E-PORTFOLIO

This phase focuses on developing a design strategy for a Learning Centre in the Merdeka 118 Precinct. It emphasizes interpreting findings from the townscape analysis (Phase 1) and translating them into architectural responses that reflect the needs of the site and community.

Objectives:

1. Position Development:

   • Define a clear architectural stance on how the Learning Centre addresses urban challenges, enhances community engagement, and enriches the townscape.

   • Consider themes of public realm quality, character, and continuity to establish a strong sense of place.

2. Site Analysis & Issues:

   • Conduct a detailed SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).

   • Identify key challenges, such as connectivity, accessibility, or community needs, to be resolved through design.

3. Urban Design Integration:

   • Propose strategies for responsive architecture, focusing on spatial arrangements, urban connections, and the interaction between public and private realms.

   • Address street-level engagement, circulation, and public spaces.

4. Design Exploration:

   • Explore form typologies (linear, perimeter, diffused) and manipulate them through layering, subtraction, and overlapping techniques.

   • Integrate findings from precedent studies to shape the formal, functional, and contextual aspects of the design.

5. Precedent Studies:

   • Analyze two case studies:

     • Urban Learning Centre in a Heritage Area: Understand its cultural and contextual role.

     • Tropical Architecture Example: Highlight passive design strategies (natural ventilation, sun shading, etc.).

   • Learn from their massing, circulation, façade design, and response to urban regulations.

6. Target User & Community Focus:

   • Define the target user groups, considering diverse community needs and activities to foster interaction and learning.

   • Tailor programs and spatial layouts to address these needs meaningfully.

Deliverables for Phase 2.1:

• Design Strategy: Sketches, diagrams, and massing studies exploring spatial arrangements and urban responses.

• Precedent Study Analysis: Summarize lessons learned from the selected case studies.

• Urban Theories Application: Incorporate insights from urban analysis to support the strategy.

• Concept Development: Present a cohesive narrative tying the site’s context, community needs, and architectural strategies together.

This phase is a critical transition from analysis to ideation, ensuring the proposed Learning Centre is rooted in its urban heritage while fostering a vibrant and inclusive community space.