26 May 2022 Thursday - Tian Jing Hotel

Sam bought a book about KL's Chinatown and found some interesting places to visit. I think she picked this hotel because of the name 'TianJing' which is from the Chinese word meaning sky-well (often carelessly translated as air-well). The Chinese word 'sky' represents more than air; tian-qi (weather), tian-kong (air, heaven) and so forth. 

New in the Old: Chinatown Kuala Lumpur
by 

Scarlet Koon,

 

Aw Siew Bee,

 

Robert Powell

The hotel is built across two typical shop lots - it appears that the rooms are planned parallel to the street which meant that they would have no views or windows. This problem is solved by introducing a long sky-well along one party wall (with its neighbour), this allows light and air into the hotel rooms on both floors. Along the other party wall, a similar treatment is given to the hotel corridors and stairs, and likely gave the hotel its name. 

The street views are given to more communal spaces such as Lim Kee Cafe on the ground floor, and the Nanyang Lounge on the upper floor (where guests can have breakfast). Very sensible.

A plan of our room - it reminded me of the rooms in my grandmother's house

two long 'tian jing(s)' are introduced; one for the rooms and the other for the corridor and service spaces.

the basin stand and toilet outside alludes to a time when this was the norm in the upstairs rooms

basin stand and spitoon

the smell of mosquito coils burning embellished my memory of nights at grandmother's house.

The upstairs and downstairs hotel guests share a tree in the courtyard

The upstairs corridor is 'cut' back to allow light and rain to filter to the ground floor. The chippings in mesh is a floor drain.

Any singing in the shower is done quietly.

 

Going, Going, Gone

On the 4th of July, I sent a message to my clients, fellow consultants, friends and students -

"As of the 4^th of July, I have resigned from DNA (Design Network Architects S/B) and will be continuing my work as MinWee Architects from two addresses:

• 44, Upper China Street in Kuching where I will be working closely with Arlene Chew and Leong Gian Wen
• and at  B-25-09, Mercu Summer Suites, No. 8 Jalan Cendana, off Jalan Sultan Ismail in Kuala Lumpur where I will be working with Lee Peng Hui.

My email address and mobile phone no. will remain unchanged".

Clearing up my table at DNA where I sat for 6 years

My close friends wondered aloud if I was sad to leave DNA; having help found it 14 years ago and having build it up architecturally to its current good reputation. They likened it to giving up a teenage child to foster care - when they put it that way, I suppose I should feel a little sad. But no, there is a little apprehension, plenty of excitement and a equal amount of relief. No sadness.

The new office space - it is narrow with a high vaulted ceiling

The front entrance is painted completely white; an abstraction of the typical shop house facade

Those who do not know me well would speculate that I left because of money matters but this workhorse is tired and looking for work that would sustain me spiritually and financially for the next 15 years.

She is happy with it, and that's important to me.