PROJECT 1
Individual (30%)
Project Overview:
Conduct a site visit to a designated traditional street in Kuala Lumpur or Malacca, defining its boundary using a provided map. The focus is on studying the street's distinctive place contexts, including both physical and non-physical elements.
Required Tasks:
Select a traditional street, define its boundary, and document both physical aspects (architecture, layout) and non-physical aspects (cultural significance, sensory experiences). Use references to support your analysis and present your findings in a manual sketch journal following the specified format.
Expected Outcomes:
Produce a detailed sketch journal that captures the street’s unique characteristics and demonstrates a deep understanding of its physical and cultural contexts within the urban environment.
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Through this project, I've gained a profound appreciation for historical buildings and how traditions shape their unique forms, particularly in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur. Observing how the Chinese community designed their shophouses to enhance productivity, I was struck by how these buildings, along with traditional restaurants like Lala Noodle and culturally significant temples on Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, create a unique and meaningful environment. This experience broadened my perspective as an architecture student, teaching me the value of integrating timeless features from ancient structures into modern design. Additionally, this project helped me develop both technical skills and a deeper understanding of architectural heritage.
Digital Literacy:
This project significantly enhanced my digital literacy by encouraging me to research and explore the history and cultural significance of ancient buildings online. Utilizing various digital resources allowed me to gain insights into the architectural principles behind these traditional structures and understand how they were designed to serve their communities. The digital tools and platforms used during this project also helped me visualize how these ancient designs can be adapted and integrated into contemporary architecture, bridging the gap between the past and the present.
Intrapersonal Skills:
Learning to sketch and use watercolor through this project was a test of patience and personal growth. Initially, I was hesitant and focused too much on making clean lines, but as I practiced, I developed the patience and confidence needed to embrace the sketching process. This experience taught me that artistic skills, like sketching and watercolor, require a willingness to learn and the perseverance to improve. The progress I made not only enhanced my technical abilities but also deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship involved in architectural representation.
Citizenship and Global Perspective:
This project fostered a deep understanding and appreciation for the history and cultural significance of the structures I studied, particularly in the context of Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur. By engaging with the historical and cultural aspects of these buildings, I gained a global perspective on how architecture reflects and shapes communities. This experience highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage and integrating it into modern life, reinforcing the idea that as architects, we have a responsibility to respect and incorporate historical influences into our designs. This understanding will guide me in my future endeavors, ensuring that my work contributes to a more culturally aware and connected world.