Proposal_The Alleyway

the alleyway 2020 pi concept lab all rights reserved

Art In The City Proposal 2020

Prepared for

Project Period

CENDANA

Jan 2020 - Jun 2021

Written by

Project Name

Pi Concept Lab

The Alleyway

Version 1.0 Written Aug 2020

the alleyway is a proposal that aims to revitalise and redefine an otherwise abandoned communal space through sustainable initiatives.

05

2.0 Context

09

3.0 Design

10

4.0 Details

12

5.0 Impact

13

6.0 Report

14

7.0 About

16

Contact

22

art in the city proposal 2020

1.0 Abstract

project meranja

Index

padungan backlane kuching, sarawak

1.0

Abstract About the Project

the alleyway a placemaking project

Issue In the Suburban context, housing areas are

and the community around the site, making

designed with a back alley as fire breaks

the alleyways into a communal space. The

and emergency escape routes in case of

proposal consists of commissioning 2 art

a fire. However, residents tend to hoard

installations and facilitating 4 interactive

their stuff in the alleys, blocking the

programmes which require the involvement

escape, rendering its function useless.

of the community, exposing them to art

In comparison, the Urban context faces

and culture during the process.

similar problems with people moving out of the city where it is no longer livable,

Core Values

rendering

the

The passion of the project brews from the

empty alleys dangerous. By drawing this

author's sheer disconnect from society,

comparison, The Alleyway aims to discuss

as one would naturally feel in a highly

the possibilities of interjecting a design in

digitalised new millennium. A piece art

the Suburban and the Urban alleyways in

doesn't stop at its aesthetics -- it can

Kuching to address the aforementioned

foster

issues.

amongst people, and that is the power of

the

spaces

dead

and

more

meaningful

relationships

art in public spaces. Having that said, with Goal

sustainable development goals in mind, the

The main goal of The Alleyway is to clear

proposal aims to transform the community

out the alleyways by activating the space

into a more accessible, safe, and livable

2.0

Context Side Effects

SAFETY

MOSQUITOES

VACANT SPACES

Unattended alleyways tend

Residents carry out

do

to attract mosquitoes be-

recreational

have an alternative route

cause residents leave water

the middle of the road,

when escaping from a fire.

containers out. The proposal

which can be hazardous. By

The

will have programmes that

activating and designing an

addressed this issue by the

educate

otherwise vacant space, we

end of its execution.

with mosquito control.

Blocked that

escapes

residents

proposal

will

have

about

and

deal

their

activities

in

give it meaning and value.

Context Main Issue address

And it's a big issue we have to

Cluttered Alleyways Are a Thing

mean

fire

In the Suburban context, housing areas are designed with a back alley as fire breaks and emergency escape routes in case of a fire.

However, residents tend to hoard their stuff in the alleys, blocking the escape, rendering its function useless. In comparison, the Urban context faces similar problems with people moving out of the city where it is no longer livable, rendering the spaces dead and the empty alleys dangerous.

Context Key Concerns

the alleyway

AGING SOCIETY

COMMUNAL VALUES

A good community park

The public installation will

acts as a community centre

provide a communal space

that

social

that hosts monthly pro-

the

grammes. The building of

golden aged, who are the

the installation itself will

ones that need more public

also be a neighbourly event.

addresses

concerns,

spaces

to

haphazard

especially

socialise,

not

neighbourhood

roads. The installation will be as accessible as possible to all ages.

2.1

Context Site Analysis

01.

Things about Padungan, Kuching that are worth noting.

Urban Context.

History Padungan is a main city area of Kuching. In 18th century, Padungan used to be called Kampong Padungan, the largest Malay village in Kuching.

02.

03.

Alleyways

Backlanes

Residents use the backlanes as entrances into their homes. 5 foot ways are used mainly as commercial fronts. The backlanes usually are unappealing, unsafe at night and used as service overflow for garbage disposal and carparking. Current demographic : aging population that are still willing to live there, foreign workers.

2.2

Context Site Analysis

01.

See awesome things that Sherip Masahor, Kuching does in the evening.

Suburban Context.

Dog-Walking Due to the circular nature of the neighbourhood, residents love to run laps around the compound or walk their dogs in the evening brisk.

