écoulé

01: Ideas

we had to produce 2 sketches with graphic scale BIG Dome by inserting human elements in. using

1. shadows
2. perspective
3. scale

All we had to do is describe the current environment of the BIG Dome with student ideas to work on the dome soon for the 1st sketch, while the 2nd required us to show details of the existing structure and specifications.


My initial idea was to create a space for students to escape from the hectic assignments, a sanctuary for them to rest their minds in peace. I wanted to bring nature closer to us and thus create this interaction between human beings and nature.


At first i started by conceptualizing based on the idea of a green dome where plants would virtually grow all around it. Its going to be something like a vertical garden/ green wall. where beautiful exotic plants crawl and spine all over the dome, making it able to camouflage with the environment.

however, the idea just stuck there.


So, i thought of new concept. Inspired by the use of timber and bamboo, i thought of using a simple shape and placing the timber slats and bamboo vertically in a geometrical manner to create simple, classic textures.

then, i thought of the dome as being a crystal ball being placed perfectly in a glass casket within another bigger Box. This is how the design of the structure came about

.

• dome=crystal ball
• inner glass wall=glass casket
• exterior=outer box

sounds complex.but its actually a simple design. I also thought of a movable roof made of slats of timber which not only shades the building from heat and glare. It provides privacy and a changing appearance as it moves over the top. For the occupants , the slat roof offer a pattern of shade that changes with the position of the sun , giving an indication of time and date.

I even named my newly-designed sanctuary- écoulé.

Derived from the French word ,' écoulé ’ stands for the meaning of escape, to move, to drain, to flow. Acting as a sanctuary, a place for rest. écoulé. aims to be the perfect getaway for students or any occupants . It is the ultimate sweet escape plan for those who intend to runaway from stress and seek inspiration, restoration.

Located near the school Housing Building and Planning USM, écoulé functions as the perfect relaxation hub and source of inspiration for lecturers and students. Books from a wide range will be provided. A small café would cater to the occupants needs. Accustomed with nature inspired furniture, occupants of ecoule would find no difficulty as they relax and be transported into their own universe.




my concept seems long and i have never put so much though process in any of my design works-tried to seek inspiration from exotic birds, human anatomy, dinosaurs, feng shui. And in the end, i came up with écoulé-the sweet escape.

deeply satisfied but vows for room to improve.