SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN

Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture)
ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO 3 [ARC 60106 / 2118]
Prerequisite: Architecture Design Studio 2
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Project 2

GENIUS LOCI: Site Analysis & Concept Development

DISCOVERING THE SITE & ITS GENIUS LOCI
25% of final mark (5% group + 20% individual)
Introduction

Society, culture, history, memory and the landscape of a particular place echoes the meaning of that place, or its genius
loci. These qualities will inform the architectural concept and generators for Project 2. In Project 2, the design brief calls for
an architectural response toward the sense of place with a strong engagement and relationship to the site and
programmatic requirements.
The first assignment for Project 2 requires an analysis of the site context as a starting point. It is a fundamental need for any
design project as it will suggest a series of parameters to suggest architectural solution, one that will be appropriate to the
place and its meaning, and contributes to its context. The site needs to be understood, in both intuitive and personal ways,
as well as quantitative and measured means. Techniques to record and understand the site are varied, from physical
surveys to qualitative aspects of experience and personal interpretation of the place.

Learning Outcomes

Produce site analysis which document, interpret and analyze the site context and the genius loci of place
Produce a concept design for a Visitor Interpretive Centre based on the site analysis conclusions.

Adapted by KT

Updated 10/6/2015

Tasks
Group work: Site conditions & analysis (5%)
In the same group from Project 1, conduct site analysis of the physical context within the identified MACRO site. Use the
following reference as a framework for your recording and analysis of your site: White, E. 2004. Site Analysis: Diagramming
Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media Ltd. Collect data and record on the following
using maps/diagrams and/or models:
Orientation (sun path)
Climate (rainfall & temperature)
Site contours
Adjacent street and vehicular traffic patterns
Pedestrian circulation
Neighbouring contexts
Vegetation
Views from the site
Views to the site
Views through the site
Noise
Human-Cultural
Site analysis
Produce a site analysis of the
identified MACRO site. 5-10 minute
digital presentation per group.

Individual work (20%)

Personal Interpretation & Concept Development as a response
Historical research: Historical tracings of the MACRO site
Mapping a site over a series of significant stages in the course of its history
provides a description of the life and memory of a place. They can provide
inspiration for a contemporary idea that connects directly with past
archaeology/memory/history of the site.
Conduct a historical research on the place. Data could be in the form of
literature (published/unpublished), old photographs, maps/plans etc.
Submission:
Individually, produce your personal interpretation of the MACRO site in the
form of sketches. The personal interpretations of the overall character of
the site will inform subsequent design decisions, and it is important to
record these honestly and immediately.
Use Gordon Cullens serial vision and/or Steven Holls phenomenological
readings as the basis/tool for recording your interpretation of the character
of place (sketches). You may pay attention to the following on site:

Materials. Each site has an intrinsic materiality (photos)

The memory of place. Significant characteristics, sounds,

textures, events that make them memorable. There may be
aspects of the history and memory of the site that needs to be
reinforced in your design.

Adapted by KT

Updated 10/6/2015

Conclude by identifying the key character(s) of place that would form inspiration in the design, and then present a Design
Concept for a Visitors Interpretive Centre derived from the issues discovered. This Design Concept should be presented in
the form of drawings & a model as follows:
Submission:

Submit your individual interpretation hand-sketches on 2 x A3 panel.

Submit your individual Concept Drawings : 1 Plan, 1 Section, 1 Elevation at an appropriate scale, with
text to illustrate the concept. Also submit 1 concept model (either physical OR digital), in context with your MICRO site (total
3 x A3 panels + physical model OR 4 x A3 panels, including digital model).
The above submissions will be supported by an individual, 10-minute verbal presentation.
Site survey: provide dimensions of its width and depth and indicate any adjacent buildings at the levels of plans, elevations
and sections to create an accurate record of what currently exists
Assessment criteria
Site conditions and analysis
Group performance
Ability to plan and carry out research
Ability to analyse and conclude data
Ability to convey/communicate findings (audio and visual)
Personal interpretation of place
Ability to record and analyse the character of place
Ability to convey/communicate findings
Ability to conclude/make sense of findings for the subsequent design work
Ability to produce a meaningful concept which is communicated well via drawings & model.

References
Cullen, Gordon. 1961. The Concise Townscape. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Holl, Steven. Questions of Perception: Phenomenology of Architecture, eds Steven Holl, Juhani Pallasmaa, Alberto PerezGomez, A+U
Norberg-Schulz, Christian. 1980. Genius Loci: Towards a Phenomenology of Architecture. Rizzoli, London.
White, E. 2004. Site Analysis: Diagramming Information for Architectural Design. Tallahassee, Florida: Architectural Media
Ltd.

Adapted by KT

Updated 10/6/2015