Sherip Masahor comes to life in the evening. This is especially true when the skies decide to paint itself pink and purple (we have the best sunsets in the city). Kids start running amok, with fur-pets sniffing the passers-by while the pet's owners start chatting away in the middle of the street.

02.

03.

Cycling & Jogging

Farming & Greenery

The neighbourhood is a closed circular loop.

One may always find pockets upon pockets

Owing to its nature, residents (young and old

of greenery that the residents care for. More

alike) love to run laps or cycle around the

notably, there are about 10+ houses that have a

compound, as if it were an actual running track.

small farm of their own in the neighbourhood.

Number of Families in the Neighbourhood

Number of Elderly in the Neighbourhood

Number of Youth in the neighbourhood

Families

Elderly

Youth

People who do recreational activities

Total number of residents in the neighbourhood

Recreational

Residents

+47

+47

+20

+540

+87

Proposed alleyway

Neighbourhood boundary

Statistics on Sherip Masahor, Kuching. Surveyed Aug 2020.

backlane of sherip masahor, the proposed alleyway

1. pavilion

proposed installation for padungan alleyway

3.0

Design Concept the alleyway

01

Meranja Taman Meranja is the unofficial name given to the neighbourhood of Jalan Sherip Masahor. The entire project is inspired by the community's need for a communal space. The project is also inspired by the backlane at Lot. 10 in the neighbourhood, which has been treated by placing tiles of indegenous Dayak motifs, making the space beautiful, clean and livable.

02

Concept For the suburban context, we want the installation to house meaningful interactive programmes. For the urban context, we want to treat the backlanes as a second frontage, allowing for service lanes to be a more private/ local street, which serves the local community there.

03

Design We want our design to be contextually relevant. By making a community infrastructure so that people can actually communicate with the designers and the installation art itself, it creates a subtle impact, therefore making the intervention as minimal yet effective as possible.

Design Context A - Suburban [Participatory Module]

3.1

1. suburban farming

2. a paper-white dream exhibition 3. wayang kulit screen

Design Context B - Urban [Design Module]

A

Programme Community infrastructure - Pavilions with seating/ mahjong tables, playground, urban farming, etc.

Touristic infrastructure - Cultural identity, bamboo pavilion hung with lanterns, food carts, local businesses, local crafts, etc.

B

Technique Potentially doing something that incorporates local crafts (bamboo pavilion, steel pipe, etc.) and something that also ties in a bit of our local culture (be it chinese culture because of padungan's chinese heritage, or dayak culture, etc.)

C

Conversation Currently there are locals that paint their spiral staircases and back walls very bright and whimsical colours. Maybe there is potential there to engage local artists with their murals, etc.

Details

Programme Further Programming Fabrication Case Study

Programme

Further Programming

A placemaking project is only as successful

One of the most crucial parts of a community

as its community-involving programmes that

project, is to involve as many key individuals as

makes its surroundings come to life.

possible to synergise in an exciting, dynamic masterpiece.

4.0 Now to the nitty gritty parts of the project.

Fabrication

Case Study

We will be outlining the interesting things that

Throughout

we aim to achieve throughout the construction

period, we have (will continue to) take examples

process of the installation.

of successful architectural and placemaking projects

the

that

communities.

research

brings

and

about

development

the

revival

of

Details

Detail Programme Overview

Margaret J. Wheatley Writer

“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”

4.1

We work with expert facilitators in the field.

Placemaking capitalises on a local community's assets,

public spaces that promote people's health, happiness,

inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating

and well-being.

Placemaking Activities.

Cross-Generation Family Activity

Community Building

Arts Sharing Platform

With removing generation

The Alleyway aims to

One of the main initiatives

gap and creating a more

break social barriers

that the project wants to

accessible community

through gotong-royong,

take up is an arts sharing

for the elderly in mind,

neighbourhood watch,

platform. One of our

we want to create

discussion, and survey.

programmes will be about

engaging activities for the

This allows the community

kids and parents making art

vulnerable (the elderly and

to build with their own

to express what is normally

the young) to interact in an

hands the place in which

difficult through words,

inclusive zone.

they want to live.

which is especially true for many Asian families.

