R C H I
YAN WAI CHUN
C E D R I C
YAN
E - P O R T F O L I O
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) IN ARCHITECTURE
E-JOURNAL
OBJECTIVES :
- Each student will be required to keep a personal journal that records their journey throughout this module. (their observation / individual contribution / reflection)
- Students are free to use images, videos or even charts to enhance their journal.
As we all know that, community service initiative is a module that allows students to integrate the knowledge on theories with design practice. In this semester, I have the privilege to expose myself to real community living and contribute helps in a real life scenario. At the beginning of this module, our tutor, Ms. Ann See Peng brief us on an exciting project which we are able to participate in community service. A few beneficiaries were introduced for us to decide which to participate, such as, Charitable Homes or Organization (CH), Community Center (CC), Street Community (SS) and Environment Enhancing , E2 Project (E2). Different categories required us to have different activities or even design architecture structure to fulfill the beneficiaries needs. After briefing and discussion among group members, we decided to participate in environment enhancing project which the site chosen is particularly located in Kepong. This environment enhancing project is a collaborative community project run by JCI and OCBC Bank. One of the reason why we had chosen this project is because, this collaboration intends to materialize our proposal that will benefit to the local community. Discussion on site choosing had made and we had chosen Jinjang in Kepong as our targeted site.
Jinjang is known primarily for two things, its history and its food. The word Jinjang is said to be derived from the name of a pig which was brought into Malaya by a Chinese merchant which was believed to have special powers and attracts prosperity. Located approximately 15 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur town center. Accessing Jinjang is extremely easy as it is located along Jalan Kepong and hence there are numerous busses and taxis that pass through the area. Further, there is a KTM station in Kepong which is about 5 minutes away from Jinjang. Narrow roads can be seen in within Jinjang area because of the duplication of residential houses.
By noticing the uniqueness of topography and site context, initially, our group decided to improve the local environment by adapting our design to their daily activity which is cycling. Cyclist can be found whenever and wherever in Jinjang, it is an immutable culture of the local society. First thing our group planned was to design an interactive bicycle rack using recyclable materials and insert it in corners of selected area, as we realised that Jinjang cyclist always park their bicycle along roadside without a proper parking rack.
Our intention was straightforward and is to enhance the cycling experience of locals and encourage the usage of bicycle throughout the entire area. A positive consequence will be a development of greener town that can reduce tons of carbon monoxide and the cultural legacy can be sustained or preserved.
We have done some precedent studies on types of bicycle rack and their functions. First is the typical bicycle rack that commonly seen around park with the sole purpose of parking and locking the bicycles. Second study was on a multifunctional bicycle rack, this rack not only served as parking and locking of bicycles, it integrated with seats and table tops. Last study was on bicycle racks with a complex design and functions, the innovative bicycle rack. It has the potential to attract user through its innovative and creative design, as a matter of fact, due to its large scale compared to the studies before.
Images above are the initial design of an integrated bicycle rack we designed. Narrow slots will balance and hold bike wheels upright once the bike wheel enters the slot. Upright pallet will be tilted in certain angle so that the lowest wooden plank of the pallet serves as a stopper for the wheel, keeping the wheel from rolling out of place. Pallet in shorter length connected behind the bike rack as seating for users. Wooden deck added on top of the rack for users who wish to use a table while resting on their bike.After tutorials and discussions among groupmates and tutor, we have decided to target a smaller group of community instead of a large scale of area. Remembered that day when our group meandered around the labyrinth like roads at the northern part of Jinjang, we came across a green park smarming with sense of community. Warmth was the evening, locals with different age groups energized the park with much activities such as jogging, basketball playing and etc. At that moment, we decided to take the advantage and blend in with the sense of community and cultural context.
