Recipe For Redemption

ACT 01:

The Site The protagonist who is I, Justin, finds himself in the Chinatown of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, also known as Petaling Street or Chee Cheong Kai. It directly translates into starch factory street in the Cantonese language as it was where the very first milling plant was started by Capitan Yap Ah Loy, the pioneer that brought foreign Chinese workers into the country in the year 1870.

3

茨厂

厂街 5

PETALING STREET A By-Product of Autonomous Connectivity

n Tun Ta

reet t S k c ng Lo

Che

300 m

Sultan Street

6

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

KM

7

CANTONESE OPERA Opera viewing during the time was a commonality for businessmen to interact as a sign of community and leisure whilst watching stage performers and their acts.

But sadly, the culture has long been extinct and deemed redundant with the deterioration in cultural identity and heritage beckoning due to the rapid urbanisation of the city itself.

I want to change that.

KUALA LUMPUR The introduction of a Chinese community in an Islamic-centred country has paved the way for the city of Kuala Lumpur to becoming an industrial colonial construct, fuelling affluent international business associations such as tin mining and tapioca milling to be conducted.

9

ACT 02:

The Proposition

11

RECIPE FOR REDEMPTION This proposal is a gesture towards the rejuvenation of Chinatown through the actions of an architectural performance, where the entire site is reinterpreted as an opera stage and in doing so seeks to give back to place and to its significant history as the catalyst for the introduction of the Chinese community into Malaysia.

13

PUSHING & PULLING OF THE NEW & OLD This is done through working with the existing fabric site, reworking the iconic food vendors by pushing and pulling them within the street at different scales and also then through a process of translation through their own recipes into a new architecture.

These once standalone stalls are converted into mixed-used extensions of the existing to become part food stall and part street performance theatre, with strong heritage influences from Cantonese opera.

15

REPURPOSING REDUNDANCY It will also facilitate the provision of aid to vulnerable members of society within the streets of Kuala Lumpur through the act of void metabolism, repurposing redundant and abandoned buildings situated within Petaling Street for shelter, rehabilitation, and food distribution.

17

ACT 03:

Existing Site Conditions Petaling Street as of now is only a tribute to what the site once was decades ago.

19

PETALING STREET REINTERPRETED As A Cantonese Opera Stage

Petaling Street Section

Existing Facades 20

Informal Frontages

Overcast Awning

The street is conjured of a series of timely, political, procedural, and experiential layers that collude synchronously, similar to how conventional stage design is distinguished through the use case of foreground, middle ground, and background when different scenes are set up.

Cantonese Opera Stage Section

Backdrop

Performance Stage

Stage Roofing 21

OVERCAST

Walking within the current site, visitors are sheltered from the scorching

T AWNING

g Malaysian heat by a large awning that was installed in the early 2000s.

23

A STRANGER TO THE SITE Sitting awkwardly within the space with no cultural purpose, a product of modernity.

25

LAYERING O

An overarching layering of continuous facade materiality, a consequence of Malaysia’s mu

OF FACADES

es that comes in all shapes, sizes colour and ulti-ethnic and cultural historic background.

27

EVERY BUILDING HAS A STORY TO TELL Even though these definitive schemes seem to be constantly fighting for the supremacy of value, it is their correspondent adjacencies that harmonises their significance as a whole.

29

INFORMAL F

With the original facades acting as the backdrop, the foo

There is a sense of personal disobedience toward current set up, with a series of informal pop-up shops juxt

FRONTAGES

od vendors and their individual stalls are the performers.

ds the default in architectural hierarchy within the taposing directly onto the existing facades along the strip.

31

INTRUDERS OF CHINATOWN These stores are built with a permanent roofing with minor recollection to the Chinese heritage of the site yet have no resemblance to the building they are attached to, potentially hindering business because of their obscurity towards the built fabric.

33

ACT 04:

A Recipe For Architecture I am seeking for incremental methods of building into the existing context that not just makes experiencing it better but also giving it new forms of accessibility by offering something new from the familiar.

