Simple is always the Better way

This is just a self preference, although complex structure like Zaha's can be mind boggling but that is not for everyone, most of us do not have the support from client to create something as daring. Even if you do have the support, challenging yourself to design something extraordinary with cheap materials that is simple is harder than it sounds. I am designing my 6 HDB blocks project's mail box and all I can play with is colours, but with some concrete to my disposal. I need to come up with a design that will convinced the main con to willingly do during the construction, without them just constructing based on the standard 2000x1650x500mm box. Why am I just designing a mail box? The main building has been finalised and currently we are just dealing with managing the Show Flat and submission drawings. I am trying to learn to incorporate the main design idea into a small scale feature, to allow the idea to flow around the site and tie the project together as a whole.

I am starting to understand why architects in past design their own door handles for the building, the doors etc. I have always thought facade is everything when I as younger, but that is just to naive. I am in a middle of my project where construction will start in a few months time, and we are suppose to select ironmongery for the building, and I feel those old gen architects had such a nice time designing their own doors or handle, as I am bound to a series of suppliers that is being proposed by the main con. Here are just some projects I came across which looks pretty nice in a very simple manner, playing with lights, materiality and transparency, which is something I am trying to learn when I get my own project in a few months time, hopefully shorter, I cant wait.

Absurd yet funny

HAHAHAHAHAA.....it is sad to say this but its located in Malaysia's National Museum. Got this picture from a forwarded email, I would pay a few RM dollars to see this crap.

A Rapidly Deployable Shade Structure

PVC shade is a structure that is made up of very simple components to provide easy shading. It only consist of 3 cyclinders and 3 sockets to form the basis of the modular structure which is then integrated with a layer of perspex, before multiplying to form the shape desired. The materials is made out of PVC, making it easily accesible and recycable. Once the triangle form is made, the triangles are brought together with just a plastic recycled clip which can be done by any individuals. The design is not restricted by the size and can be manipulated to provide a space for an individual or for 100. A square has a 1x1 metre dimension and is made up of 4 triangles.

I really need to practice more on my presentation skills.
http://www.designbymany.com/challenge/rapidly-deployable-shade-structure

Uninspired

For some particular reason I feel uninspired right now, although I am looking at archi sites daily, and I am finishing off another competition design work for this Sunday, things still does not feel right. Maybe because I was told that architecture is just a passion, and its not a thing you can earn money from. Reality just starts kicking in, I am at the point of earning for my own living, listening to married couples talk about life's difficulties, it is something I think I am prepared for, but I wont know it until I try it. Ever feel underachieved? That is how I feel right now, just need to push forward, life is a marathon, its a cliche to say it, but its a cliche for a reason, cause its true. Maybe it is also because, I did a feasibility study for a project terrace house back home, and IF i do not get the project because there are merit reasons in comparison with other designer, it is fine with me, but if political issues are involved, it just makes me mad, it is just an insult to all. I know it happens everywhere, and they keep asking me why I do not wish to go back. I think I need a abit of change in life, to do something different that I would not normally do, and that would be.....no clue, ge a hobby, maybe. Anyways, at least this blog, http://www.ohiseered.com/ is still inspiring me to do something fun with art, I have to thank my sister for showing me this blog. I will think of something, something, something, nothing right now lol. I think I repeated this concern before, oh well, it is my space to say what I want.

Duxton, I'm slightly disappointed.

I had an hour visit to Duxton Pinnacle to get some inspiration for detail design that could be used for my current project. I had alot of high expectation on the building, knowing it won 'Building of the Year' and its in the same building category as my project, Design, Build and Sales Scheme, DBSS in short. It also happen by chance that the main contractor for this project would be our main contractor as well, so I had the chance to look at the workmanship the main cons can provide. To say the least, I was quite disappointed when I was there, and I was not even half way around the site. I didnt have the chance to walk around its roof garden as yet.

Duxton is also categorized as a special project, unlike my project, it is very restricted, as the design is govern by rules and regulations, however Duxton, the way I understood can be swayed a bit, by how much, I do not know. This bulky concrete parapets is nothing more then just money going to waste, and its not even smooth. -1 to the main con.This design for a little green roof really does not reflect on the project itself. With the disappointing handrail, it is as if it is an after thought design, or done by a junior who was rush for submission.Just beside to the walkway, all I had to do is look up and I came across another design problem. Somewhere in the upper half, middle section, you can actually see a ledge for sun shade for the window, that was build just under another protruding window. The problem is self explanatory, they could save money on it.Simple is always the best way if you cant come up with anything good.Probably the only thing that excite me was the sitting area, but it looks expensive, due to the amount of steel used in such a small area, and they have loads of this lying around. I just like the how the timber and steel are repeated vertically and horizontally.Duxton maybe a special project but it cant run away from all rules and regulations. Take a look at the picture above, right side where the AC ledge is, it would normally be a normal concrete floor slab but for this, it has gaps in it. My assumption is, the project's GFA has burst and they were required to cut down the amount that has burst. GFA means the area that is provided to build your building, and that does not mean just on ground floor [its 1st storey in Singapore], it applies to every floor you desgn and build. The site itself, you are only allowed 40% of site coverage, everything else has to be green, or something else, hence most of them goes upwards.Long ramp, disables in whellchairs BEWARE!Seriously, who uses that type of railing in a maintenance area, and because of that compromises every ugly AC railing for all units?

Suprisingly, for such a grand project, they do not have a proper drop off area. When I ask where the drop off area is, I was pointed to this place, and it is actually just beside the carpark. I know, WTH. Ill try to go to the top when I can and will post more pictures of it.