Analyzing and Theorizing Architecture: Project Part 2

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) THEORIES OF ARCHITECTURE & URBANISM [ARC61303] [ARC2224]

THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE PROJECT PART 2: ANALYSING AND THEORIZING ARCHITECTURE (Stage 3) NAME ANGELINE KON KEE HOOI

0302068

TUTOR MS. IDA MARLINA MAZLAN

Architect: Self

External Contributing Factors

Ar. Lum Chong Lin Borned on 15th December 1946 Malaysian Climate Childhood - 8 siblings - Chinese Culture Family - 5th son of Businessman and Housewife - Family Financial Issue - Provide support for his family - City kid - A sociable person - A free thinker - Hobbies: Fish-keeping - Love for nature: Growing cactus - Have interest in Mathematics and Trading - Inspirers: Frank Lloyd Wright and Le Corbusier Education - SJK (Chinese) Confucian Primary School, Confucius Independent High School - Started his university life in Western Australian Institute of Technology (WAIT) - Different culture and climate between Malaysia and Australia gave him a though time to adjust with the subject and university lifestyle - The works and philosophy of Architecture by Frank Llyod Wright about form and function and Le Corbusier who dedicated in providing comfort to the occupants inspired and indirectly shaped his architecture and even influence his design until today - The experienced of how one single line can entirely change people perception of a good design during his study made him keeping the habit of reading architecture magazine to follow the new trend and technology to meet his client needs -Hard financial study life influenced him on simple and emphasizing on cost savings Working Experience - Worked in Perth for a year after graduation for drafting job and learn how to respond towards hot climate with the shade of ship container - Back to Malaysia and worked in 2 different firms - Establish firm with his partner in year 1973 - Involved throughout the project from scratch with engineers and contractors - Believes that fancy design does not work most of the time due to its cost and workability; therefore he would follow the contemporary design approach that was trending until today.

- Aim is to create workability spaces and comfort and to achieve a simple design yet aesthetically pleasing, low cost yet harmony with the environment.

- Sun, wind, rain Theory on Architecture

Modernism - Associated with modernist architecture and industrial design in the 20th century - Simplification of form -Open plan - Reject of ornamentation Form follows Function - The building form should be primarily based upon its intended function. The architecture style embraces a simplification of form and rejects ornamentation.

- Design strategies such as mono-pitched roof, fenestration, balcony overhangs, and voids to provide thermal comfort

Architectural Theory - Modernism is shown through the maximum use of space and functional efficiency - Deals with archetypical precision related to the simple house function - Form follows Function - The idea of Standard - Mass-production - Simplicity and Clarity of Form - Reduction of ornamentation with simplicity Users - The approach of entrance and the arrangement of structural element, and the private balcony. Ar. Chew designed the houses with simple clean style and functional use with his practical design thinking

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Introduction

This project attempts to convey an understanding of architect’s architectural theory through a direct observation and analysis of his buildings. The purpose of this research essay is to analyse and theorize Ar. Lum Chong Lin’s architecture based on architect’s self and external contributing factors such as climate, architecture theory and user in response to the project brief, “What is one doing when one is doing architecture?”.

Ar. Lum Chong Lin is an experienced architect with over 30 years of working experience in overseas and private practice. He was born on 15th December 1946 and raised in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He completed his five years of Architecture in Western Australia Institute of Technology, now which is known as Curtin University. Currently, He is the director of Akitek Padu Sdn Bhd. His study and working experience in Australia has influenced him to practice sustainability in his design approach. Besides, the experience of being exposed to different living environment and diverse cultural background in his early childhood made him have effective communication. He does trading when he is not at school which helps him grow interest in opening architectural firm.

The selected building is The Perdana Homes is a freehold houses in Bukit Setongkol, which is near to Kuantan City Centre. The low density homes consist of 66 units of double storey terraces homes with the lot size from 22’ x 75’ to 21’ x 134’ for modern family living.

Figure 1: Artist impression of Perdana Homes, Bukit Setongkol (Source: Lum C.Y. , 2014)

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Climate

Perdana Homes were built according the climatic factor. The hot and humid climate in Malaysia is a concern during design stage. Therefore, the layout of the terraced houses has been designed to the site context. to allow natural ventilation and optimum solar radiation and rainfall throughout the year.

