EDITOR’S Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia LETTER Sarawak Chapter 3/ 2014-15 Dec Dear readers, This is the last issue for 2014 and the penultimate issue for me as editor. In March 2015, we hope to publish a bumper issue in conjunction with my going away / stepping aside / putting out to pasture, and in time for the AGM. So, if you are interested, or know of anyone who is interested in getting involved in this newsletter - nominate them during the Annual General Meeting. In the issue, we meet Tina Lau, one of the directors at IDC (Integrated Design Consultants) to talk about their practice and to feature their key projects. We also interviewed four local firms who were involved in the implementation of public spaces in Sarawak; we discuss the meaning of useful and relevant urban spaces for the local population. Our chapter have been busy preparing for next year’s events; PAMSC Gala Dinner and Design Forum are previewed. The Education sub committee hosted students from UCTS (University College of Technology Sarawak) by organising talks and building tours, while Ivy (Graduates) met with Tay Tze Yong to discuss the recent Archiprix Student Competition in KL. Mike (Conservation) recently gave a talk in Penang and found time to submit two articles for this issue. It is little wonder that our ‘little’ chapter is the envy of many; often described as energetic and cohesive - capable of organising many events and activities such as study trips, WAD and BTS. For that, I am grateful for the teamwork that make these quarterly ‘projects’ so satisfying and fun. Thank you. Public Spaces The Notorious Baldy min-linesonpaper.blogspot.com Profile : Integrated Min, with invaluable help of Design Consultant Ivy, Si Yong and Hui Joo Archiprix S.E.A. 2014 Recording Local 2nd Floor, Sub-Lot 56, Jalan Wan Alwi, Lot 7915 Queen’s Court, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak. Heritage Tel: 082-457182 Fax: 082-451180 E-mail: [email protected] www.pamsc.org.my INTERSECTION CHAIRMAN’S REPORT PAMSC Chairman Public Spaces Ar. Stephen Liew Recently, I set an assignment for my students to design a space in the city that the public can use without spending money – spaces that are accessible and open to members of the public; ‘a public space’, which Greetings to all PAMSC Members, prompted me to feature some of our local ‘public spaces’. And to raise the question, This quarter has been very busy and fruitful, in particular the work that has gone into organizing the upcoming PAMSC Building Trade Show (BTS) 2015, Design Forum 2015 and the various CPD Events. We extend our gratitude to local speaker, Ar. Wee Hii Min whose recent lecture What is a public space? ‘Draw, Build; Learn’ recorded the highest attendance in PAMSC Lecture Series; well done! It has also come to my knowledge that our PAMSC’s candidates have not done well in the recent PART III Exams, and the national passing There are many definitions, some architectural, others social; most are rate has dropped to below 10%. This is not a healthy situation; PAMSC will be stepping up our initiative by inviting all graduate members to scholarly and lengthy – but they share the view that public space must come forward to air their views, concerns and apprehensions. To this end, we have nominated Past Chairman, Ar. Desmond Kueh to reach have the following attributes: out to graduate members and to mentor those sitting for their exams. The Graduates and Education sub-committees headed by Ar. Ivy Jong and Ar. Felix Wee respectively have also been instrumental in obtaining video recordings of the relevant lectures that took place in PAMKL. 1. It must be accessible to the public regardless of race and gender, social status and ideology. I finish by encouraging all members to take part in PAMSC’s activities and events. May the coming holiday seasons and festivities bring you all good fortune and happiness. 2. It must allow freedom of action within the space, and freedom to enter and depart as one pleases. 3. Finally and perhaps most importantly (to me) it should reflect the beliefs Best wishes, and practices of the people it serves. Ar. Stephen Liew As cities grow denser and living conditions become more compact, the public space becomes more important – here are some of the characteristics of successful modern public spaces: a. Pedestrian priority – this does not mean the complete exclusion of vehicles, at times it is adequate to simply widen the walking lanes. Walking increases the opportunity for interaction and un-planned encounters and diversions; making public life more interesting. Public spaces must allow freedom of action within the b. Mixing uses and activities – this could mean allowing the public to space. (Forecourt of the M.o.C.A., Barcelona,) take over and ‘invent’ their own activities; an open air market during the weekend, performances in the