Phenomenology of Place
Based on your current design project on which you are working on. Discuss the characteristics of the project in regards of it having a “phenomenology of place”. How does your work illustrate a sense of being “place-based” or does it focus on “placelessnesss”.
Based on the article by Christian Norburg-Shulz, “Phenomenology of place” described as how natural and constructed environments, works together as a set of complex and “concrete phenomena”, which affect human perceptions, experiences, and emotions. “Concrete phenomena”, describe as what content of existing selected site “given” to us, can be human, nature environment and etc. Preferably, “place” is actually more than just an abstract location of site or it’s immediate context. In fact, it represent as “physical thing”, to determine environmental factor, or essence of a place.
Genius loci, In Roman mythology, defined as protective spirit of a place.
In contemporary usage, "genius loci" usually refers to a location's distinctive atmosphere, or a "spirit of place".
“spirit of place”, defined as a sense of place and it proofs that ancient man experienced their environment as consisting of definite characteristics.
The concept of "genius loci" has been discussed in modern architecture, but still is much underestimated.
“It should be on site generated form, instead of artificial or superficial, which a meaningless imposition.”
From Nouburg-Shulz, the purpose of architecture “is to help man dwell,” that “man dwells when he is able to concretize the world in buildings and things.” Which means “Man should receives the environment, and make it as focus on building and things.”
Current design project, Artist Village in Balik Pulau.
This project is mainly focus on the theme “Adaptive reuse”, which mean to reusing the existing site, in terms of building, materials, and activities. We should focus on the sense of belonging in term of structures, techtonics, materials and facade treatment for the villages and also the artists. In order to create a “spirit” and “character” of the site, i tried to emphasis the organization, spatial geometry, proximity, rhythm, boundaries of site and existing building.
This existing building originally is already an residential for artists, with vernacular architecture style, the materials selection and construction method such as 900mm height bricks wall with the timber panels wall above, concrete flooring and decking, and also traditional gable pitched roof.
First consideration is the living lifestyle of locals and their relationship with the nature surrounding. From the site analysis, we realized that the locals like to plant vegetation in their own boundary. Besides, the artist himself really appreciate nature also as his inspiration to produce art pieces. In our site boundary, obviously there are large amount of durian trees. The greenery not only provide food, but also a vision pleasure and natural ventilation for the users. As result, my idea come out which the overall building form is directly appreciate the greenery view. When the users first step to the building, they will have a visual pleasure experience which is a direct view towards the greenery.
Character of locals as the other consideration in my design, which the locals are friendly, but there is too less activities that held at the area which cause the less communication among each other. To solve the problem, I purposely remove some existing timber panels and create new spaces with totally open area (without wall, only structure stand). New material, metal grille are applied in some public space which create a sense of connection in between two different spaces. With this design idea, it creates more opportunity to connect and communicate the users and visitors in different spaces.
Besides, the material I used are mostly the local materials which is timber and bricks. As the theme is adaptive reuse, I remain mostly the existing structure and the materials. Some part of the materials that I demolish, have been reuse in the new structure. And the new facade that I design are using the bricks to create a new pattern. As a result, it creates a sense of belonging in terms of physically towards the users.
In conclusion, “A sense of belonging to a place” is always important when come to architecture design. As most of the modern architecture been substituted as “placelessness”, which mostly been industrialize and commercialize. Just simply create a building without any relevant to its surrounding environment. As a result, the users themself will feel uncomfortable and no sense of belonging toward the new buiding. As a designer and creator, should always rethink ‘a sense of belonging to a place” at the first place.
“Man’s merit do not count much if he is unable to dwell poetically, that is, to dwell in the true sense of the world”. --- Norburg Shulz
