CHAPTER FOUR RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction
The active design strategies application in Malaysian institution and commercial architecture is significantly visible but does it work? Does local architects originally thought about implementing these strategies into their design?
This chapter is divided into two main parts. The first part revealed the observations and records of the existing evidence of the physical activity-encouraging elements present in the chosen case studies and analysed the results achieved from the data collected. The second part is the discussion of the analysed findings, in relation to the objectives of this study.
4.2 Case Study I: Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying (FSPU), Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Puncak Alam campus.
4.2.1 Building site background & policies.
The Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying (FSPU) of Universiti Teknologi MARA is an institutional building located at the UiTM Puncak Alam campus, in Kuala Selangor. The new faculty was fully constructed and started operating in 2015.
The faculty building is located within the Built Environment & Design Complex (see Figure 15), the site hosts multiple academic and amenities buildings to facilitate the students and staff’s needs and were thoroughly designed according to the intended programs and UiTM’s institutional building policies. The academic buildings were surrounded by carefully planned amenities and additional facilities that includes the provision of students and staff’s carpark, social and recreational areas, plus including supporting programs like cafeteria, surau (prayer hall), resource centre, multipurpose hall, etc.
4.2.2 Architectural design, layout and programs.
As a public university and tertiary education institutional building, the whole faculty and its site context must able to hosts a wide range of movements from various target
users (students, staffs, and external visitors) and could accommodate both permanent and temporary activities conducted by the university, student body, or outsiders. Therefore, the faculty itself is considered or categorized as a weak program building (Zimring, Joseph, Nicoll, & Tsepas, 2005) as cited in the reviewed literature in Chapter 2 And based on the on-site observation, the spaces provided within the academic building area were equally and easily accessible by students, staffs, and visitors as compare to its site setting. Due to the flexibility of program and movement patterns, henceforth it requires a straightforward directory and comfortable pathways to avoid the confusion in zoning and wayfinding, plus to facilitate occupants’ trips and enables them to reach to their designated destination on time
4.2.3 Presence of active design elements and strategies.
Substantiate by the image-based observation and review, there were active design elements present within the architecture of the faculty. The FSPU academic building and its’ surrounding context is deliberately designed to facilitate a smooth continuous journeythroughout its indoor and outdoor spaces (see Figure 16), there were communal and recreational areas (see Figure 17) that help induce social interactions among students and staffs, plus, the location of the in-between amenities are all placed strategically, therefore simplicities the interconnectivity between formal and informal programs.
Regarding the supporting programs or in-between amenities like the Anjung Selera (cafeteria), PTAR (resource centre), or the Budi Siwa (student’s centre) were all subsequently placed next to one another and strategically located encircling the lake, and by some means and observation, occupants were obligated to walk via the designated paths around the lake to reach these amenities (see Figure 19)
Additional features likethecoveredwalkways (seeFigure20)andoutdoorseatinghelps encourage foot traffic and protection from rain and hot weather. The supplementary programs are all reachable either from the academic buildings or the carpark. Addition to the active design features, the outdoor amphitheatre and stage (see Figure 21), gazebos and recreational areas surrounding the lake elevates the atmosphere and creates an active socializing experience (see Figure 22).
The main circulation of the FSPU building were openly exposed to the natural light and most classes were facing towards the central courtyard of the building. The exposed corridors (see Figure 24) creates a physically active visual with students constantly walking thru the multi-level corridors. Supporting programs or additional students’ activities were usually held at the central courtyard thus further promotes the active atmosphere of the faculty. Ample, clear and straightforward directories aid the smooth journey and enables visitors to differentiate the zoning more accurately (see Figure 25).
4.2.4 Active design architectural elements intervention through experience and physical activity monitoring device.
To support the image-based reviews on active design elements, two students from the same faculty was selected as respondents to test and experience the physical active design features present within the institution building and its environment. To achieve the results to prove the active design strategies effect on human physical activities, both respondents were required to wear a fitness tracker during both learning and break periods throughout a whole dayout of a regular weekdayfrom the semester and the data was
presented in tables
To ensure better data reading and consistency, the respondents were required to follow a consistent 1200 calorie diet per day, one week prior the test, and each respondents’ age, sex, height and weight were taken into consideration, as described in the methodology chapter, Chapter 3. Each respondent was given a point to start and a destination to reach, however, in comparison, both respondents were given the flexibility to choose their own path and building elements to use as their method of wayfinding. Distance taken to reach the designated destination, rise of heart rate
reading, calorie burned, and steps count data were extracted from the fitness monitoring device and tabulated in a table manner.
