MJ | Architecture
Asian Architecture
Project Part A: Contextual Architecture Study
In the first part of the project, we were required to have a contextual architecture study of a building of choice. The study aims to allow us to understand the chosen the building and how the building relates with its context, whether it blends it or contrasts from the site. The need for the study is important as then we understand how a well-designed building is able to apprehend the problem at the site and allow the building to be part of the area rather than being an odd ball.
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As for my group, a total 6 people, we decided to study on the museum designed by I.M. Pei: Suzhou Museum. Suzhou Museum originates from the Taiping Zhongwangfu Palace Complex and has shifted to a new site in favour for a proper allocated space for the artifacts and information. The current site sits adjacent to the Humble Administrator's Garden and the Zhongwangfu Mansion, both having a history of more than a century and holds great sense of vernacular Chinese architecture. As such, Suzhou Museum was well thought of and designed to allow the building to suit the current epoch yet allowing it to blend into its context.
Project Part B: Case Study Paper
The second part of the project is a more in-depth study of the building where a specific part of the building is taken into consideration as the highlight of a case study paper.
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Suzhou Museum is designed from a vernacular siheyuan design which uses a specific courtyard design layout. This courtyard design is of vernacular essence but the building has its own modern twist to it to allow the building to stand out as well.
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At the same time, due to the adjacent 16th-century garden, the courtyard features a garden as well. Hence the courtyard has a mix courtyard design, with the typical layout and essence of a vernacular Suzhou Garden.
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Thus the courtyard shows a variety of interesting elements and researching on it allows us to understand it better.
