AR
Reflective
I always wanted to create an organic design but was unable to because the previous few projects from the past Studios do not fit in the requirement and I didn't put on enough effort and scared that I will ruin my desired design. But this time, I've tried my best and I am quite satisfied with this community library design as the organic form of the interior was able to pull off in the end with the suggestions by my tutor, Ms Indrani, as she was quite worried that the form was too complicated for me complete in time. But the thing that I still need to learn after all these semesters is still time management as there was still lack of time for me to do photoshop enhancement for interior and exterior perspective, and the details of the floor plans are also not included digitallly but were added later manually, therefore, making the presentation board to be messy and unorganised.
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Furthermore, the other thing that the design still need to improve in is the Oasis feeling within the building, as the critics pointed out that the feeling of Oasis is lack of in the interior. Therefore, I think that with the addition of overhanging plantation along the wall of the ramps would enhance the concept within the interior spaces (which can be seen in the interior perspective gallery).
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This module taught me that designing a builidng is not only considering the appearance aestheticness, but also fitting in the standard and official requirements which make th design to be buildable in the reality. I really do appreciate Ms Indrani's forgiveness of my stubborness towards my design and her knowledge and suggestion that makes me able to continue and finish this module smoothly and quite successfully.
Project - Urban Infill
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The chosen site for students to conduct their community library design is located at Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (Jalan Ipoh), Sentul. The site is placed just beside Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, where the road is the main intersection between the city centre, Kuala Lumpur and other sub-cities such as Wangsamaju, Titiwangsa, Kepong and others. Furthermore, the site is located just between 2 office buildings, and across Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, the site is facing KLPAC, where the scenary of the site is full of greenaries and provides comfortable sun shadings to the site. And along the the site, the pedestrian accesses along the road are also well shaded with planted trees and the condition of the pathway are well treated as well. But the disadvantage of the site is that the security of around the area is not secured, and the community is not as lively as Sentul was in the 1960s, where people are not willing to stay within the area, and youngsters tent to leave the area as there are no certain attraction for them to stay.
A place for people to enjoy their free time. Facilitate back lane safety by encouraging people to use the back lane to access into the area.
Oasis
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The concept of the my design is Oasis. The reason that the term' Oasis' came out is because of Sentul was once an Oasis for workshops, foreign and local workers as well as for international enterprise because of the development of railway construction activity in the 1920s. People from around the area were staying in, working and continue their lives in sentul during the time. However, since the British bombed and destroyed most of the depots in sentul, the glory of Sentul faded rightaway and become somehow like a ghost town where people are moving out and not willing to stay in anymore. Therefore, with the concept of Oasis implemented into the design of community library, the library acts as a new Oasis to Sentul, in hope to attract young blood intot he area, become an iconic public gathering area and for the locals to conduct community activity, which in advance, bring back the liveliness, the growth and the activeness that once Sentul had.
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The existing building along the road seems like quite dead and unwelcomed because the used of tinted glass and mostly because of the buildings are office and private usage. Therefore, perforated lightweight fiberglass concrete panel is implied as the facade of the design, not only perforated panels are a good acoustic absorber as the building is located just beside the busy Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, but the circular holes design is like the pores of the building, which make the building seems like its breathing. Moreover, with the 600mm x 600mm circular perforated holes with glass within, the movement of the occupants within the building can seen through from the street, which enhance the feeling of the building being alive, the unique appearance also makes the community library to stand out from the existing neighbouring buildings.
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The interior design is inspired by the form of the railway, where the paths will lead to the destinations within the community library. Therefore, the form of platform ramps which act as the library area enhance the swiftness of the inteior of the building, creating a visual impact for the visitors once they enter the builidng, with the more organic and swift design, it will give the visitors a breathe a fresh air as they witness the interior. Moreover, the rampup design also produce a feeling of the liveliness and growth within the building, as a reflectance to the concept "Oasis" to the design.
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Voids are formed at the centre of the building with the surrounding ramps and organic form floors, connecting each floors to the roof level, eliminates the feeling of isolation of each floor and enhances the grandness of the design. The void provides well ventilation into the interior spaces, as well as expressed the desiration of making the center courtyard located at public realm at lower ground floor as the main focal point and the visual concentration for the occupants.
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