Table 4. The table shows the respondents’ physical activeness result for Route 1 Table by Author, December 2018.
According to Route 1, the path taken byeach respondent from point A to point B differs to some extent, and the results from the activity were taken. Depending on the convenience of shaded route, Respondent 1 consciously took a slightly longer journey from the students’ carpark (point A) to the designated destination (see Figure 27). Upon reaching at the lobby of the Art Design Faculty building, the respondent deliberately tooktheopenstaircase(seeFigure28)uptolevel2andlatercrossthebridge (seeFigure 29) to reach the studio (point B) located at the same level of the FSPU Faculty. Based on observation and Respondent 1’s habit, the respondent rather uses the staircase to eliminate waiting time for the elevator and most probably choose to use open staircases rather than enclosed staircases with fire rated doors due to the hassle of opening the heavy door.
shortest amount of time and eliminates the hassle of waiting for the elevator or opening heavy fire-rated door. Image
Despite the hot weather, Respondent 2 took an initiative to go through a shorter and unshaded route compare to Respondent 1 (see Figure 27), hence, directly reaching the FSPU Faculty and later decide to use the elevator conveniently placed at the lobby (see Figure 30) to reach the studio on Level 2 (point B)
Addition to Respondent 2’s habit, based on on-site observation, most FSPU building occupants tend to usethe elevatormoredueto its strategicplacement anduponreaching the lobby, visitors will see the elevator first instead of a staircase. The fire staircase was
placed adjacent to the elevator, however was slightly recessed, hidden and irrelevantly enclosed with a fire rated door (see Figure 31) despite the building having an open plan layout planning.
According to the result from the Route 2 test, the path taken by each respondent from point B to point C has a very minimal differences compare to Route 1, yet the result from the activity were taken still. In this case, although both journeys have not much difference to one another, however, Respondent 1 could reach the cafeteria ahead of Respondent 2 by crossing through an unofficial path (see Figure 34) Both routes taken by both respondents were then overlapped at a certain point and consequently leading to the officially covered walkways. The covered walkways protect the occupants from sudden weather fluctuations and providing additional benefits through a smoothly paved path encircling the aesthetically pleasing landscaping and pond
creating a shortcut from the main academic building to other facilities. Image by Author, November 2018.
The layout for supporting programs were deliberately arranged next to each other to cater the students’ needs and convenience. Despite the different path, both respondents could reach the resource centre and the prayer hall prior upon reaching the cafeteria (point C) from the Level 2 studio (point B) (see Figure 33). From on-site observation, the rate of footfall along Route 2 is relatively high among both faculties’ occupants due to the convenience and continuously covered path assisting their journey to all the supporting programs.
Route 3 tests the physical activity achieved from point C, the Anjung Selera cafeteria, to point D, the Dewan Berlian multipurpose hall. From the result achieved, the starting point of both respondents are similar, however, upon reaching a certain point after crossing the bridge (see Figure 37), both respondent’s paths were split in the opposite direction (see Figure 36). Respondent 1 decides to use the uncovered jogging path to the multipurpose hall; the respondent intentionally took the route due to its shorter distance and felt motivated to walk despite the weather due to the aesthetically pleasing views of the pond. In opposition, Respondent 2 however, decides to take a longer route to the multipurpose hall through the AD academic building lobby due to the convenience of being protected from the hot weather. Upon reaching the Lakeside Gallery both respondents’ path once again overlapped prior reaching to the Dewan Berlian multipurpose hall due to movement flexibility reasons. Respondent 2 avoid walking into the AD building to reach point D, instead finding an alternative way (see Figure 39) that provides much flexibility in terms of security.
through it. Image by Author, November 2018.
4.3 Case Study II: IKEA Damansara, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling
Jaya, Selangor.
