Design Continues...

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S2 Week 6

Spatial Zones

The building has 3 distinct spatial zones which are derived from the traditional mosque scheme:

Sahn

- Sahn means courtyard.

- It also acts as a transition space, an extension to the main prayer hall, a gathering space and a space to make connection with the open sky.

Blue Mosque, Turkey

Riwaq

- Riwaq is an arcade or portico that opens to one side which is often found surrounding a courtyard in a mosque.

- It is a transition space, a threshold of exterior and interior space.

Selimiye Mosque , Turkey

Zulla

- Zulla is generally use to describe the shaded area in a mosque.

- It is the protected area where the qibla wall, mihrab and mimbar is placed; and the main praying activity is held

Shiraz mosque, Iran

Vault and Portico

Sketches: ideas of vault and portico (column) structure.

1:100 scale model: v

ault opion 1

1:100 scale model: v

ault opion 2

1:100 scale model: structural model of 'portico' columns

there are 3 different designs

Plan sketches

Roof plan

Mezzanine plan

Lower ground plan

Basement plan

Design Process

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S2 Week 5

Design

I started doing more design work, progressing from the programmatic level in Week 4. Below are multiple of sketches that has been drawn chronologically. These sketches track the thinking process that evolves every time I trace over a new copy.

The drawing is read from left to right and up to bottom.

The drawing process is also accompanied by computer (both 2d and 3d) to get a more accurate alignment, measurement and visualization.

I have also make a 1:300 scale model to further visualize the spaces and its connections.

(model pictures will be post soon!)

*Sadly, I remodeled this model before I take any pictures. So refer to week 7 model images

Program and Designing

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S2 Week 4

Program

I begin this week by revisiting the programs. In this exercise, I have represented each program with a simple icon which could then be used in the simplified program arrangement diagram.

Sketches of ideas

There are 5 basic zones of different activities. All the programs are proposed to be radiating from a central space which is the courtyard. The main idea is to unified all the programs with a simple arrangement. (further explanation below: Design)

Proposed program arrangement diagram 1. The spaces will be segmented (quite literally) akin to a pie chart. This will allow all the programs to meet at a single point that forms a central circulation space.

Proposed program arrangement diagram 2. In this diagram the programs are placed on planes to demonstrate the notion of different levels and connectivities.

Design

I started to scale the program relative to the site.

The main idea of program placement is to impose a central space that acts as a circulation focus point that will be surrounded by all the other main programs.

Often, prayer halls are central in mosques and the courtyards are adjacent to it (function as a transition and extension space). However,here the courtyard becomes central; forming a public space that is accessible and transparent. In another word the core of the building is inverted into a void (a courtyard) which open to the sky, connecting the heaven above and earth below. This extends the building into nature (response to value of Dhikr and humility) and giving flexibility for creativity; yet it liberates the building from being austere and dogmatic.

Site plan, grid align to Qibla direction.

Topography shading tracing the circular courtyard in the center.

This perspective is an attempt to illustrate the overall idea of the building embedded in the ground with geometry-inspired roofing. (It is still very vague and under-develop)

Conceptual Journey

Beside design and program, I have also continued to read a few new/old reading materials which sometimes make it a little bit more confusing but also little clearer at times. Though I am not sure where am I getting to but I know I am getting to somewhere better. Therefore I continue to read and read; hoping that it will help me in my design thinking.

This week, I have also received some help from kind lecturer Y. In our discussion, we spoke of my project conceptually (because not much new design work yet) and he shared his thoughts on it. He was very critical and analytic. Also, he asked me many questions which helped me in a way to make myself clearer to my own project and provoke my thoughts.

There are a few key points that he stated:

- There are 2 level to this design; one is the universal 'law' of the Islamic nature and second is the response to the locale (politically, economically, socially,culturally, etc)

-Explore the idea of inside out, inversion (look at EXPO 2010 British Pavilion)

-Clarify the idea of a community centre

-and many more

However, I am still struggling conceptually in questioning myself of - What do I want to achieve in this project? integration? Assimilation? What are the main ideas of this project? Transparency? Mutual understanding?

Class Charrette

So, this week we have charrette in our studio. We were asked to produce 9 vignettes showing the progressive movement through the building, illustrating the architectural spaces; its intent, ambiance and materiality, etc. It was a little difficult for me as I was still trying to decide the most fundamental design issue: architecture layout. Therefore I could imagine less of the architectural spaces. Nevertheless I took it as a design exercise and did impromptu design. Here are my sketched:

Entrance

Entrance (abstracted)

Transition and Mihrab (niche)

These sketches explored on the idea of juxtaposing rectilinear volumes onto circular pattern, creating interesting in-between spaces.

Islamic inspired circular patterning

Project Statement Draft and Geometry Exploration

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S2 Week 3

This week is officially the first week of returning back into the rhythm of the graduation studio. Some of us might still be struggling from the post-holiday disorder but we will definitely be back on track.

