Theory p2

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS) ARCHITECTURE

THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBANISM

ARA HILL, ARA DAMANSARA CHRISTOPHER ALEXANDER

TUTOR: MISS LAKSHMI PRIYA RAJENDRAN

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TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 ARA HILL

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2.0 ANALYSIS 2.1 OUTDOOR 2.1.1 POSITIVE OUTDOOR SPACE 2.1.2 HIERACHY OF OPEN SPACES 2.1.3 PATH AND GOALS 2.1.4 SOMETHING ROUGHLY IN THE MIDDLE

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2.2 BUILDING EXTERIOR 2.2.1 CASCADING OF ROOF 2.2.2 WINGS OF LIGHT 2.2.3 CAR CONNECTION 2.3 INDOOR 2.3.1 INTAMACY GRADIENT 2.3.2 INDOOR SUNLIGHT 2.3.3 COMMON AREAS AT HEART

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3.0 DISCUSSION

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4.0 CONCLUSION

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5.0 REFERENCE

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Introduction

Architecture is art; it is the practice of designing and constructing buildings. Architecture is to merge art, shelter and comfort into one. As Christopher Alexander put it, there is a timeless way of building.

A town or a building should be made to last, if the town is designed in a certain way, the town will grow under ones hand, making the town alive, and also to heal itself when needed. Each town has its own characteristic, and its own culture, by events which happen in the town. Architecture connects people to their surroundings in very different way, most, subconsciously.

A Pattern language describes a practical architectural system, called a generative grammar. With Alexander’s 253 different patterns (Alexander, pg xi), some fits the criteria of Ara Damansara while some would be a good addition to the town. As Alexander said, each town would have its own pattern, which in turn, creates in own characteristics. It describes detailed patterns for towns and neighbourhoods, and then narrowed it down to houses, gardens and rooms.

In this report, Ara Hill is analysed and is linked to the theory, A Pattern Language. This report conducts and understands theory through observation, and to analyse a building from the architect’s theory. The purpose is to dissect and explain the understanding of the contributing factors towards the architectural design.

1.1 Ara Hill

Figure 1.1.1: Villa area overlooking condominiums(image retrieved from author's own)

Ara Hill was built in the year 2004 under the development of Sime Darby, the community is situated at the side of Ara Damansara. The community is spread across a 16 acre site, with mixed developments, which includes Ara Hill Resort Villa consisting of 20 blocks of 3 storey high condominiums, and Ara Hill Resort Condominium which consists of 8 blocks of 10 storey high medium rise condominiums. Although placed on a huge site, Ara Hill has a low density of buildings (25 units per acre). It prides itself to be the luxurious resort concept, completed with parks and manmade waterfall. Ara Hill also provides facilities from a clubhouse to high-end security system. The clubhouse contains swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, children’s playground, nursery, 3|Page

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gymnasium, retail outlets and a community hall. 1.5KM shaded walking path snakes around the community, surround by lush tropical landscaping.

Ara Hill mainly focuses on the comfort of the users. With the amazing context and outdoor spaces with amazing open spaces, it creates a fulfilling place to live in. It promotes wonderful healthy outdoor living, while offering a luxury condo and villa units.

Figure 1.1.2: Different spaces in Ara Hill, indicating Villas, conduminiums and Public Areas, and green areas

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6.0 Analysis The report’s analysis is distributed to three sections: contributions to the outdoor, Building exterior and Indoor.

2.1 Outdoor

Figure 2.1.1: Rough floor plan of Ara Hill (Retrieved from http://www.iproperty.com.my/)

As mentioned in the book, outdoors are usually classifies as the negatives of the land areas, where buildings are usually categorized as ‘positive’. Outdoors are fluid, the remainders of where the buildings are built. (Alexander, pg518) Ara Hill consist of a huge outdoor spaces, (figure 2.1.1). It is emphasised by the architect as part of the architecture. Outdoor Park in Ara Hill is carefully designed to cater to the needs of the users.

2.1.1 Positive outdoor space Other than choosing a place for the building, one must also choose the place for the outdoors, and one cannot be shaped without the other. The pattern gives a geometric characteristic to the outdoors, while wing of light (2.2.2) gives the site a complementary shape of indoors. (Alexander, pg518) The residential area promotes heavily on positive living area. The whole 16 acres of land is surrounded by greenery and beautiful landmark spaces. Jogging paths and meditation areas are provided at certain hotspots of the area. When given a positive out door space, people tend to swarm towards it. It not only contributes to the health of the community, and also increase community activity.

Figure 2.1.1.1: Jogging path around Ara Hill (left) and waterfall flowing into the pool (right) (image retrieved from author's own)

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Streams flow around the property, ending up in ponds and waterfalls. The main waterfall is situated at the centre of the area, flowing down from a lush green area into a huge pond. Greens are everywhere, providing shade and cooling the area. Users are able to enjoy the greens and fresh air while walking or jogging through the paths and have a pleasant view throughout the area.

