Short Semester Portfolio

Project 1: Sketches and Journal

ARC 1212 Methods of Documentation

In this project, every students must come up with 20 pieces of sketches. The objectives of this project is to train students to be observant to their surrounding and to instil the culture of documenting as part of the learning process in architectural education. This project also aim to enhance the students’ graphic communication skills in capturing important details and the spirit of the place.

View of the street on the site In this project, I had learnt how to identify and classify architectural historic structure and how to describe an architectural cultural heritage. I had learnt to relate how architecture influence its bigger context. I also had learnt how to recognize and recall architectural historic structure documentation method and capture the tangible and itangible essence that is contained within the architecture realm.

Roof ornament which usually can found on temple

Things that we see and experience during the visit.

ARC 1212 Methods of Documentation

Project 2: Report This project is aim to enable students to analyse the relationship between architecture and the significance of the building as well as its inhabitation and also to documents the significance of the building to accompany the measured drawings. It also to be used for future development of the building and this may includeboth new and conservations works.

ABSTRACT

4.0 Site Context 4.1 Introduction Urban planning in colonial George Town was relatively simple. The administration under Francis Light demanded the city to arrange in a strict grid outline and specific areas were designated for particular ethnicities. The general rule of thumb was the ‘Colonial Quarters’ were exclusively reserved for the Europeans which primarily covers Beach Street, while the secondary area from Beach Street and the trade ports were mainly populated by the Chinese, followed by the Eurasians, Chulia and the Malays. From this clear segregation, it became apparent that a community with a clear individual ethnic identity is formed. Hence, the Chinese created a “city within a city” or

The Wu Di temple is an established heritage building and landmark to the

miniature Chinatown with China street as the primary axis and King Street as

streets of George Town, Penang. The purpose of documenting the temple is

the secondary axis.

to identify the degree of architectural discrepancies that could exist in temples within Penang, with George Town being a prime example because of its heritage values and rich cultural background. Tools used to measure the

From this project, I had recognize and recall architectural historic structure documentation method and recommend the appropriate method of architectural historic documentation. I had learnt how to explain the application of architectural historic documents and describe architectural cultural heritage from this project. In this project, I also had learnt how to explain the management of architectural historic documents and understand the relationship between architecture and the significance of the building as well as its inhabitation.

building were measuring tape, rulers and laser pointers as there were many different lengths that needed to be measured. The measurements taken down were then translated into CAD drawings later on. Interviews with temple keepers and architects were also conducted to gather deeper understanding on the building. With the façade and roof being the most prominent feature in Chinese architecture, together with the wooden and stone carvings of various animals and human figurines, decorative elements and cultural importance to its local context are being discovered. In assisting the validation of research, literature reviews based on various sources regarding Chinese temples were conducted to enhance the process.

In order to provide a wider variation of research, it is important to deliberate on contexts that can showcase the true essence of southern Chinese architecture, in which the Wu Di temple in King Street, George Town, Penang, and the Han Jiang Ancestral temple in Lebuh Chulia, George Town, Penang, are taken to represent the architectural styles of the Cantonese.

While it is obvious that the Wu Di temple has a more Cantonese influence due to the fact that it was built by the Tai Shan clan as they were from Guangdong (Southern China). It is understood that the roof of Wu Di temple is flat, not curvaceous which is one of the most prominent characteristics of a Cantonese temple, and also, the colour of the temple (grey) can distinguish the status of the temple, which represents the common people. The roof structure is uplifted by four round principal columns, these columns are prominent in Chinese temples as round is believed to bring good luck.

4.2 Geographical The area known as ‘Chinatown’ was considered to be both practically and spiritually significant to the Chinese. From an economic perspective, Chinatown presided in the secondary area away from the important trade ports and clan jetties, with the area closest dominated by the Europeans.

Furthermore, due to the clear segregation between ethnicities and unsettling security issues that may have surfaced during the age of maritime trading, it was pivotal that the Chinese gathered together in one area for protection and other social reasons such as familiarity, convenience of resource, and ease of communication. In short, Wu Di Temple was built in heart of Chinatown and the Chinese population which shows perfect geographical and demographic relevance.

