Design of a recreation centre (Guang Jun, Calvin, Kai Chek, Sue Lun)

Design of a recreation centre

Who are the user of the recreation centre? (Decide on the Target Audience.) What are the needs of the user? (Decide on the facilities needed at the recreation centre.)

• Elderly

The elderly are usually free and do not have anything to do during the day. Hence, they the recreational centre would be able to serve as a place for them to spend time with their friends and relieve their boredom. Also, elderly friendly exercise corners would provide the elderly with places to exercise and stay healthy, an important factor in Singapore’s ageing society. The elderly would need ramps and supports to aid them when they are walking. Lifts and slip proof flooring should also be available.

• Students

After a long day at school, they would be able to engage in sports with their friends. This group of people would want a sports corner/courts to be engaged actively in games as a form of enjoyment and de-stressing method. Fast food restaurants should be included as they would want a quick meal before/after engaging in physical activities.

• Families

After spending time with their family, they would be able to sit down for a meal and catch up with each other. They would want a family-friendly restaurant which is casual but with decent food(not fast food). Gyms should also be included for parents to relax.

How do you think you can attract people to the recreation centre? What are the factors of considerations?

• Diversity (All ages)
• Aesthetics

Materials- Glass and wood coverings add in a touch of nature into the urban city.

Unique conical shape attracts people.

How would you make use of the space to build the recreation centre and why? (You need to consider the layout at different floors, inside and outside the building. Also consider the

movement flow of the user. )

• Three stories-- 1st floor(Basketball courts, exercise corners), 2nd floor (Eateries, restaurants, badminton courts), 3rd floor (Gym with glass walls and scenery)

Sketch

What makes a good architecture design?

A good building should satisfy the three principles of firmitas, utilitas, venustas, which translate roughly as –

• Durability – it should stand up robustly and remain in good condition.
• Utility – it should be useful and function well for the people using it
• Beauty – it should delight people and raise their spirits.

Good architecture design is not all about coming up with an innovative, visually appealing building. Good designs have to be adapted to the environment, which should be used to bring out the uniqueness of the building. Besides that, it has to be able to serve its purpose and be adaptable to the seasons if required. Also, the design should not strike out the environment it is in but enhance it, giving it a new dimension made possible only by a good architecture design. Of course, the design has to be sustainable and sturdy to provide safety- of upmost importance, to the users. A design that encompasses all these is then, a truly good architecture design.

Evaluation of buildings

- Great Pyramids of Giza

Openness to different user groups and functions

It is used as a tomb and a tourist site. It served it's use of protecting the Pharaohs' corpses by being sturdy as it is still standing after many centuries.

Adaptability to new conditions/situations

Few changes are allowed as moving the massive stones will take a huge amount of labour.

Physical basis for other functions

Maze of corridors inside which helps to prevent easy accessibility to the 'sacred' pharaoh's corpse.

Site Design

Edges and enclosure

Surrounded by sand, located in a desert.

Landmark character

It was the tallest man made building for 3800 years and is a public landmark.

Detailed design and materials

Materials and their use

Use of huge stones makes it sturdy and sustainable and it is still standing after thousands of years.

Colour

It's original coating of white a gold stands out in the brown sands surrounding it.

Aesthetics

- Magnificent with it's original gold white covering. With it's simple design on the outside, it is a timeless, visually appealing building.

Conclusion

Located in a barren place, ideal for a royal tomb, and it is a good architecture design as it is sustainable enough to save it's purpose of protecting the pharaoh's corpse. The maze like passageways also prevents burglars from stealing the valuables kept inside.

References

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture

- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza