D E S IG N 1: S E E I N G, T H I N K I N G, M A K I N G
Wu Yen Yen
Any form of architectural representation is a three-fold process.
Design 1 Year Leader, Unit 1 Leader First: it is important to have a thorough understanding of the nature Yong Sy Lyng
of the content that is to be communicated. This encompasses a grasp
Unit 2 Leader
of the subject’s strengths, values and underlying operating principles; the time and place in the cultural, social, geographical spheres in which
Liang Lit How
this subject is situated; and its underpinnings in broader architectural
Unit 3 Leader
thoughts, beliefs and discourse. To this end, seeing is an exercise in observing, deciphering and reassessing information into an individual cognitive understanding. Going beyond mere looking—or casting one’s eye upon an object—seeing is the perception of a subject within a thought framework. Second, strategising and formulating a conceptual vehicle that conveys this original assessment—its representation—is a rigorous design thinking process that combines a critical summation of the salient points of the subject matter with individual observation, into a new syntax that encapsulates even more, finer subtleties. Lastly, making is the ability to formalise a largely intangible cognitive thought process of seeing and thinking, into a tangible mode of communication to others, conveying one’s insights in the most succinct, effective way possible; inviting critique, input and ultimately, use. The best outcomes are those that result from an incisive seeing and thinking through of resource materials, and from the making of an original architectural representation that is able to contribute to new dialogues on how these subjects are now seen and thought of. This iterative process of perception and representation is then able to come full circle, producing new interpretations and informing us of new ways to see and think. Design 1 is about imparting ways of seeing, thinking and making, to students through graphical and formal vocabularies, and to introduce a variety of ideas on approaching design, expression and representation. Image: John Chew Geromino Jr, AY19/20 AR1101 Studio work
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