Critical Reflection

Architecture has ascendancy to influence the society, in which can alter the identity of a place. Transformation in dwelling is to change city and to reform society. An environment created by architecture can authorise the quality of a well-being society. This project aims to explore ideas in strict manners and principles which controls the outcome of spatial qualities, a friendly environment to enhance the ability of basic crafting, learning and communication. Therefore, this brief breaks down into ‘A Series of Rooms’ for their own unique uses, in order to construct a comfortable community, whether looking at it as multiple entities or as a whole. The intention of this brief is to emphasise ‘Architecture of Health’, the relation between human well-being and building design. This can be approached through how ones behaviour can be controlled by optimising parameters such as temperature, light, air and a hint of nature. The evidence has suggested five ways leads to mental well-being established by scientists. When outlining a proposed architecture should always consider these rules to promote a healthier solution of living for occupants. Connect with other people/Be physically active/Learn new skills /Give to others/Mindfulness Immediate treatments for mental health is often solved by medical treatment, and thus as friendly design home, neighbourhood environment is a long term solutions to improve the quality of life. In this regard, Roman Architect Vitruvius Pollio identified three elements necessary for a well-designed building: ‘Firmitas’ is health, ‘Utilitas’ is comfort and ‘Venustas’ is for happiness. These three principles are both physically and spiritually approach for individuals being well, thus it must response to users need in prior. Louis Kahn declared the process in making architecture is through a series of ‘The Space of Ideas’. He focus on constrains the relationship between indoor and outdoor rooms which conducive to a mediation environment. This concept helps him to breakdown each rooms in geometric orders, within the simplicity of his organisation, Kahn inspired to create a complex content by abstraction. His spatial arrangement is often follows having a large centre for serving and rooms for servant spaces, indicates distinct and logical circulation, achieved a comfortable and calm ‘society’.

Tadao Ando is the master of being simplicity of perfection, which is heavily inspired by Japanese culture. The essence of simplicity enhances users to focus on their physical and spiritual experience in relation to natural environment, this is practiced through geometry and materiality. He values the analysis of the site contexts to construct a cosmic masterpiece, as he uses thick walls in architecture to form an individual’s own Cosmo to exclude the state of entropy in the society. Ando aims to discover the central point of the site in which dwellers orientates themselves in the world. Peter Zumthor looks at architecture with a poetic quality, his works are elegantly designed with light to embrace and materials to sense. In this regard, he often described his architecture as a thin membrane of human being, the tangibility, smell or the temperature are the unique characteristics varies from architecture to architecture. It is important to integrate architecture with its site contexts, as if architecture is a kind of covering for man, it should be able to naturally unite with surrounding landscape for an individuals comfortable being. Le Corbusier described architecture as a machine for living which creates order in life. His modernism architecture designs are living cameras, for observing the landscape as he believes that the source of inestimable benefit must be grasped and choose the best of the whole. In another word, Corbusier presents nature without integrating architecture, however, using architecture as a frame to capture the desired scene as a background painting. Although, this ideology often makes a site becomes placelessness but it is still a powerful move and adaptable for the right purpose. The gathering of these architecture inspirations, this architecture focus on how to blur the ‘Thick Line’ between internal and external spaces. All spaces will be designed in respect to individuals desire interaction with other, for example, learning artistic and crafty piece with other occupants in a group or planting vegetations in the garden. This is introduces a basic form of social inclusion which then allows the conversations to occur. The fundamental rule of this design process is to consider how could inform occupants that these spaces are safe for them to engage with another, especially in the consultation rooms. Therefore, an interlude space should be considered, a room that is absence in particular purpose other than for individuals to feel ready in this new community hub. Since Roseangle is off the central city centre, the surrounding environment will effectively avoid tourists. However, Roseangle is part of the Conservation Area, it could attract a certain attention from anyone who are interests in history. Therefore, the purpose with this newly proposed Art Therapy Centre is to change the stereotype of an institutionalised well-being centre, as well as to bring Dundee’s art and design associated culture for this area. The proposal has derived from the principle of Labyrinth and Engawa, these is fundamental features for regulating the circulations of the overall building. The chosen site is at the lower end of Roseangle, the surroundings contexts provides a wide view towards the Firth of Tay. The purpose of employing Engawa feature is to re-create vistas inside the building like all Roseangle lanes does, they are ever-changing frames for views throughout seasons. The appearance of the building from Roseangle Road will be presented in the form of old and new. The traditional sandstone brick façade blend with the rest of the buildings on the street while the new extensions performs itself in a friendly manner. In a short distance, this community centre mimics Perth Road’s shop front buildings, as it is introduced by the public café and art gallery to inform the intention of social inclusion with rest of the area without a limitation. The architecture is created where health, comfort and happiness can be achieved and maintained.

Louis Kahn declared the process in making architecture is through a series of ‘The Space of Ideas’. He focus on constrains the relationship between indoor and outdoor rooms which conducive to a mediation environment. This concept helps him to breakdown each rooms in geometric orders, within the simplicity of his organisation, Kahn inspired to create a complex content by abstraction. His spatial arrangement is often follows having a large centre for serving and rooms for servant spaces, indicates distinct and logical circulation, achieved a comfortable and calm ‘society’.

Architecture has ascendancy to influence the society, in which and alter the identity of a place. Transformation in dwelling is to change city and to reform society. An environment created by architecture can authorise the quality of a well-being society. This project aims to explore ideas in strict manners and principles which controls the outcome of spatial qualities, a friendly environment to enhance the ability of basic crafting, learning and communication. Therefore, this brief breaks down into ‘A Series of Rooms’ for their own unique uses, in order to construct a comfortable community, whether looking at it as multiple entities or as a whole.