CONTEMPORARY DESIGN THEORIES
The module emphasis is placed on the specific contextual situations and cultural and philosophical contexts in which those theories arose, and ultimately how they were represented within the domain of interior architectural embodiment. It is organised predominantly as a chronological survey, which clearly identifies particular trains of thought in their continuity and transformation throughout history. Students will become generally conversant in the principles of central theories, and will understand their terms and references. Through readings, lectures, and tutorial sessions, students will acquire the literacy required to perceive and articulate contemporary theoretical standpoints, and will refine their research and writing skills through independent research into a particular aspect of recent interior architectural theory and history related to their concurrent studio design project. Close attention will be paid to the exchange between practice and theory and the relevance of the discussed theories to the formation of current circumstances, and to the place of interior architecture within contemporary culture as a whole.
PROJECT 1 - ARCHITECTURAL MANIFESTO
In this project, we were required to write a 400 - 500 word report (excluding Annotated Bibliography) of our chosen topic and discuss the core of these architectural manifestos. I was assigned with The Power of Limits, by Gyorgy Doczi.
PROJECT 2 - Case Study Presentation (Utopian Paradise)
In a group of 4 students, we were to share our ideas and discoveries in a way that gives presentation participants an opportunity for discussion. The act of investigating sources, digesting information, and summarising our design practice as a whole helped us to develop our confidence in handling information, making useful notes, diagrams, illustration and presenting an argument. Our chosen topic was The Experimental City in Minnesota. Below are the outcomes of this project.
STYLESCAPE BOARD
PRESENTATION BOARDS
PROJECT 3 - Final Essay ( Dissecting Frames )
We were required to write an in-depth critical evaluation of spatial design of a motion picture for about 2300 – 2500 words. We focused on one motion picture of our interest that has a worthy spatial design to be subjected for a study - with the correlation of subject, period and figure with interior design, visual narrative and spatial illusion. Then, we were to analyze what we've learned. It opened up the opportunity to explore diverse point of view in reviewing the study materials. We established our own narrative and context of study, reflected the sensitivity of analyzing spaces in motion picture and maturity in understanding the concept of space in relation to other component of storytelling or experience delivery. In this project, we also developed our confidence in handling information, making useful notes, diagrams, illustration and presenting an argument.
I enjoyed this module as it helped me to understand the various issues underpinning design practice and the design process. I am able to describe and explain the fundamental principles of philosophy, theory and methodology in relation to interior architecture, including current design methodologies and techniques by now. I could develop and apply a level of information literacy that allows for the perception and articulation of particular contemporary theoretical standpoints and describe the extent to which design philosophy impacts the production of design.