Design Studio : Anatomy of Space & Serious Play

" Welcome to my presentations for my design projects in my first year of degree in Interior Architecture and Design in The One Academy! "

Design Studio 1: Anatomy of Space

In this design studio, I am designing a two-story house for Hayao Miyazaki and his wife, which will also serve as his workspace for drawing, painting, and sketching. Considering both clients are in their 80s, the interior design will prioritize seamless circulation and convenience to enhance their quality of life. The project site is located at No. 1, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur, with an approximate build-up area of 3,500 square feet.

Concept Development

The mind map above analyzes Hayao Miyazaki's personality and identifies key terms that represent him. From Mind Map A, I have decided to focus on Hayao Miyazaki's visual style and the expressive elements in his work, as they encapsulate much of his thoughts and personality. 

With this information, I came up with the keyword "connotation" to connect all the information from Mind Map A. From here, I decided to pick the words "combination" and "beauty" as the key concepts for this project.

"The Amalgamated Beauty"

"The Amalgamated Beauty" perfectly encapsulates the ideas and concepts Hayao Miyazaki aims to convey, including anti-war themes, the beauty of women, and the beauty of nature. These elements, consistently present in his films, speak on his behalf, contributing to their success and widespread acclaim as audiences are drawn in and can grasp the messages simply by watching.

The concept title becomes clearer when illustrated through a concept model. The small pieces in the model represent the various ideas, concepts, and beauties Miyazaki wishes to present to the public. These pieces gradually combine to form a strip, which eventually shapes into a sphere at the center, symbolizing the amalgamated beauty.

Design Development

Furniture & Mood Board

3D Rendered Perspectives

Various sizes and shapes of windows are incorporated into the exterior design to maximize natural sunlight during the day. In the evening, soft and warm artificial lighting is used to illuminate the space, providing sufficient light for the elderly without being too harsh.

The reading corner is specifically designed for Miyazaki's grandchildren, who visit him and his wife occasionally. The walkway connects the reading corner, kitchen, dining area, and living room, providing an alternative route between these spaces besides passing through the indoor garden.

The kitchen is designed with additional countertops and cabinets to accommodate Miyazaki's passion for cooking and baking. The round column not only conceals the existing structural column but also serves as support for the dining table.

A spiral staircase connects the ground floor to the first floor, where the workspace, library corner, mezzanine, and bedroom are situated.

The library corner, mezzanine, and working space are my favorites! I aim to draw inspiration from his movies and craft a warm, comfortable environment for him to work and read.

Presentation Board

"And with that, we reach the conclusion of my inaugural design studio project! I hope you find it to your liking."

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Design Studio 2: Serious Play

In this design studio, I am creating an office space for the local handmade shoe brand 'Machino'. Their shoes not only enhance and complete an outfit but also embody the unique cultural elements of Malaysia. By using bold colors and fabrics such as batik patterns and songket textures, they showcase the beauty and diversity of Malaysia. To achieve Machino's 3C standards—craftsmanship, creativity, and culture—all their shoes are meticulously handcrafted, ensuring each product is perfectly finished.

The office is designed to provide my clients with a versatile workspace that includes areas for design work, photo shoots, and a workshop studio. The site is located at The Five @ KPD, A-1-02 & 03, 49 Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur. The existing interior space has an area of 1,969 square feet and a ceiling height of approximately 2,500 mm. Reflecting the bold and warm aesthetic of their shoe designs and brand concept, the interior will feature a modern mid-century style.

Concept Development

In Mind Map A, I conducted an in-depth study of Machino and discovered that their brand concept and image can be encapsulated by the Hana Flower. This symbol effectively conveys messages of diversity, multiculturalism, and inclusion, as different flowers can represent various meanings and cultures. Using the keyword "flower," I further developed related ideas and concepts that align with Machino's vision. I then focused on visual elements such as the continuity of lines, curves, and needles to create the concept title and model.

" Elegance in Every Stitches "

To gain a clearer understanding of the concept title and statement, you can drag the arrow to view the concept storyboard. Essentially, it narrates how the founder of Machino discovered the Hana Flower, deconstructed it into lines and curves, and then incorporated these elements into their handcrafted shoes, resulting in unique flower patterns.

Design Development

Bubble Diagram & Design Sketches

3D Rendered Perspectives

"Reception & Lounge"

Upon entering the office, you will first encounter the lounge area, with the reception counter nearby for visitor registration. A walkway then leads to the resting area and pantry, which can be separated from the office space by closing a fabric partition, facilitating casual meetings. The mobile library serves not only as storage but also as movable compartments to maintain the privacy of the office space.

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"Resting Area & Pantry"

The resting area can also serve as a meeting room for visitors and workers to have casual meetings. The lounge chairs are designed from repurposed materials, such as discarded cable drums, old-style parking paying machine, and recycled clothes for the cushions. A pivot partition between the pantry and resting area can be closed to prevent food smells from spreading.

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"Office space"

The office space is designated for workers, including graphic designers and marketing teams, accommodating around four people. Elevated shelves provide ample storage for documents and books, while the mobile library allows designers to store their materials and tools.

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"Workshop & CEO Office"

The workshop is designed for designers to craft shoes and create content in the photo shooting area. Adjacent to the workshop is the CEO office for Amy and Esther, which benefits from the most natural sunlight. A bookshelf between their workspaces functions as both a partition and storage, providing privacy for the Tai sisters when they are working simultaneously in the office.

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"And that's all my Year 1 Design Studio projects, hope you find sometime interesting!"