PORTFOLIO 2022 by alim azhar

SELECTED WORKS

2017-2022

ABOUT ME

MUHAMMAD ALIM BIN MOHD AZHAR

Graduate Architect Being in the architecture ﬁeld for more than 9 years had taught me that architecture is more than just a career. It is a passion, a passion that cost you a lot of time and energy with a return of an endless possibility and knowledge not just in designing. knowing that , I set an ambition to progress in this ﬁeld and learn as much as I can. With in total of 5 years of working experience both on paper and on site, I have been looking for a new opportunity to continue to develop myself and contribute my humble knowledge with other group of people and to be inspired by one another.

SELECTED WORKS

MASJID APONG

URBAN OVOP

THE MEET, DAMANSARA

JBITC

A Community Mosque cum Evacuation Center

A new typology of low cost housing

An Exclusively Inclusive Hotel Tower

An Upcycle Incubator Training Hub

SEGAMAT HOSPITAL

KEM TERENDAK HOSPITAL

Extension Emergency Block of Hospital Segamat

Refurbishment of 58 years old Military Hospital

R&R TAPAH

HARTAMAS BUNGALOW

Reimagine R&R station in Malaysia

High End Individual Bungalow

MASJID APONG Community Mosque cum Evacuation Center Kota Bharu, Kelantan University of Malaya M Arch Final Thesis Project 2021

Supervisor: Dr Muhammad Azzam bin Ismail Ar Dr Lim Teng Ngiom Natural disaster has become a major issue that will be faced by the entire world in the near future, it is just the matter of time. This is due to the rapid urbanization that lead to the instability of mother nature. In context of Malaysia, the common issue that never been address properly is Flood. Resulting to the inefficient disaster management, a lot of issues arise especially on the evacuation centre that mostly are not up to the standard of the basic needs of a temporary living spaces. Besides, there also other issues such as the damage of the facilities that used as temporary evacuation center and the spread of disease. Responding to that , a holistic solutions need to be developed in the sector of disaster management that sustainable and efficient. Located in the city center of Kota Bharu, Kelantan, the proposed thesis project, Community Mosque cum Evacuation Center will seek for the answer to the needs of the new innovation in flood management in Malaysia.

The project started by understanding the tangible and intangible context of the site and also the community of Kelantan. Understanding their lifestyle and also the challenge faced during the flood season, a pictogram mapping had been produce to show the flow of the possible activities that will take place in the programming of the building. The program will defined the spaces needed. As the building will be functioning as a community mosque throughout the year and can be transform into an evacuation center. The two programming are mapped out to find the intersection point of the program and also the spaces. The intersection then classified into zoning which are entrance, social and economic, core program and also operational spaces.

There are several major consideration on developing the scheme which include, the disaster management plan ,the user experience, the existing urban fabric, the aesthetic value of the architecture and also the sustainable design approach. This resulting a holistic built environment design that suit to existing context.

A Storm water management strategy had been introduced where a large reservoir tank are constructed underneath the site that connected to the underground culvert that located underneath the main road in Kota Bharu. Whenever the rapid rain occurs, all the surface runoﬀ will be channeled to the underground reservoir tank and kept there until the rain season stop. The water will be ﬁltered by the septic tank to ensure the water that goes to the river is free of large particles

The overall building consist of three floors The lower ground floor with 7meter clearance and gradually up with the pixelated pods are serve as a public spaces and also act as a retention pond whenever the water level raised. On the ground and first floor. The spaces mostly occupied by the public spaces and also the facilities that can be used during the normal season. The simple yet effective layout optimised the passive design strategies implemented including the cross ventilation and also the natural lighting.

MAIN PRAYER HALL

The transformable architecture become the main strategy in turning this building into a usable facilities during flood hence making int more resilience. There are several building elements that can be transform and floated during the flood and serve as a spacious and space area for the evacuee. This will also provide a solution to the issue of the evacuation center being too sophisticated due to the small and non-hygienic spaces.