Figure 2.1.1.2: Path and the river snaking around the property (image retrieved from author's own)

Figure 2.1.1.3: Fountain area in between buildings (image retrieved from author's own) Other than that, greeneries, waterfalls, and streams can help with the noise cancellation around the area. It not only filters out the noise (people talking, children screaming and playing, jogging noises) from the exterior to the indoors, it also provides a screen from indoors to outdoor, protecting the privacy of the user.

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2.1.2 Hierarchy of open spaces

Figure 2.1.2.:1 Massage pool (right) (Retrieved from http://blog.reapfield.com/ritawong/) As the book mentioned, people often prefer a space outdoor where they can have their backs shielded, looking out towards a larger opening, pass the space immediately in front of them. (Alexander, 558) Open spaces are very heavily emphasised in Ara Hill.

Meditation huts, reflective pools are seen in every other corner.

Figure 2.1.2.2: From condo overlooking the garden and area (left) Villa area overlooking the condominium area (bottom) (images retrieved from author's own)

Other than that, the low density of buildings allows a lot of open spaces to be available for the community. The users usually spend their morning and evenings in that area exercising or spend some time outdoor with the sun and the natural air.

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Figure 2.1.2.3: Pool area (top) and mini waterfall area (bottom) (image retrieved from author's own)

2.1.3 Path and goals

Figure 2.1.3.1: Jogging paths around Ara Hill (image retrieved from author's own) Only when compared with the process of walking, the layout of paths will seem comfortable and right. The course of walking is a lot more subtle than one might think. (Alexander, 586) There are distinct paths snaking around the perimeter of the area, connecting all the buildings together.

Jogging paths and meditation area spread out through the community. Instead of running on a treadmill, the users have the privilege to run around the area being surrounded by lush greenery while breathing in fresh air.

Paths also provide a link to all the area in the community, from the club house, to the condominium, the middle area or the villas. That link made it easier for the community to move around and communicate with the rest of the people.

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Figure 2.1.3.2: Red indicates jogging paths around the community 2.1.4 Something roughly in the middle According to Alexander’s book, it is quite likely for a public space to stay empty if there isn’t a middle area. (Alexander, 607). Club, a pool and barbeque areas are situated in the middle of Ara Hill. With activity suggested to the community, events could be held in the middle of the area, and of community is built when people gather in the area.

Figure 2.1.4.1: Pool situated right in the middle (image retrieved from author's own)

Figure 2.1.4.2: Barbeque area for community to use (image retrieved from author's own)

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2.2 Building exterior

Figure 2.2.1: Exterior of Condominium (image retrieved from author's own) Building exterior/ building envelope acts as a separation between the indoors and the outdoors. It protects the indoorINs from the weather, the prying eyes and provide the users in the indoors a sanctuary.

2.2.1 Cascading of roof

Figure 2.2.1.1: Cascading of roof in Ara Hill (Retrieved from http://blog.reapfield.com/ritawong/) Completing the building involves a cascade of roofs, but can also be used to help form patterns.

(Alexander, 566) A cascade of roof helps form the uniform pattern in Ara Hill. It not only helps with the aesthetics, it also shields the building from potential rain, while cooling the building during a hot tropical day.

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Figure 2.2.1.2: Hierarchy of roofs around the Villa area (image retrieved from author's own) 2.2.2 Wings of light The modern buildings are designed with no concern for natural light, depending mostly entirely on artificial light. It is not a place worth spending a day in, in a building which replaces natural light as the main source of illumination. (Alexander, 525)

Figure 2.2.3: Windows filled the condominium (image retrieved from author's own) People often shape the indoors and forgotten about the building exterior until later. Windows are essential in the process of architecture, bringing light into the building. In Ara Hill, each floor of the building exteriors is filled with windows in nearly every corner. Indoor lighting is not forgotten when the architect is designing the condominium and villa.

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Figure 2.2.4: Huge window to allow sunlight to enter (image retrieved from author's own)

2.2.3 Car Connection

Figure 2.2.3.1: Car parks by the Villas, leading the user straight back home. (image retrieved from author's own) A fundamental process of a daily life is the arriving and leaving the house, which mostly involves a car. The area where cars connect to houses, not the most important part of a building planning, is normally pushed to one side and neglected. (Alexander, 554)

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Figure 2.2.3.2: Red indicates car park areas Car park areas are carefully sought out and arranged according to the Villas. Car parks are arranged in such a way that it is easily accessed by the user, to get into the building and leaving the compound. The easy access of the carpark to the house is also important for the sake of importing and exporting goods or groceries from the car.

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2.3 Indoor A house is a sanctuary for everybody. It is a place to shield away from the weather, and a place to rest. It is a place where friends and family gather, where some search for tranquillity and peace while most find comfort.

