Student Work, Culture and Community Design Studio, MArch, Taylor's University

School of Architecture, Building & Design, Taylor’s University

Culture & Community Design Studio - March 2019 Tropical High-Rise Dwelling Coordinator: Nazmi Anuar Studio teaching team: Nazmi Anuar, Hui Ping Foo, Huat Lim, Camelia Kusumo, Robert Powell, Keith Tan The discussions around housing issues in Malaysia today is inevitably centered on the issue of affordability. Various possible factors which contribute to the unaffordability of housing and possible solutions have been discussed from the perspective of economy (measures to lower the price of housing) and governance (policies and methods of delivery in ensuring the provision of affordable housing). As the designers of space, architects are inevitably drawn into the discussion and are often forced into a situation of coming up with architectural schemes to a problem whose solution lies beyond design. Without denying the urgency of the discussions on affordability, this studio will not attempt to solve the issue of affordable housing, rather the aim will be to take a step back (or zoom-out) from an issues-based studio approach to explore the notion of TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING as the premise for the development of architectural projects.

This booklet compiles - in curated form - excerpts from all the work produced during the semester with each project represented by three drawings (section, typical plan, unit plan) and one image. A text extracted from the brief introduces the compilation while quotes from the students summarizes it.

Compilation & Editorial: : Nazmi Anuar, Hui Ping Foo, Kuveeraj Rai Baurhoo, Ng Chia Ming, Lim Winn Sern & Ahmed Ameel Shakeel

School of Architecture, Building & Design, Taylor’s University

TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING

Culture & Community Design Studio March 2019

CULTURE & COMMUNITY DESIGN STUDIO March 2019 Coordinator Nazmi Anuar Tutors Nazmi Anuar Hui Ping Foo Keith Tan Huat Lim Theory Input Robert Powell Lai Chee Kien Students Ahmed Ameel Shakeel Ahmed Manih Mohamed Angoline Boo Lee Zhuang Beh Nianzi Cho Ken Ying Claire Zhuang Zhie Jie Feiven Chee Garnette Dayang Robert Hew Wen Yong Hooi Wei Xing How Shiyee Liew Jin Joel Sabestian Ling Tze Foo Kuveeraj Rai Baurhoo Lee Kai Yung Lee Xiang Loon Lee Yin Yi Lim Winn Sern Marcus Yap Hon Kit Marina Abd Majid Ng Chia Ming Ng Hui Hui Nicholas Lai Ken Hong Nor Syifaa Bukhari Ong Tun Cheik Phua Jing Sern Rasnajeet Kaur Khosa Royce Yap Jin Han Serena Chang Yi Teng Tasneem Erzayanty Kamaruddin Yee Chor Jun Book Editorial Team Nazmi Anuar Hui Ping Foo Kuveeraj Rai Baurhoo Ng Chia Ming Lim Winn Sern Ahmed Ameel Shakeel

TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING The discussions around housing issues in Malaysia today is inevitably centered on the issue of affordability. Various possible factors which contribute to the unaffordability of housing and possible solutions have been discussed from the perspective of economy (measures to lower the price of housing) and governance (policies and methods of delivery in ensuring the provision of affordable housing).

As the designers of space, architects are inevitably drawn into the discussion and are often forced into a situation of coming up with architectural schemes to a problem whose solution lies beyond design. Without denying the urgency of the discussions on affordability, this studio will not attempt to solve the issue of affordable housing, rather the aim will be to take a step back (or zoom-out) from an issues-based studio approach to explore the notion of TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING as the premise for the development of architectural projects. The title is a clear formulation of the focus of the studio, however it could be further de-constructed as such: TROPICAL – starting with the idea of the tropical as a climactic condition and its architectural responses (screen, shading, etc.) the studio will further explore what are the behavioural and spatial implications of the tropics? How does this condition shape and influence the construction of contemporary residential spaces?

What does it mean to live in the tropics today?

