CHINATOWN
ARTS HUB
PROCESS BOOK
CONTENTS
4
design pedagogy & brief
6
summary of chinatown analysis
11
site analysis 1.0
23
concept generation
43
submission 1.0
53
further research
63
final submission
| design studio 2 | design studio 2
| design studio 2 | design studio 3
| design studio 3
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"An art centre is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practices and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for musical performances, workshop areas, educational facilities, technical equipment, etc" - evans, g. (2001) 'amenity planning and arts centre', Chapter 4 of Cultural Planning: an urban renaissance? London, Routledge
DESIGN PEDAGOGY An institutional building design is challenged to transcend from its utilitarian spaces and rituals into assemblies for shared experiences of a community that can excapsulate the imaginative and unexpected spatial and experiential forms.
DESIGN BRIEF The design of the primer project - a nomadic urban pavilion, aims to nurture a collaborative culture between arts and audience, community and events, experience and space. the transient space bridges the temporary events/retails to the permanent Arts Hub which aims to have a reciprocated connection towards Arts, key activities and spaces to address the contextual issues of the surrounding site at Chinatown precinct. The finale of the Arts Hub project is a developed design scheme (from ds2) which demonstrates the architectural exploration, spaces and experience(s) instilled in the lives of a community.
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map of chinatown
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM ALL DIVISIONS Prior to the commencement of the Arts Hub Project, the class conducted a combined analysis to have a better understanding of Chinatown as a whole. Our findings are summarized below. Division 1 The majority of the residents are chinese and are between the ages of 40-60 years old. The older folks can be found chatting in hawker centres. There is a convenient shop located at Upper Barracks and a canteen at the Straits Student Hostel area at the foot of the hill. Beauty parlors, tatoo shops and commercial offices such as Interior design firms are present within the division. From the interviews conducted, some residents felt that there should be more medical facilities which will greatly benefit the aging population in the area. a significant observation was that there is a poor connection to Pearl's Hill due to the lack of a systematic route and pathway system. Division 2 Many elderly congregate to play Chinese chess and have conversations in this area. The traditional trades present includes several cobblers and pushcart ice-cream vendors.
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Division 3 This is a 'must-go' place for tourists as it caters more towards them along with the presence of hostels and sovenier shops. We noticed that there are very few traditional trades such as signboard crafting, calligraphy and tea merchandizing. The Art and Cultural galleries have to be commercialized to compete with the current market. One such gallery which is seen as a modern intervention is the Utterly Art Gallery which showcases Singaporean & South East Asia Art pieces. Other galleries have since moved towards the "pop-up" model and deemed permanent spaces for exhibitions are unnecessary. This division is also a centre of activity for the elderly where they gather to take up calligraphy lessons, sing karaoke and perform 'Taichi'. Hence, the Arts Hub may serve as an introduction to the trades and activities carried out within this district. Division 4 The question that we have to constantly ask ourselves is "How might we attract minority groups while respecting the local community & culture?" The Kreta Ayer community centre cum theatre is currently the venue for many chinese and cantonese opera performances. Hence, the Arts Hub has to take into consideration of such programmatic schemes and to respect the exisiting Art galleries and theatres. The Singapore Hok San Association lion dance troupe mentioned the need to have a proper space for them to practice their performances where noise can be contained so as to not disturb the residents living in the area.
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Division 5 The programmes of activities present in this division ranges from cafes, bars and restaurants to education centres, antique shops, business firms, spa/hair salons, tattoo shops and medicinal stores. the picturesque background of the shophouses and green spots make Duxton Hill an ideal location for photoshoots. We noticed the fact that most restaurants are situated along the perimeters of the buildings so as to be in sight of the public. The Duxton Community Centre conducts many different programmes for the residents such as the Art of Finger Painting, Karaoke singing workshops, Potrait drawings/sketching classes , cantonese opera classes, chinese dance classes, guzheng courses and recreational folk dance classes. From the interviews, we deduced that CHinatown's Duxton Hill has a unique mix of western and Eastern cultures. This is one point which makes SIngapore's Chinatown unique as compared to other countries'. An interviewee suggested that the Arts Hub should incorporate the existing culture and should not be something that is totally modern. He also added on that the programmes have to evolve on a monthly basis. Therefore, a question that we should keep in mind is "How can the Arts Hub then allow the public to change the programmes to cater to their own needs?"
