Studio (Un)Real: Narrative Architecture v1

Studio (Un)Real: Narrative Architecture v2 explores how music translates into architecture. As the 18th-century writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe stated, “Music is liquid architecture and Architecture is frozen music”. The repeating columns of a building’s structure, the layering of its floorplates, and the tactile experience of its materials. These qualities occur similarly in music too, as stanza repetitions, notes layering, and tonal textures. This first year architecture studio is structured in four phases: Translating music into an experience, developing a fictitous site, exploring experiences through different design mediums, and executing an architectural pavilion design.

In Phase 1 Idea, we ask the question: How do you translate an idea into a process brief for a design? During this three weeks, students learn to:

• describe a piece of music using qualities also found in describing architecture,
• examine architectural precedent studies and annotate the music/architectural qualities,
• create quick section sketches to explore these qualities, and
• present their music-to-space design through five architectural posters.

In Phase 2 Situate, we ask: how do you represent a site? In this three weeks, students learn to:

• create a 2D site contour design,
• create and annotate site maps,
• transform the 2D site contour into a 3D isometric site diagram, and
• digitally fabricate the site design, and
• present their site design process through three site posters and their physical model.

In Phase 3 Explore, we ask: how do you explore and communicate design processes through different techniques? In this three weeks, students learn to:

• make physical models to explore design through spatial proportions,
• use photography to test and capture spatial and lighting sequences in their models,
• create one-point perspective collages to explore how materiality influences an interior space, and
• create a circulation diagram to explore how individuals move through different spaces.

In Phase 4 Execute, students complete their architectural pavilion designs through the application and practice of techniques introduced over the semester. They also present their design process and outcome through twelve architectural posters and their physical models.

• keywords: concept design; narrative architecture; small-scale architecture; architectural pavilion
• with: Nadia Anam, Awnili Shabnam, Nabila Afif
• year: August 2023 – November 2023

Subject details

In this subject, students learn about design methods for creating small-scale architectural pavilions, using 2D drafting and 3D modeling for idea communication. They also gain knowledge of structures and sustainability, articulate their design intentions, and understand key concepts in architectural history, color theories, and planning.

• for: Swinburne University of Technology, Bachelor of Design (Architecture)
• subject: Architectural Design Studio 1