E-Portfolio by Teoh Jin Wen
Project 1: Design Esquisse – Disabilities Experience Pavilion
(Group) We were to design a recreational space in a hypothetical park that would accommodate the needs of the physical disabled while also providing a meaningful sensorial experience. Upon research on the subject, our group decided to tackle visual disabilities in focus, opting for a design that empathizes with the experience of being visually impaired.
The building was required to be within a 8x8x8m3 volume with at least half of the area to be left open for the pavilion to take advantage of the park's qualities, also allowing the users to experience a programme of activities.
My group was composed of:
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Teoh Jin Wen (myself)
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Ooi Zi En
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Ng Royine
There were considerable design oversights in the end product but the discoveries encountered throughout this project have been valuable. Go to Final Product.
Case Studies
During the first week, we explored different narratives on how we could deliver a meaningful experience within the pavilion. By referring to several case studies of disability-accommodating structures and installations, we looked for various materials and architectural elements that we could utilize. Among them, we considered tactile and audible experiences
Workshop
We then compiled our findings and illustrated potential narratives as diagrams and sketch models. The primary sensorial experiences were tactile and auditory, with bright visual indicators as a supporting element of navigation through the structure.
Development
We went on to develop the concept of a library, using mainly tactile language as a means of navigation. We also implemented a cluster layout to the structure that helped us to visualize the different spaces of activity within the pavilion
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Presentation Board
For our final structure, we came upon a kinetic library that users could engage with to learn from and navigate. There was some oversight in terms of safety, but the concept of a kinetic and possibly human library itself was fun to explore.
Final Model
Reflection and Learning Outcome
MLO 2
MLO 1 - Design and create architectural spaces with consideration of environmental poetics in relation to the basic natural context and existing built context (harness environmental qualities of the site to inform design) which impact on users’ experiences
The final product lacked evidence of this, but I feel that a lot of our earlier exploration in the week was able to involve the environment within the structure's experience. I must be able to carry the learning from explorations further throughout future projects.
TGC 1.0-
DISCIPLINE SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE
TGC 1.1. Able to put theories into practice.
TGC 1.3. Understand professional practice within the field of study.
While I have gained more insight to the considerations required when consciously designing for the disabled, I feel that I was not able to properly apply what we learned about universal design in this project.
MLO 4
MLO 4 - Establish an appropriate level of understanding of materiality and detailing as means to capture experiential qualities of the design.
We attempted to apply materials that contrast in texture so that they would act as tactile indicators of different spaces and activities.
TGC 2.2. Locate, extract, synthesize and utilize information effectively.
TGC 2.3. Be intellectually engaged.
This exercise encouraged objective evaluation as well as empathetic reasoning of decisions taken in conservation and tourism planning, looking to multiple perspectives and sources to form opinions.
TGC 3.0-
THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS
TGC 3.1. Think critically and creatively
TGC 3.2. Define and analyze problems to arrive at effective solutions.
We were able to arrive at appropriate solutions on how to implement the creative choices we wished while conscious of their practicality in installation. However, I should be more conscious of safety.