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DESIGN STUDIO 2
SITE ANALYSIS 1.0
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SITE Revisiting the conservation site of Lower Barracks at Chinatown, the selected site is flanked by Eu Tong Sen Street and Pearl's Hill Terrace. The site is located along one of the major roads in Chinatown with a number of modern Chinatown landmarks such as the Neo-Classical style Lower Barracks, previously served as the policemen's quarters which was completed in 1934, the people's park complex, the majestic and shop houses located across the street. The proposed design will ultimately react and capture the contextual essence of the site. The following pages depict the site analysis findings in various diagrams.
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DESIGN STUDIO 2
CONCEPT GENERATION PROGRAMME OF SPACES STIMULI & CONCEPT BUBBLE DIAGRAMS SKETCHES
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SPATIAL PROGRAMMING Multi-Purpose Theatre/Hall Foyer & Reception Area Performing/Workshop Black Box Multi-Purpose Studios/Spaces (min. 2) Music Studios (min. 4) Gallery Space(s) Seminar/ Meeting Spaces (min. 4) Project Studios (min. 10) Ceramic Studios (min. 2) F&B Retail Management Office Storage Male/ Female/ Handicapped Toilets Back-of-house Services Amphitheatre Lawn(s) Other considerations: Library/ Resource Centre Sheltered/ Open-sided Square Outdoor Exhibitions, etc.
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min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min. min.
300 sq.m. 50 sq.m. 150 sq.m. 120 sq.m. each 30 sq.m. each 150 sq.m. 70 sq.m. each 30 sq.m. each 40 sq.m each 100 sq.m. 120 sq.m. 60 sq.m 90 sq.m.
STIMULI & CONCEPT The initial choice of stimuli was the Chinese Calligraphy. Like a dancer, the strokes are written rhythmically and the final form is often unplanned and unanticipated. Even so, it has a form of order and inflection. It is fluid, chaotic and random, yet choreographed and intentional. Each of the lines mimic some sort of energy. "The form can change radically. Chinese Arts or space does not follow a single arc, there are always several narratives running in paralllel to the main storey. Things unfold, then disappear, then re-appear" The focus was on the Semi Cursive Script, also known as "Xing Shu" in Chinese. Developed by Liu De Sheng in the late Han Dynasty, It was the last of the five core scripts to evolve. He modified the wave strokes in the early cursive script, "Zhang Cao" and reduced the lengths of the wave strokes in the clerical scripts. The characters are allowed to run into each other. The brush leaves the paper less often, creating characters which are more angular and round. This gave rise to the concept of layering and overlapping of floor plates to create an interesting movement of the visitors as though they are the strokes, drifting fluidly through the spaces. The goal is to attract youths and to inject them into the area with an aging population to create greater awareness to their living environment. This will be achieved by having new and engaging spaces but at the same time having a sense of familiarity of spaces for the residents living in the area.