My attitude towards the architecture comes from the initial highlighting of icons within petaling street, in this case the food vendors as the artists that have been performing for decades, a neverending burlesque situated at the intersection of the road, the centre stage.

35

THE ICONS OF PETALING STREET My Architectural Attitude

Kim Soya Bean Drink Stall

义钦豆浆水

Kim Lian Kee Flat Rice Noodle Shop

金莲记猪肠粉

Madam Tang’s Mua Chi Stall

麻芝皇后

Longan Drink Stall

龙眼甜水

Sze Ngan Chai Roasted Duck Stall

四眼仔烧鸭

37

CHINESE STREET FOOD Translated Into Architecture

WHAT IF architecture can be generated from the recipes ing the cooking techniques to transforming their stalls as the

used by the vendors to create their main ingredients architecturally, to become

delicacies, reinterpretthe final dish itself?

39

e

T

gan Sze N

ROAS s ' e y h

C

谱 食 鸭 仔烧

四眼 AL ORIGIN

E

as : s such . ic t Step 1 a m o p ar garlic Chop u ion, ginger $ on green n : in a pa Step 2 ll ingredients a de.

Sautee e the marina om to bec : o the ade int Step 3 in r a m he Pour t uck. of a d y it v a c : iling Step 4 e duck in bo in, th the sk n Blanch e t h ig to t water ast. then ro

40

ION

VENT

INTER URAL

ITECT

ARCH

RECIP

ORIGINAL STALL

Recip K C U D

: parts Step 1 into 5 t c a f te y at Split ar lly & verticall ta horizon ances. ist equal d by ments g : e s 2 o p Ste tion y tw its loca p ever Scale u e, then shift . siz y 200m b 1.5x its r e t n e ce off th o the : stall int g in t is Step 3 x e te the ct.

Reloca f the artefa o center : efact Step 4 e entire art ts as th segmen e Flatten t a t o &r by half ecessary. n deemed

1.5x

1.5x

1.5x

1.5x 1.5x

1.5x

1.5x

1.5x

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

0.5x

Step 4:

Raw Result 41

A layered and double storeyed intervention with an overlooking mezzanine.

A sequence of roofings that stay faithful to the existing facade.

43

45

e

Recip e ic u gan j n o l d stewe

谱 食 甜水

龙眼 AL ORIGIN

ITECT

ARCH E

RECIP

: uit & Step 1 onk fr m e gan. n o ted lon a Crush r d y h f de 300g o

: parts Step 1 into 5 t c a f te ances.

Split ar at equal dist lly vertica

water : Step 2 redients with ing Boil all hour. n for a s& : n strip lo e Step 3 m r winte ture.

Shred the mix o t in it add e : continu Step 4 ck sugar & ils. ro ure bo t ix m Add in e until th stirring : re is Step 5 ntil the mixtu u Simmer by half. d reduce

46

ION

VENT

INTER URAL

° angle : at a 30 imes.

2 t n p e e m t t S eg by 2-3 each s Rotate lly & scale up ta horizon lly

rtica : arts ve p 3 3 p e o t t S in tefact Split ar istances. ld at equa ent : te segm a n r Step 4 e lt ach a Scale e times. : efact Step 5 e entire art th Flatten

ORIGINAL STALL

by 2

. by half

Step 1 3x

Step 2 -30°

60°

3x

2x

2x

30°

-60°

2x

30°

Step 3

2x

2x

2x

Step 4

0.5x

Step 5:

Raw Result

47

A towering, sheltered artefact that penetrates into the original facade of the restaurant it juxtaposes.

An outdoor performance stage with a dominant visual presence for all that visit Chinatown.