4.3.1 Building site background & policies.
The IKEA Home Furnishing and shopping gallery is a shopping and commercial building comprising furniture gallery and showrooms, cafe and a large warehouse
IKEA Damansara is located within the Mutiara Damansara commercial hub, in Petaling
Jaya, Selangor. The building is interconnected to three other commercial buildings and famous retail chains which is the IPC shopping centre or previously known as IKANO, TheCurveand eCurveshoppingand entertainment malls,andTesco supermarket. Also, within the dense commercial hub locates a hotel, several corporate office towers and a children’sindoorthemepark,Kidszania.Thesiteis located fairlynexttotheDamansara Perdana’s business hub (see Figure 41)
https://www.google.com/maps.
IKEA Damansara is reachable through both private and public transportations, the Mutiara Damansara MRT station is located within a walking distance from IKEA shopping gallery. The Sungai Buloh - Kajang Line were entirely constructed and operable since the end of 2016 (see Figure 42)
4.3.2 Active design strategies integrated with the initial program through the building layout planning.
The IKEA Home Furnishing and shopping gallery has a different style of commercial approach in comparison to traditional shopping malls, although they have a similar target user, programs and goal compared to normal shopping centres, however, the interior layout and architectural elements of the commercial building is unlike other typical retailers. IKEA is design with a strategy to upsurge consumer’s compulsion in buying their products by imposing a persistent movement patterns on their visitors Based on the observation and findings, the products were displayed in a maze-like yet systematic manner in a fixed layout plan to encourage visitor’s exploration thus contributing to the occupants’ physical activity.
https://m.ikea.com/my/en/stores/damansara/storemap/
The strategically planned floor plan ensures foot traffic in all parts of the displays, thus, help extending the consumers’ travel distance within the store (see Figure 43). By forcing the journey onto their customers, IKEA was able to receive higher rate of floor coverage compared to other retailers therefore increasing the chance of products or items to be exposed to the potential buyers (see Figure 44)
Based on the observation, the active design elements adapted into this building is mainly motivated through layout and architectural elements planning, and with the intervention of supporting programs like the IKEA’s restaurant and café (see Figure 45), Swedish Food Market and Smaland (kids’ playground), help instigate the movement pattern hence contributing to safety and comfort of the visitors’ walkthrough throughout the store. The layout planning and architectural elements provided are also very inclusive depending on the consumers’ needs and travel abilities (see Figure 46). Through inclusive planning, IKEA could cater a wide variety of visitors in order to achieve their targeted sale strategy and goals.
To ensure smooth and continuous journey and to instigate the explorative feeling among its visitors, many supporting elements can be seen to help their whereabouts and wayfindings, the directories have a very clear indications with a mapping-style signage (see Figure 47). Nevertheless, due to its nature of program that requires a flexible and freedom of movement and the capability of receiving high capacity of foot traffic, IKEA somehow manage to create a structured pattern of movement yet, the visitors are still able to have the freedom to explore and browse the products without feeling constricted to its layout. Based on on-site observation, the visitors unconsciously walk along the provided paths. The different coloured floorings help the visitors to differentiate between the walking lanes and product display areas (see Figure 48). Through this element provision, the walking speed among consumers with varied intentions can be segregated. For instance, a consumer with no intention to browse through the Living Room section can just walk through the provided paths without any obstacles.
visitors comfort and guaranteeing a longer & continuous journey. Image by Author, December 2018
4.3.3 Proving active design strategies in layout design and planning through experience and physical activity monitoring device.
Similar to case study 1, in order to support the image-based reviews on active design strategies and elements presented in previous sub-topic, two respondents from the same experiments were required to test and experience the physical active design features present within the selected commercial building. Same methods were used to prove the presence of physical activity, both respondents were required to wear the same fitness tracker during the trip to IKEA shopping gallery and the data was presented in tables.
However, in this case, the layout of the commercial space is fairly structured and fixed, thus the movement pattern resulting from both respondents were fairly similar from starting point to end despite both respondents were given the flexibility to choose their own path and building elements to use as their method of wayfinding. Distance taken to reach the designated destination, rise of heart rate reading, calorie burned, and steps count data were extracted from the fitness monitoring device and tabulated in a table manner.
