily.com/922091/sahi-w-and-d-house-
silaa?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=more-from-office-article-
show
SILAA Hachi Lily House
4 Architects https://www.archdaily.com/957991/hachi-lily-house-
silaa?ad_medium=office_landing&ad_name=article
ARCHWERK COCO Art Villas Costa Rica
5 + Formafatal https://www.archdaily.com/953529/coco-art-villas-costa-rica-
archwerk-plus-
formafatal?ad_source=search&ad_medium=search_result_all
Yangnar Baan Tita House
6 Studio https://www.archdaily.com/998080/baan-tita-house-yangnar-
studio?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=more-from-country-
article-show
Yangnar Kha-nam Noi House
7 Studio https://www.archdaily.com/985919/kha-nam-noi-house-
yangnar-studio?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=more-from-
office-article-show
Studio Tung Shipping Containers House
8 Jai Ork https://www.dezeen.com/2022/03/22/tung-jai-ork-baab-
Baab shipping-containers-holiday-home-thailand/#/
Narein Wooden Holiday Home
9 Perera https://www.dezeen.com/2015/06/15/estate-bungalow-narein-
perera-treetop-sri-lanka-rubber-plantation-jungle/

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

2|P a g e
 WHBC Telegraph Poles House
10 Architects https://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/10/whbc-house-malaysia-
reclaimed-telegraph-poles/
11 Sher Maker Khiankhai Home & Studio
https://www.archdaily.com/973939/khiankhai-home-and-studio-
sher-maker?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab
12 Sher Maker Wood and Mountain Cabin
https://www.archdaily.com/968183/wood-and-mountain-cabin-
sher-maker?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab
13 LMCO Casa Bou
arquitectos https://www.archdaily.com/977675/casa-bou-lmco-arquitectos

14 Damith Holiday Home at Diyathalawa

Premathilak https://www.archdaily.com/946667/holiday-home-at-
e Architects diyathalawa-damith-premathilake-
architects?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab
15 Thisara Matale Holiday Retreat
Thanapathy https://www.archdaily.com/798068/matale-holiday-retreat-
Associates thisara-thanapathy-
associates?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab
16 Studio WNA Hideout Horizon Bamboo House
https://www.archdaily.com/941193/hideout-horizon-bamboo-
house-studio-
wna?ad_source=search&ad_medium=projects_tab

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.

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
criterias only;

• MAIN DESIGN INTENTIONS / PATI

• CONTEXT – Tropical settings, weather, natural lighting & ventilation
• SPACE PLANNING (organization & relationship) - centralized, interlocking
• CIRCULATION & ZONING – spiral, linear, radial / private, semi-private
• STRUCTURE – grid, rhythm

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.

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

3|P a g e
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Minimum of Six (6) 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 materials must be presented during F2F presentation to avoid incomplete submission.
All drawings must be hand drawn and beautifully rendered. CAD drawings are
unacceptable and will be disregarded. Students also required to do online submission.

Notes for online submission:

• 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) and analysis
process (in Pdf format)
• Upload the folder to
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17Hy7YEsxnbJG6niU_ZjeRk1Ws9
ITcykv?usp=sharing
• Submission deadline
o 13th April 2023, Thursday by 2.30pm MYT (GMT +8 hours) – Physical Pin-Up
o 14th April 2023, Friday before 6.30pm MYT (GMT +8 hours) – Online
submission

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

4|P a g e
MARKING CRITERIA
Marks shall be distributed as follows:

Group :
Assessor :

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

Assessed by:

………………………………..
Name :
Date :

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

5|P a g e
TIMELINE + SCHEDULE

Week Session Topic Submission Remarks

FYE / TAF Team Building Project briefing
will be
Lecture 1 (online via TIMeS): conducted in
Precedents through Analytic hybrid at LT02 &
Diagrams via TEAMS.

Hybrid Briefing : Tutorial sessions

- Module Introduction shall be
1 conducted F2F
- Project 1
(3.4.2023) at E3.02, E3.03
Tutorial activities: & E3.15
(Shared)
- Ice breaking session
1 - Form groups of 5/6
For any
- Precedent Study
inevitable reason
- Research Activity that any students
need to do
hybrid tutorial
FYE / TAF Team Building session, please
liaise with your
Tutorial activities: respective tutor
- Precedent Study: accordingly.
2
10 min presentation (pre-
(6.4.2023)
recorded)
- Analysis + Diagramming
exercise

Lecture 2 (online via TIMeS): Final submission

Materials and Texture in Space shall be pin-up
Making – Experiential Space submission,
each group shall
Peer Discussion (30 mins) be given 10-15
1 minutes to
-Findings from lecture and
(10.4.2023) present their
reading materials
2 works.
Tutorial activities:
-Analysis + Diagramming
Exercise

2 Pin-up
Project 1 Submission (10%)
(13.4.2023) Presentation

Note:
1. All briefing lectures to be conducted online / hybrid, students to view lecture prior to class.
2. All submissions and presentation (interim & final design review) shall be conducted F2F.
3. Generally, tutorials to be conducted F2F. However, Online / Hybrid learning might be implemented during inevitable
circumstances.
4. Schedule subject to change on short notice.

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

6|P a g e
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: 27 March 2023 Date: 28 March 2023 Date: 29 March 2023
Module Coordinator Stream Coordinator Program Director
(Design & Design Studies)

Architectural Design II (ARC60308): March 2023

7|P a g e