Culture 202 class officially ended!

It is a good news for us eventhough the semester has not come to an end yet, because beginning from now, we will have less one module, no more assignments from this module anymore, which means less one burden! Architecture Culture 202 class finally ended after eleven weeks of study, research, and building an exhibition booth!

We have done quite a lot of things for this module, we put enormous amount of effort on the exhibition booth, and also a lot of money on it! Luckily, it turns out to be quite a successful outcome with the reflective effects we needed shown and amazes the lecturers. Remember in my previous post on our booth representing Barcelona Pavilion? That it is. The project took 50 percent of the whole module.

The other assignments that came alongside with the booth project is the journal article which we need to have visual montage of our booth, visuals of the building with journal article of 800 words in respective area studied on the selected building. My keyword is ‘free plan concept’ for the Barcelona Pavilion, a great masterpiece of modern architecture by Mies van der Rohe. This one costs 20 percent. Previously, there is one site visit assignment (I mentioned before in my previous post on culture site visit at Kuala Lumpur) that costs another 10 percent. Next, we need to compile few photos to be included for portfolio as a record to our exhibition booth (no marks for this one).

(The images of my journal article above are only for reference purpose, copyright reserved)

We had taken Class Test 1 previously, and eventhough it is an open book test, but all the answers required are too subjective and can’t be found from books, and we basically got low marks for that. Today was the last test, Class Test 2. Same again, it is up to us to write as many things as possible to relate back to the questions with some sketches…doesn’t expecting a better marks this time also. Luckily, each test only costs 10 percent. Hence, total 20 percent from two tests. Finished! The whole module finished, two weeks later than scheduled, but also quick enough to provide us more time to concentrate on other modules especially design after this!

Architecture Culture 202 Exhibition Booth: Barcelona Pavilion

Ahh, finally, it’s the day of exhibition for Architecture and Culture 202 (I mean yesterday, sorry for posting this late due to busy day despite this assignment is completed)…it is a group work which each group selects a building and showcases how that particular building reflects modernism in the exhibition booth.

At first, the exhibition is planned to be at the gallery at plaza, which is at second level. After considering difficulties of moving booth into that area, the location had changed to the courtyard. For my group, we had selected Barcelona Pavilion, a great masterpiece by Mies van der Rohe and we had spent around two weeks on setting up the booth for the building.

It has been really hard works and effort put on this booth, which costs us around RM4000, wow…that is too much, and crazy, right?! Yes! Indeed….we didn’t expect that the budget used is so unbearable, and now we are like in state of bankruptcy. Thanks to all the reflective materials we bought, as well as some materials that are not needed anymore. I think we are the group with most expensive booth ever.

There are only around 15 booths set up on the day of presentation, which around 20 booths should be expected. Some are very creative, very interactive and very fantastic, with good craftsmanship and brilliant ideas! Despite our booth which consists of only three planes of different qualities on a base, our booth achieved some good effects from reflection too, which is what we are aiming for!

The most important thing is that the booth must showcase Barcelona Pavilion very well, and easy to be understood! Not many people dare to walk into the space of our booth, maybe because it is too glary, reflective and maybe elegant inside…haha…we even did a booklet regarding the booth…ohh, yes, we are proud of our own masterpiece! Thumbs up to ourselves whom manage to finish it well with a good outcome and feedback as well!

Our booth is basically of three independent planes (show free plan concept) of three different qualities (tinted reflective, mirror-like, and transparent). The presentation board of five concepts including pictures and drawing are included on the clear transparent acrylic while the 3D models of column detail and free plan would be on the side of dark-tinted reflective perspex at the back to be adjacent with the board in front. The mirror-like structure at the end seems to create spatial illusion, while the column at scale 1:2 is placed at the front corner to complete the structure, especially seen as four columns by reflection.

Simple yet captivating! Less is more! Famous quote by the architect, Mies van der Rohe!

5 days 4 nights: 22nd Architectural Workshop ‘Archustic 2010’

It’s been a five tiring days for the participants attended the 22nd Architectural Workshop Year 2010 in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, themed ‘ Archustic’. The event is not only joined by local universities of architectural programmes but also of private institutions like Taylor’s University College, UCSI University, ALFA College, Twintech, and of course my university, Limkokwing University of Creative Technology.

It is only at last minute that we were able to register ourselves to the event. Hence, we don’t have much time to prepare for so many activities in the event like fashion walk, performance, booth, installation, etc. I’m in charge of booth category, which we in a group of seven had to build a booth displaying models, boards of drawings, and to showcase identity of Limkokwing University.

We only had three days to do it, and hence, the end product is not really satisfying, but at least there is a booth set up successfully, on the day when exhibition started. However, the lecturers totally dislike the idea and dismantled everything, and ordered us to set up a new one, which make us worked overnight, till 4.3oam in midnight….crazy….but the end product is worst…let it be then, it’s not my idea….it looks like a pile of rubbish…’no eyes to see’

We lost hope on all the competitions already…no time for further preparation…everything just comes up quite not smoothly…and generally, the whole workshop is a waste of time…we learnt nothing from it, in relation to architecture…we just see some works from booth and installation, and yes, our models and boards overwhelmed the others a lot…to be honest…especially in best-of-school exhibition…no need to compare…I like the UCSI booth…nice

The opening ceremony was held….officiated by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia (I forgot his name, but he is quite humourous in his speech)….another VIP we met is the current President of PAM (Persatuan Arkitek Malaysia), Boon Chee Wee. The hall where the ceremony held is called as DECTAR is so huge that it can occupies more than 2000 people at a time. There is one nice theme song of the event as well as this cute official mascot…

The most exciting part is the performance…many universities had given fantastic shows for audiences to see and feel…especially the first group, from UIAM (Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia)…wondering why they didn’t manage to win Best Performance Award. Talking about award, we basically lost hope and during award presentation night, we left early…but then, the most shocking news is that we won Best Crew in Performance (the last award of the night)…seems so important…but what does this award basically means?

The winner in performance, Universiti Malaya…

Anyway, it’s a very happy and greatest moment for all the participants, especially the performers and crews behind the stage, as well as those who had contributed to the success of the performance from our university…and also to all students who had cheered on that night of performance to bring up the atmosphere…it’s a great night!

In term of food, the food served there are in minimal quantity and with no quality….so called buffet, but is only with one meat and one vege, and rice/mee with a drink….hence, sometimes we went out to eat rather…aahh…the university is located quite near to Kajang, time to try some ‘satay’….

On the last day, we had just visited the new Taylor’s University College Lakeside Campus, which had just opened in beginning of the year. Everything looks so perfect and beautiful…the setting, the buildings, the environment, the facilities…but not the lake itself…it seems to be too small and should be rather considered as ‘pond’ rather than ‘lake’ (Chin H.K. 2010)….haha…referencing my dear friend….I love the library, it’s a four-storeys library equipped with comfortable designed seats, shelves, computers, tables, etc. Other facilities like high-class dining restaurants, cafes, studios, lecture theatres, are all in good condition and look cool….

After listening to boring talk there, the workshop ended….