PROJECT 2
INTRODUCTION
The aim of this project is to observe, experience and capture the elements of a built environment of a city. The city that we are exploring is Kuala Lumpur. Part A of this final project is to make a site analysis booklet individually about the site that we are given as a group. Part B of this final project is to make a proposal which focus on improving the urban planning, public spaces and more. This project will enable students to have clearer view and some basic concept on what they will go through during their degree studies.
PART A - SITE INVENTORY AND SITE ANALYSIS BOOKLET
INTRODUCTION
We are required to visit the sites in group and individually to prepare a booklet report in A4 size. The booklet should include site inventory, site analysis and our own experiences at the site. We are required to record using photographs, mapping and taking notes. The booklet pages should be 20 to 30 pages only.
THE PROCESS
During the site visit to Pasar Seni - our site, we went to there as a group which consists of Sze Ting, Will, Sam and Cedric. It was a fun experience as we become more observant along the way observing elements of built environment at this area ranging from facilities such as bus stops to the road systems, infrastructures, public areas and more at there. These were the elements of a city that we usually take for granted and missed out. But as a FNBE student, we have been given this opportunity to do this project which opened up our eyes and minds again to be sensitive and observant to the surrounding. The sensitivity to the environment is an essential ability or skill for an architect.
We went to the site twice to collect information for the booklet. By doing the research for my booklet, I had learnt some basic information on the road system and transportation role in a city. Thanks to our lecturers who stressed a lot on the importance of presenting our information using maps rather than writing words, now all of us have the basic concepts and ideas on how to make our presentation more understandable by people.
My Site Analysis Booklet
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PART B - IMAGINE A BETTER URBAN TRANSPORTATION HUBS AND CONNECTIVITY
INTRODUCTION
As a group we are required to propose a new improved transportation hub and connectivity links at the given site. We are required to propose the idea based on our SWOT analysis to make it a better urban transportation hub and connectivity linkages. We have to prepare maximum 6 and minimum 3 A1 Presentation boards, an A3 size base model of the oval site with scale 1:750/1000/1250 and an A3 size base model of the focused transportation hub area with scale 1:250/500. Individually, we have to prepare a 2 minute video compilation explaining about the project.
THE PROCESS
The part B of this final project is we have to propose a new linkage and improved transportation hub. Our main objective for this project is to link our transportation hub with the landmarks. We were asked to refer the existing projects from reference books or Internet. Hence, we did a lot of research on searching the case studies to support our proposal.
Initially, we proposed some ideas on bicycle pathway, promenade and more without considering the site condition during the tutorial session. We were told by Ms Iffa to be more sensitive to the site and considering the width of the pedestrian pavement, the traffic condition and more before we decided to propose our ideas. Through this project, we also realized how crucial for us to attend the tutorial to get some useful tips and advices from our tutor. We became more analytical and conscious when we proposed our idea considering the condition of our site and make some minor innovation on it to suit with our site.
Although the masterplan of our site is provided by our lecturer Mr Paul with the correct scale of 1:2000, we were told by our lecturers that it was a guidance for us and we need to amend it manually to make sure the road is with the right width on the map, the pedestrian walkway between buildings and the road is aligned and more. We were told to include our design into the masterplan. It was quite challenging for us but we had fun doing it.
We did the two models together but I am mainly in charge of the presentation boards and only help with a little part of the model such as the mini Chinese lantern that hang along the pathway to Petaling Street from the transportation hub. The presentation boards were made using Photoshop and the visuals of the design that we proposed were drawn using watercolor.
THE PRESENTATION DAY
During the presentation day, all of us were nervous as this was the first time our work got to display in the Coda Gallery and the judging panel were two representatives from DBKL, lecturer of University Malaya, senior lecturer of Taylor’s University and our lecturers. There were 4 judging panels in total and we were so lucky to have the representative from DBKL, Pn Noorul Huda and our tutor, Ms Iffa as the judging panel for our group. Fortunately, my group did pretty well during the presentation and all of us were very happy with the outcome.
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A short video about the project model
Overall, I am very grateful as I was able to take this subject - ENBE during my foundation first semester because our lecturers had given us early exposure on how to do site analysis, model and more. We were trained to do research and organized structure of the presentation board, developed SWOT analysis, final conclusion and more. For instance, our group had redraw and improve our master plan many times alongside with patience, support and guidance from our tutor, Ms Iffa.
Through this project, we learned how to evaluate the different elements of the built environment by observing the structures around us that we usually ignore and take for granted. To propose a new improved transportation hub and connectivity links, there are uncountable considerations that we have to take into account and learned through the process.
Workmanship is important and I really appreciate the cooperation between all group members of Hagia Sophia to build the group models and presentation boards. We did try out a few methods of making models before decided to use the modelling board to build. This is really a memorable project experience for me as my groupmates are cheerful and fun people which made the whole project making process filled with laughter all the time.