Idiosyncratic Imaginary : MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Nik, Nik Ariff Azmee and Mohamad, Kalsom (2009) Idiosyncratic Imaginary : MORPHOLOGICAL RESPONSE. Sustainable Tropical Environmental Design Exhibition (STEDex’09), 1. p. 54. ISSN 2180-0685

Abstract

The primary objective of the project is a design esquisse to discover a design approach through processing of form as a stimulus for space creation. It begins by denouncing the overused adage of “Form Follows Function”, which has the tendency to be given too dogmatic a role in design processes and approaches, thus severely limiting the overall design work. This is further exacerbated when students begin to believe that certain forms are actually semiotic representation of particular functions and merely end up sequencing these spaces through bubble diagrams and relying on a design for the overall envelope to give it its idiosyncratic image. A telling sign of this symptom is in schemes that have what could be interesting overall forms but are planned like any other mundane, banal, box-type model of its sort, devoid of any spatial interest apart from their main lobbies. The design esquisse was programmed into two stages. The initial stage requires students‘ responses and reactions in some forms to the surroundings on a particular site. Any analysis should result in a formal or morphological response to their findings. In order not to limit their responses, the burdens of justification by metaphoric, symbolic or iconic means have been removed. Students are therefore encouraged to respond by inspiration, instinct or intuition and not being encumbered by cetain language or their prevailing mindsets. Ideas are therefore manifested through physical models which are large enough to indicate the spaces within the forms. In the second stage, the function is given to be incorporated into the forms that the students have produced. The students are required to analyse their forms and exploit its potential and possibilities to accommodate the given function with minimum adjustments to the spaces within. Thus, students begin to discover how familiar functions could be accommodated into new spatial environments that further enhance their sensitivities to spatial qualities. The site allocated was at the landscaped southern end of the Dataran Merdeka surrounding around the very tall flag pole. Being a prominent historical site, students were encouraged to react to the built forms around them, rather than merely relating or adapting. Their responses were more for the non-tangible forces around the site such as pedestrian flow, views and vistas. A function for their designs was for an Events Shelter acting as a supplement to Dataran Merdeka’s popularity as a venue for parades, countdowns, concerts, big screen telecasts and other such mass gatherings. The closest precedent to this type of development would be the seminal Federation Square in Melbourne, Australia.Various types of cultureal- based public functions are accommodated in different configurations on a same site. The project was in general a success with a wide variety of interesting solutions by the students. Apart from discovering an alternative approach to design, the students’ displayed a new found propensity to produce bold images of the spaces within their design, hence indicating their awareness of spatial-forms and their qualities.

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