COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE | e-JOURNAL
Community Service Initiative (CSI) is a module is a form of service learning for us to make a change for the community with our skills. It aims to provide a platform to foster a sense of care and to engage with the community which are often neglected in our daily lives. As an Architecture student, we are required to propose a design that is both sustainable and architectural that will benefit the local community. Despite having various 'virtual communities' throughout my journey in Design Studios, it is my first time ever to have contact with a real community in a real life scenario.
WEEK 1 | MODULE BRIEFING + GROUP FORMATION
For this module, we are to work together as a team for architectural, culture and environment enhancing activities in the communities of different socio-economic status and social groups. In the span of 10 weeks, there are a great extent of tasks that were to be carried out to produce the final outcome.
WEEK 3 | DISCUSSION ON CHOICE OF SITE AND THEME
As a start, we had to form a group of maximum 8 (but my group managed to fight for 9) and decide on the services categorized under 4 themes (charitable homes/organization, community centre, street community and environment enhancing). After an urban analysis session (design studio module), we felt a strong urge to help the street community, especially the homeless. Thus,we settled for street community on Jalan Pudu which we coincidentally found out as a hotspot for the homeless.
Our proposal was to create a portable shelter for the homeless so they are not exposed to the weather and to have them live with dignity. After discussing with the group, we came up with 3 main features to be achieved on this shelter project: lightweight, portable, and cost effective.
WEEK 5 | CHANGE OF SITE + TWEAKS ON PROPOSAL
Eventually, after vigorous discussions and considerations with our tutor, we were advised to change our site to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR). Since Jalan TAR it is also our Design Studio site for this semester, we already have a basic understanding of the site and its conditions. Hence we willingly accept the change.
Jalan TAR is a street that converges various and diversed communities, tourists, white collars, immigrant workers, retirees, street artists, and even the homeless. Among all the different communities, we decided to design for the homeless community on Jalan TAR. Through our observation on site, the homeless usually seeks shelter in the five foot walkway. As for those unable to secure a sheltered spot, they would be exposed to the weather in the plaza nearby.
WEEK 6 | SITE VISIT + SURVEY
On the 5th of May, a site visit was conducted to survey and map out the active sites for the homeless along and around Jalan TAR. Since we were targeting on the homeless community and our design will probably be used on these grounds, it is important that we acknowledge the grounds we are dealing with.
During the site visit, we've managed interviewed some of the homeless people. Some refused to start conversations, but there were also those who were willing to share their stories. Through the interviews, I have come to realize that the majority of the homeless on Jalan TAR are either mentally ill or are immigrants that were bullied by their fellows, causing them to have no working opportunity in our country.
Therefore, besides providing them a shelter, I would also personally hope to approach organizations that are able to aid them in getting a payable job or picking up new skills for a second chance in life.
WEEK 8 | REFINE IDEA + MOCK UP PROTOTYPE
WEEK 9 | CONSTRUCTION OF PROTOTYPE + SITE VISIT
On the 2nd of June, we went for a second site visit to Jalan TAR. We approached the homeless and the members of the other communities together with our prototype. We first explain our intentions and ideas to the adjacent communities. They were very welcoming and supportive to our project and voiced their concerns of having the homeless taking over the five foot walkway, which were supposed to serve as a path for transversing through the streets. We then approached the homeless, which gave us a thumbs up for our intentions on helping them.
After getting back from site visitation to Jalan TAR, we had to compile the video clips taken during the interview. As means of documentation, the entire proposal and design were added in together with the clips. The final poster was also updated with the survey results.
In a nutshell, it was a great experience for all of us as it really gave us a hands-on opportunity to deal with the community as if it was a real life project. We would like to thank Taylors for providing us a platform to showcase our capability and ability to serve the community. I would also like to thank my fellow team mates for making this happen. In the future, I wish to get myself involved in such kind of community services to make a change in our community
WEEK 1 | MODULE BRIEFING + GROUP FORMATION
For this module, we are to work together as a team for architectural, culture and environment enhancing activities in the communities of different socio-economic status and social groups. In the span of 10 weeks, there are a great extent of tasks that were to be carried out to produce the final outcome.
WEEK 3 | DISCUSSION ON CHOICE OF SITE AND THEME
As a start, we had to form a group of maximum 8 (but my group managed to fight for 9) and decide on the services categorized under 4 themes (charitable homes/organization, community centre, street community and environment enhancing). After an urban analysis session (design studio module), we felt a strong urge to help the street community, especially the homeless. Thus,we settled for street community on Jalan Pudu which we coincidentally found out as a hotspot for the homeless.
Our proposal was to create a portable shelter for the homeless so they are not exposed to the weather and to have them live with dignity. After discussing with the group, we came up with 3 main features to be achieved on this shelter project: lightweight, portable, and cost effective.
WEEK 5 | CHANGE OF SITE + TWEAKS ON PROPOSAL
Eventually, after vigorous discussions and considerations with our tutor, we were advised to change our site to Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (TAR). Since Jalan TAR it is also our Design Studio site for this semester, we already have a basic understanding of the site and its conditions. Hence we willingly accept the change.
- One of the first roads in Kuala Lumpur.
- Started as a service road to the tin mining site at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak River
- Shopping street next to Administrative District since British Colonial Period
- Pop up stalls strives for a living in the side and back alleys
- Homeless Community seeks shelter in the verandahways
WEEK 6 | SITE VISIT + SURVEY
On the 5th of May, a site visit was conducted to survey and map out the active sites for the homeless along and around Jalan TAR. Since we were targeting on the homeless community and our design will probably be used on these grounds, it is important that we acknowledge the grounds we are dealing with.
During the site visit, we've managed interviewed some of the homeless people. Some refused to start conversations, but there were also those who were willing to share their stories. Through the interviews, I have come to realize that the majority of the homeless on Jalan TAR are either mentally ill or are immigrants that were bullied by their fellows, causing them to have no working opportunity in our country.
Therefore, besides providing them a shelter, I would also personally hope to approach organizations that are able to aid them in getting a payable job or picking up new skills for a second chance in life.
WEEK 8 | REFINE IDEA + MOCK UP PROTOTYPE
 |
| mock up prototypes. |
WEEK 9 | CONSTRUCTION OF PROTOTYPE + SITE VISIT
On the 2nd of June, we went for a second site visit to Jalan TAR. We approached the homeless and the members of the other communities together with our prototype. We first explain our intentions and ideas to the adjacent communities. They were very welcoming and supportive to our project and voiced their concerns of having the homeless taking over the five foot walkway, which were supposed to serve as a path for transversing through the streets. We then approached the homeless, which gave us a thumbs up for our intentions on helping them.
After getting back from site visitation to Jalan TAR, we had to compile the video clips taken during the interview. As means of documentation, the entire proposal and design were added in together with the clips. The final poster was also updated with the survey results.
In a nutshell, it was a great experience for all of us as it really gave us a hands-on opportunity to deal with the community as if it was a real life project. We would like to thank Taylors for providing us a platform to showcase our capability and ability to serve the community. I would also like to thank my fellow team mates for making this happen. In the future, I wish to get myself involved in such kind of community services to make a change in our community
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