The chosen site is a park located at 2049, Jalan Jinjang Aman 3, the north side of Jinjang, which is strategically placed at the middle of the residential area and right beside the food court area. Restaurant or food court beside the park will flood with people during evening and night time. This park is a very complete park with sufficient equipment provided. With a fully equipped park like this, it is expected to be a great form of attraction towards the neighborhood. Yet, it is not as well as a form of attraction it could’ve been as it is only a typical public park that can be found anywhere with poor maintenance and construction of pavements, pathways and courts.
Issues like unmaintained jogging track, bleachers, entertainment facilities, field, basketball court and lack of bike racks can be seen in the park. Damaged and uneven jogging path results in puddle accumulation which poses as threat to joggers and cyclist. The unused spaces beneath the unmaintained bleachers often used as dumping spot. Besides, the open basketball court caused damage and issue to the food court beside as the ball will accidentally bounce into the area. Far end of the park with shady atmosphere may cause crime problem and the sports facility is not well maintained. Uneven ground of the grass field may affect the daily activity of users especially elderly that use it for morning exercise. Not forget to mention that the jogger track often used by cyclist and motorcyclist which possibly will increase the collision between them and joggers.
We had interviews with some of the locals with different age groups, we obtained and concluded the main issue that the locals call attention to which is seating problem. Seat is a critical design element to be concerned when it comes to park design as all the park users need this fundamental structure to rest. Users claimed that the existing benches and gazebo for them to rest, are located far in each corner of the park. It was a challenge for us to maintain the sense of place of the park and without affecting the daily routine of the locals while designing a problem solving structure in the park.
To enhance the user’s experience and create a space where social interaction between users can be developed, we came out with an idea of designing a structure that can be used by users with their own behaviour. Therefore, the proposal calls for an additional Playscape, a playful landscape characterized by the occurrence of enjoyment by the public and encourage interaction with it as this type of equipment has yet to be seen in most of the public parks around, which will attract people to come to the park to experience the unique feature provided by the Playscape and therefore upgrading the existing public park into an attraction hotspot to Jinjang. With this design, seating problem can be minimised and at the same time, the overall environment of the park can be reenergised with the interaction between users and the Playscape.
After the group discussion, we explored different types of materials incorporate with different design of this Playscape. At the end of the day, we came out with a concept of multi-level netting that promotes various uses depending on the user’s behaviour towards the structure of the Playscape. Fishing net was our first concerned as the main material for the netting but our doubts on its physical characteristics and strength made us reconsider it although it is cheap in terms of budget. So, after research was done, using cargo climbing netting for the hammock can sustain and prolong its usage period. This netting allows to create flexibility of use but at the same time, due to the net type nature of the construction and aesthetic, it allows more interactions. And it can withstand local climate such as rainwater, as it prevents the rainwater build up and it dry quickly.
For the supporting pole will be using the steel in-ground hammock post. These steel pole not only attracts users by its contrast characteristics to the typical playscape material which is wood, its resistant towards the tropical climates is also one of the critical aspect we have concerned while designing and material choosing.
Different people perceive different things when visually contact with something or an object. By creating this interactive playscape structure, we offer creativity upon users. For instance, different age group users will have different activities and behaviours on the playscape. Kids can jump and play around the playscape that promotes different playing experience for them while on this different hierarchy of height. Adults and teenagers are welcome to be part of the users as this playscape has no age limit. Joggers might find it handy and comfortable when it comes to relaxing and resting. It provides whole new of resting experience with different poses reacted by users rather than the ordinary straight seating. Worth to mention that local family or eve visitors with family can spend time with their kids on the playscape which allows them to have more interactions and experience.
Design implies interaction; interaction implies cultural legacy. In conclusion, there is no doubt that this was a fruitful experience for me as an architecture student as I never involve in designing for community. This module gave me a golden opportunity to realize the reality behind the draft table. One great design must be able to solve or minimize the community issue or must have the idea of designing a space or structure that is contextually need. The vitality of the inner meaning of the design must be able to deliver to the users and not just design for the sake of design. To fulfill the needs of the park users and locals, surely is the main intention of this project. I hope this project can be realized as it is able to improve and help the local community.