49

51

e

e t ric a l f ee ian K L im K

ip e Rec l d o o

n

谱 食 粉 猪肠

记 莲 金 AL ORIGIN

E

RECIP

: er & 3 Step 1 rt wat a p 1 r a bowl. in Gathe r u o ice fl parts r

ITECT

ARCH

izonrts hor s. a : p 1 5 p Ste into ance tefact ual dist Split ar rtically at eq ve tally &

: ether Step 2 gredients tog in Mix the a paste. m r to fo : the Step 3 yer of la in h k pan t Pour a nto a non-stic o mixture m. & stea : dle into Step 4 steamed noo o e pt Slice th d roll them u n a strips . e serv

52

ION

VENT

INTER URAL

: at a Step 2 ach segment e Rotate horizontally. le g n 90° a act : e artef Step 3 ir t n e the Flatten

. by half

: at a Step 4 ach segment e Rotate vertically. le 90° ang

ORIGINAL STALL

Step 1 90°

90°

90°

90°

180°

180°

180°

270°

180°

270°

270°

270°

0.5x

Step 3

Step 2

Step 4:

Raw Result 53

A porous intervention with a sequence of spaces that embeds itself onto the ground and the site context it sits along with.

55

57

e

m

Mada

ip i Rec h C a 's Mu Tang

谱 食 皇后

麻芝 AL ORIGIN

ITECT

ARCH E

RECIP

our. : rice fl f o Step 1 s p e 2 cu Prepar

: t.

Step 1 rtefac a e h t Double

re : to ensu r u o Step 2 fl ps. he rice Sieve t e are no clum er that th r. : f wate o 3 s p p e u t S 2c ll with Mix we : Step 4 til fluffy. un Steam : i by Step 5 s the mua ch es .

Compr ize to be cut s half its

ORIGINAL STALL

58

ION

VENT

INTER URAL

d ngle an a : ° 2 0 18 p e St at a . e cart Flip on at a 30° angle it e t rota tally.

on ts horiz : n e 3 m p le e St ive e lternat Shift a

t ive car

rnat : up alte Step 4 le a c s & Rotate times. at 2-4 ls e e h w

: efact Step 5 e entire art th Flatten

. by half

Step 1

Step 2

30°

2x

Step 3

Step 4

0.5x

Step 5:

Raw Result

59

A series of angled overhangs and staggered floorplates that looms over the main street.

An entrenchment into the ground as it bleeds from the sidewalk onto the main path.

61

63

e

Soya S ' im K

Recip N a e B

谱 食 水 豆浆

义钦 AL ORIGIN

ITECT

ARCH E

RECIP

ans. : soy be f Step 1 o g e 80 Prepar

night : s over n a e Step 2 b r. he soy Soak t cups of wate 3 with 2-

irts hor a : p 1 8 p e St into tefact ces.

Split ar t equal distan a zontally : ative Step 2 every altern p size.

Scale u of its s e im t by2

er : ith wat w Step 3 s n a he be Blend t th. oo until sm the : simmer & Step 4 r a ck sug ced by Add ro ntil it is redu u mixture half.

ORIGINAL STALL 64

ION

VENT

INTER URAL

ts

segmen

y

ll : vertica Step 3 ach segment e ngles.

Rotate e 30° a iv t a n r at alte : efact Step 4 e entire art th Flatten

. by half

30° 150°

120°

2x

2x

2x

60°

2x

2x

Step 1

90°

Step 3 Step 2

180°

0.5x

Step 4:

Raw Result

65

A parasitic by-product, with roofing scattered throughout to provide sufficient shelter for the masses.

A succession of indoor and outdoor spaces that are projected at a variety of different angles and heights.

67

69

ACT 05:

Opera As Ornamentation With the raw results inserted back into their original locations, the exaggeration of the mundane within Cantonese opera was analysed, extracting the design elements as a way of driving the proposition forward.

71

REINSERTING TRADITION As Petaling Street was firstly introduced as a Cantonese opera hotspot in the 1870’s, it is only appropriate for the introduction of a traditional opera room to be installed back into the site.

73

SPEAKING NEW LIFE The utilisation of abandoned buildings in the giving back to the place and its history.

75

FLORAL ELEMENTS ON GARMENTS Significant moves such as the abstraction of flowers like peonies and water lilies that are typically embroidered onto garments or used as backdrops for different scenes .

