Craft and Cuisine Hub @Kuala Kangsar

University of Science, Malaysia (USM), School Of Housing, Building And Planning (HBP), Architecture Department. Minden, Penang

Project idea

OVERVIEW:
A craft and cuisine hub that aims to create and redefine the local traditional business. Preserving the local traditional business by gving it a new life.

INTENTION:
Kuala Kangsar is an Islamic Royal City with rich historical and art value, where some of the most iconic architecture of Malaysia resides, therefore, the design aims to create a structure that capture the essence of the city and create a resonance with the local context.

With that, it can serve the purpose of rejuvenating the area. The proposed site is at the waterfront of Sungai Perak, an important geographic element, which is also a potential site where the local tend to gather and spend time. The design capture that opportunity by integrating the building into the landscape through landscaping, open space and a parametric roof that also serve as street furniture. The building and waterfront, together they create a larger node that aims to attract both local and foreign visitor, breathing a new life to the area while preserving that locality and sense of place.

Various element are integrated to the exterior and interior to create stimulation that lure visitor into wanting to explore more from the moment they saw the building. This is to ensure visitor explore every space of the building so that shop lots at every corner have the equal customer flow.

CONCEPT / FORMS AND SHAPES
The crescent is a symbol that often used in the islamic culture. The form resembles a crescent emerging from the surface. The south wing is slightly higher than the north wing, shading the central open space from the direct sunlight from the south. The parametric roof resembles the cloud, which shrouded the open space as well as serving as a street furniture that blends into the surrounding. The curvy pipe facade further emphasize the crescent shape and the green facade resembles the flora motif in the crescent.

Page 1: Cover
Let me guide you through the Presentation Boards!

Page 2: Site Plan
The long side of the building is facing the east and west axis, therefore the central open space can receive natural daylight all day long.
Access can be made from three direction, the main entrance which will lead to the drop off as well as the basement car park, the e-hailing area or bus stop and from the waterfront.

Page 3: Elevations:
Showing the crescent shape as well as its connection with the islamic crescent symbol.

Page 4: Ground Floor Plan and Connectivity to Site
The landscape at the central open space is integrated with the design of the waterfront, the ground floor is porous to the surrounding, together with the waterfront and the parametric roof, creating a nice space to hang out and chill at day and night.

Page 5: Floor Plans
There are an atrium at the center of both wing, allowing people to observe what is happening at every corner, creating an interactive space as well as allowing ventilation.

Page 6: The Flow / the Interwoven Staircase and Escalator
The south wing tend to guide people to explore the spaces in a spiral manner as they ascend the building. An interlace of staircase and escalator are woven between each floor to allow the spiral flow.

Page 7: The Section
As one walking up the staircase, one can view the central open space as well as the city view of Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Perak.

Page 8: The construction Detail
You may refer to the technical information.

Page 9: From South Wing to North Wing
Showing the transition of space from From South Wing to North Wing

Page 10: The Interior
Each floor is design with different theme and layout, therefore creating new stimulation as one ascend from floor to floor.

Project description

The aim of the project is to propose a Craft and Cuisine Hub with exceptional cultural and historical significance. The hub will become a main destination for the locals and tourists seeking for the Perak’s unique traditional handicrafts and delicious local cuisines. This building can also provide business opportunities and interesting spot for the local to cultivate creative industries. The building will take advantage of the surrounding context of the Kuala Kangsar, the Royal Town of Perak.

The client was Perak State Economic Development Corporation (PEDC)

The project require us to:
provide sufficient space for the business to take place, these shop lots are specified:
- 20 shop lots for textiles
- 20 shop lots for woodcraft
- 10 shop lots for paper craft
- 10 shop lots for pottery & glass crafts
- 10 shop lots for jewelry
- 10 shop lots for metalwork
- 20 shop lots for other type of craft works
- 10 shop lots for dry package food
- 10 shop lots for other food-based businesses

- To maximize the potential of the site, students need to plan the site layout with the proper arrangement of the building, landscaping, sufficient provision of car parking (including for staff & OKU) and smooth pedestrian & vehicular circulation with appropriate site entrance & exit point.
- The Craft & Cuisine Hub should be accessible by the aged, children and the disabled people.
- The building and whole development of the Craft & Cuisine Hub must consider the tropical climate of Malaysia as well as the topography condition and the historic environment of the proposed site.

Technical information

Structure
The building are built using the plate system and arc column. The steel columns are located at the peripheral of the building as well as the inner side, while the floor hold all vertical member together, balancing out their forces. The floor slabs are made of post-tensioned reinforced concrete slab to eliminate the need of beams.

The Space Frame (Parametric Roof)
The parametric roof are made of slender white metal, this is to make it light weight as well as creating a translucent effect when viewed from afar, allowing it to blend into nature. The slender member are connected using interlocking system. The platform are yellow tinted glass.
The roof are created in a modular cube system of 500mm, to allow all age group to climb onto it and sit on it.

The Pipe Facade
The pipe facade are made of metal and finish with granule roofing cap. The granule roofing cap has rough texture as well as climate proof, creating contrast with the slender while metal.

The Green Facade: Gobaimidori
A planter box invented by a Japanese landscape architect. It has five side of surface that allow plants to grow on, making it more efficient!.