HIGH-RISE - as the inevitable typology of building within the scarcity of land in an urban context, can the design of high-rise architecture be imbued with meaning, beyond achieving maximum density and efficiency? Can the high-rise be saved from the banality of straightforward technical solutions? What are the possibilities of redefining the high-rise as a sustainable typology for urban communities?

DWELLING – What does it mean to dwell?1 Beyond the notions of ‘residential’ or ‘housing’ which denote urban zoning or architectural typology, dwelling brings up the notions of “a home, a house, a homeland, a nest, somewhere to lodge, belong, return to, depart from”2. Within the context of tropical high-rise living, what does it mean to dwell?

Within the context of Sentul, the aim of the studio is to explore and question the possibilities - and the problems - that come with high-rise dwelling in the city.

Students are to inquire: What does it mean to design a tropical high-rise residential building?

What are the flaws of current models and what have been done right in precedents?

How can common spaces in housing be redefined as shared spaces of experience, rather than limited to a purely managerial term and can these spaces be designed more sensitively to take advantage of climactic conditions and foster community life within the high-rise block?

Is it possible to design a new housing project within an existing neighbourhood and somehow integrate it within the community?

What is the role of flexibility in anticipating and accommodating changes in lifestyles as well as family structure over a period of time and how does technology factor in?

Ultimately, the studio will ponder the question of what is the role of architecture in shaping and enhancing cultural and communal life essential for dwelling in the city.

1. Martin Heidegger, ’Building Dwelling Thinking’, in Basic Writings, 2nd edition (New York, HarperCollins,1993), pp. 343–64.

2. Lillian Chee and Eunice Seng, ‘Dwelling in Asia: translations between dwelling, housing and domesticity’ in The Journal of Architecture, Volume 22, No 6.

PROJECTS 1. Hooi Wei Xing 2. Rasnajeet Kaur Khosa 3. Lim Winn Sern 4. Angoline Boo Lee Zhuang 5. Lee Kai Yung 6. Ng Chia Ming 7. Ng Hui Hui 8. Feiven Chee 9. Marina Abd Majid 10. Serena Chang Yi Teng 11. Hew Wen Yong 12. Yee Chor Jun 13. Phua Jing Sern 14. Royce Yap Jin Han 15. Jin Liew 16. Claire Zhuang Zhie Jie 17. Joel Sabestian Ling Tze Foo 18. Tasneem Erzayanty Kamaruddin 19. Cho Ken Ying 20. Nor Syifaa Bukhari 21. Garnette Dayang Robert 22. Ahmed Manih Mohamed 23. Nicholas Lai Ken Hong 24. Marcus Yap Hon Kit 25. Ahmed Ameel Shakeel 26. Kuveeraj Rai Baurhoo 27. Ong Tun Cheik 28. How Shiyee 29. Beh Nianzi 30. Lee Xiang Loon 31. Lee Yin Yi

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VIEWS ON TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING “How much security do we need for living? How much privacy do we need for bathing and cooking? What level of enclosure do we need to feel safe from the weather? What does it mean to dwell?”

Feiven Chee “Inspired by the book “walkable city, living street”, my project “Kampung in the sky” encourage residents to walk in order to activate the dead threshold in highrise.”

Angoline Boo Lee Zhuang “Highrise dwellings in the tropics have to make use of the climate and not take it as a negative impact upon the design.”

Kuveeraj Rai Baurhoo “The main aim is to design a high-rise residential that would help build the community and retain the culture in this area of Sentul.”

Ahmed Manih Mohamed “To overcome the social relationship problems, a new open space is needed.

There is a need for a space which is big enough to cater for activities within each individual unit and also outdoor spaces.”

Lee Kai Yung “The idea is to plant different type of plants depending on the heights of the garden area. The type of plants must be selected in relation to the animals that are attracted to them.”

Garnette Dayang Robert “On the other hand, adaptability can be deduced as the evolution of an individual house that are adapted to the notion of the changes in climate, topography, social, cultural and economic conditions in the design.”

Ahmed Ameel Shakeel “Adhering this concern, the idea of flexible and expandable spaces would cater for the various needs and preferences of the people, as it permits users to customise the spaces according to their respective needs and function with minimum restriction.”

