BUILDING MATERIALS

THIS IS WHERE I LEARN TO RESEARCH STUFF

ABOUT BUILDING MATERIALS

It is also known as BMat to our batch. This module intends to inform us of the relevant visual and physical properties of a wide range of building materials. It also encompass the broad environmental debate by including energy saving and recycled materials. For each materials the module describes the manufacturing process, salient properties and typical uses of these materials, with the aim of ensuring their appropriate application within the awareness of the suitability of the physical and chemical properties as well as its ecological impact. Students will undergo a series of continuous assessments such as project and test to ascertain the objective and outcome of the module is achieved.

MY TEAM MEMBERS THROUGHOUT ALL PROJECTS

CHEAH HUA SUEN

KHOO CHEE KEAT

YAP CHIN FENG

LIM SHYN ERN

LOOI KYE MENG

Presentation board 1	Presentation board 2

PROJECT 1: THE ARCHITECT'S BUILDING

Building materials are varies in building construction. The choice of materials used is important in order to distinguish the appearance of a particular buildings. This project is designed as an introduction to building materials that are universally used in the construction industry. Hence, we are required to choose any one of our favourite architect together with the architect’s building as a case study. This exercise aims in helping the students to explore and understand the building materials in terms of its characters, properties and its impact to the building design in general.

In a group of 6-7, we are to conduct a case study based on a building selected of the chosen respective architect. The selection of architects and buildings can be from any particular time or age. We are to provide information on the following task:
1. Identify the types of materials used in the building design. (Any THREE significant materials)
2. Characteristics of the materials, structural, & aesthetical.
3. Suitability of materials for the building design.
4. Expression of materials towards the building design.

We chose PJ Trade Centre for our case study and the architect that designed this building is called Kevin Mark Low. This is a building that won several PAM Awards for 2011. It is a building with green design. The three main materials used for this building is over-burnt red mud bricks, concrete and concrete vent blocks. One of the green features of this building is that one of the facade of this building is built using concrete vent blocks and it is used as a natural air ventilation system. It can cool the whole building as wind blow through it.

Mood board	Presentation board 1	Presentation board 2
Individual board

PROJECT 2: BUILDING MATERIALS: AN EXPERIENTIAL EXPLORATION

This assignment is designed to introduce building materials that are commonly used in the construction industry. The spaces or building selected to study will allow one to understand the reasoning behind choices made by architects / designers in terms of concepts, functions, environmental response, structural requirement, availability of resources and etc. when selecting or proposing building materials for the building design.

In a group of 6, we are to select an exciting commercial building that can give us experience in exploring most
of the building materials covered in the module. There are TWO main task need to be carried out for this project which are as follows:

TASK A: GROUP PART (3 A2-size Presentation Board)

1. Brief Introduction of the selected building & reason for selecting the space
2. Mood Board (without using any words or description).
3. Identification of Materials
4. Application of Materials (minimum 15 types of materials)
- The physical and chemical properties of these materials
- Explain the suitability of material used in context to concept, occupancy, application, climate
and aesthetical value.

TASK B: INDIVIDUAL PART (1 A2-size Presentation Board)
1. Experiential analysis between the Materials & Spaces
- Design Intention & Concept: How that has influenced selection of materials?
- Space Analysis: Experience within the space.
- How the material selection and its application within the space affect users’ experience?
- How the building design and concept influence the selection of materials?
- Include relevant sketches, photographs to support your analysis (Sketches, photographs etc.)

For group, we chose Starhill Gallery for our case study and for the individual part I chose a restaurant within the shopping mall called The Fisherman's Cove. It is a restaurant with a traditional-fisherman-village theme. The restaurant have a southeast asian fisherman village ambience. The materials used for this restaurant is bamboo, Mahogany wood, transparent sailcloth, timber, stone, concrete tiles and glass. All these materials used are to create these ambiance. the flooring are made of mahogany wood and the partition of this restaurant is made of transparent sailcloth which makes this restaurant feel like a fisherman's boat. Plus the handle and the roof of the booths are made of bamboo.

TAYLOR’S GRADUATE CAPABILITIES (TGC)

Throughout this module, I have learnt a few things. First of all, I learned to about the physical and chemical properties of materials and also their characteristics. This is good for me when I'm working with my projects as I already know which materials is suitable for my design. This is how I can put theories into my practices. I also learned how to extract, locate, synthesize and utilize information effectively when I studied about the chemical and physical properties of the materials.

Next, I have learnt to think critically and creatively and also define and analyze problems to arrive at effective solutions, especially when I need to identify the materials used for the building or site and analyze the problems associated with different materials used. This can critically effect the building design and functions. Then, I understood about team dynamics and mobilized the power of teams. Both of the projects are group projects and team dynamic is important. Without the power of team, the projects would be hard to be completed within the period of time given if they were to be done alone.

Lastly, I have learnt how to work with ICT and related technology. I have learned how to use Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create our presentation boards. I also learned to use internet to do my research on materials.