77

MARKING THE GROUND A Symbol Of Remembrance

78

0

5

10

15

m

79

GROUND FLOOR PLAN

Architecture Conforming To Abstraction

Legend: L0-00 - Central Common Ground L0-01 - Sze Ngan Chye’s Roast Duck Shop L0-02 - Madam Tang’s Mua Chi Shop

L0-03

L0-03 - Air Mata Kucing Logan Drink Shop L0-04 - Kim Lian Kee’s Flat Rice Noodle Stalls L0-05 - Kim’s Soya Bean Shop L0-06 - Reintegration Center Soup Kitchen L0-07 - Performance Education Center Lobby L0-07

80

L0-01 L0-02 L0-00

L0-05

L0-04

L0-06

0 m

5

10

15

FIRST FLOOR PLAN

L1-00

Seperate Artefacts Merging Into One

Legend: L1-00 - Cantonese Opera Performance Room L1-01 - Outdoor Performance Stage

L

L1-02 - Performance Education Center L1-03 - Reintegration Center L1-04 - Outdoor Viewing Space

L1-02

82

L1-04

L1-04

L1-04

L1-04

L1-01

L1-04

L1-03

0 m

5

10

15

RED & WHITE MAKEUP A common use case for performers to counteract poor stage lighting and increase the visibility of the audience.

85

THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON CHINATOWN Reconciliated as a way of highlighting Chinatown within the hustle and bustle of the city once again, with its amplified lighting fixtures and vibrancies in program drawing audiences from the outside in. with no regards to the time of day.

87

ORIENTAL MYTHICAL CREATURES Often times used to glorify signs of balance and prosperity.

The P

hoen

The Dragon

i

ix

The Tiger

89

A NEW COAT The asymmetrical yet intentive configurations are translated with a sense of personal bias within the proposition, acting as a secondary skin for the already layered built fabric.

91

THE PERFORM

The meaning or int embodied in the attitude

MER’S GESTUS

tent of a place is e of the actor’s gesture.

93

THE EXAGGERATIO

Expressing emotion to allow for architecture vertically through the exploration of the peo

ON OF MOVEMENT

e to flow within the site both horizontally and ople’s behaviours and their biased realism.

95

AMBIGUITY IN PERFORMANCE PROPS Landscapes painted onto a backdrop and the usage of minimal furniture such as two chairs and a table to be arranged symbolically to represent different settings, be it a bridge a mountain or even a bed.

97

SPILLAGE OF BOUNDARIES This spillage of boundaries from the artefacts on to the main path is a testimony towards the disagreement in segregation between the hierarchical layers of Petaling Street, there should be a seamless transition between the people, the landscape, and the architecture, be it new or old.

With people in mind, the rejuvenation of Petaling Street will also focus on the recuperation of the needy, a rehabilitation headquarters that is run and managed by fellow Malaysians to aid fellow Malaysians.

99

SPEAKING NEW

Once again unused buildings are utilized advantage of the existing scenarios to hold p retrain, rather than segregate the people in dire n

There is a shift in the mere containment of peop

W LIFE... AGAIN

in the creation of these facilities, taking programs that aid in initiatives to enable and need from society but integrate them back into it.

ple to the provision of opportunities for the needy.

101

ACT 06:

The Final Scene The void that was generated from the design outcome is a testimony of spaces performing as architecture, acting as a catalyst to enable all formal or informal events within it to occur.

The relationships formed through the integration of the facades, extensions and signage showcase the blurring of interiority against exteriority, public vs private within one space, where is the line drawn when it comes to accessibility, what is considered inside or outside and what isn’t?

There will be no distinctive segregation between the different components, they are articulated and made to work not around but with each other, the way Malaysia should be.

The goal is for there to never be a curtain call on Petaling Street, to become a container that is a utilitarian counterpart in its application of existing cultural heritage to inspire a new design language in the revitalisation of Malaysia’s premise of being a multi-cultural country, indeed the reason I call myself a Malaysian today.

103

105