Assembly

Architects make jokes about designing toilets and dog houses when we were architectural graduates; this is partly true as we were often assigned the more menial tasks in the office which require less supervision from the senior architects as the office is busy trying to meet a deadline.

Instead of taking this as a bad thing, see this as an opportunity to refine the finer details of the design; the way materials come together; assembly, the way they interact with the user; comfort, dimensions and palette; economics and costs. As a junior architect, it is sometimes hard to convince the boss to include all your ideas - that's ok, pick your battles wisely and if two out of 5 ideas are included in the built design, consider this a WIN.

This is why we still take up challenges to design small project such as this kiosk for drivers of a wealthy client, it is definitely not for the fees earned (there are no fees). Instead we see it as a chance to explore the above and to go make things with intent, and along the way build relationships. 

More soon, 

 

Community Engagement - SJK Batu Kitang

 Last month, a few architects and their friends completed a roof structure project at the SRK Chung Hua Batu Kitang. The design of the roof was completed before the first MCO, and its development into the construction stage proceeded slowly through red tape and lock downs without ever stopping. Until last month when the roofing structure is completed, providing shade and a play area over an existing basketball court for 300 grateful primary school children. The principal can now conduct the school assembly from the first floor verandah, and the children get an all-weather extension of their classrooms.

 

The project was headed by Ar Wong Siew Ling and Ar Chai Si Yong with the primary aim of engagement with the local community; this is the second pro-bono project they have completed. The first was a pre-fabricated toilet structure for a community kindergarten at Kampong Kudei.

 

The main aim of these projects is community engagement - to put different groups of people together towards a productive result; the school board benefited from a local roofing supplier, who provided the material while the school paid for the labour with the architects orchestrating the budget, work programme and work-force. Local volunteers get to experience building with their own hands in the company of professional builders and architects; part of the build will be completed by volunteers on weekends and holidays. (they are casting concrete benches this Saturday)

 

And we all benefit as architects as this act of gentle activism lifted our profession in the eyes of the general public; quietly achieving without fanfare. This is our way of thanking them and their champion roofer, Nelson Yeo - by telling everyone in our community about their good work.

 

 

Special thanks to United Galvanised Industries (UGI) & Eco Steel for their support.

Escapade

Last week under a cloud of mounting deadlines, I chose to go for a bicycle ride instead of sitting down to work. Working from home has become an endless trail from Monday to Sunday, from morning to evening and through lunch as well.

The swimming pool announced that it was re-opening. This fits neatly into a morning’s escapade; a bicycle ride to sketch outdoors (and even add water colours if the weather allows) followed by a swim before lunch. One of the luxuries of living in a small town (that calls itself a city).

Habit caused me to gravitate to the landmarks of my childhood, so I ended up at the St. Thomas Cathedral. It was quiet and on higher ground (I had originally intended to sketch the buildings around the ‘padang’).  Habit also caused me to draw the church building once more, and appreciate its well thought out details - climatic control devices, choice of material for the bell tower, the serrated walls of its aisles. Humble and practical details which work, for the most part - the glass louvre celestory must have let in misting raindrops for there was a later addition of some steel framed glass vents. Again this additional feature was humble and respectful, taking care to still allow light and air to enter and percolate.

I often tell my students  not to simply sketch a building like how one takes a photo. Instead they should draw plans and imagine sections through the space - and in this way, they record more than what it seen on the surface. I also tell them that the church is part of a collection of buildings which typically frame the village green (our ‘padang’); the Police Station, the Clinic, the Bank, the Courthouse, the Treasury, the Post Office, the Museum and of course the Church.

End of escapade - total time 120 minutes.