Muzamil Mutalib

advisor

City University Malaysia

Malaysia

Lecturer specializing in Interior Design and Architecture, with a strong passion for blending… more

This project represents a compelling and methodical approach to reimagining urban architecture as a tool for social equity and environmental resilience. Framed by the philosophical notion of a “social contract” the work addresses a fundamental challenge of 21st-century architecture on how to create a facade that is not only visually compelling but ethically and ecologically responsive projecting into 2050 and beyond.

What sets this proposal apart is its rigorous process, organized across three distinct yet connected phases. Beginning with deep research and mapping of the Amite Street Corridor’s cultural, ecological and urban history, the student demonstrates a clear understanding of place before prescribing any form. The use of graphic artifacts panorama, totem, joint not only enriches the visual language of the project but also makes abstract values like equity and ecology visually and spatially legible. The final design exhibits a sensitive and intelligent manipulation of scale, rhythm and materiality. The vertical cadence of windows, subtle use of brick textures and the green tinting of glass hint at a building that both belongs to its historical context and looks forward. The use of localized materials and sustainable practices ensures the design is not just performative but genuinely rooted in the values of long-term stewardship. Meanwhile, public facing gestures such as the planted sidewalk and layered transparency at street level enhance accessibility and social interaction an embodiment of the project's ideological core.

Technically, the attention to façade depth, solar strategy and modularity shows a high level of resolution. The layering of pedestrian experience, civic frontage and ecological integration through urban greenery further speaks to a sophisticated understanding of architecture as urban interface. In essence, The Social Contract is more than an architectural proposal, it is a civic proposition. It reflects a new generation of designers committed to crafting architecture that engages with justice, beauty and the collective future of our cities. It is a thoughtful, hopeful and technically sound contribution to the dialogue on sustainable urban form.