Ben-Bow Enrichment Learning Centre in Klang
29/ 12 / 2018
The design develops into the final scheme of design where it interprets the tendency of creating interest through enclosure. The enclosure setting fits the contexts of creating a separate realm in conjunction of the prevailing street context. The realm where people can retreat and dwell into by having spaces to informally and formally elaborate learn through the form of classrooms &workshops, public rentable outlets giving a sense of place for anyone, a canteen to rehydrate oneself, public toilets accessible for everyone, dynamic facade initiative where greenery can be planted and replanted, and a compact "park". Spaces of place-making which develops with humankind in relation with the built form.
Studio V
BEN - BOW LEARNING CENTER IN KLANG
Klang heeds the call towards a new form of social living through an architectural intervention which embodies the vibrancy nature in people to further gentrify the vicinity of the area regularly. Thus, the proposal of a design to interpret the needs of the people ideal learning centre of what can be done for the people, whilst an initiative adjourning the sprout of negative perception of the withered site. The Ben-Bow learning centre as a catalyst to reform the social vibrancy amongst the immediate column of people, to inject a social bond with one another which then results to the meaning of the site and its context.
Account of the internship
22/ 2 / 2019
Located along the way to Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, the firm sits by a commercial centre by the name of Pusat Perdagangan Dana 1. The firm consists of a total of
18 astounding staff and 3 managing directors: Ar. Chris Wong Chee Seng, Ar. Wilson Sng, and Mr. Chew Tick Wah where the latter being my supervisor during my internship. These brilliant directors achieved their qualifications of RIBA part 2 in their pursuit of architecture whereby Chris received his architectural education and RIBA part 2 from the University of Cambridge, England while RIBA part 1 from the University of Houston, USA, and Wilson received his architectural education and RIBA part 2 from the United Kingdom; Oxford Polytechnic while RIBA part 1 from the University of Nottingham, last but not least, Chew received his architectural passion in the United Kingdom as well whereby he pursued in The Bartlett UCL Faculty of The Built Environment, University College London and the University of Sheffield respectively with a first class honours and commendation correspondingly.
The award-winning firm tackles tasks of every size ranging from master planning to residential. The current projects include of high rises residentials by the vicinity of
the North of Kuala Lumpur and Bangsar to proposed a quality of living for the people thriving away from conventional methods and approaches in it’s architectural delight.
The innovative firm was founded in 1992. The core of this firm is rooted in modern architecture and applying sustainable principles. To achieve meaningful and quality
work we believe in the importance of discovering the essence of a project. This will inspire and organised the functions of a design brief. They understand the significance of being able to identify, understand and apply the many wishes and concerns that are woven into the tapestry of a specific design brief to achieve reasonable results and standard of work.
Personal learning experience
Prior to the commencement of the internship, several personal goals and learning objectives were set to provide a sense of strong point in the understanding of he procedures of architectural tasks aside from the concept in design. Below is a short description of how these challenges were dealt with throughout the internship period.
The early phases:
-Research, concept, sketching, design, choice of materials, and site context.
•Depending on the project, thorough research on the project requirement.
• BOMBA and UBBL regulations.
•As well as constraints such as budget and setbacks.
-Placement and usage of lighting, acoustics, calculating budgets, etc.
•Calculation on preliminary budgets after templates were provided, and explained by the firm.
The design phases:
-Execution of the main project with design- and BP (building plan) submissions on the main project level, knowledge of the documents in the written part of the main project, including contract specification, and authority documents.
•Drawings for design and design development stage were produced for building plan submission to consultants to review for structural integrity of the project.
Execution phases:
-Participation in supervision, meetings, site visits, site meetings, managing schedules and follow-up in building the execution phase.
Participated in meetings before, during, and after project completion.
Result
During the internship several goals set up was achieved. The preliminary phases and the execution phase wasn’t of much emphasis during the training. The projects under these phases were further developed and was thorough into design development.
The design phase got the most attention of the internship period with the tender drawings and bidding works, even though not dwelled upon that long a period of time, was thoroughly explained and the knowledge of the contract specifications, how to perform bids, and how to pen the legal documents necessary in Danish drawing offices has been learned.
Certainly, some document work was done, to the extent where it was made clear what the role of the document was, how and when it was to be implemented, and how it was to be developed. But the main focus was on the architectural parts of the work. The design phase with the tender drawings and bidding works, even though not dwelled upon that long a period of time, was thoroughly explained and the knowledge of the contract specifications, how to perform bids, and how to pen the legal documents necessary in Malaysian drawing offices has been learned.
Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC) Sales Gallery
A proposal of a sales gallery along the Bangsar area to amend as sort of experience by the district commons. Under the client of BRDB, this project is an opportunity to explore architectural experience in the area of Bangsar of the wealthy. This project received inquiry at the 20th December of 2018 with an estimated budget of RM19 million. The concept spans across the area of 800sqft with a along the border of the shopping mall and to connect the idea of an overhead bridge the other side of a BRDB development.
The firm’s idea into developing architectural dialect of being it extravagant, outrageous, whilst provocative in sense of a cultural realm of sort. The question drew upon onto “ what makes a sales gallery more rich, premium, and international (art, futurism, architecture). Although at a concept stage, the considerations of setbacks from existing building conditions, and the client requirement of a digital projecting to engage passers-by into and out to the development. Interestingly, such context is rich when history is carefully taken into the thought process during the development; the idea of the street’s history and how it can be architecturally intervened as stated by Chris “ history is un- buyable”.
Concept stage
The sales gallery superimpose the urban fabric as it consists of emphasis on design and visual shift from street level. Passers-by will be intrigued with the displays and art installation along the pathway of part of the segment by the building of Bangsar’s prominent luxury shopping mall; The Bangsar Mall.
The discussion introduces with the great 3 directors, Ar. Chew Tick Wah, Ar. Wilson Sng, also Ar. Chris, to elaborate and share of what the opportunities which can be developed along the way. The target group this project intends to reach out are to the healthy rich. Thus, the question drew upon what a sales gallery can be more rich, premium, while international (art, fashion, and architecture). Hence the idea derives the design to be Extravagant, outrageous, and provocative in a proper manner.
Practical ideals such as setbacks from existing condition of built forms and client requirement for projection scenes are taken into consideration to comprehend the project to be an architectural design with basic By-Laws. The design intends to project positive atmosphere into the public realm of the site to create a livable street.
Concept stage
The sales gallery superimpose the urban fabric as it consists of emphasis on design and visual shift from street level. Passers-by will be intrigued with the displays and art installation along the pathway of part of the segment by the building of Bangsar’s prominent luxury shopping mall; The Bangsar Mall.
The discussion introduces with the great 3 directors, Ar. Chew Tick Wah, Ar. Wilson Sng, also Ar. Chris, to elaborate and share of what the opportunities which can be developed along the way. The target group this project intends to reach out are to the healthy rich. Thus, the question drew upon what a sales gallery can be more rich, premium, while international (art, fashion, and architecture). Hence the idea derives the design to be Extravagant, outrageous, and provocative in a proper manner.
Practical ideals such as setbacks from existing condition of built forms and client requirement for projection scenes are taken into consideration to comprehend the project to be an architectural design with basic By-Laws. The design intends to project positive atmosphere into the public realm of the site to create a livable street.
Personal interpretation
-A minor drawing which translate the idea of the project personally. Rough sketches and annotation as an effort to participate along the dialogue of conceptualizing an idea from the beginning of a project which could be progressed along to be a tender preparation.
Taman Kelab Ukay
The project is placed in motion as of this year apart form the years of inactivity. This project located in Jalan Ukay, Ampang. The project received its call on the 8th of March 2018 last year. This project high-rise condominium is progressing through the preliminary design development phase and is to be prepared for CCM which is later to be redefined as proper building plans submissions to be rechecked with client and supervising architect, Ar. Wilson Sng.
The firm’s ideation of having a harmony aspects of the outside realm and the interior realm to co-exist and perpetuate the everlasting peace whist comfort of a living space of a home. An ideal experience to celebrate the notion of the tropical climate of Malaysia while embracing the surrounding nature. The concept intends the open spaced verandahs to express the view of the KLCC city and the landscape the building sits on. The approach of having the space to feel ‘light’ as expressed by Malay Vernacular housing in the tropical climate of Malaysia.
Preliminary design development
During my short involvement in this project consist of producing computer-aided drawings as well as to model the concept idea into 3-D using a programme called Sketchup. This programme enables to model an idea with ease and by times meet to understand the essence of scale and proportion of a given project like Taman Kelab Ukay. The ease in modeling allows he firm to understand the general outlook of the project before progressing further and beyond into tender development.