Food

Sports

Culture

Malaysians obviously love

Residents naturally

The facilitators will give

to share food. With a BBQ/

recreate in the

classes and talks on topics

open house concept, the

neighbourhood. The project

such as pottery, art, and

project will organise food

will therefore host several

childhood education.

gatherings.

sporting events.

Detail Programme A

A Paper-white Dream A workshop to communicate through art.

The proposed workshop (by Charis Ng) aims to achieve

communication between children and their parents.

three things: 1. Cultivate a child's indepedence and

3. Acts as a therapeutic activity for adults to make their

passion for learning. 2. Facilitate conversation and

voices heard.

Logistics 1. 3 hours 2. Audience: children and parents 3. Facilitated by: Charis Ng (proposed) 4. Participants are given an A4 paper to create their own character and write down their dreams.

image by charis ng

Detail Programme B

Suburban Farming Farming your own food sources in your backyard 1. 5 hours 2. Audience: grandchildren and grandparents 3. Facilitated by: Gardencraft Co. 4. Participants will be provided with their own seeds/ young plants

image by gardencraft co.

5. Parents or grandparents are encouraged to help and teach kids 6. Plant maintenance will be borne by the residents

A workshop on farming from your own suburban home.

A workshop on wayang kulit creation and performance We believe that stories which are passed down from

performance using techniques of wayang kulit, sharing

our grandfathers to our children to be a powerful thing.

tales from the past. By the end of the workshop, they will

In this workshop, few sets familes will build an entire

have a performance at the installation.

Wayang Kulit

Logistics Participants will be selected based on story proposals. Once confirmed, the participants will be given 1-on-1 technical support with building wayang kulit models and backgrounds.

1. 3 days, 2 hours a day 2. Audience: families, public 3. Facilitated by: Pi Concept Lab

Detail Programme C

Participatory Installation We want the community to build their own artwork. This is the true spirit with Cendana's goals for energising the arts and empowering communities to engage in art.

Detail Programme D

DIY Installation 1. 2 months 2. Audience: residents and public 3. Facilitated by: Pi Concept Lab 4. Participants may volunteer to be involved in the building process fo the installation

image by epic homes malaysia

4.2

Detail Further Programming

Filamen

NWHR

Sector

Sector

: New Media

Programme : Projection Mapping

Tuson Chong : Music

Programme : Electronic Music Sesh

Sector

: Clay Studio

Programme : Pottery Lesson

These are some of the programmes we aim to bring into the park every month after the installation has been constructed.

This will not only beautify but also liven up the neighbourhood by involving the neighbourhood in interesting activities.

The programmes will be funded until the community can be self-sustaining within a year.

Leonard Siaw

Condiment Strings

Hendri Take

Position

Position

Position

: Mural

Programme : Street Rainbow Mural

: Macrame

Programme : Macrame Installation

: Yoga

Programme : Yoga Class

Context-based design with modular element

Develop to-scale physical model for reference

Simplify instructions for volunteers

Design

Scaled Model

Instruction Booklet

Involve the community in the construction

Manage the project & faciliate personnels

Volunteer Search

Build

1.

3.

5.

process step-by-step

design to build

A

Fabrication for Meranja Park

from

4.

2.

4.3

Detail Fabrication “Passion is the key essential force that drives our success. It determines everything that we think and do!”

zone 1

superkilen park topotek 1, big, superflex | copenhagen

4.4

Detail Case Study A

zone 1

zone 2

zone 3

Case Study A

Three colours, three zones, one neighbourhood.

Project Description Superkilen is a half a mile long urban space wedging through one of the most ethnically diverse and socially challenged neighborhoods in Denmark. It has one overarching idea that it is conceived as a giant exhibition of urban best practice – a sort of collec-

Superkilen is a park that supports di-

tion of global found objects that come

versity. It is an exhibition of furniture

from 60 different nationalities of the

and objects from across the world, in-

people inhabiting the area surrounding

cluding benches, lampposts and trash

it.

cans – requisites that visitors of the park have helped select.

zone 2

zone 3

Detail Case Study B

Case Study B Project Description Epic Homes aims to build relationships between the urban and rural divide through the act of building homes for underprivileged communities, currently focusing on the indigenous people of Peninsular Malaysia, the Orang Asli.