To begin, I looked back at the comments that I have received from the final presentation in Semester 1 (week 15) which are:

-to focus on the architectural side of the project and let the architecture speaks for itself

-to dwell deeper into the notion of Islamic geometrical patterning that will help in the architecture

-to study the essence of things and manifested it in the design (refer to Louis Kahn)

-Xing related his experience in Kuala Lumpur Mosque; He accidentally walked into a relaxing and cooling space in the midst of the hot tropical city and realized that it was a mosque. Therefore he proposed that the mosque could be an 'accidental space' infused into the urbanscape.

After much thoughts, I have decided to pull myself out of my previous design and redesign the Sydney Mosque. Firstly I revisited the literature review and attempted to draft a project statement that will hopefully capture the essence of this project.

Project Statement (draft 1)

The project explores the contemporary issues of Islam in the west and investigates the development of western mosque architecture particularly in Sydney, Australia. It is not merely a theoretical journey but also to express theoretical ideas in architecture.

Today, majority of western mosques are anachronism in modern time; often fabricated from revivalism or historical eclecticism. They are also becoming more liturgical and monofunctional. Thus, the secular society finds it hard to assimilate and consequently repudiate multiculturalism.

The discourse of western mosque architecture is accompanied by matters of culture, tradition, social economy and social politics. Therefore the aim of this project is to identify the underlying Islamic essence/principles and subsequently allowing the essence to be expressed in a contemporary framework by redefining the manifestation of mosque architecture in a secular and contemporary context.

The proposed multifunctional Sydney Mosque will be located within the urban context of Sydney city (Surry Hills). This provides a platform for the mosque to be better integrated into the secular fabric and encourage interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims to promote mutual understanding, respect and find peace for a greater assimilation.

Geometry Exploration

To help me in my design, I decided to do a geometry exploration exercise (inspired by the Islamic geometry) and here are the sketches and models:

pen sketches of ideas

Triangulation modular models; each members are same in length but different in footprint size (triangles)

The triangulation is further explored in an undulating plane determined by the columns. The columns are placed radiating from a center; however the model is only exhibiting a portion of the circle.

The members have same length but varied in its placement. The model is reminiscence of a hypostyle typology.

This is a computer generated planes which mimics the models above.

Application: a radiating geometrical pattern is imposed onto the site and potentially the model typology shown above could be placed on top and manipulated to accommodate the topography and programs.

Back to School

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S2 Week 2

This is the first week of school in semester 2. Here we are nearing to the end and yet we are miles away. It will be a fantastic semester!

This week, we are supposed to design our own working framework (schedule) for semester 2 and plan our journey and objectives.

Here is my proposal:

Winter Holiday

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S2 Week __

During the winter holiday, I went back to Malaysia for a short break to visit dad and mom.

I managed to fit into my travel itinerary a day of educational tour to Kuala Lumpur.

I started my day with the Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia. There were quite a wide range of exhibits includes Islamic Architecture. There were nothing much that I could gain and I couldn't access the scholar library.

Here are some of the models:

Mecca

A fountain replica

Regional mosque: the roof is inspired by the vernacular architecture of the tropical region which allows natural ventilation

After the disappointing museum visit, I continued my tour to the National Mosque of Malaysia. Built in 1965, Masjid Negara is nestled within the buzzing city of Kuala Lumpur. The modern geometrical inspired roof and minaret symbolize the aspiration of the newly independent country, Malaysia. I like the idea of developing a new Mosque architectural language that is sensitive to its context and avoid any mere mimication.

Burial ground beside the Mosque, protected peacefully by a beautiful floating geometrical roof.

The mosque is generously spacious but not over empowering. The hypostyle columns reminded me of palm tree estate which allows air to breath through and at the same time shade me from the hot tropical sun. The spatial experience is quite invigorating.

The 18 pointed star concrete roof

Concrete jali screens

Soon, I was kindly asked to leave the mosque as the prayers were started. This puzzled me a little; here we are in a multicultural country and yet such a distinction/restriction is placed upon non-Muslims for not able to experience the Islamic prayers. Religious activities should be shared and extended to everyone. This is not to proselyte but to encourage mutual understanding, or else how can we be integrated?

Opposite the Mosque is the National train office building. The building was built in the early 20th century and it is a agglomeration of Islamic architectural style (and Gothic too).

Side facade of the building

The main entrance

The Kuala Lumpur train station opposite.

Beautiful Mughal inspired architecture.

Travel-book

While I was travelling, I also read Nomad (below) by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. Initially I was a little worried reading this infidel book in Malaysia but I overcame that fear *victory*.

The book was good; it exposed myself to many facets of Islam and its arrival into the western world. In this book she spoke about her life experience as an asylum seeker from Somalia, her family and her enlightenment. She argues that the doctrine of this religion is fundamentally wrong and it infringes human rights (especially women). For Ayaan there is hardly any no room for reformation. Contrary to what she is propagating, there are many western Islam reformists that believe the doctrine needs to be re-contextualized and reread with a contemporary lenses.