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Synopsis: Building Materials
 
This module intends to inform the student of the relevant visual and physical properties of a wide range of building materials. It also encompass the broad environmental debate by including energy saving and recycled materials. For each material the module describes the manufacturing process, salient properties and typical uses of these materials, with the aim of ensuring their appropriate application within the awareness of the suitability of the physical and chemical properties as well as its ecological impact. Students will undergo a series of continuous assessments such as project and tests to ascertain the objective and outcome of the module is achieved.
 
Project 1: Solid vs Void
 
Introduction
Building material is any material which is used for a construction purpose. This project is designed as an introduction to building materials that are commonly used in the local construction industry. Students are required to construct their choice of shapes using the listed materials to explore and understand building making in relation to the materials, design considerations of material according to their properties and to finally understand how to intrinsic forms, limitations and boundaries of a material factor in a design process. 
 
Objectives
The task of this project is to design and build any basic shape of your choice in an imaginary volume of 12”X12”X12” space using solid and transparent materials. 
 
Learning Outcome
  1. Recognize how intrinsic forms, limitations and boundaries of a material become factors in design process.
  2. Effectively work with a material in line with design requirements.
  3. Be able to express a material within its contextual application. 
Project 2: Materiality Of Space
 
Introduction
Building material is just about every type of available material that has been used at one time or another for creating various human homes, structures, and technologies. Many naturally occurring substances, such as clay, sand, wood, rocks and etc. have been used to construct buildings. Apart from naturally occurring materials, many man-made products in various compositions are actively used in construction. This assignment is designed to introduce building materials that are commonly used in the construction industry. The spaces or building selected to study will allow one to understand the reasoning behind choices made by designers in terms of concepts, function use, environmental response, environmental profile, structural requirement, availability of resources and etc. when selecting or proposing building materials. It is also essential for students to see the transition from vernacular point of perspective to the current application in built environment. 
 
Objectives
  1. To introduce various types of building materials which are being used in the construction practices.
  2. To create an understanding of the choices designers make in choosing the building materials based on the properties.
  3. To further understand the physical and chemical properties of the building materials being used in existing buildings/ spaces.
  4. To expose students to standard construction names and terminologies for materials in a building/ space. 
 
Learning Outcome
  1. Produce a complete documentation and analysis of materials in respect to physical and chemical properties.
  2. Identify the various types of building materials (finishes and structural).
  3. Understand the effects of building materials on aesthetics and structural qualities of a space or building.
  4. Understand the appropriateness of material used in context of several factors such as occupancy, concept and climate.
  5. Acquire analytical skill in understanding selection of building materials for a building/ design.
  6. Understand the application/ installation of material as finishes and structural materials (simple construction). 
Reflection
My reflection toward these projects are I get the chance to learn about different building materials. We looked into a lot of different materials and learn about how to apply them onto building when we are going to construct one. Site visitings allow me to widen my knowledges about building materials. It was fun and interesting.
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