FLOATING FOUNDATION -UPCYCLED PLASTIC BOTTLE

FOUNDATION FRAME – HDPE PLASTIC WASTE To enhance of the sustainable value of this project, an innovation on the usage of upcycled plastic waste as a part of the building material had been introduced. The idea derives as an answer to the question of what the most suitable solution on the floatable foundation of the floating pods is. Being the world’s top dump site for plastic waste, the designer tent to look at this fact as an advantage instead of the disadvantage to Malaysia. By saying that, we have the most resources of the plastic that can be upcycled and turn into the building material for this kind of building typology. There are two types of plastic waste that can be upcycled in this project, the first one is the 1.5-liter drinking water plastic bottle and the second one is High-Density Polyethylene plastic

URBAN OVOP A New Typology of Low Cost Housing Pantai Dalam, Kuala Lumpur

University of Malaya M Arch Year 4 Project 2 2020

Supervisor: Dr Asrul Mahijuddin Ar Sarly Adre

The idea of URBAN OVOP, a new typology of low cost housing is the result of understanding the hustle of B40 community across the globe generally, Kampung Kerinchi speciﬁcally. One Village One Product (OVOP) is originated in a city in Japan called Oita. By targeting to enhance the economic sector of the rural B40 community, Japan government had introduced the idea of OVOP where the villagers will produce a product using the local resources to be commercialize globally. The improvisation of the original concept of OVOP resulting the URBAN OVOP housing where the idea of OVOP is introduced in the urban setting with the same goal to improve the quality of life of B40 community thru economic approach. To ensure the success of the concept implementation, two major consideration is highlighted which are creating a sense of a village using the Dunbar theory and establishing one industry that can ﬁt the most which is the cottage industry.

Instead of looking at the problem face by B40 community, the designer started to look on what are we doing to help them? The RMK 11 initiated by the government is not successful as the median income for b40 is still way below target. By understanding the concept of OVOP implemented in Japan, the designer intended to implement the concept in the urban setting by providing the built environment that encourage the community to conduct their own economic activities to improve their living standard

The unit design of URBAN OVOP started with establishing four modular squares that make possible using IBS technology. Each modular have its own speciﬁcation in term of the sizing and functionality. The individual unit design derived from the combination within these four modular units depends on the size required and the number of bedrooms. Type A for single bedded, type B for double bedded and type C1,C2 and C3 for 3 bedded living units. To maximize on the intergenerational interaction between the dwellers, these 5 units then arranged in one cluster that taking up 2 bay of grids and 3 stories in term of height. Having this conﬁguration resulting few inclusive communal areas that can be shared between the community in one cluster

Industrialized building system can be defined as a construction system which components are manufactured in a factory, on or off site, positioned and assembled into structures with minimal additional site work (CIDB, 2003). All the unit modular are fabricated at the factory and transported to the site for installation process. IBS construction consist of several elements that can be fabricated at the factory and assembled at the site. The exploded diagram shows the IBS element configuration

A lot of consideration has been put into the design of the site. From the site context, to the pedestrian ﬂow, vehicle movement to the social activities all of these factors has been taken into the consideration so that it will blend with the design intention. In designing the URBAN OVOP the design intentions, concept, site planning, landscaping, sustainability, services, constructions system and interior design are play an importance roles. The philosophy and the social cultural aspect also have to be done well during any projects or designs to ensure a good product.

