PHENOMENOLOGY of ARCHITECTURE
The role of nature is an
important part of the context in traditional architecture. Architecture
responds to local conditions such as climate, geology and seismic conditions.
Local building materials and their properties is key in the technical design.
In traditional architecture, we often find a
clear relation between local architecture, local conditions and local
materials. Many architectural elements and features have a very practical
origin. Architecture grew from rural, via urban and national to international
and even global typologies. This increase of distance between source of
materials and the location of application creates a decrease in the role of
nature in architecture.
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“The more open & honest
such experiences are and the less constrained by theoretical or intellectual
preconceptions. The greater the degree of authenticity.”
– KATHRYN MOORE
“Man receives the environment
and make it as focus as building and things.”
–
CHRISTIAN NORBURG-SHULZ
“to be human is to live in a
world that is filled with significant places: to be human is to have and to
know our place.” - E. RELPH
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In addition, architecture has
become independent from its natural context since early twentieth century. With
becoming an independent art, architecture found references in its own realm.
The design does no longer primarily reflect the natural conditions it is
dealing with. The materials used do not necessarily indicate the geographical
location of the project. The context of the design does no longer include the
natural context but based on references in architecture itself.
In any project, when a community is involved from (or even before) the
start of a design process, that process serves the site and the people who will
use it, instead of serving the designers’ own interests. This creates places
that are accessible, dynamic, and inclusive the kind of places that are central
to building strong neighbourhoods and cities.
From that, I began to reflect back to my current semester design of an old
building. It is located in the area of Jalan Loke Yew, Kuala Lumpur. As brief was given, our task is to
adaptive reuse the existing building that contained in our site, which refers
to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other
than which it was built or designed for.
We have to retained
the memories of the users towards the old building, and to insert new
programmes, as brief said we have to remain the structures and some façade of
the building. In this case, from the site analysis I’ve convert the existing building
into a fitness centre, due to the existing location of the building which is
nearby to the university and residential area. I see this as an opportunity as
a point of attraction to the student from university and people who stay around
that area.
For my current design studio class, I’m using the concept of “GROWTH”
for my design. The reason I’m using that keyword is as nature promotes healing
and feeling of well-being, I incorporate busy and dusty area with a healthy
like atmosphere. Inside this building I have provides spaces such as various
type of equipment for workout, yoga class, and café (healthy café).
As you can see from my floorplan. I’ve design this dynamic shape because
I want to show the feeling of bravery and the inspiration of dividing spaces
into my building derives from growth of roots in the internal courtyard. I’ve create the open space as much as possible, so people who doing
their activity can see each other, and also encourage more communication
between them.
As a conclusion, architecture influences the community through
incorporating human activities with adapted the site context, organized
programmatic and interstitial space, and exploration of materials.
Phenomenological concept strategies in design intend to develop a certain
unique experience of the phenomenon of spaces, light and form. To me, I think
that architecture is about to design a quality based on its effect on the
sensitivity of human perception, rather than developing a mechanical sense of
reason and tectonics.