2.3.1 Intimacy gradient To correspond to the degrees of privateness, spaces in a building are arranged as sequence to avoid visits make by strangers, friends, guests, clients awkward for the family. (Alexander, 610)

Figure 2.3.1.1: Intimacy gradient showing the flow from public space to private area.

Spaces in each unit are arranged in such a way that rooms that are more private are kept away from strangers and prying eyes, while the living room, kitchen and balcony are out in the open, creating a wide open floor plan.

Figure 2.3.1.2: Transition of public space ( living room) to private area (bed rooms) (image retrieved from author's own) The living room faces right in front of the main door, opening out to the balcony for easy access to everybody, in the full view from the walk way itself. Private rooms are further down in the edge and back of the house, keeping public away from accidentally walking into the space.

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2.3.2 Indoor sunlight A house would be sunny, bright and cheerful if the correct rooms are facing the south, while the house would be gloomy and dark if the wrong rooms are facing south. (Alexander,615) Indoor sunlight is very prominent in the unit itself. The living room opens up to a huge balcony, and a huge glass door, allowing sunlight to enter the building, illuminating the living room and also the kitchen.

Figure 2.3.2.1: Diagram showing light path All the rooms are also facing outdoor, with huge windows and balcony to –not only allow lighting inbut also creates comfortable ventilation. Lighting changes the room, in terms of aesthetic and also the spatial experience. A room filled with light is more pleasant than the ones that are shaded and dark.

Figure 2.3.2.2: Light washing in from the balcony, creating a light feeling (image retrieved from author's own) It creates something pure and bright. Not only it lightens up the room, users can choose not to use mechanical help to brighten up the room as it is already well lit, thus, saving cost.

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Figure 2.3.2.3: Every room in the unit is open up, inviting in light and natural ventilation. (image retrieved from author's own)

2.3.3 Common areas at the heart No matter if it’s a family, a work group or a school group, without constant informal contact among each other, no social group will be able to survive. (Alexander, 618)

Figure 2.3.3.1: Common area, living room and dining room (image retrieved from author's own)

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The living room and the kitchen are situated in the middle of the unit, right in the cross paths of the users. Interactions are purposely sparked when users walk by each other or meeting each other in the hall way, the living room or the kitchen. Common areas allow users to communicate and interact with each other without invading another’s privacy.

Figure 2.3.3.2: Diagram showing common areas in the unit floor plan As shown in Figure 2.3.3.2, the living room is situated at the heart of the building, where most of the traffic is. It is away from the private area, but is crossed between where high activity traffic is (Kitchen and dining hall), allowing conversations and interaction to happen.

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3.0 Discussion Ara Hill should be an example to future condominiums, where it provide a comfortable area to live in, with a complete facilities, i.e. gym, pool, tennis court, jogging paths, green areas and stores. Ara Hill can be considered a community itself, providing important necessities to the users living in it.

A lot of the community and residential areas in Ara Damansara are designed quite comfortably, but not as much as Ara Hill. Comparing Ara Hill to the other condominiums or high rise, they are lack of outdoor spatial experience. Other condominiums usually ignore the outdoor experience and overlook the importance of it. Other than providing gym and a simple pool to the community, they ignored the rest of the outdoor, placing tiles and bricks over precious lands.

Architects also usually neglect the importance of indoor comfort for the users, making the units dark and gloomy with tiny or no windows and arrangement of spaces are terrible. They focused on making more units to sell, instead of the architecture itself. Comparing to Ara Hill, which opens up all the possible areas to the outdoor, allowing in natural light and ventilation, it is what modern building don’t have. Other than that, the flow of a unit is well thought of in Ara Hill, allowing public and private areas to be distinctively separated, which a lot of residential areas lack.

With the positive impact of Ara Hill, the community in Ara Hill tend to stay in the area, and are reluctant to move out. Some of the users would recommend the area to their friends and family. The people in Ara Hill are close knit, and work together to form a better community. Events are held occasionally to promote a better community.

4.0 Conclusion The architect focuses on making the area a ‘permanent’ place to live. Using the huge area that is provided, he created a relaxed area to live in, instead of pushing high rise buildings into the area and provide an overly crowded residential area. The buildings are balanced with the green area, making it not only easy on the eyes, but practical.

Ara Hill is designed in such a way that the outdoors are as important as the indoors. The architect focuses on making the outdoor a healthy place to be in, and the indoor comfortable. The spaces are designed with care and thoughtfulness, making the best out of what is given.

Other residential area should follow suit the sense of structure and order in Ara Damansara, and should promote a healthier, more vibrant living areas in the future.

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5.0 References Alexander, C., & Ishikawa, S. (1977). A pattern language: Towns, buildings, construction. New York: Oxford University Press.

Alexander, C. (1979). The timeless way of building. New York: Oxford University Press.

Ara Hill. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2015, from http://www.propwall.my/ara_damansara/ara_hill Rita Wong. (n.d.). Retrieved May 14, 2015, from http://blog.reapfield.com/ritawong/

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