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.
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