The theory of phenomenology acknowledges this responsibility by implementing sensory design in order to establish experiential, architectural space. A place-based design is when you get a sense or a feeling that somehow it “just belonged”. Its material colour and shape reflects the environment, there is a continuity from the site to the building. The relationship of a place and architecture creates an ambiance, a phenomenology.

 

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BALIK KAMPUNG -BALIK PULAU, PULAU PENANG

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In this semester, we have to look further into adaptive reuse. Giving life into the old and long forgotten buildings by renovation, adding new programs, new look to adapt to the current time. However not all is new, we still have to preserve its history, culture and some parts of the building that values the place and site to show a sense of respect and not to completely destroy it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The site I am doing was set at Balik Pulau, in Pulau Penang. Where there is abundance of lush greens, tall coconut tress, mountains in the horizons, the sound of motor boats, acres of paddy fields, and the smell of sea breeze as it was just 1km away from the sea. A perfect place for a “get away”, coincidentally we have to design an “artist village” for local artists.

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CHRITIAN NORBERG-SCHULZ explained place as “a totality made up of concrete things having material substance, shape and color. Together these things determine an ‘environmental character’ which is the essence of place” and that was exactly what I tried to bask my design into. I wanted the village to reflect to the site by using materials that widely use in the place, also to create a village that belonged to the site by creating interesting spaces that will change the ambiance from a normal artist space into a village that was meant for Balik Pulau.

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 By using the project requirement (adaptive reuse) as an “upper hand”, the idea was to remain the original traditional timber house and adding a first floor to have a clear contrast of old and new. The new second level which is proposed to be a souvenir shop will have new materials glass and steel mainly which sits on top on the old rustic timber and concrete house which is now with a change of program to be the exhibition space. The idea was to exhibit the artist art work and at the same time to exhibit the facade of the original house side by side.

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Walking out of the exhibition space is an outdoor exhibition deck, which overlooks to the artist residence to the right. Under the deck is a pond (water feature) I created to recreate the sense of walking across a bridge as the site had a lot of bridges to cross over the river.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another idea I tried to implement into my design was the traditional malay houses that were quite a number in the Kampung. I liked how it sits on stilts and underneath is another space that can be used for anything. For the artist residence, I made the bedrooms on a second level and underneath is their workspace and workshops. I wanted the space to show multiple columns and the clear visions from one person to another by having double volumes just like the malay house with its balconies and it sitting on columns. The design was meant to be open other than the sleeping space, you get the sense of in and outside.

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It is very important to catch the essence of a place and a building should be designed to reflect the essence of the place.