PROJECT 1 | INDIVIDUAL E-JOURNAL
The traditional main method of teaching and learning in Architecture studies is learning through integrating theories with design practice. Hence, the work-integrated learning in the form of service learning in the MPU4 module of Taylor’s University, the Community Service Initiative (UCM60102U) not only continues with this tradition but provides a real-life environments and problems that enable students to incorporate the theory they learned at school into real-world problems-solving.
The community-based services in the CSI module for SABD are to expose students to the real-community living in real-life situation.
The series of community services are offered as student empowerment projects, students are given the freedom to choose and to execute the project in the best possible manner, within the budget and time constraint given.
WEEK ONE : PROJECT INTRODUCTION
A lecture by Ms. Ann and Mr. Adib about project introduction and brief.
We were asked to form a group of 8.
We discussed about our initial ideas on our approach and had some thoughts of site according to our preferences.
WEEK TWO : CHOOSING SITE
After some time, we had a group discussion to confirm on the site and asked for authorities.
We did appeal to quite a few orphanages and old folks homes. However, our request is rejected because it was not needed at that point.
Then, we had our final decision on our site, which is Taman Ehsan in Kepong, which is nearby to where one of our teammate,Kit Yee lives.
Realizing that it is a long term project throughout the whole semester, we made a timetable to arrange our tasks.
WEEK THREE : SITE VISIT
We had our visit to the site, Taman Ehsan.
We did some observations on site and also some interviews on the residents there about their needs and issues they are currently facing.
The site is a big field with poor facilities and infrastructure. There are only some playground equipment and also a concrete platform for sports such as sepak takraw. Some teenagers stopped by and gathered around the site, and also kids riding bicycles and skateboarding.
According to our interviews, we found out that the site used to have a pagoda to provide shade, as the trees on site are less dense. However it was demolished. So the amount of residents visiting the site is decreasing.
We also observed that there is a hug pile of trash and also decaying timber benches on the roadside.
After we identified all the issues, we started to collect information of the site and brainstorm on ideas.
WEEK FOUR : DRAFTING OUR IDEAS
There are primarily two main issues that the residents there are facing. One is lack of shelter or a place to provide shade, while another one is littering on the road side. So from there, we decided to draft our proposal.
Design proposal 1: Building a shelter for the residents.
Design proposal 2: Multi-purpose rubbish container.
We started researching on the design of pagodas and also sitting area with appropriate ways to store the rubbish which is user friendly.
Then we started our site analysis and decide the location to allocate our proposal.
WEEK FIVE : INITIAL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION
Working together, we were to produce Powerpoint Slides for our proposal submission. My task for this submission was to sketch the design of our proposal.
By gathering all the information that we prepared, one of our member compiled them and put it in Powerpoint format.
WEEK SIX : DEVELOPING OUR IDEAS
So our proposals were approved on the submission. However we faced challenges while designing a multi purpose dustbin. So in the end we decided to just concentrate on our first proposal which is the shelter, and focus on refining it.
In our discussions, we brought up that the initial design of the shelter are lack of contextual response and allow too little people to actually stay in it.
So we started to sketch and brainstorm on a new form of shelter.
After we settle down with the new design on the form, we spent quite an amount of time to discuss about the materials and construction methods.
We decided to use pallets as the platform on the base. However we need to consider that the ground of our site is grass and it may be uneven. Then, we decided on adding the placement of concrete pad footing below the pallets to prevent the pallets from decaying while attaching to the ground.
Later on we decide on the materials of the columns which is the timber. Follow by the timber louver which we added to reinforce the structure as the shelter is about 2 meters high, it can be flimsy if the structure itself is not stable. We needed the roof to be very light weight so we decided to use aluminium corrugated sheet as our roof deck as it can also reflect daylight to reduce heat gain in the shelter. We used pitch roof for our shelter to prevent the roof to collapsed which could be causing by the accumulation of rainwater. Due to the pitch roof, we added timber rafters underneath the roof deck. We chose timber as our core material because it is easy to install and also it can be easily found in most of the hardware shops.
WEEK SEVEN : COLLECTING MATERIALS
We separated our tasks on purchasing all the materials that we need. We have to drove around to look for hardware shops that can provide us sufficient amount of materials.
Considering the sustainability of the shelter, we ordered used pallets instead of purchasing new pallets and also reused woods for our columns.
We also uninstalled the remaining pallets and use the wooden panels as our louvers for our walls.
The condition of the pallets that we received were slightly unsatisfactory as we ordered used pallets. Most of them have splintered edges and we had polish all of them to prevent injuries to happen. It can be quite dangerous to touch.
We faced some difficulties in installing the timbers together as the timbers are quite solid. So we decided to mainly use brackets for our construction.
WEEK EIGHT : CREATING CONCRETE PAD FOOTING
We were split into three tasks.
One, measuring and marking the size of the formwork from ply wood panels.
Two, cutting the ply wood panels using saw.
Three, taping the panels together to create the formwork.
Four, mixing the concrete accurately, then pour it into the formwork.
While pouring in the concrete, we also inserted long I-brackets and let them stay in place in the concrete, so that later on we can just slotting in our timber columns.
As we need to spend some time and wait for the concrete to be completely dried, we have to postpone our installing schedule to a week later.
WEEK NINE : INSTALLING THE STRUCTURE
1, We installed brackets to the columns first, so that later on we can just put everything together conveniently.
2, Columns are slotted into the spaces between metal brackets in the concrete pad footing.
Then we started to transfer our materials to site for the installation by our group member's cars. Pallets were transferred by lorry. So we started with locating the pad footing at the correct location, follow by the stacking of pallets on top of the concrete footing. Then we install the beams on top of the columns. However our progress was hindered by the constant rainfall during the day.
Later on, we were split into different tasks again to catch up with our progress and we have to finish up our installation before the night hits. So there are a few tasks that need to be completed.
One, installing brackets connecting the columns with the pallets.
Two, installing the beams using L brackets.
Three, nailing the rafters to the beams.
Four, installing roof deck to the rafters.
Videos are recorded throughout the whole process of installation.
Our prototype was being tested by the residents there,
reviews from the residents:
They are looking forward to the output of the shelter.
One of them mentioned that they were worried about the safety and the stability of the structure.
Our prototype was being tested by the residents there,
reviews from the residents:
They are looking forward to the output of the shelter.
One of them mentioned that they were worried about the safety and the stability of the structure.