SYNOPSIS
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE
[ BLD 60703 ]
TUTOR// MS.LEE SZE-EE
WEEK 1//
Introduction to CSI Module Formation of groups
Module outline and projects briefing were given on the first day of Community Service Initiative (CSI)’s lecture. This module required us to integrate theories with design practise and come out with an Architecture design proposal to the real community. There are four different categories of beneficiary for us to choose for our design proposal which include Charitable Homes or Organizations (CH), Community Centre (CC), Street Community (SS) and DiverseCity Project.
We had a short meeting after we formed a group of 8. We all have a great interest in the DiverseCity Project. However, we decided to do the final confirmation after the workshop on 28th March to have more details and information about the project.
After the detailed briefing by Mr.Huat Lim, he and our tutors actually encourage us to join this organization as it's such a golden opportunity, after discussion and the understanding what is this organization about, the majority of us had chose to join it.
DiverseCity Project is a new option for our semester students to take part in as it's a large community group in KL, which is a non-profit organization and receives funding from the government, box office sales as well as sponsorships and donations from corporations, individuals and charitable foundations. Everyone are getting excited, nervous to look forward on this project as for me i feel the same too because it's my first time joining community service
1ST SITE VISIT: Experience, Thought .......
31/3/18
In the early morning, we went to Sri Tioman 1, Taman Melati to have some observation. We have to understand the surrounding as well as what's their need, also have our self thought to improve the quality of space.
After a long walk around the apartment, block by block, I realised there's a lot of stuff we can do, we might help to improve the quality of the surrounding. As all of us is in a large group, so together we can do what we can never do alone.
Looking at those faded paint and some wall are vandalised with marker. If we can help.... to re-paint the wall maybe some others children wouldn't follow the bad attitude to write something rude on the wall.
After our own walk around, we will gather at a place with groupmates to share thought, experiences and ideas on what can we do to enrich their living environment, we compiled all the informations and decided to interview the residents for more feedbacks. So, the first group we interviewed is a group of ladies having tea party in front of the mosque through what they said they usually have gathering to share food and desserts at the same time enhance interaction. Based on what they said, they quite satisfied towards current condition and facilities, only one cons they complaint is they are still kids playing upstairs due to the lack of playscape. They actually see children happiness at first which i feel quite touched at the moment when they say "their kids happy, they're happy too". Ideas of playscape actually blew into my mind, as I can imagine how exciting seeing kids have fun together around the playscape. I do really hope a playscape can be build.
The most exciting part throughout the site visit is actually having fun and getting closer with the kids. The kids are quite approachable and friendly although they're first time seeing us but just through some conversation at first, they break down the barrier and play with us which show up their initial personalities, the playfulness and naughtiness maybe ? I really miss being a kid, with no stress, carefree and just enjoy every single "PLAY" day.
WEEK 2//
2ND SITE VISIT: Pegboard Installation
7/4/18
Not everyone have the chance to participate in pegboard installation as the huge group of us will make noises which affected the residents .So, each group have to send at least two representative to take part in. For my group, we have our leader (Tan Yang) and Jordan Tok which represent our group to accomplish the task.
Besides, Mr.huat lim was there to guide us what to do and also have a session to interact with the kids there, ask their opinion of what they want or hope to have. Ended up, the kids actually want a zoo, swimming pool, mini library, garden and etc, We do really hope to fulfil their desire but some are really big project that we can't help at the moment.
3RD SITE VISIT: INTERVIEW
8/4/18
After collecting the analysis and interview data, we then start to brainstorm and discuss on the scheme and design. Issues that we have noticed on site is despite the area being a huge community gathering spot, the engagements between different age group of people wasn’t found as we noticed how the seating arrangement around the site wasn’t encouraging any form of interaction due to the location which scattered around, don't have a proper gathering spot for all age group, teenagers doesn’t play with younger kids, they usually staying around the Gazebo and staircase area. Besides, there's lack of playground facilities for the amount of kids, we can see the kids would be seating around the playground benches as there's not enough space for them to play.
MR ZUL LIVING AT BLOCK 34
// Lack of civic moral in the community
// Suggest that repaint and renovate the playground
// Custom traffic signboards ( no entry,one way,stop etc.)
‘Any changes that is good to the community as long as its not the same "Governmeny Boring Style". He lived here for 10 years, some tenants are not friendly, no greeting each other. He hopes the project can raise the civic value of Sri Tioman 1".
WEEK 3//
Meet up at Tommy Le baker
15/4/18
Through a short group discussion, all the data compiled and self-thought that led us to an approach on creating an interesting concept of designing a Playscape. My groupmates are unanimously agreed when one of us talk about playscape of course for me I'm totally agreed as I have to same thought to create a playful area to light up the residential surrounding.