THE MEET HOTEL An Exclusively Inclusive Hotel Tower Kota Damansara, Selangor

University of Malaya M Arch Year 4 Project 1 2020

Supervisor: Dr Zunaibi Abdullah Ar Saiful Safuan

Then come THE MEET, a new hotel typology that enhancing the social interaction among guess and locals while preserving the luxurious factor of a hotel. With the idea of EXCLUSIVELY INCLUSIVE this project is further developed from the masterplan proposed that initially targetting on pedestrianize Kota Damansara. Viewing the idea of exclusively inclusive holistically the level of inclusivity does not stop at human interaction only. The interaction should be enjoyed not just by the human. Believing in the idea of “Architect to repair the nature”, the design of THE MEET precisely integrated with existing fabric of the site that located next to a surreal forest. Besides minimizing the footprint touching the existing slope, the landscape designed in such a way to bring the existing ecosystem of the forest into the building to make the exclusively inclusive idea at its optimal level.

To encourage the interaction between the user of the building, a series of pocket spaces ( indicated in blue colour) are introduces on every ﬂoor of the tower. This spaces are arranged in a hierarchy from between one level. One cluster which consist of 4 levels and with the public which located at the podium level.

The façade design of this building is derived from the concept of simplicity yet complex. The pixelated façade not just act as a building envelop but also as a habitat for the fauna that sprawling up on the upper level form the existing forest next to the site.

JBITC An Upcycle Incubator Training Hub Johor Bharu, Johor

University of Malaya Bachelor in Architecture Year 3 Final Project 2017 Supervisor: Ms Aty Rosmary Ariffin Ar Aniza Abd Aziz Johor SME Incubator Training Hub is a training hub facility equipped with small accommodation designed to encourage entrepreneurs to nurture their business strategies. It serves as a platform to gather small and medium industries owners especially those producing local crafts, food and health products. The proposed hub will focus on youth start-up businesses that will bring Johor Bahru and Johor at large to new phase as a creative and technology hub. The hub is also aimed to provide opportunities and an alternative job finding for the unemployed by giving empowerment for the participants/apprentice to create their own job market as well as to sync with the existing local business. The hub is envisaged to be great space for young freelancers and small business/tech startups to gain the support of the local government, NGOs, organization and community. The hub offers not only training courses but space to work and collaborate with business partners, gurus and icons. It is also a testbed or living lab to selected sparkling business startups where guidance, monitoring and support are provided.

Upcycle Incubator Hub is the ﬁrst one in its kind to use upcycle materials as the main sources in incubator program. The designer believes that when things are at their worst, we area at our best. When we have to come out with something good just by using used and recycle materials, then we will think creatively and critically on how to come out with something good out of the worst, that’s how we learn.

The spaces on the ground ﬂoor are given back to the public. This is because the designer intent to make the building accessible and pedestrian friendly to the public so the public will pass through and the idea of creating public awareness by exhibit how the upcycling can produce decent product can be achieve

SEGAMAT HOSPITAL Extension Emergency Block of Segamat Hospital Segamat ,Johor

Under Construction 2018

Assistant Resident Architect CHEWAN Architecture Sdn Bhd

Segamat Hospital is located at the district of Segamat Johor. With a concept of a nucleus hospital, Segamat Hospital started its operation on 27 Mac 1995 to serve nearby district including Gemas, Labis and Tangkak. Due to the increase of the population and also the advancement of medical technology, the government had approve the development of extension emergency block of Segamat Hospital under Ministry of Health. With a total of 63 additional bed, this extension block consist of 7 department include Emergency department, Operation Theatre, ICU, HDU, CSSD,RHU and ICT. The main design concept of this building are modern and hermitage. On the outer part, this building portrait a new and modern design of a government hospital and in the layout and the user experience of the building, the idea of hermitage healing is implemented which focussing on 3 main elements which are homely atmosphere, well connected to the nature and a seamless social structure which helps not just the patience but also the visitors and staﬀ experience in the building.

The usage of black perforated panel wrapping the overall main building and also the link bridge breaks the monotonous of a boring government hospital. Not just visually pleasing, this perforated panel also act as a shading device and hide and protect all the services such as the compressor which spoil the design of a building

DIAGRAMS

With a total built up area of 9,137.82 sqm, this new extension block can be access by 4 diﬀerent access depends on the case and also the user. additional centralize utilities building which house all the mechanical and electrical equipment located at the far end of the site boundary.

