Design Journal: Primer project ROM

Aperture.

process

journal

Developmental studies by Felix Lim

DES IGN

BRIEF

SITE: ROM Building The design should demonstrate that the installations and ďŹ tments set up with the new proposal of the layout of ROM building to register the process of creating reminiscence in real-time, virtual, past and future moments.

The design should engage the ROM and ROMM users with spatial experiences that correspond to the activities and to respond as well as invigorate neglected/dated spaces, realise the potential of the underutilised activity areas and have a fresh breath to the existing spaces.

content

THE UNCERTAINTY OF MARRIAGE 4/ CONCERNS 5/ ACTIVITY ANALYSIS 6/ CONCEPT 8/ THE ARCHES 10/ PALETTE 11/ SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS 12/ FLOOR PLANS 14/ EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC 16/ ELEVATION 17/ MULTIMEDIA GALLERY 18/ SECTION 20/ CONCEPT WRITE-UP 21

The uncertainty of marriage

The social fabric of marriage in society is always unpredictable. Increasing trends of marriage at higher ages, inter-ethnic and transnational marriages all open new possibilities of risk that cannot be handled as usual cases by marriage counsellors due to higher chance of miscommunication and cultural barriers as well as society’s treatment on these marriages.

CONCERNS

Looking at the original design, the sense of significance feels lost to the simple pragmatic interior and the mono-function use of the building. Even having to be compared to a polyclinic.

As for my initial thoughts:

What strong memories of the building are there?/ How do the couples retain the intimacy of such a precious occasion?/ What is the flow of movement and activity throughout the building?/ Do people know of the building’s existence?/ How does the building respect the historical spirit of its location? What is the staff’s opinion of the space?/ Can the addition of another activity make or break the flow of activity?/ What is the mood of visitors typically when they visit the building?/ What should be enhanced? What should be diminished?

ACTIVITY ANALYSIS

EAT

COUNSEL

ENTER

WAIT

REG 1

PHOTO

REG 2

COUNSEL

LOUNGE

SOLEMNIZE

PHOTO

ACTIVITY ANALYSIS

WORK/LEARN/STORAGE

REGISTER/SOLEMNIZE/EAT

-2ND FLOOR

-1ST FLOOR

Activity wise, the original intent seems very dissociated between the various functions and sadly majority of the space is dedicated to waiting. The spatial hierarchy prioritises the working staff and the practicality of the solemnization process.

CONCEPT

SHARED

1ST FLOOR

OFFICE (PRIVATE)

VERIFICATION PHASE (PUBLIC)

2ND FLOOR

SHARED OFFICE (PRIVATE)

SOLEMNIZATION PHASE (SEMI-PUBLIC)

CONCEPT

SHARED

1ST FLOOR

OFFICE (PRIVATE)

VERIFICATION PHASE SHARED CORRIDOR (PUBLIC)

2ND FLOOR

SHARED OFFICE (PRIVATE)

SHARED CORRIDOR

SOLEMNIZATION PHASE (SEMI-PUBLIC)

THE ARCHES

The signiďŹ cance of the arch extends from historical to spiritual. The word romantic comes from roman, refers to something that has been lost and beautiful past. The shape hence holds a strong reminiscent of the beauty in the past

Arches usually are placed as a gateway or door and has many religious and mythological references as a checkpoint in life and spiritual ascension As such, the idea of arcades and arches as pseudo walls came about in order to provide a sense of separation between rooms and functions. Walking through these arches affect a change in atmosphere as the journey of solemnization progresses.

PALETTE Playing with geometric forms and colour causes a sense of roman ethereal hybrid with contemporary which emanates a sense of wonder yet tranquility

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAMS

1ST FLOOR PLAN

2ND FLOOR PLAN

EXPLODED AXONOMETRIC

PHOTO VAULTS

SOLEMNIZATION FLOOR

RETAINING WALL

REGISTRATION FLOOR

FRONT ELEVATION

The Gallery not only serves as a waiting room for those heading into the solemnization chambers but also a digital showcase of the ROM’s role, message and videos. The arcade curtain wall allows ample daylight to penetrate the gallery without overpowering the projected videos on the screens

MULTIMEDIA GALLERY

The arches acts as a border to separate the groups and forms a corridor of mass and concrete. The layout allows the building to be opened through the night without disturbing the staff ofďŹ ce so the gallery can conduct screenings of ďŹ lms and documentaries for the public. This is a chance to spread awareness of the issues.

SECT ION

CONCEPT WRITE-UP

THIS INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE PROJECT REFLECTS ON THE NEW STATUS OF MARRIAGE IN MODERN SINGAPORE. WITH THE GRADUAL DILUTION OF CONSERVATIVE SOCIAL CONSTRUCTS AND HIGHER ACCESS TO INFORMATION VIA SOCIAL MEDIA AND SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, INTERRACIAL AND TRANSNATIONAL MARRIAGES ARE NOT ONLY ON THE RISE BUT ALSO WELL ACCEPTED INTO SINGAPORE SOCIETY. THE DESIGN STEMS FROM THE DIVERSE PATHS OF THESE RELATIONSHIPS MEETING AT A CROSSROAD OF SOLEMNIZATION HENCE THE VARYING ARCHES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE INTERIOR. THE CONTEMPORARY THEME OF THE PHOTOGENIC SPACES AND MULTIMEDIA GALLERY IS AN ATTEMPT OF OUTREACH TO YOUNGER AUDIENCES OF SOCIAL MEDIA USERS TO COME DOWN TO THE ROM AND LEARN OF ITS ROLE IN MARRIAGE, THE CHALLENGES OF MARRIAGE AND THE MEANING OF MARRIAGE.

Aperture.

process journal

28/6/2019