Phenomenology
Based on your current design project on which you are working on. Discuss the characteristics of the project in regards of it having a “phenomenology of place”. How does your work illustrate a sense of being “place-based” or does it focus on “placelessness” .
Place-based
Designing an experience is a unique responsibility of an architect. The theory of phenomenology acknowledges this responsibility by implementing sensory design in order to establish experiential, architectural space. Phenomenology demonstrated in architecture is the manipulation of space, material, and light and shadow to create a memorable encounter through an impact on the human senses. This creates an experience that is beyond tangible, but rather abstract, observed and perceived. Architecture influences the community through incorporating human activity with adapted site context, organized programmatic and interstitial space, and exploration of material. Phenomenological concept strategies in architectural design intend to develop a unique experience of the phenomena of space, light and form.
“Man ‘Receives’ the environment, and make it as focus on building & things.”
Christian Norburg-Shulz
He claims that our daily life would consist of concrete phenomena, means what has ‘given’, in the context of existence. He emphasizes on the word ‘place’ mean more than abstract on site, we should have to determine an environmental character which is essence of a place.
Back to my project in which we are required to design an artist village, which located in Balik Pulau, Penang. It is a place for artists to come together and exchange culture and art, at the same time, the place also has to be part for the public used by
integrating with the local site context. The challenge in this project is with the existing condition, how we can create an insightful and innovative design proposal to convert the abandoned or unused spaces into a dynamic and noticeable place for the artists and local residents.
In my work, I apply it with Place-based to strengthen my proposal.
“…a place is given as such a character or ‘atmosphere. A place is therefore a qualitative…”
Christian Norberg-Schulz
It is essential to have its own characteristics in place-based design. The place identity defines the environmental psychology and local perspectives. I remain the original identity of the “kampung” area by not to demolish or adding extra skin to it. For the existing house, I let the original white concrete wall exposed and reveal themselves to the environment. The old block serves as a kopitiam which reflects the most ancient look of the building itself and to become the main identity of the site to attract publics.
During my site analysis, it could be observed that every houses around the proposed site have their own community space right in front. Hence, to bring this phenomenon to my proposal, pocket parks as community spaces are created for every workplace and gallery of the artists. Not only that, with the presence of the white concrete wall, pitched roof, and so on to create same identity with Balik Pulau.
In responsive to the local needs, a park within a courtyard is a new design on the site. The small, windy area functions as weekend arts and crafts market, temporary exhibition space and open event space for the local. The space is open and free based on different functions and events. It connects the local people together by promoting arts and crafts and cultural value. The main design intention starts up for the local, every spaces have limited area, not to cater for large amount of tourists.
For place-based design concept, local materials are chosen in my design. To adapt with the existing building, concrete, and glass are chosen as main material source to bring back the local identity. All the materials are locally manufactured. However, when the time pass, it could be seen that steel manufacture has started widely. Hence I involve steel structures into the new blocks of my proposal in a modern way to bring out the evolution and changes that have been gone through by Balik Pulau.
In conclusion, architecture shapes everyone by creating the environment we interact with every day, playing a major role in our collective quality of life and identity. Phenomenology is just a way into dissecting that environment in order to take full advantage of what our everyday life-world has to offer. This elevated sense of awareness is fueled by the promise that our lives can be enriched by noticing the little things that truly make all the difference.
