LECTURE 02

ARTICLE READING

Select a recent design project on which you are working. Discuss the characteristic of the project in

regards to simplicity and complexity, in light of the discussion and text introduced today. What

attitudes regarding simplicity and complexity does your work illustrate?

In the last semester, we were given a task to create and plan a local museum for the Chinese new village. We were to implement the architectural elements that we found from the site context into the design to further implant to the site to our design itself.

One thing that stood out to me, as i first stepped into the heart of the local Chinese village, i can feel this sense of simplicity to the atmosphere created by these mixtures of old together with new houses, and shop lots, that somehow provides a complex diversity to the area.

Therefore based on my interpretation of my experience, i approach my design in the simplest possible way, but in the sense that it provides a meaningful and rich background to it.

Of course not to my surprise it is easier said than done as designing a simple building is actually more difficult as the meaning imbued in the design has to be thought of more thoroughly in order to blends in well with the design. To me, with the knowledge i have currently, im still learning and creating something as ambitious does proves complicated for me as it is not really something that came natural for me.

In my approach, i was trying to create this sense of harmony that breathes naturally into the site. With this approach it comes to me that in order for me to successfully do that i have to have a very thorough thought of the site context, what makes this place such a unique platform? What makes this place stood out from the others? How does it provides a positive vibe to the locals?

As a result i came up with this idea of less walls, in a way of an open floor plan, as well, as a open public park. This creates a sort of plain and simple thought of a public space, but it holds the meaning and memories for the locals, as parks are a common place of gathering and a place for wellspent time. The simple and free circulations of the public park topped of my consideration to the park, from the idea of the free and always interconnected bond in the community.

As we progress through the design of my floor plan, it is guided by less complicated circulation, a much controlled one in controversy of the public park. It is partnered with these small openings that creates a harmonious simplicity to the interior.

At the heart of the structure, a small court stands as a connection to the nature instead of isolating it from the

outside world, there are no level of complexity to this and i reveals the whole intentions and to cover it, atleast

that's what i was trying to do.

As for the function for the interior spaces is not meant to be a simple one, as said, a simple building can also have interior whose function, spaces, uses and distribution could be as complex. There are lots of overlapping, transitions, and transformations of spaces creating a different sense of atmosphere through out the museum.

"Less is more"(mies van de rohe), in fact is what i have been trying to achieve, but as i said its still a learning process for me during this stage, so whether it's successful or not, there are still lessons i can take with me along the way.