Compute aided drawings to develop conceptual units
BRDB Menerung High-rise
Menerung is a 239,086.47 build up sqft beautiful luxury development located in Bangsar. Being developed with BRDB, this construction was settled during 12th October of 2018. And is in design preparation development stage whereby building plans submissions to the relevant authorities and consultants to review upon the structure of this high-rise condominium. With a budget of 95 million ringgit, This commodity facilitates its residents with state-of-the-art comfort and relaxation to provide a better quality of a home within Bangsar.
This high-rise condominium houses occupants which has the equal opportunity of enriched quality in living. Menerung is an ideal place of an ideal luxury haven as within its vicinity has its opportunity of famed shopping malls. Educational institutions are abundant as well as renowned medical hospices. Moreover, accessibility to the development is at ease as its connected by major highways and roads also, public transportation are at reachable distance to traverse in and out of Menerung along Jalan Senduk, old Jalan Damansara, Jalan Duta, Federal highway and Mont Kiara.
The development consists of about 300 units from the 5th level upwards to the 26th level. Single level units like S1 and S2 of 555.4 sqft, M1 covers an are of 846.1 sqft and M2 with an area of 790.08 sqft, duplex levels like M4 to M6 with a combined area of 906.0 sqft , and L1 with 2359.5 sqft while a single duplex of M6 with a large area of 987.06 sqft along with L2 of 2532.77 sqft, whereas the 28th level would be where residents can lounge around the outdoor facilities and activities available to provide a picturesque essence of the level with overhead greeneries, feature walls, barbeque area, jacuzzi, gymnasium. Additionally, a completely mechanized parking facility where the residents can easily park their vehicles.
Design development
The high-rise condominium in Menerung is in Design development stage during the early periods of my internship training in the mid of December 2018. This stage is where clear and concise modelling is being developed after preliminary works of computer aided drawings are produced and bids approved along with relevant contracts signed. I was placed under management within a team for BIM modelling under the surveilling mentorship of the patient and passionate Mr. Habrir Singh. The gentleman is assigned as a BIM coordinator for the firm architectural projects. Prior into dwelling further into the project, development order plans are submitted and approved to be further amended into the REVIT software.
During the extent of my period interning in this firm, preparation in developing digital models whilst utilizing the REVIT software to ease work in submitting works to consultants and to by some means ease workflow in developing future projects.
Conclusion
26 / 2 / 2019
A worthwhile experience and a welcoming one, I am eternally grateful upon to be exposed to the working field of the construction industry in which C’arch Architecture and Design Sdn. Bhd. aided my perception to attain a better grasp onto what and how the practicality of maintaining and successively manage the architectural profession in reality. A valuable notice to pay attention to are the wonderous, passionate, and patient people who worked there. These are dreamakers in which envision dreams into reality. In the working life of an office person, sometimes its warm and enlightening to know the bright side of being human in contrast of a hectic working culture.
Moreover, its worth mentioning to understand an architect's tool into translating abstract into a proper documentation, and as a form of communication in future projects. It is said: to make use 100% of the features within the REVIT programme. The REVIT programme is a professional tool into crafting abstract ideas into a conceptualized practical model to be reviewed by partnering engineers and consultants to ensure the buildability of the design. It is important into understanding and elaborating the level of detailing in building components to have an insightful hindsight of the issues or parameters of the model.
Moreover, I would like to express my upmost gratitude to Mr. Harbir, and Fani Sofiyah for patiently providing guide and advise into utilizing REVIT as a tool to be a qualified proficient scope within the project and who were working alongside eversince the earliest days of my initial welcome to the firm. Also, I would like to thank the ever graceful Esha Mohammed into looking the scope of architecture and life as a balance while collaborating BRDB Menerung project with her, as well as, Carrie for being patient and bright on handling projects and providing guidance and aid whilst making use of the unfamiliar programme called Sketchup. Last but never the least, Mr. Chew on his take of understanding and elaborating designs architecturally. I was granted the many opportunities discussions and meetings both discreet and openly collaborate with other peers. I am glad to listen and understand the insightful considerations as an architect to manage and design a building from various perspectives.
To conclude, being part of the firm allow me to understand the reality of working from a certain point of view. Nonetheless, opening one's ear, then listen; observe, one will learn, I learnt a considerable deal of understanding everything- from sketch, to CAD, to reality. There will be obstacles and restrictions to stunt progress; having a dynamic people to help pull through is imperative and key to success.
Thank you for the experience,
Till' again we meet, C'arch.