The community-based services in CSI module for SABD are to expose students to the real community living in the real-life situation. We are to cooperate as a group for structural, culture, and environmental improving activities in the communities of various of different socio-economic status and social groups. The series of community services are offered as student strengthening project, we are given the flexibility to pick and to execute the task in the most ideal way, within the budget and time limitation given. As architecture student, we were then required to propose and execute design answers to handle the analyzed issues.
JOURNAL ENTRY
INTRODUCTION :
The community-based services in CSI module for SABD are to expose students to the real community living in the real-life situation. We are to cooperate as a group for structural, culture, and environmental improving activities in the communities of various of different socio-economic status and social groups. The series of community services are offered as student strengthening project, we are given the flexibility to pick and to execute the task in the most ideal way, within the budget and time limitation given. As architecture student, we were then required to propose and execute design answers to handle the analyzed issues.
WEEK 1
The first week is started with introduction of the brief by Ms. Ann See Peng as the module coordinator and group forming consists of 8 member. me (rudy), Kalvin, Juergen, Arron, Soon, Su Ling, Peidi and Pui Yan formed the group and work as a team later on.
Detailed brief is given the day after, where given service options are Charitable Homes or Organization (CH), Community Center (CC), Street Community (SS) or DiverseCity Project. Mr. Huat Lim, the director of ZLG Design briefed the diversecity project as one of its main coordinator. Introduced site is Perumahan Awam Sri Tioman 1 in Taman Melawati, a people's housing project (PPR) flat. This project aims are to rejuvenate the surrounding area and improve the resident living quality such as providing facility that fulfill the community need.
Throughout the briefing session, I realized that this project will not only limited until proposal and theory, but appliance of proposed solution of the analyzed problem later. As my first community service project, Its rather challenging because the given solution will affect a large scale of community and to be presented to everyone.
SITE VISIT :
Time slot was given for site visit to minimize the disturbance toward the residential at the site. During our site observation, we found out that the site has a few facilities such as playground and basketball field provided in between the flats yet looks so plain and dull. Other issues included are lack of hygiene, unattended old gazebo, and faded mural. Personally, the site has various of facility in between block where its suitable as pivot point for community to gather yet lack of decorative attribute to relive the area. Short discussion was conducted among our group later with a final conclusion to join the DiverseCity Project.
WEEK 2
The second site visit was conducted to gather more data and introduction of the project to the residential. Groups are separated to measure the site around for digital plan production later and help the installment of peg board under block 32.
During this site visit, we can engange with the community due to the provided simple plan prepared beforehand by Mr. Huat Lim. Kids gather around and express their idea through drawing on the simple plan where we explain our project intention to them while enjoying the activity together. Different drawing were produced such as big pool, little zoo, and flower which makes me realized what the younger community here wants is more attraction and variety activity.
Next thing we did was helping the installment of the peg board. The Pegboard is layered by white paint and act as media for the community there to express their idea to improve their living quality by drawing or write on it. I think its a good idea by providing a media to express what they want rather then just keep what their thought and change nothing, a place for everyone to show their feeling regardless the ages or social barrier.
WEEK 3
This week we compiled all of the gathered information and choose the suitable design proposal. We found out the community there wants to do something with the gazebo due to its unattended condition and neglected yet still used by people there. So the idea is to add decorative attributes such as mural or decorative arts to rejuvenate it.
Location of The Gazebo
Worn Out Gazebo
Sketches Idea
Proposed idea are to install signboard name, replaced the broken tiles, renovate the drainage system around the gazebo, installment of signboard name, and roof fixing. The main point in to renovate the gazebo and relive it more.
WEEK 4 & 5
We present our proposal to our tutor Ms. Ann and gain feedback. She suggested us to make more analysis about the gazebo and try to obtain more information from interview. Site visit was conducted again to understand better the need of the community about the gazebo.
During the site visit, we manage to gain more information by interviewing the community around, even though some resident refused to be interviewed and surveyed yet there are some residential and teenager on site willing to help us.
Interviewing
The gazebo mostly used by the teenager there to gather during sport and other residential when there are event, hence Many positive feedback was given for our proposal to beautify the gazebo. Our proposal also received some suggestion from the interviewed neighborhood chief (ketua kejiranan) to not only renovate it but to make it as a little community gathering place when they are free. From the gained information and feedback, now we are sure the gazebo is one of the main spot at the site and by renovating it meaning bringing community to bond each other in there
WEEK 6
Presenting the proposal to the ZLG staff and gain feedback regarding the proposal. The proposal is revised by the help of PPR staff to tackle the problem more accurately. Briefing on proposal submission on the following week and schedule revising to follow the brief.
WEEK 7
Proposal submission with the presentation slide submitted together yet feedback only given at the following week. Waiting for approval to continue the proposal into next stage
WEEK 8
Rejected proposal due to construction process which is time consuming and limited skill in construction process later on. Even though the proposal is rejected but doesn't mean what we do until now is useless, we are able to analyze and identify one of the main problem at site and create a solution to tackle the problem, this is part of the learning process and gaining experiences. Now, we will merge with another group to help their approved proposal
WEEK 9
Merged with another group where now we are focusing in doing mural painting to relive certain area. The chosen area is the waste collection due to its emptiness and plain.
due to the changing proposal, new proposal slide is required to explain the new idea which is to do mural painting with recycle and compost theme. The slide requires drawing, method statement, budgets, timeline, and mock up where Kalvin and me will manage the drawing
Proposed drawing
WEEK 10
Mock up making which consists of recycling and composting method to show the right way to organize the trash. The mural will not serve as decorative only yet it will be informative and invite people to recycle their trash to reduce bad impact toward the environment. 2 mural painting is needed to create the composting and recycling, hence the group is divided into 2. throughout this mock up making, i gained new experience in painting a mural and new information of composting and recycling.
WEEK 11
Presentation to the residential and other ZLG staff on site, our proposal received positive feedback and might be considered later on. Hard work throughout the project enhance my analysis and problem solving skill, by creating and providing what the community need there.
Presentation
Installation
REFLECTION :
I feel satisfied and happy that the whole 11 weeks effort is paid off and not wasted. This project not only to improve the community but myself also as an architecture student. Problem solving and analysis of the issues play as the main role of the project. Going through up and down, our group can manage to stand on and finish this assignment.
After all we went through, bit by bit the community started to open toward us and wants to give their hand. They realized our hardwork and starts to show their smile. All people deserve a better live, by joining this project I able to pursue my purpose in studying architecture which is to improve the living quality of other community.
Community Service Initiative (CSI) allows me to apply all my knowledge skill into real life not lined until theory but real life appliance. This module encourages me to pursue my carrier more, it doesn't only taught me how to improve others but to make me better.