project 3
MY CITY DREAMSPACE - space for the self
In this project, students were expected to design and produce a space that embodies and expresses an idea or conceptual narrative, to be able to distinguish and discern the role of scale and propotion in the relationship between the human body and a designed space or enclosure, to identify, articulate and apply basic design principles in spatial organisation and relationships, to select and apply materials to embody and enhance the sensory experience of the space.
In a group of five, my group has slected a movie called 'Steamboy' and chose two different scenes from it as our site model (scale 1:50), linked by a river in between.
Scene of the city
Scene of the city - with the O'Hara Foundation tower in the background
Scene of the industrial town
Scene of the city
Scenes taken from the movie
The north view - the left being the industrial area while the right being the city
The river
On the right - the O'Hara Foundation
The north view - the left being the industrial area while the right being the city
Site model
Next is the individual task: each of us had to develop a character based on the movie. I've adopted the existent character in the movie and developed into one who works as a spy called Wusinwug, a name derived from 'What U See Is Not What U Get'.
Journey of Wusinwug's Dreamspace
My design concept developed from the idea of the mind trick of the 'blinds', where when the vertical columns are placed at a certain angle, different kinds of views are obtained when viewed at different angles:
 Front viewwhere it looks like the space is enclosed |  Side viewwhere one would then realise that the space is actually opened |
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Development of Ideas for Wusinwug's public working space
Development of Ideas for Wusinwug's hidden private space
 Final modelsIn context with site (north view) |  Final modelsIn context with site (south view) |
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 Top viewTo see how Wusinwug's public working space is attached to the O'Hara Foundation |  Top viewTo see how Wusinwug's personal space fits just nicely in the river |
 Final models |
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Wusinwug works at this public building space that soars up to 9.5m and this great height of arch articulates sense of superiority, making people feel grand and important as they enter into it. This building is attached to the front of the O’Hara Foundation tower whereby people coming out would be directly orientated to walk into the building so Wusinwug would be able to approach or observe these people for information. As a spy, Wusinwug is a character with many different personalities and the different layering of heights depicts the many components to her character. As one enters
into the building from the front, the building might look like it’s enclosed, due to the way the vertical strips are placed, but after entering into the building, one then realizes that this building actually has many openings, allowing natural light to flood in and great air ventilation to create a welcoming and comfortable ambience. There’s a contrast in the senses that the space creates. The entrance of the building is narrow with high, smooth arches; after entering into the building, there’s a sharp transition into a space that is spacious but with straight, vertical beams. These articulates the different personalities of the character, that when viewed at different angles, you see different parts of her and that one must get into her world in order to know more of her.
From the exterior of the private space placed hidden in the river beneath the public space, the different angles of surfaces cladded with river stone camouflages the building with the river bank. While on the inside, the different angles actually give rise to the shape of a diamond, giving the idea of glamour and perfection. This building is further concealed by this vertical strips that run continuously from the public space. Preening herself with so many mirrors is how she builds up her confidence to deal with the different ‘clients’ she has to approach or spy on everyday. In her multi-faceted reflections, Wusinwug sees only perfection in herself.
If one wants to know the true self of Wusinwug, you have to be in her private space, being able to look at the mirrors reflecting the different parts of her, but, the private space is one that is hidden and no one would be able to find out the true self of this spy.
Presentation day
 |  Presentation board i |  Presentation board ii |
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 Building materials |
External panels were invited to review our work on presentation day as well. After gathering the feedback from my external examinors, I learnt that I could have improved on the interior spaces of Wusinwug's public working space and focused on how the space could help my character with her job as a spy, instead of having my focus on Wusinwug's personal space in the river which was deemed as a secondary space. Being able to choose the right aspect to focus on is a crucial skill required in architecture.