Observatory Tower between Practicality and Aesthetic

A good architecture must embody the sense of balance between practicality and aesthetic. Located at a beach which is accessible by many visitors, the observatory tower that functions as a watch tower for lifeguards demands
its structural design to be practical as well as aesthetically pleasing sculpture. To inspire the students in designing the
structure, a set of paintings from famous artists is selected as a reference in developing the idea. From the paintings, analysis is conducted to extract the essence and meaning of the paintings which includes the feelings and moods portrayed by the paintings.

This may also include the methods utilized by the artist in achieving the moods through the application of design principles and elements. Based on this understanding, translation and transformation take place to create a threedimensional structure that expresses the same feeling as displayed by the chosen paintings. In addition to this, the practical aspect of the observatory tower needs to be considered. The flow and practicality of the vertical circulation, viewing deck and protection from climatic factors especially solar gain and precipitation are the main concerns of the design. A visit to an existing lifeguard tower of Civil Defense Department at Bagan Lalang Beach, Selangor provided the actual experiential learning to the students. A discussion session held with the officers from the Civil Defense Department enhances and supports the understanding of the practical requirements necessary for an observatory tower.

Roslina Sharif & Shafizal Maarof