Y1 Unit 1

from Architecture: University of Greenwich School of Design, Show 2021

by University of Greenwich School of Design

Y1 Unit 5

BA (HONS) ARCHITECTURE YEAR 1

Y1 UNIT 1: Commune/unity

KAMAN LEUNG + NICK ELIAS

Students: Falhad Ababur, Mariam Ahmed, Ruth Akinfe, Amina Amrane Hamidi, Argjent Haziri, Sara Jaku, Qasim, Malik, Yara Vanessa, Silvestre Adao, Maisha Tasnim, Mihle Tekile, Iasmin Troni Cabral, Derek Rhisa Valotto de Lima, Fabiano Waters, Hamzah Zuber.

With thanks to our critics: Franky Chan, Susanne Isa, Soyun Lim and Steve Mccloy.

‘COMMUNE’ - a group of families or single people who live and work together sharing possessions and responsibilities. At the start of the 1970s, The New Communes author Ron E. Roberts classified communes as a subclass of a larger category of Utopias and listed their three main characteristics; that they are egalitarian, of human scale and anti- bureaucratic.

This year, Y1 unit 1 explored the idea of commune/unity. The idea of ‘community’ first emerged in the Medieval times as ‘a number of people associated together by the fact of residence in the same locality’, a sense of common, public general, shared by all or many. In the 21st century, with the help of technological advancement, the sense of community may not only be bounded by a shared geographical location. Under this theme, students were asked to re-think, re-imagine and re-define the idea of ‘community’, to create ‘a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals’ through the vehicle of architectural interventions.

‘UNITY’ - created when there is a relationship between different elements.

According to Alex White, author of The Elements of Graphic Design, to achieve visual unity is the main goal of graphic design. When all elements are in agreement, a design is considered unified. No individual part is viewed as more important than the whole design. A good balance between unity and variety must be established to avoid a chaotic or lifeless design.

‘Principles of Design’ describe ‘unity’ as the way in which the different elements of a composition interact with one another.

Students were asked to consider what communities may be present in their site area and subsequently what architectural responses may be suitable. Students prepared maps and visual research documents to inform their design proposals. This project provided an opportunity for students to explore the importance of context, defining levels of enclosure, materiality and inherent spatial qualities. Starting with surveying techniques and tactics they investigated areas of specific interest, observations and underling concepts of commune, and community.

This project encouraged an experimental approach and helped the students understand what type of architect they want to be. It aimed to provide a vehicle for students to explore their own interests in designing a bespoke architecture unique to their observations.