ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN V
ARC60608/60306
PHASE 1
PHASE 1
Preliminary studies – Townscape Appraisal & Mini Urban Intervention
(15% GROUP)
PROJECT BRIEF
INTRODUCTION
The first project, Preliminary Studies, serves as an introductory exercise focused on understanding the character of a town or city and the role of architecture in place-making through a Townscape Assessment. This project aims to analyze the character, identity, and uniqueness of an urban area in order to identify opportunities for developing responsive architectural design and place-making–driven urban spaces within the selected site. It introduces students to the core principles of urban design by examining the overall “content” of the urban context.
Townscape appraisal is a systematic approach to evaluating the visual and aesthetic qualities of an urban area, focusing on its character, identity, and distinctiveness, as well as its strengths, weaknesses, and potential for enhancement. The Preliminary Studies involve a townscape appraisal based on nine key indicators, including genius loci, character, identity, image, and sense of place, along with townscape qualities such as unity and relationships, supported by SWOT analysis. The study is conducted at both macro and micro scales, providing a comprehensive understanding of the site. The resulting documentation equips students with a strong contextual foundation for the design work to be undertaken throughout the semester.
TASKS
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Townscape appraisal examines how streets and urban spaces are visually perceived and experienced, emphasizing relationships between urban elements.
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The concept, popularized by Gordon Cullen, focuses on visual drama, unity, and the art of relationship within the urban fabric.
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The appraisal evaluates physical, visual, social, and cultural qualities to identify a town’s character, identity, strengths, and weaknesses.
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Analysis is carried out at two scales: macro (city context, routes, legibility, and urban role) and micro (in-fill sites and surrounding public spaces in Brickfields).
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Macro studies relate the site to wider urban strategies such as the KL Structural Plan 2040 and theories of urbanism.
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Micro-site studies involve detailed data collection and analysis of immediate site conditions.
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Mini Urban Interventions propose small-scale design actions within a 15–20 m radius to activate underutilized public spaces and strengthen community life.
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Final submissions include townscape appraisal studies, urban intervention proposals, A1 presentation panels, a 1:200 site model, and a short explanatory video.
Deliverables (per tutorial group)
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Townscape appraisal documentation
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Urban intervention proposals
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A1 panels
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1:200 micro-site model
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Short video presentation
OUTCOME (DOCUMENTATION)
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Analyze and interpret urban contexts through theoretical inquiry to identify the conditions that shape the street’s place-making qualities.
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Examine and evaluate key urban conditions to develop architectural strategies that engage urban communities while adhering to relevant design codes and regulatory requirements.
OUTCOME (VIDEO)
1.0 Discipline Specific Knowledge
3.0 Thinking And Problem Solving Skills
Engaging with this project deepened my understanding of how architecture and urban design operate not just as physical constructs, but as tools to shape social interaction, memory, and everyday life within a city.
This project strengthened my ability to analyze complex urban situations and translate insights into practical, context-sensitive design solutions that respond to both people and place.
REFLECTION
This project gave me the chance to really connect with Brickfields—not just as a collection of streets and buildings, but as a living, breathing place shaped by memory, movement, and everyday life. Through the townscape appraisal, I learned to read the city on many levels—historical, cultural, spatial, and social—using ideas from Kevin Lynch, Gordon Cullen, and Bentley. Tracing the evolution of Brickfields from the big-picture changes down to the small details of backlanes, street corners, and spillover activities made me realize how theory can come alive when we look closely at real urban life. I also became more aware of the push and pull between old and new, permanence and change, especially how KL Sentral’s superblock disrupted the fine-grained street life but also brought new energy and movement.
The mini urban intervention phase pushed me to move from observation to action. Designing small, realistic interventions—like activating hidden backlanes, rethinking the underpass, or creating pedestrian loops—taught me that meaningful change doesn’t always come from grand gestures. Sometimes it’s about creating small moments of pause, comfort, and connection in people’s daily routines.
This project also strengthened my collaborative and analytical skills. I learned how to take a lot of complex data and weave it into a story that makes sense, while proposing strategies that respect the community and the city’s rhythms. Overall, I feel my understanding of architecture has grown: it’s not just about buildings, but about the spaces between them, and how they mediate the way people move, gather, and experience a place. It reminded me that good design comes from empathy, awareness, and a sense of responsibility to both people and place.