Perdana Homes are flanked by Bukit Setongkol, Kuantan and near to South China Sea as shown in Figure 2.1. The house surrounded by same height double-storey terrace houses. The entrance of Perdana Homes is oriented towards the north to reduce solar radiation during the hottest hour as shown in Figure 2.2. Each unit of the house is orientated to reduce direct solar exposure and capture the prevailing wind from sort-west and north-east directions.

Figure 2.1: Perdana Homes are flanked by Bukit Setongkol, Kuantan

Various design strategies that were used are the overhangs and voids to improve the circulation of air and regulate winds. As shown in Figure 2.3, the high ceilings double volume roof space also creates stack ventilation due to temperature differences between indoor and outdoor environment. Heat rises and cool air enters the house. Therefore, the indoor air quality can be maintained and it keeps the building users healthy. More windows are placed at the north faรงade of the house as it helps to maximize the natural ventilation through the operable windows.

Figure 2.2: Fenestration

Figure 2.3: Stack ventilation helps to maintain indoor air quality

As shown in Figure 2.3, the roof is covered in durable concrete tiles to reduce solar radiation.

This helps to increase the energy efficiency of the houses by keeping it cool all the time. With its dual mono-pitch roof, this house has a potential to install solar panel to increase the efficiency of the house.

In addition to that, vertical fins and car porch at the north faรงade of the house acts as sunshading elements which offers protection from the radiant heat from the sun. The sun-shading elements minimize the exposure of the wall surface to the sun which lowers the interior temperature of the terraced house and provide thermal comfort to the users. Moreover, the balcony overhangs at the front faรงade of the house provide some shade to the building, keeping the house cool.

Figure 2.3: Design strategies using car porch, double volume space, and overhangs

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User

Perdana Homes is designed to provide comfortable and the convenience of the users. The floor plans of Perdana Homes are simple. As shown in Figure 3.0, on the ground floor is occupied with one guest room at the back, free-flowing spaces of living, dining area and kitchen.

The covered entrance has a walk through to the car porch and the front door opens into a spacious living room which leads directly to the dinning and kitchen area. The users can walk straightly to the kitchen without any interrupted walls. The open plan improves communication between the users and adds better quality of family life.

Figure 3.0: Grounf floor plan

On the other side, balcony is designed to offers a space for relaxation and views for the users.

The balcony give users access to the sun exposure while staying in the boundary of the house.

At the same time, balcony allows for sitting out and enjoying the view over the mountains.

There are no corridors in the house as the house is designed to make almost all the floor area usable. Instead, doors lead into each of the bedrooms from the rear of the upper level family living area. Nonetheless, the corner lot of Perdana Homes has open plan living, huge corner

windows to cater the needs of different users. Open plan design allows for future adaptation as additional rooms.

Furthermore, on the first floor, each bedroom has bathroom to cater the needs of each individual member. On the first floor, the interior space is enhanced by the height of the mono pitch roof line and operable windows to flood the living area below with light. The entrance of Perdana homes is designed for the convenience of the users.

At the front faรงade, the car porch with long slab provided entrance directly into the house without any weather disturbance. The void at the car porch creates a poetic feeling to the house as the earth sky can be seen through the void opening. High level of lapped windows in the middle of the roof brings mid-morning sunshine into the north-west facing family area on the upper level gives a sense of warmth to the house.

Although there were many minor variations of lot size of Perdana Homes on the plans but there is a party wall built in between the terraced house to provide users a private living space as shown in Figure 3.1. Large spans at the sides to create unobstructed space for the users. Lshaped staircase at the front corner of the entrance eases the access of users to the upper floor level.

Figure 3.1 Structural elements of Perdana Home

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Architectural Theory

The architectural theory applied to Perdana Homes is Modernism. Modernism is associated with modernist architecture and industrial design in the 20th century. The principle is that the building form should be primarily based upon its intended function. The architecture style embraces a simplification of form and rejects ornamentation.

In the face of new economic needs, mass-production units have been created in mass and detail. Modernism creates the spirit of living in the mass-production homes. Architecture in this period of regeneration brings out a revision of values in terms of architectural elements and its functions. As mentioned in Tens books on Architecture (Vitruvius, 2001), a structure must exhibit the three qualities of firmitas, utilitas, venustas – that is, it must be solid, useful, beautiful.

Perdana Homes with loads of characters, including all the Modernist features in mono-pitched roof, skylight windows and the modern, simplicity of form and economy of the terraced house.

