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A DESIGN THESIS JOURNEY

A candid interview with the architectural designer Cheryl Yew's one academic year journey of doing the Kampung Kerinchi Primary School project  focusing on the why, what and how of her design thesis journey. We asked on "why she thinks the project is important (personally) and what were the challenges that she faced with dealing with the project". Other content includes, her take on the design thesis tutors' approach in architecture education and studio-based learning; and this informal discussion provides a fresh feel for the approach and we are grateful for Cheryl to give us the insights she shared. 

Link to images of Cheryl's project here: 

https://designthesis.wordpress.com/2020/05/01/cheryl-yews-kampung-kerinchi-primary-school/

(Apologies for poor audio recording in the first six minutes due to poor internet connection as we were using online meeting tool). (32 minutes long recording)

© 2020 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Art work in podcast is the perspective by Cheryl Yew's design thesis project 2018-19  named Kampung Kerinchi Primary School
Drawing  © Copyright: Universiti Malaya, Author: Cheryl Yew

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Cheryl Yew's Kampung Kerinchi Primary School can be truly appreciated knowing that a B40 (low-income) population in this area, parents needed to cross the highway in order to send their 6 to 12 year children to get an education. With the right analysis on the urban problem, she was able to identify a site that is very accessible to all, making full use of an unused religious school and a community hall, adapted re-used the land and structures to create a much needed primary school, within convenient walking distance.  The Unit 2 Design Thesis Studio at University of Malaya's School of Architecture, while emphasizing on the bigger picture / master planning solution, facilitated the dialogue, discussion and debate for Cheryl to imagine and draw up a school that was submitted for the R.I.B.A. Presidents Medal in 2019.  Her approach of a low technology solution, using sustainability concepts, such as ideas on adaptive reuse and use of materials, together with the exploration of the ideal classroom utilizing in-between external spaces to be conducive outdoor formal and informal learning spaces (even including disabled children) created a highly valued learning spaces with minimal cost implications. We shall hear of Cheryl Yew's interview on the why, what and how of her design thesis journey, very soon in our next podcast. 

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An introduction to the "inter-disciplinary nature of architecture" by discussing based on "architecture design education" referring to some works currently being explored at Unit 2 Design Thesis Studio at UM School of Architecture. We probe and question on: Why does architecture straddle the two main branches of human knowledge (Science and Humanities). It is because Architecture is about the planning, designing and constructing of form, space and ambiance to reflect functional, technical, social, environmental and aesthetic considerations. Of course, the word architecture nowadays also includes other designed systems, especially in information technology (referring to computer architecture). Also, architecture nowadays is not just about perfecting human culture but also about being environmentally conscious, e.g. by making creative solutions to energy and waste problems. 

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Eva Liew's Kerinchi Neighbourhood Park Linkage was a controversial project that was debatable whether it is an "architecture" project, but it was a very necessary urban design project to be done for the Unit 2 Design Thesis Studio at University of Malaya's School of Architecture, as it is the bigger picture / master planning solution that deals with the big void of the heart and soul of Kampung Kerinchi. A mostly high-rise and high-density low cost housing with poor facilities for recreation, proper access to streets and social environment were the complexities that Eva dealt with in her design thesis. This is a teaser podcast to introduce the project and we shall have a podcast interviewing Eva on her design process and why she thinks the project is important and what were her challenges when she faced with dealing with the project. 

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This topic of "Re-examining community architecture: site specific issues in local context situations" provides an introduction to proposing for a case for a new agenda on Context Specificity projects, to be the most effective design thesis course for a school of architecture. Referring again to University of Malaya's School of Architecture, we argue that the design thesis unit 2's architecture design studio curriculum is very grounded on real issues and we argue about the definition of "community architecture". This is the first part introduction based on the draft manuscript of a future book publication and in the next podcast we will examine the examples of context specificity projects from the 2018-2019 batch (cohort) students who did their projects in Kampung Kerinchi, near Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur. 
 © 2020 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Art work in podcast is the poster by Liew Yee Hua for the presentation of the design thesis projects 2018-19 seminar at Kuala Lumpur City Hall.
Poster  © Copyright: Universiti Malaya, Author: Liew Yee Hua

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This diagram can be applied to any project that deals with a real site rather than hypothetical site or issue. The importance to understand that design process for architecture education programs are cyclical, in four stages, rather than linear. The beginning stage is always about the design brief, given or to be developed by the designer, which also deals with the site visit, analysis and researching the programs. The second stage focuses on starting the proper design process and is always a challenge for the student to INTERPRET the brief, where it is about site planning, design strategies and schematic design. The third stage when dealing with the design development, the student designer needs to deal with the detail design and special studies and this is where the design thesis can be defended properly and the concept will need to be felt in the drawings and models. The part one of this series on architecture design studio curriculum discusses in a introductory manner and other parts of the series will take us to specific interpretations of particular design projects and how the designer managed to come to some solutions and have a favourable and satisfactory outcome.
© 2020 Talk Architecture, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob
Art work in podcast is the diagram by Naziaty Mohd Yaacob called the design process diagram for all architecture design studios at UM School of Architecture
Diagram  © Copyright: Universiti Malaya, Author: Naziaty Mohd Yaacob 

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Do subscribe for premium content and special features which will help to support and sustain Talk Architecture podcast on a more in-depth explanation on design thesis and processes. These special commentaries and ‘how to’ explanations are valuable insights and knowledge not found elsewhere!