Project 2 : Designing with Architectural Principles + Materiality Tropical Rainforest Discovery Platform

Like a ‘fish out of water’, an unfamiliar structure that jots out of water, almost disconnecting from reality. An extrospective folly where users experience life in and above water at various tide levels at different timings. The surrounding context of the lake and mangrove create a serene, mysterious surrounding where one can experience a journey embarked with unexpected surprises evoking feelings of unfamiliarity which eventually develop into feelings of familiarity as they encounter the rest of the folly.

 

Entering through a concrete platform, the user is to feel like 'a fish out of water' as they are in an unusual or unfamiliar situation. They are surrounded by stone-cold curving layers of concrete, along with the coldness of the water just below their legs.

 

As the users advance through the folly above the water, away from the coldness, they are embraced by warm curved timber layers around them. The sense of familiarity comes in from the humanity of the timber, along with the connection to the surrounding nature naturally creates a feeling of familiarity.

 

By finally experiencing the familiarity, the user is then able to accept the unfamiliarity of the lower level and creates harmony with the contrasting feelings; of not being in one's usual surroundings, just like how the protruding folly also creates harmony with its tranquil surrounding.