The design layout arose from the need of the speculative builder to squeeze as many houses as possible into one street. Only the corner lot had houses had curtain door entrance and a side balcony. As well, the principle of Form follows function is adopted in designing the terraced houses. All front entrance of the houses had been extended to yield maximum space and functional efficiency. The idea of standard and module such as columns in house are used to define as a system. The terraced house is design in attempting to unite art and the functionalism of a house, bringing them into daily life using architecture as the intermediary. Functionality is given higher priority than form.

The houses stood out strongly with the high ceiling roof and lapped windows to infuse the

Figure 4.0: A visual emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines. Their symmetrical and geometrical forms given in bold colors

home in daylight. As shown in Figure 4.0, the home is also designed with a series of trim pieces that attach to the window to give a visual emphasis on horizontal and vertical lines with their symmetrical and geometrical forms given in bold colors. A void at the car porch allows air and more natural light to bathe the house throughout the day.

The Form follows Function is used in the design of Perdana Homes. On the first floor of the house are designed bedrooms with a family living area. Structural walls cut through the existing open plan within the house to expose different space and functions, giving the flexibility of working with non-load-bearing walls as shown in Figure 4.1. Programmatic use of the building determines the form and massing of the house. And so, brick walls are used to control the visibility of each space.

Figure 4.1 Programmatic use of the building determine the form and massing of the house

However, the house design doesn’t follow entirely the concept of Form follow Functions. On the ground floor level of the house are open plan living gives a sense of space as there are no structural walls to separate the space between living area, dining area, and kitchen which improve communication between family members, creating an intimate family reunion at home.

In the end, the exterior of the Perdana Homes have clean lines trim finishes that complement each other very well. The high ceilings of the roof give the home a light and airy feel. Car porch over the wooden door and window frontages are visually appealing as well as functional. The contrasting vertical and horizontal timber weatherboarding on one elevation add architectural interest to the home and the paneling.

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Discussion and Conclusion

Ar. Lum solved adopted Modernism with the the principles of Form follow Function in designing Perdana Homes. Based on the analysis of self, he enjoys solving mathematic problems and concerned with the climate due his living experience in Australia. This has influenced him in his design thinking and how he deals with archetypical precision related to the simple function. At the same time, he brings poetic spirit to the house with mono-pitched roof and void, allowing the users to view the sky from inside. This gives a sense of contextual relationship to his design.

The fusion of science and art can be seen the architectural style. His passion towards climatic issue can be shown through the way he design the houses using design strategies such as mono-pitched roof, windows, void, balconies, and so on. The idea of using mono-pitched roof is to keep the house cool while giving aesthetic value. Windows and voids have helped to improve the natural ventilation and to minimize the use of artificial light and bring more sunlight to the house, achieving thermal comfort of the users. Balconies offer views while provide shade to building which lead to physical and psychological well-being of a person.

Moreover, users’ need is a factor in designing the terraced houses. Although mass-production of the houses occurred, different sizes of the house lot are offered to different users. This has been shown in the approach of entrance and the arrangement of structural element, and the private balcony. Ar. Chew designed the houses with simple clean style and functional use with his practical design thinking formed during his childhood, education and working experience to create a house which is convenient and comfortable for the users.

All in all, Ar. Lum depends on the external factors such as climate, architectural theory, and building users’ needs in designing Perdana Homes. He uses sustainable architecture strategies to create simple modern design, aesthetic appealing, and low cost and harmony with environment. Meanwhile, he focuses on energy-saving and healthy environment when his is practicing Architecture, showing progress of human being. Therefore, his architectural thinking influences him to be involved in designing more efficient structure, economical in terms of energy saving, usage, durability, low maintenance, and human comfort.

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References

Lembaga Akitek Malaysia. (2006). LAM information system. Retrieved September 18, 2014 from http://vps.lam.gov.my/lam_ims_member/index.php?module=func&op=dispList&dispCode=2&se archItem=akitek+padu&typeFirm=typeFirm&submit=Search

Lum, C.L., personal communication, September 12, 2014.

Lum, C.L. (September 18, 2014). Analyzing self. (Kon, Angeline, Sudianto, Anthony, Astriyani Interviews)

Nurdalila, B.S. (2011, September 27). A Review of Malaysian Terraced House Design and the Tendency of Changing. Retrieved September 22, 2014 from http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/jsd/article/viewFile/15058/11194

Pollio, M.V. (2001, January 15). Ten Books on Architecture. UK: Cambridge University Press.