DAMITH DE SILVA

advisor

https://uom.lk/

SRI LANKAN

To transform the clients’ hopes and dreams into reality, using architectural principles. The goal… more

PROJECT - Erato Hotel

Cănățui Doina from Moldova

PROJECT IDEA AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION -

Project idea and project description are good and acceptable. According to student “The central idea behind this project was to create a hotel that seamlessly blends the elements of Mediterranean style, boho aesthetics, and Moroccan vibes. By combining these distinct design influences”. Further the student has aimed to craft a unique and captivating environment that offers guests an immersive experience filled with the charm of the Mediterranean, the free-spiritedness of boho elements, and the exotic allure of Moroccan culture.

According to my understanding Morocco is known as one of the melting pots of the Mediterranean thanks to its architecture, crafts and unbelievable Medinas (towns or cities, in modern Arabic). Morocco is a country with a multiethnic society and rich culture, civilization and etiquette. Throughout the history of Morocco, Morocco hosted many people in addition to the indigenous Berbers, coming from East (Phoenicians, Arabs), South Africa (SSA) and North (Romans, Vandals the Andalusian Muslims and Jews). All of these have left an impact on the social structure of Morocco. It has also hosted many forms of beliefs, from paganism, Judaism, Christianity to Islam. Each region has its own specificity, thus contributing to the national culture. Morocco has set among its priorities the protection of its diversity and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

In the political world, Morocco is considered an African state. The majority of the population of Morocco is Arabic for identity. At least one third of the population speaks the Amazigh language. During the Islamic expansion, some Arabs came to Morocco and settled in the flat regions as Tadla and Doukkala. For example, there are groups called Charkawa and Arbawa who settled in Morocco from Arabia. The Charkawa claimed descent from Umar ibn Al-Khattab, the second caliph of Islam.

GENERAL COMMENTS -
• It is very important to identify a specific user group rather than mentioning Guests. There are different segment of guests and their expectations are diverse. Location and the urban responses have not been conferred.
• Unable to see the Architect’s brief where the student has missed a holistic approach to concept.
• Design brief with major activities or important areas are not discussed.
• Due to less investigation as an Architect, design has become just building which could be used for any other events.

DESIGN-
• Design is rather congested.
• Design is very dull and monotonous.
• Only with materials have tried to develop the design.
• Overall outer appearance of the hotel is missing.
• Vertical connections are not to be seen.
• Could see only interior 3D images with no proper justifications.
• Cannot see a proper bedroom design.
• Drawings are very poor and technical.
• Sections are poor and nonfunctional.
• No elevations and cannot see the response to the surroundings.
• Total design is very reserved and stiff.
• Design has not mainly catered to user category since the student has not identified a problem.
• If a student to do a comprehensive design proposal following are very valuable.

1. Precedent Studies: - “An architecture precedent study can aid your design process from concept to final design. Note that precedents are not copied but used as an inspiration for your design. ... A precedent can communicate a meaning to your design. An architecture precedent study can help you solve problems in a design process that have previously been solved in other designs. It is important not to copy. Be specific in the area which you feel applies to your design, learn lessons from the precedent and find ways that you can be creative with its integration and solving your design problems”.

2. Concept: - “A good design begins with a good design concept. An architectural concept can be described as an idea, notion, opinion, abstraction, philosophy, belief, inspiration, thought, intention, theory, image, plan, or hypothesis. Architectural concepts are the designers’ way of responding to the design situation presented to them”.

3. Ambiance: - “The general definition of ambiance is a feeling, tone, character and atmosphere of the environment or surrounding influence; or the mood associated with a particular place, person, or thing. The look and feel of space is highly relevant to the choices an individual makes in spatial design. This is where the visible and invisible concept in design comes in. Visible is what can be seen and noticed, invisible is what can be felt. These are two basic factors present in human-centered design. Perhaps space is not just about the form and architecture. The elements of invisible design also need to be taken into consideration, which are the emotional and psychological design elements”.

4. Imagery: - “Imagery is a mental picture in which a designer formulates in his/her mind a design and such representation comes in abstract form. The designer uses mental imagery and perception as a tool to represent his ideas at the mental stage. Mental imagery is an idea that was generated, evaluated, and transformed by the designer as a solution to a design problem. Mental imagery gives the designer the ability to visualize ideas in the form of diagrammatic depictions and illustrations”.


OVERALL COMMENT-
Poor – Average design


JUROR-
Archt. Damith De Silva
Chartered Architect
BSc (BE)1st Class Honors, M.Sc. (Arch)
AIA (SL), ASID (Allied Practitioner) USA, MIM(SL), OPA, MCPM, IMSL, IEPSL, IAENG, PRMIA
Member of Sri Lanka Association of the Urban Designers Member of The National Trust - Sri Lanka
Senior Lecturer Grade 1 – University of Moratuwa, SRI LANKA

88, JAMBUGASMULLA ROAD, NUGEGODA, SRI LANKA TEL.+94 0112809849/2853712/0777 – 363139, Fax: +94112809849
www.damithdesilva.com

Dear DAMITH DE SILVA, thank you for your feedback, but I can't entirely agree with a lot of what was said.
First of all, why do I have to mention all guest segments when in the end they are all guests of this hotel?
I don't consider that I need to give all the small details in my description, because the description must be succinct, and the details can also be seen from the project. I designed only the lobby of a hotel, not the bedrooms. The drawings must be technical and precise.