Elements Of Natural & Built Environment

Abstract

Our planet earth and human inhabitation are sustaining by the elements found in these 2 major environments called the natural and built environment. This module is aim to expose the elements found in the natural and built environment. Their co-existence and symbiotic relationship has continually provided us a comfortable

environment to live, work and other activities. A variety of techniques will be explored throughout the module such as identifying, exploring, analysing, comparing and evaluating the different elements found in the natural and built environment. Students are encouraged to study the basic component of the elements in general and in

details.

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to encourage the student:

• To create awareness of the elements of the natural and built environment

• To expose the elements of the natural and built environment in their basic unit,

   form & function.

• To show the symbiotic relationship of the elements of the natural and built    environment

• To question, analyse and articulate the impact between the natural and built environment

Sketch Journals

Lecture 1  :  What is the Natural Environment?

Practice    :  Observing & Sketching in the natural environment: trees, plants, river…etc

Reflection :   

In this first sketch journal, I learn the differences between natural and built environment. as this    is the first sketching we were asked to produce, I found it a little challenging because I have never drawn before. Not even in my art class as I always opt to produce handicraft instead of drawing. 

Practice     :  Issues pertaining to the natural environment

Reflection :  

Through this sketch practice, I found that our natural environment is getting polluted with everyday human waste. As a person, it is our duty to take care of the natural environment so that they will be available for our future generation, just as it is available to us today.

Practice     :  Elements of the environment

Reflection :  

Through this practice, I learnt that there are many components in an environment. Different civilization have different elements in their environment. However, it has been agreed that Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Life are the main the main elements due to its existence in every civilization's believe. The elements need to exist in harmony so that the living world is balance.

Lecture 2   :  Design Landscapes

Practice     :  A relationship between design intervention and natural environment

Reflection :  

In this sketch practice, we were asked to sketch on the components in a landscape that we design. In this sketch, it shows the plants that I have incorporated in my design. Growing up in my place, I had the opportunity to see with my own eyes how Bird Nest Ferns come to grow. It just grows naturally everywhere through the spores, so it is easy to maintain. Meanwhile, the yellow bamboo is a type of tree that grows fast with the least need for fertilisers. Hence, with less chemicals, the condition of the soil is preserved. Bird Of Paradise however, is a symbol of the the tropical rainforest. Just one flower in an area can bring the space to life. 

Lecture 3   : Lecture 3: What is the Built Environment? Shelter for inhabitation

Practice     : Timeline on Inhabitation / Evolvement /Civilization

Reflection :

In this project, I did a collage on the evolvement of infrastructures through out time. I found out that as we move towards the future, buildings are getting more complex. Modern buildings are also required to be sustainable. Back to basics, just at it was in the beginning of time, but more complex. it is also a wonder how the ancient civilization are able to design and build breath-taking buildings without the heavy construction tools and engineering knowledge that we possess now. 

Project 1 (Individual)

Subsequently, Project 1 consists of 2 assignments

Assignment 1a (Individual)

Student is given two options to choose here:

1. You are asked to create ONE A3 (420x300mm) poster to introduce a natural environment (example shown in your lecture series) to tourist. It has to highlight the main features/elements as well as graphically attractive and eye catchy for anyone. Poster must be 2D and easy to hang anywhere, it can be B&W or colour. You are encouraged to use a “Slogan” in your poster, but restricted to only 10 words or less.

2. You are asked to create FOUR postcards (150x100mm) to introduce your country, town/city (place you were born). Not necessary has to be a scenery background, it can be a built object, building (examples shown in your lecture series). Postcard must be 2D and easy to hang anywhere, it can be B&W or colour. You are encouraged to use a “Slogan” in your postcard, but restricted to only 10 words or less

Project 1 A :  Poster

Slogan        :  "Let Nature Guide You"

Reflection  : 

 In this task, I got  a feel on how it feels to work in the advertising and tourism field. At the same time, I also learnt more on the tourist destinations in my home town. All these while, I have been taking for granted that these natural environments were always there and have never taken the time to actually admire them. I have always wanted to go to other countries to look at their beaches and environment, without realising, I should start by looking around me. 

Assignment 1b (Individual)

You are asked to interpret either ONE of these topics: Space or Building

Student is given two techniques to choose here:

1. You are to make ONE A3 photo montage or collage or mixed of both to interpret ONE of the above topics in your own perception.

(Note: A photo montage is a creative work made by cutting and joining a number of photographs and text to form a unified whole that communicates meaning to the viewer.)

(Note: A collage is a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials

Project 1 B  : Interpretation Of A Building (Mind Map)

Location     :  Agnes Keith House, Sandakan, Sabah.