The representative of each group have to meet up at a bakery shop with PPR Datin for sharing the initial ideas. The whole session is actually very chill, calm just like hanging out with friends. A new experience was gained.
WEEK 4//
GROUP DISCUSSION, FIRST PROPOSAL TUTORIAL
17/4/18
Our design intention was drafted out and ideas were vague but in progress. Most of our ideas were put together with photoshop images to see its effect. The best voted combination of ideas was selected.
We share this ideas to our tutor, she said that this is quite interesting, ask us to move further and make some improvement. The feedbacks from her gave us a big motivation for the next step
After the tutorial session, we refine it to be better and also prepare for presenting the ideas to PPR
WEEK 5//
VISIT ZLG DESIGN FIRM
25/4/18
We are invited to ZLG Design Firm for ideas presentation and discussion. Our group leader was there to present our proposal, thankfully they quite like our proposal which was more attractive and interesting and they hope to see it to be build on actual site.
WEEK 6//
GROUP DISCUSSION
2/5/18
We proceed the initial idea toward the final proposal submission with all the feedbacks, comments given. We refine it to ensure the proposal we proposed is doable. First, working on testing the material as some of them are not believe that a crates can withstand human weight. I ask my siblings to stand on it to ensure the stability, also did some measuring of the crates in height and width.
WEEK 7//
PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
9/5/18
The initial proposal was submitted in the form of presentation which included the site location , observation+ Community’s Needs Analysis based on the outcome of interview, survey and own observation. In addition, establishment of community work with architecture related is preferred. Lastly the expected outcome.
We look ahead to receive feedback after the submission which would help us improve our initial proposal and the feasibility of our design before we moved on to the constructibility
The proposal slides is below :)
WEEK 8//
4TH SITE VISIT : SURVEY
20/5/18
Everything have to be in finalised stage where PPR team actually ask us to complete a survey task at every unit of Sri Tioman 1 but the plan wasn't going as what we had expected. There are lots of residents react too sensitive to us when they saw us doing survey, they quickly close the door, windows even we try to knock the door but with no respond given.They refuse to pay cooperation and help us with the interview which actually make us feel quite upset with all these reaction but luckily there are still some residents willing to help us with the survey.
WEEK 9//
PREPARATION, DISCUSSION
Surprisingly, our playscape proposal had been chosen where the other group are not being chose have to join the selected proposal group. So, the mural art/painting group (Arina's group) will be joining us to complete the playscape proposal. Besides, we have a big group discussion to allocate task and complete the rest of the requirements. Design has been refine and improve and we're looking forward to the final outcome. Some render playscape on site to have a clearer images of what we want to achieve.
After the planning process, we are facing the biggest problem was the making of the prototype, with it needing to be 1:1 scale, we had only a few days to gather the appropriate materials. There was also an issue of finding the sponsorship for the crates, we actually request and waited for a week but still without any respond so we move to back-up plan which i'm in charge in the materials, price list, etc So, I try to buy the beer crates from foodcourt and restaurant but the quantity i got is just a few as they're not willing to sell that many. But at least we can try on a small prototype on how to connect it.
WEEK 10//
PROTOTYPE MAKING
3/6/18
The 5th site visit in the morning to complete the phototype making and presenting to the community
First, we using sand paper to remove the Carlsberg logo on the crates, then using driller to screw and connect with other crates. It's not hard to assembly as we're in a large group, we work well together to accomplish the prototype in short time.
My group members were presenting the playscape to the community, also demo how to use itask for their opinion and feedbacks.
The current situation during the day, it's so happening and thanks a lot to the community who being so supportive and came over to understand our proposals which actually worth the hard work that we paid off also a big motivation for us to do it better in the future
Big Team for the Playscape Proposal
WEEK 10//
FINAL SUBMISSION
13/6/18
Around week 10, the final video was in editing and we began to turn to our individual submission of the eJournal while we finalised everything for submission.
REFLECTION
Throughout the entire project, in short 10 weeks I have learnt a lot. I am able to feel a huge sense of community in Sri Tioman 1 as it is not commonly seen on residential area in the city, and even more grateful to be able to participate in the community and proposing ideas to enhance and improve the site. Other than that, I have realised the importance of teamwork and cooperation from each of the group members in order to work well together. It was a great opportunity for us to do and design something ourselves that need to think out of the box.The prototype testing day was a memorable and meaningful experience as we needed to communicate and explain our proposal clearly to the community.It is far from what I had imagine. In my mind, I thought that we will be having a hard time interacting with the community as we have a race and language barrier. I was thinking of taking the first initiative to approach them and hit up a small talks with them. But to my surprise, they were the one that approach me first, being so friendly and ready to help us in any cases. CSI was a great activity and practice for us as there will be a lot of obstacles, problems and issue for us to solve in the real world. Thankfully, our mission accomplished smoothly also having lots of fun together, Cheer to the best groupmate !!!