evening, etc. c. Human scale – there should be spaces for various levels of interaction; from public (> 4.0m) to social (1.2 – 4.0m) to personal (0.5 – 1.2m) to intimate (0 – 0.5m). d. Location and accessibility – since cities are run by commerce and politics, location of public spaces are not always based on accessibility and need. Many Olympic Parks are in this category. e. Culture and Identity – in many instances, we remember and identity a city by its public spaces, especially ones that are deeply rooted in the The old Satok Market has the human verve characteristic city’s past and culture. Often one of the most effective ways of linking of organic urbanscapes. a public space to the city’s past is the renewal and re-use of an old historical precinct which is imbued with historical meaning and identity. Another school of thought would argue that the public realm has evolved into other forms; the shopping mall and the digital realm for example. But in my mind, this argument is flawed – the mall is part of private enterprise and one is politely told to leave at closing time while the media lacks the richness of human interaction and chance encounters. So, to echo my students at the end of semester – ‘did we pass?’ did we satisfy the criteria for attractive and useful public space? I am aware that the featured projects may have been designed with other objectives in mind. Nonetheless, they will be regarded as public spaces by the community and The old Zhongshan-shipyard lends cultural identity as new used as such, so I think the self-assessment is crucial if we were to improve public park. the quality of our urban life. Please contact the secretariat at 082-457182 (Melinda) or mail: [email protected] should you wish to contribute. Project Title: Sibu Town Square Landscape Upgrade Project Title: The Damai Central and New Waterfront Promenade Architect : Arki Sigat Sdn. Bhd. Architect : Kumpulan Design Design Statement: Design Statement: The Damai Central project is located in the This 3.3-acre park comprises of new landscaped heart of the Damai Tourism Area facing the gardens and a waterfront promenade on reclaimed land; South China Sea. The brief from the Ministry complete with public amenities and recreational facilities. of Tourism called for the creation of Public It is presently under construction and is expected to be Beach Facilities for the relaxation and completed in December 2014. recreation needs of both local and foreign tourists. The newly completed riverwall and promenade doubles the existing water frontage of the town square to half a kilometre with a 8m wide promenade along the whole waterfront. The landscaping works, now in progress, includes pocket gardens with shady trees so that locals can jog, cycle or simply enjoy Sibu’s riverine sunsets. The existing Town Square has been given an upgrade with new sub-soil drainage works so that it remains dry for outdoor activities such as kite-flying and other outdoor activities. The completed park will be laced with lush green trees with dense foliage to provide shade while some seasonal flowering trees have been included to bloom with colorful blossoms. Thoughtfully planned activity areas include a skate park and sculpted landforms as children’s playground, surrounded by meandering scenic jogging tracks. The design concept is based on a ‘Village’ setting of commercial activities that includes the essence and charm of our local culture and architecture. The focal point provided by the Multi-purpose Lawn is strategically surrounded by various local built forms such as a ‘barok’ style open amphitheater cum stage, two seafront restaurants and bar, open-air food court and various low rise retail and service outlets. These are connected by a covered walkway that is a reflection of the communal ‘ruai’ - a sheltered street that wraps around the inner side of the ‘Village’ and allows visitors to view the various scenes and activities that takes place on the Lawn. Outside the centre of Damai Central, a cultural promenade links the Sarawak Cultural Village to the beach, at its end a hornbill sculpture watches over the activities at the cascading lawn of the beach front promenade. Project Title: India Street Covered Mall Project Title: Telaga Air Waterfront Architect : Arkitek Nurina Matnor Architect : JH Bong Arkitek Design Statement: Design Statement: India Street is one of the oldest streets in Kuching; best known for its textile Telaga Air Waterfront Promenade is shops and interesting buildings such as the Indian Mosque, and like most located at the riverbank of Sungai historical streets, it has grown organically over time resulting in a streetscape Sibu, Kampung Telaga Air with the of different building styles and heights. Since it was turned into a pedestrian aim of promoting tourism and sport street, it became a popular landmark for locals and tourists.