The building also equipped with a pocket sensory garden for the user to take a break from the tense of the indoor environment particularly in emergency block. This shaded garden is seamlessly connected with the indoor spaces not just visually but also physically as the garden located at the heart of the building.

KEM TERENDAK HOSPITAL Refurbishment of 58 years old military hospital Terendak ,Melaka

Under Construction 2020

Project Architect CHEWAN Architecture Sdn Bhd

Kem Terendak Hospital or also known as 94 Hospital Angkatan Tentera is a 132 bedded hospital that had been operated since 1964. This hospital not just to serve the army but also the citizens that lives in Terendak district. in the decent years,Kem Terendak Hospital had received up to 64,000 visitors on annual basis. Due to the high user traﬃc and the advancement of medical technologie, the government under Ministry of Defence ( MINDEF) had decided to refurbish the emergency block of the existing hospital. By preserving the existing structure of the building, the client requested for a new modern look building treatment to the existing old building. this brief had been translated into the design by applying a modern design approach at the front facade of the building hence portraying a new and refresh look of 58 years old Kem Terendak Hospital building

This refurbishment work do not involve the whole existing building. only emergency block and also a portion of main block are aﬀected in this project. the facilities also been upgraded by having several zone and department including OTD, ICU and CSSD.

The black perforated panel had been used as the main material for the facade of this building. beside being a new design statement of the building, this material also strong and sturdy which solve the issue of monkey invasion that had been faced since 1964. The panel then arranged in a triangulated conﬁguration hence it become 3d and visually pleasing.

R&R TAPAH

Reimagine R&R station in Malaysia Tapah ,Perak

Tender Proposal 2019

Project Architect CHEWAN Architecture Sdn Bhd

Rehat & Rawat Station had become one f the most important facilities in Malaysia especially during the festive season. However, the issue pertaining the R&R station had never been address properly. this issues includes the lack of parking spaces, inconvenient eating spaces, confusing layout and many more. Given an opportunity to redesign one of the most prominent R&R station along Lebuhraya Utara Selatan, we found that this is the best chance to tackle all these issues and become a new standard or reference for all of the R&R station in Malaysia. Besides designing a problem solving architecture. turning the building into a piece of art had also become the main priority in designing this project. As the location of the building is strategically located nestor the major highway in malaysia, the architect had utilize the opportunity by designing a project that can become a new landmark in tapah

An open layout plan is implemented this project for the ease of wayﬁnding and also the surveillance of the users. the staggered dining area that provide diﬀerent eating experience for the user had also become the main features in this project.

HARTAMAS BUNGALOW High End Individual Bungalow Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur

Completed 2021

Project Architect CHEWAN Architecture Sdn Bhd

Private residential has become one of the most challenging project for an architect as it involve the user emotion in the way they deﬁne the living experience which will be translated into form and spaces. In the case of Hartamas Bungalow, the client believe on the fortune of Feng Shui which will bring the positive energy into their house. The brief is to design a modern and simple 4 stories bungalow that follow the layout dimension and requirement provided by a Feng Shui master for a family of 3 adult kids. This requirement and client brief has become a new challenge for the designer as all the layout is ﬁxed and the dimension decided. the modernism approach has been used in this particular project where the square and chamfered language had been used in designing the overall form of this Bungalow. the full height opening somehow has created a random yet harmony solid and void for the overall building form. the bold identity of this building form has become the major highlight of this bungalow.

The inconsistent yet harmony pattern of the opening has become a design statement of this bungalow besides maximizing the natural ventilation and sunlight to penetrate into the internal spaces of this building. the selection of the colours also plays a big role in transforming this building into a piece of art.

The internal spaces of this bungalow equipped with all the facilities that found necessary by the family. the facilities include as indoor gym, manicure and pedicure room, a family lounge area with olympic size snooker table and also a 5 seater home cinema.