An Epic Home…

– Can be built in as fast as 3-4 days.

– Is designed based on modular blocks of 110 sqft.

– Is designed based on size of family and land.

– Is designed to suit the needs of the Orang Asli community.

Rainforest Fringe Festival 2019.

Curated in conjuncion with

The Origin Installation

– Is easy to understand & fun to build.

Project Date 31 / 06 / 2019

building houses for the community epic homes | malaysia

Detail Case Study C Client Taipei Fine Arts Museum

Ephemerali Statistics

Project Description Installation Art Commission for "X-Site"

2 mist encounter serendipity studio | taipei

Projects of Ephemeral Architecture

5,500 Total Impacted Visitors

001. // Mist Encounter X-Site sought to expand the syntax and aesthetics of architecture by

85%

presenting an architecturally-themed

-

installation in the museum’s outdoor

Better Standard

plaza.

of Living

The pavilion aims to form an awareness of the body through the use of mist, as well as create the consciousness of

natural

air

conditioning.

the

constantly-evolving atmosphere gives unseen air flow a conditioning and comprehensible form, letting human bodies interact with ambient changes.

Inspirational Integration of science and art

ity in Architecture

sava installation openact architecture | zagreb

which are established around a river, Zagreb’s urban growth had been formed with a tendency to move away from Sava.

002 // Sava Installation

Due to increasing water levels which occur several times a year, no permanent structure or object can be placed on the riverbanks. Under

Sava Activities is an on-going

the main theme of the competition

public urban design project aiming

topic of “Adaptable City”, the

to reintroduce the riverbanks of

project focused on revitalizing the

Zagreb’s Sava River to the daily life

7 km long riverbank area through

of the city. Initiated as a competition

ephemeral programmatic injections

proposal in 2015, the project had

to experiment the inclusion of this

been developed around the flood

waterfront public space to the city,

related characteristics of the river.

enhancing the east-west connection

Unlike the other European capitals

through the river.

5.0

Key facts of our studio.

Skilled & Passionatee.

Objective Impact

Safety & Security Besides adressing the safety issue of having a clear fire escape, the park will also address security concerns by installing one-way gates, CCTVs, and limiting opening hours.

Cultural Economy Having a neighbourhood with a rich cultural background in the liberal arts is important for the development and quality of life of its inhabitants, especially for the young and the elderly.

Social Activism Humans are social beings. We thrive on making connection and living in a community. The project aims to bring out the best in terms of community building and a safe neighbourhood.

Future-proof Design The project discusses a very important topic of future and how we should design spaces in speculation of people's quality of life, an aging society and the progress of the nation as a whole.

the alleyway

What to expect out of this project?

Acessibility Our park does not discriminate; it celebrates people of all age, gender, and background. In fact, it aims to serve and represent the underprivileged and their respective needs.

2019

Established:

Sustainability Part of sustainability means having a long-term plan, or using reusable material. But it also means meeting the needs of a society, therefore increasing its welfar, so that the society can eventually self-sustain.

Education We want to spread awareness about the dangers of clogging the emergency escape footpaths, and its many side effects. We also want

Design Studio:

Pi Concept Lab.

to inspire people to do community building events such as these.

Materiality Using cheap, readily-available sustainable materials such as bamboo or scaffolding allows us to shape our views on these humble materials by making stellar artworks, thus increasing its value.

6.0 The idea that art can change the world, one person at a time, is a powerful one.

-renzo piano

Report Target Audience

TA–01

6.1

The Suburban Community Why are we targeting the suburban community as well as the greater urban fabric? This is because we feel that there are already an influx of arts and culture happening in the downtown area of Kuching, but none actually live there. In contrast, suburban developments are mushrooming like never before, yet one thing developers do not consider while developing communities: its humanity and culture.

The Alleyway aims to bring activities and memorable experiences into kids' childhoods; and also inspire others to replicate this very initiative, bringing culture, life, and art into their alleyways.