ARC 1212 Methods of Documentation

5.0 Wu Di Temple 5.1 Introduction 5.1.1 Origin of Tai Shan “Tai Shan” is a province and citizenship. Back in olden day China, not unlike the rest of the world, people are recognised as collectives as to individuals based on their city or province of origin. Therefore, when large groups of “Tai Shan” people migrated from the province in Guangdong, China to olden day George Town, the term “Tai Shan” is referred to as the latter, and less of the first.

5.1.3 The Birth of Tai Shan Association ‘Tai Shan Association’ was established in the year 1831 by the common people. The funders were the average working-class-citizen and not wealthy merchants. They gathered their savings and relied amongst themselves to maintain the association. In present day society, the main revenues of ‘Tai

9.2 Practice of Feng Shui in Wu Di Temple 9.2.1 Main Entrance

Shan Association’ include donations from clan members, collection of rent from properties owned by the association around George Town and through donation gathered via activities held occasionally.

Physical appearance: The main entrance showcases four important features that hold high symbolic significance; such as (1) Door Gods, (2) Pulao door knockers, (3) couplet ‘ 对联’ and (4) bat.

(1) Door Gods - Painting effigy of two ancient Chinese generals on the main

9.2.7 Roof

entrance of Wu Di Temple, relatively in good condition, dirtied by layer of soot

Physical appearance:

from incense burning. The Door Gods depicted on the Wu Di Temple main

There are three major components that are emphasized on the roof structure

entrance are in Civil Style, clearly shown by the ancient Chinese Magistrate

that have significant symbolic value. They are the ‘Orb of Fire’, Chi Wen and

clothing on the figures as to Military Style where the figures would be

the Temple Lions.

depicted in Military attire and equipped with weaponry.

(1) The Orb of Fire – crafted from porcelain by traditional craftsmen. Slightlydamaged, top half of the ring surrounding the orb has broken off probably due Reflective Not too long ago, groups of 20-30 students consisting semester two and three

to strong winds or harsh weather conditions in George Town over the centuries. It is heavily-embellished with flower motifs. It sits in between the two figures of Chi Wen on the straight ridge board of the roof of the temple.

have been allocated to various places such as Malacca, Perak, Terrenganu, Ipoh and Penang for a one week study trip. Our group, along with two other groups, were designated to be in Penang. Our lecturers in-charged were Mr Sanjey for my group, Mr Koh and Mr Angus. Before the commencement of the study trip, semester two students had two weeks intensive classes on

(2) Chi Wen – Depicted as a dragon-like creature with the head of a dragon and body of a fish. Modelled with porcelain and sits on both sides of the ridge board; facing inwards and at each other.

how to operate architectural computer software, AutoCAD. Semester three students already had their classes on during their previous semester.

Our location of research was the Wu Di Temple, located in King Street, George Town, Penang. Our tasks were to record, photograph and research about the given temple. Furthermore, we had to produce commercialstandards architectural CAD drawings, an in-depth report and a photo book.

(3) Temple Lions – There are two pairs of temple lions resting on the eaves of both sides of the roof. They come in a pair; one male and another female.

The male is recognised by having one foot on an orb, the female stepping on a cub.

ARC 1223 Measured Drawings

Project 1: Measured Drawings In this project, students will be divided in a group of certain number which depending on the size and complexity of the buildig to be measured. Students are required to do a measuring exercise on the particular building and taking all physical information of the buildig from its location to its spatial layout as well as details. This project aims to produce a set of measured drawings of historical buildings or structures in a specific location.

Site Elevation In this project, I had learnt how to recommend the appropriate method of architectural historic documentation and recognize and recall techniques of measured drawing and documentation. I also had learnt how to explain the as-built building constructions, architectural details and elements ad interpret historic architectural element, structure and building. Upon the successful completion of the project, I was able to execute fieldwork and hands-on measurement exercise, translate measured data into scaled drawings and also produce a report on the buildings highlighting its importance and historical significance.

Key, Location & Site Plan

Front Elevation

Ground Floor Plan

First Floor Plan

Roof Plan

ARC 1223 Measured Drawings

Sections

Model

ARC 1223 Measured Drawings

Isometric Drawings

ARC 1223 Measured Drawings

Ornaments