Nicholas Lai Ken Hong “The design intends to break through this stringent concept of the “privatised and luxurious” living, hence the placement of facilities and programs on the ground plane and is accessible by neighbouring site.”

Claire Zhuang Zhie Jie “The use of scale and materiality will convey the idea of transitioning from one space to another.”

Tasneem Erzayanty Kamaruddin “Therefore by implementing different connections on the horizontals and the verticals of the building, the sense of community could be established.”

Royce Yap Jin Han “The tropical scheme can shape into various of transition space with the idea of openness , blending into indoor and outdoor spaces which translate into stylish patio , cool verandah and courtyard tropical garden.”

Ong Tun Cheik “The strategy of channeling air into the interiors supports the idea of porosity and permeable units in tropical dwellings as well as sustainability where building components are cooled from the outside.”

Rasnajeet Kaur Khosa “Perhaps, it is time to re-appropriate the word “iconic” for the purpose that it was originally intended; as a way of recognizing well - established architecture, which is beautiful, functional, and fitting.”

Liew Jin “Regular participation and active public space are desirable spaces, which promote the active contribution of the residents in housing project.”

Nor Syifaa Bukhari “Hence, the idea of design creates layered of communal space together with the shared spaces creates identity and sense of belonging to the residents.”

Yee Chor Jun

VIEWS ON TROPICAL HIGH-RISE DWELLING “As the goals of this project are to bring back the community engagement and their neighborhood friendship, the design of spaces are focus on the share spaces.”

Beh Nianzi “a variety of unit selection to provide multiple living options for various individuals is provided based on the residential needs of Sentul.”

Marina Abd Majid “With more open spaces like verandah which encourage more neighbourhood activities and interaction meanwhile having a personal owned space that enable the residents to have their own gardening activities.”

Ng Hui Hui “Design consideration not only to response to the tropical climate, yet also to consider how people live in the high rise, to encourage the social communication and activities to happen in between, creating a healthy and happy dwellings with promoting of sustainable environment.”

Cho Ken Ying “The next feature for the tropical high-rise is the use of terraces in each two units. This terraces act as interaction point for the every unit two interaction between the public and private zones.”

Hew Wen Yong “The design takes qualities of the communal opportunity of a courtyard block and the interactions between neighbors of link houses.”

Hooi Wei Xing “Greenery flourishes throughout the entire building to merge with the adjoining park.”

Ng Chia Ming “Everyone is within their own boundary. In the project, I would like to provide a public space for locals to interact with each other and spend time at leisure.”

Serena Chang Yi Teng “Maybe in the future this kind of discourse may be will influence people to rethink the roles of public spaces and the usages in public housing on going renewal programs.”

How Shiyee “The most important aspect to imitate is that ecosystem creates no waste. To work in parallel with the ecosystem, our built environment should produce no waste, all emissions and products shall further recycle, and reuse, and reintegrated with the natural environment.”

Joel Sabestian Ling Tze Foo “Dwelling is a word full of expression. House is made of concretes and bricks.

While a home is made of creativity and the needs of individual person.”

Lim Winn Sern “The beauty of tropicality is not necessarily just about injecting green into the high-rises but the aesthetics of shade and shadows, response to the natural climate and bringing in the outdoor environment into the individual dwellings.”

Lee Xiang Loon “The first step was to ensure that the design strategy here is to tackle the lack of green space and also communal space that Sentul is experiencing. Therefore, the dwelling will be lifted above from ground level to give back the land to the nature and also by increasing the green plot ratio of the project.”

Marcus Yap Hon Kit “The vegetations being planted and showcased by the residences would then create an identity that highlights both the individuality of a hobbyist, and the whole as a residential community.”

Phua Jing Sern “To integrate landscape within the building, thelandscape linkage must be extended both vertically and horizontally in our built environment to ensure a wider level of species connectivity, interactions between inorganic and organic components, mobility and also sharing of resources across boundaries.”

Lee Yin Yi