Co-lecturing with David Erdman, the ‘Construction Communication’ course (HKU | MArch I studio | Fall 2013) introduced students to the methods by which architects strategise, rationalise and communicate architectural designs. In any office whose work is notable, the intention of Construction Documentation (CD) is to encrypt and codify what are otherwise complex architectural effects into clear methods of construction.

“Without the architect’s faith that geometrically defined lines will engender something else more substantial yet discernable through drawing, without faith in the genetic message inscribed on paper, there is no architecture.”

 (Robin Evans, The Projective Cast; Architecture and Its Three Geometries, Introduction: Composition and Projection, MIT Press 1995)

Objectives

Architects do not build. We communicate a design to builders. This course introduced students to the methods by which architects strategize, rationalize and communicate architectural designs. All architects use the same drawing standards for communicating their projects to contractors and consultants. At their root, these standards are techniques of notation. They are abstract graphical encryptions that leave open their precise interpretation and understanding.

The conventions for assembling and organizing these standards varies greatly between every office; there is no standard construction document set. An intelligent designer has to edit and prioritize different areas of their design. CD’s (as they are referred to) are a reflection of these priorities and are used to make a case for a project’s feasibility. In any office whose work is notable, the intention of these documents is to encrypt and codify what are otherwise complex architectural effects into clear methods of construction. This knowledge and skill is crucial for any designer. Without an understanding of how to develop a drawing set that strategically reflects the rationale and efficiencies of complex design, built architectural innovation would not occur. Construction Communication asked students to work in groups. Each group analysed, remodelled, re-drew and formulated a CD set for a given case study. The case studies are among the most innovative projects in the world.

28 projects for case studies were chosen. These were assigned an initial bias for students to investigate: enclosure, structure or geometry. The final required outcome for the course was an abbreviated CD set, containing basic and detailed information that is reflective of the bias, design intent and sensibility of the case study.

Structure

^{Shenzhen Stock Exchange, OMA – Ka Men Lee, Tien-Yan Leung & Yicai Chen}

^{Milstein Hall, Cornell University, OMA – Yue Wu, Yue Ma & Yixi Wang}

^{Seattle Central Library, OMA – Yuen Wa Chiu, Wai Tim Chan & Lok Yin Chan}

^{Tama Art University Library, Toyo Ito – Fan Wen, Liting Qin & Junni Xie}

^{Rolex Learning Center, SANAA – Xiangdong Hu, Liang Li & Haoran Wang}

^{Emerson College, Morphosis – Yucong Wu & Tak Shing Tang}

^{Star Performing Arts Center, Aedas – Chi Yu Cheng, Chen Hei Ng & Yacen Zhang}

^{Prostho Museum Research Center, Kengo Kuma & Associates – Yi Tian, Yi Long & Leilei Jiang}

^{Asakusa Culture & Tourism Center, Kengo Kuma & Associates – Man Lok Choi, Chung Ting Lo & Hin Lung Ng}

Geometry

^{Opus, Gehry Partners – Lok-Yung Ting, Jian Kang & Kai Kin Leung}

^{Taipei Performing Arts Centre, OMA – Yuan Yang, Wai Ying & Wing Yan}

^{Casa da Musica, OMA – Zhen Tong, Yang Song & Meng Chong Lei}

^{Galaxy Soho, Zaha Hadid Architects – Ka Cheung Lai, Ming Ming So & Mengqui Zhang}

^{Innovation Tower, Zaha Hadid Architects – Man Hoi Wu, Granda Jan Esteban Henao & Sze Ling Leung}

^{Glass Pavilion, SANAA – Shaik Javidh Akram M.A. Maideen, Christopher Ghouse & Piotr Rafal Winiewicz}

^{Sofitel, Atelier Jean Nouvel – Xiang Wang, Zhi Xin Li & Tengfei Zhu}

Enclosure

^{Caixa Forum, Herzog & deMeuron – Pak Kan Ko, Fong Tong Chan & Tiu Lam}

^{DeYoung Museum, Herzog & deMeuron – Chuen Yung Liu, Sheung Hay Ho & Lok Yan Leung}

^{MAXXI Museum, Zaha Hadid Architects – Pui Yun Lee, Hoi Yi Chau & Kin Man Wong}

^{Simmons Hall MIT Dormitory, Stephen Holl Architects – Chun Yu Au Yeung, Tsz You Chan & Xiao Lei Wong}

^{Cooper Union, Morphosis – Ching Yee Ng, Ka Chun Lee & Pok Him Cheng}

^{Perot Museum,  Morphosis – Wai Ning Louie, Ka Ho Ching & Chi Ho Ngai}

^{O-14, Reiser + Umemoto – Shuang Zhang, Lu Wang & Tingzhen Meng}

^{LHT Tower, Rocco Design Partnership – Ee Harn Low, Wan Shun Ho & Wing Shan Kwok}

^{W Guangzhou Hotel & Residences, Rocco – Wai Man Liu & Tung Wan Chau}

^{FRAC Museum, Kengo Kuma & Associates – Tin Man Leung, Po Yu Chan & Cheuk Fai Ng}

^{Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Stephen Holl Architects – Eric Yuen, Suen Wah Yeung & Ying Suet Shiu}