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bubble diagrams 1
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overlay of bubble diagrams 2
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ideation sketches
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ideation sketches
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draft plans for design 1
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draft plans for design 1
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exterior perspectives for design 1
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exterior perspectives for design 1
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elevations of design 1
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interior perspectives for design 1
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further ideation sketches
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further ideation sketches
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research references from francis d.k ching book: form, space & order
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research references from francis d.k ching book: form, space & order Chinatown Arts Hub |
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basement 1 plan
1st floor plan
draft plans for design 2
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2nd floor plan
3rd floor plan
roof plan draft plans for design 2 Chinatown Arts Hub |
DESIGN STUDIO 2
SUBMISSION 1.0 PERSPECTIVES PLANS MODEL
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exterior perspective from entrance plaza of arts hub
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basement 1 floor plan
basement 2 floor plan
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perspective from calligraphy deck of arts hub
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1st floor plan
2nd floor plan
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perspective from gallery of arts hub
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3rd floor plan
site with roof plan
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aerial view: model of arts hub
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entrance view: model of arts hub
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DESIGN STUDIO 3
FURTHER RESEARCH STIMULI IDEAS & SKETCHES
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STIMULI The initial choice of stimuli - the Chinese Calligraphy is too broad a topic. Hence, I have chosen to focus mainly on the Chinese Water Calligraphy. Chinese Calligraphy itself is a dissapearing act. Needless to say, the Chinese Water Calligraphy too. For one, it is rarely seen in Singapore, hence there is a sense of novelty should we introduce it here. Chinese Water Calligraphy rose to popularity in Bei Jing, China in the 1990s. It consists of both the static regular and the highly cursives styles, convoking the whole body into a spontaneous dance and infinite formal renewals. There are three elements or rather, tools required in practice - a large square to write on, brushes made of sticks and foam sponges, known as "Bai Yuan" and most importantly, water. The Chinese Water Calligraphy is a value added activity which mainly involves the elderly, retirees and their grandchildren. It strengthens the relationships between the grandparents and grandchildren; neighbours ; and strangers. there is a unique private and cultural education occuring within a community. Chinese water Calligraphy is also good for health in the sense that it adjusts emotions and keep a harmony of body and mentality; it shows the inner heart and cultivates internality of a human kind. In addition, it also strengthens mental tranquility which could strengthen the will power to avoid harm of mental trouble to the body. In this way, it has an equal effect to that of the "Qi Gong" and "tai Ji" shadowboxing.
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"The straighter the body and the farther the hand is removed from the hip of the brush, the more difficult the gesture that produces the calligraphy, marking the artists with higher level of mastery."
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further ideation sketches & notes
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further ideation sketches & notes
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further ideation formal sketches
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public plaza of the arts hub
DESIGN STUDIO 3
FINAL SUBMISSION SITE RESPONSE DIAGRAMS CONCEPT WRITE-UP CONCEPTUAL DIAGRAMS DRAWINGS PERSPECTIVES MODEL
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site analysis diagrams
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site analysis diagrams
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site analysis diagrams
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CONCEPT The Chinatown Arts Hub is juxtapositioned in front of the existing green hostel. It was greatly inspired by the Chinese Water Calligraphy that articulates the dynamism and rhythmic qualities of the strokes. The spaces within the Arts Hub are layered such that overlooking and interlocking spaces are created. This allows for physical and visual connectivity where there is a continuous circulation of spaces. Its curvilinear form creates an opened and engaging plaza towards the building. The Arts Hub aims to become an inspiring place where people pulsate to and enjoy Arts as an entity. Chinese Water Calligraphy, or 'Di Shu' involves the push and pull movement of the human body as strokes are drawn with the mediums- water and brush. The third element involved is the existing low water retention tiles which acts as the plane for words to be written on. The quality of 'temporary' is highly significant where the water evaporates over time. This quality is shown in the flexibility of certain spaces within the Arts Hub, such as the seminar rooms where they can be transformed into extensions of the exhibition space. Practitioners start off with regular static styles before mastering the cursive forms Hence, programs such as Project Rooms, Music Studios, and other learning spaces are placed in the static part of the compound. Upon mastering the skills, artists will then perform in the 'dynamic' new wing where performing spaces are situated, such as the Theatre, Black Box and Galleries.
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conceptual diagrams
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conceptual diagrams
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conceptual diagrams
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conceptual diagrams
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grand staircase towards water calligraphy deck and gallery 1
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elevation from pearl's hill terrace road
elevation from eu tong sen street
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elevation from lower barracks
elevation from pearl's hill
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view from reception lobby
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view from gallery 2 towards outdoor viewing deck
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detail drawings
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massing models of arts hub starting from left: design studio 2 final design studio 3 interim design studio 3 final
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aerial view: final model of arts hub project
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exterior view from eu tong sen street
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exterior view from entrance of arts hub
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exterior view from pearl's hill terrace road
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night exterior view from eu tong sen street
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FIN
A PROJECT BY SHERRY GOH NGEE ANN POLYTECHNIC 2016