Reflection   :

This project required me to interpret a building that I like. I decided to choose one of the colonial building I like. Through this project, I found a deeper understanding on the local architecture during the colonial time. Briefly, the Agnes Keith House belongs to Henry Keith and Agnes Keith. Agnes Keith is a well-known author, and famous for giving Sabah the name "Land Below The Wind". The exterior of the house looks like a traditional local house, it has its own air ventilation system and multiple windows. However, the interior of the house is furnished in the western style. I have never looked at the Agnes Keith House properly, never took the time to actually admire and understand why it is famous, until this task was given.

Project 2 - Case Study

Subsequently, Project 2 consists of 2 assignments

Assignment 2a (Group + Individual)

1. In this case study report, each group has to select 3 sites found in the context of rural, suburban & urban.

2. Each group has to do a brief introduction on the 3 distinctive built environments: rural, suburban & urban and this introduction should consist of the location of the site, orientation, background, approximate size, number and sizes of buildings, major activities during day/night times…

3. Each group has to find ONE existing site in EACH of the rural, suburban & urban built environment and do ONE topical studies base on the lectures series such as nature, landscape, space, building, and infrastructure.

4. Each group needs to submit minimum FIVE A3 size reports. (*depending on each grouping size)

5. Each person needs to contribute minimum ONE A3 size and convey all the information into a visual presentation: diagram, mapping, sketches, photographs, objects collection, video & audio recording…

6. There is no word count (as long as it provides correct, clear and sufficient info). Size of every

presentation must keep in A3 format max. (*except video, audio & object)

Rural Context (Pulau Indah)

Pulau Indah is a rural area. Most of the residents here generate their economy through agriculture activities. Pulau Indah has a lot of greeneries.

Suburban Context (Shah Alam)

Shah Alam is a suburban area with equal amount of buildings and greeneries. The buildings in the roads in Shah Alam is bigger than Pulau Indah, and there are more residents.

Urban Context (Petaling Jaya)

Petaling Jaya is an urban area. It has minimal greeneries and most of the available spaces are used to build buildings. Greeneries in this urban area only serve as decorations. Petaling Jaya has more residents compared to Pulau Indah and Shah Alam.

Reflection : 

This task enabled me to understand deeper on the differences between rural, suburban and urban context. It also shows me that there is major differences in landscape, infrastructure, space and buildings in all these different places. It also showed me that we can tell how a community generate their economy just by looking at their habitat.

Assignment 2b (Group + Individual)

1. Each group needs to do a visual & verbal presentation on the studied topic in Assignment 2a by using video or other multimedia software.

2. Each group member must participate at least in one part of the whole presentation (min 3 mins)

3. Each group should compile and reorganize all the research, studied and documentation to present them systematically and clearly

Description : Group representative doing their presentation

Reflection    : After finishing our portfolio, we gained a deeper understanding on the differences between rural, suburban and rural contexts. This is due to the time spent on reading more on the different type of contexts and making a summary from what we have learnt in graphic and presentation form.

Class Trip

Location       : Forest Research Institute Of Malaysia

Introduction: Please read this http://www.frim.gov.my/?page_id=371 

Reflection    : 

This was the first outing we had as a class. Everyone was excited. We came to FRIM on 2 buses. And we gathered in front of the main office, while listening to short briefings given by the lecturer and the guide. Each of us were given a partner to look out for and to look for during the entire trip. There were many interesting things I learnt from this trip. I learnt that the natural environment is big and people are still conducting researches to understand the natural environment. This trip also enabled be to mix around with my coursemates. I bonded more with them through this trip.  

Mr./ Uncle Guide

This is on our way to the main trail

Entrance of the trail

As we entered the forest, a wild boar came charging at us. We had had to stay still for a moment, until the wild -boar moves away. It was more like playing "statue dance" in the forest.

"Crown Shyness" trees

Notice that each tree wouldn't touch the other tree.. each tree has an opening around them. From below, they look like those trees you see in Avatar (blue-flying-aliens Avatar movie)

Trail to the canopy

This is the trail leading to the canopy. The day was hot and humid, just seeing this trail made us feel tired! On top of that, Uncle Guide told us we had to hike for another 30 minutes.

The Canopy

Finally! The long awaited canopy. You may not see it, but that sign under the "Canopy Walkway" states "FRIM Canopy Walkway is constructed with the assistance of Germany"

Classmates/Coursemates

These are my classmates waiting at the bottom floor of the canopy walkway entrance for their turn!

On the canopy

This is my jungle tracking partner, Mercy!. All the way from Tanzania! 

Mr./ Uncle Guide Portrait

At the end of the canopy walkway, as we tread down, we came upon a place with many rocks. It looks as if it was a river/stream or waterfall from the top of the hill. 

Huge rocks along the hill..

Stream

To answer my earlier question, this is where all the stream water meet, and they flow into a bigger stream/ waterfall.