WEEK 1
On the first week, we were briefed on the project and it's objectives. The assignment is basically a group community service project which allows the student to pick a charity of their choice and propose an idea that would improve or impact the lives of the people . However, for this semester, there was an offer to participate in a bigger community programme called DiverseCity. It comprises of NGO's and other architecture firms that collaborate with one objective which was to rejuvenate and improve the lives of the community living in Sri Tioman 1.
SRI TIOMAN 1
On the weekend, we were required to conduct a site visit to Sri Tioman 1. Sri Tioman 1 is a Low Income Housing Program known as Program Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) in Taman Melati. We went to the flat to engage with the community and find out their needs and issues in order to come up with out design proposals.
During our visit we identified several issues of the community such as the lack of wayfinding around the vicinity, lack of disposal bins and location of disposal centre causing unpleasant smell near the courts. When we went upstairs to interview some of the residents, we noticed kids playing on almost every floor at the narrow walkway infront of their houses due to the insuffecient playground provided. Apart from that, we also thought the community could benefit from more plantation or vegetation to either beautify the landscape or be a source of produce for the cimmunity.
WEEK 2
On week 2, we had another visit to Sri Tioman where the DiverseCity team planned to have a pegboard installed on the hall of the flat. This pegboard was to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas of the community. To ensure that their inputs and opinions were heard for us to better serve their needs.
My team and I took this opportunity to further interview the community to further narrow down our ideas; ensuring we propose a design that would improve their quality of life.
WEEK 3
On week 3, the representatives of each group were to meet up with the DiverseCity team. For my group, it was Arina Nadia. During the meeting, they explained to her the timeline of the project and that the design proposal was to be focused on one of the blocks which was Blok 32.
WEEK 4
Our group met a few times to discuss and brainstorm our ideas. As a result, we decided to propose 2 ideas for the design proposal.
First, was the proposal to introduce the gardening culture to the community by planting vegetation. We also proposed an idea to hold workshops to allow the community to participate and create terrariums. Terrariums are small glass pots which plants are grown in. We thought this was a good idea as the community could be involved and educated as well as being introduced to the ways of planting in a small scale.
The other proposal was to built a roof to shield the football court from rain as most of the younger community still wanted to play despite the weather. It was also dangerous if they play after the rain was the courts then to get slippery.
WEEK 6
Another meeting was held with the representatives to discuss and approve of the existing proposals. My team was then combined with Tan Yang's group to create a hybrid design proposal. It combined the idea of gardening (our team) and playscape (Tan Yang's to create . The playscape repurposes beer crates to design an interactive playground for kids allowing them to create the landscape or levels.
WEEK 9
After discussions, we finalized the proposal and started to collect the materials to produce a prototype for the presentation.
WEEK 11
All the groups presented their ideas to the community for their opinions and feedback
REFLECTION
One day we presented and brought along prototypes of our designs, I was able to see kids interacting and enjoying most of the ideas,It made me realise the big impact a simple idea could make for the community. We have to be sensitive and engaging with the community so we could improve their quality of life as best as we can.
In relation to architecture, I learned how to identify issues and come up with design solutions. We also had to consider technical aspects such as cost and materials.