The objective of this group assignment, "Site Analysis & Design Response," is to develop a comprehensive understanding of the context for Projects 1B and 1C. Working in assigned tutorial groups, students will visit the site to assess both the physical and intangible qualities that define its character. By engaging with site users, the group will identify the community's needs. As part of the Design Response phase, students will collaborate within their tutorial group to create a new plan for the designated site area, designing a Neighborhood Park Plan that will serve as the foundation for Project 1C: Neighborhood Learning Centre.
In this group assignment, we were given the task of conducting a comprehensive research study on a site chosen by our lecturer, which in our case was the neighborhood park in USJ14. The main focus of the assignment was to develop a deep understanding of site analysis. To achieve this, the entire class was divided into teams, and within each team, we were further separated into five subgroups, each responsible for handling different aspects of the analysis. These subgroups included "Site Drawing," "Social Content," "Natural Features & Man-made Features," "Circulation & Access," and "Site Atmosphere & Character." I was assigned to the "Social Content" group, where my primary responsibility was to interview local residents to gather insights about the site’s history, its usage, and the community's needs and preferences. This firsthand information was crucial, as it helped us understand the social dynamics of the site. All the data collected by the subgroups was then pooled together and shared among the entire class to ensure a holistic understanding of the site.
After the data collection phase, our next step was to redesign the Kebun Komuniti USJ 14. This involved incorporating the needs, suggestions, and preferences of the local community into our design. We aimed to create a space that would serve the community better and enhance their interaction with the environment. Following this, we collaboratively worked on creating detailed presentation slides and boards to visually communicate our proposed site plan. After finalizing our design, we presented our suggested site plan at Kebun Komuniti USJ 14, showcasing our ideas and how they would meet the needs of the local community. This project not only allowed us to apply our theoretical knowledge to a real-world setting but also emphasized the importance of community engagement in the design process.