TA–02

The Young and Elderly Malaysia is projected to have reached an aged-society status before it reaches its developed nation status, which is problematic as it will not have a support structure that a developed nation has for its Elderly. Consequently, Millennials and Gen Z's would ultimately be stuck footing the bills for their parents' pension. By starting grassroot initiatives that put the Elderly and the Youth first, it would hopefully reshuffle government's priorities in building its cities.

TA–03

The Creative Community Cultural economy and art ecosystem is important for a holistic and diversified economy. This project provides many opportunities for the young artists and collaborators out there who are struggling to look for projects.

TA–04

The Stakeholders The stakeholder for Art In The City, i.e. CENDANA.

Key facts of our studio.

Report Deliverables

Art and culture are both powerful forces. They penetrate and affect our consciousness; they spark

with them.

6.2

Service Overview

who come into contact

list of projected deliverables

the imagination of those

Project

Documentation

Qualitative

Data

1.

2.

3.

4.

2 Installation Art

Graphic

Upskill

Feedback Form

- Design model

Video, photo and

Through participating

From all programme

- Participatory model

graphic design

in our workshops

participants

2 Programmes

Instruction

Social Building

Visitor Statistic

Through involving

Relevant for future

in park building and

projects and

other activities

programmes

Model

Marketing

Social Media

Physical to-scale

Competitions and

Create and monitor

model for reference

media outlet

engaging contents

Booklet - Paper-White Dream

For the participatory

- Urban Farming

workshop

About Pi Concept Lab

Et

Managing Partner

Eddy Tan Manage and oversee the entirety of the

Jt

Design Partner

Joshua Teo Manage and advise on the InstallationDesign Module.

management to early childhood education

Our various backgrounds range from design and

Our Exeptional Team.

project, including programmes and logistics.

7.0

Lk

Design Associate

Lionel Kueh Manage and advise on the InstallationParticipatory Module.

About Eddy 1. B.A. Early Childhood Education Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jul '20 2. Managing Assistant Art In The City: Entwine, Dec '19 3. Vice Chairperson Peer Mentoring Programme, Oct '19 4. Co-organiser Police Officer Day, Sep '19

5. Co-organiser Healthy Teeth, Happy Kids, Jul '19 6. Organiser Let's Talk About Autism, Apr '18 7. Programme Manager Peer Mentoring Programme, Jan '18 8. Teacher Alpha Tutor, March 2015-May '17

About Joshua 1. B.A. Interior Design Chung Yuan Christian University, Jun '18 2. Project Manager Art In The City: Entwine, Aug '19-Feb '20 3. Interior Designer Design Network Architects, Feb '19-Jan '20 4. Piano Teacher Harmony Music School, Dec '18-Current

5. Asia Young Designer Award Champion & Runner-up, '17 & '18 6. Future Is Now Design Award Champion, '17 7. Decor House Design Award Best Environmental Design, '16 8. Swinburne Debating Championship Champion, Best Speaker, Judge, '11-'19

About Lionel 1. B.S. Architecture Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, May '17 2. Architectural Designer Design Network Archtiects, Jun '19-Jan '20 3. Architectural Designer MinWee Architect, Jun '17-Feb'19

4. Construction Volunteer Mount Hope School, Jun '17 5. Architectural Model Exhibition Wei-Ling Contemporary Art Gallery, Sep '15

7.1 Entwine

Plastic Charrette

Let's Talk Autism

Aug 2019

Jan 2020

April 2018

1. Entwine

2. Plastic Charrette

3. Let's Talk Autism

Entwine was one of

The Plastic Charette was

Let's Talk Autism was an

the installation arts

an event under Entwine

educational talk held in

commissioned along River

which saw 5 designers

UTAR about Autism. This

of Life, KL. It champed

working with recycled

was especially needed in

the idea of using Recycled

plastic for art, reinforcing

Malaysia, where awareness

Plastic as a reusable

the idea of plastic as a

is still weak about people

construction material.

viable material.

in the spectrum.

Pi Concept Lab

2. plastic charrette

3. let's talk autism

About Past Projects 1. entwine

Our next is the Meranja Initiative!

Good design is like a refrigerator— when it works, no one notices, but when it doesn’t, it sure stinks.

Thank you.