LECTURE 07
ARTICLE READING
What is the relationship between form & function over the lifespan of an architectural work? Meaning how does renovation, adaptive reuse, etc, affect how building are both designed initially and transformed later?
During this semester site visit we have to chance to visit Penang, and one of the place we get to visit is Sekeping Victoria which is located in Victoria Street, George Town which is a heritage building area that is in the list under UNESCO world heritage site, there is a number of 1,904 units of enlisted heritage buildings. It is being preserve and take good care by the government. The shop lots in the area is built in the mid 19th century and some of the shop lots is abandon, and Sekeping Victoria used to be a abandon shop lots.
From the research I have done,the reason that some of the building is abandon (without any functions) is because some of the buildings are prone to failure and deterioration of the timber structure and dampness problems that can cause damaging the building’s structure. Besides, as the area become a popular tourism place, the function is being affected by the activity in the place. It is used to be housing area with shop lots that provide basic needs for the residents. As the human activity change, the purpose of the building change.
In the article, Richard Hill gave a few example the meaning of purpose, function and use. He mention that if a
person say the purpose that “children should be educated” but then saying that ‘' the function of the school is to educate children’’ A school may fail to perform that function, a building cannot educate a child…However, what is meant here by “school” is not a building but that complex system. The school is a “pedagogic
system”of human activity and practical resources but the building contribute the educating children.
It relates back when to the Sekeping Victoria, the old shop lot is the form that is there. The function is to provide a
retreat space and cafe, and the use for the people and for visitor. The architect Sek Shan design Sekeping Victoria, to create a completely new function to the spaces. provides a relaxing atmosphere for vacations and social
gatherings. Making the old abandon heritage shop into a cafe and retreat space. To serve a new function for the
use of human activity in the area.
This is some photos I capture to show the interior space function as a cafe. It is interesting to when comparing the original shop lots or houses and Sekeping Victoria serve a different functions. Opening sky lights, and extend and
demolish some of the walls to serve a better purpose of the human activities. It can be seen in the photo of the
mark left by the demolish walls.
the second floor have become a new function for retreat room to provide the use for visitors