According to the table from the result of Route 1 (see Table 7), the path taken by each respondent from point A to point B is similar, however in opposition, Respondent 1 manage to achieve 82 steps more than Respondent 2, this is because, Respondent 1 decides to take the staircase to reach to IKEA’s Level 1 showroom from the Basement 2 level carpark, while Respondent 2 took the escalator due to convenience (see Figure 53).
According to the result from the Route 2 test (see Table 8), the result obtained from each respondent from point B to point C has a very minimal differences compare to Route 1. Throughout the Level 1 showroom, both respondents unconsciously took the same route due to the fixed layout planning (see Figure 57). The IKEA’s fixed planning strategy proven that the showroom layout to be quite effective in imposing physical activity on their visitors.
The products were displayed and arranged according to zoning and easy to understand from the consumers’ point of view, it helps minimize typical problems like asking for directions or finding a particular product in the wrong places. Hence, through this strategy, it ensures the continuity of journey and enables the consumers to enjoy their shopping experience and encourage exploring the commercial space on their own with minimal assistance.
Route 3 tests the physical activity achieved from point C to point D. Upon reaching the restaurant on Level 1, both respondents then proceed on going down to the ground level headingto the IKEA’s Market hall and furniturewarehouse area (point C)laterreaching the cash registry exit (Point D) (see Figure 60).
From the result obtained, there is quite a difference in the number of steps achieved by both respondents. Respondent 1 seems to walk 200 meters more than Respondent 2 in this route. This is due to the spatial area of the market hall and warehouse area are much more spacious than the showroom area. Based on observation, the layout is somehow less restrictive compare to the Level 1 showroom area thus provides plenty space for exploringand assistingin finding the products sought bythe consumers (see Figure 61). The warehouse floor area was extremely spacious in order for bigger products and trolleys to move about.
4.4 Discussion.
4.4.1 Case Study I: Institutional building
From the findings obtained from all three routes measured by the respondents, there is a positive evidence that, the existing building elements of the FSPU faculty has a positive effect on their daily physical activities. Based on the table below (see Table 10), both respondents manage to achieve an average of 20% of their minimum daily recommended steps required for the physical activity to take effect on their general health during school period. The accumulated number of calories burned also proved that the existing active design elements in the faculty gave a positive effect on the respondents’ general health.
Respondent 1
Respondent 2
Table 10. The table shows the accumulated number of steps and calorie output from Case Study 1; extracted from both respondents’ fitness monitoring device. Table by Author, December 2018.
In this case study, the location of the site also plays an important role in encouraging occupants’ physical activity. The prevalence of hot and humid conditions plus sudden weather fluctuations in Puncak Alam increases the likelihood of the occupants in using the officially paved and lengthy covered path instead of shortcuts to protect themselves from the harsh weather.
The type of physical activity achieved in this case study is heavily leaning towards instrumental physical activity as mentioned in the reviewed literature, instrumental physical activities are motivated by activities that are considered as a routine and occupants unconsciously perform these activities due to the institutional building programs and policies Even though the design layout and planning were to cater a
flexible and unstructured pattern of movements, nevertheless, the occupants’ movements were heavily related to schedules and prior settings of destinations (studios, classroom, laboratory, etc.). However, based on the observation, the architectural design of the building and its site context has not yet able to achieve its full active design potential. Because despite the positive evidence and provisions of active design elements, there were some physical activity-dissuading architectural elements that nullifies the active design features of the FSPU building. For instance, according to the respondents, most of the FSPU building staircases are enclosed by heavy fire-rated doors which sometimes discourage the respondent to use the staircase, and even though there were provision of open staircases, yet they were un-strategically placed and hidden from the public eye. Most occupants also avoid going through a certain path due to being badly lit and securities were often questioned.
4.4.2 Case Study II: Commercial building
From the results tabulated from all three routes extracted from the fitness monitoring device of both respondents, it is proven that a commercial building like IKEA shopping gallery has a positive effect on the respondents’ physical activities. Based on the table below (see Table 11), both respondents manage to achieve an average of 30% of their minimum daily recommended steps required for the physical activity to take effect on their general health, in which the result is 10% higher than an institutional building could take effect. The accumulated amount of calorie output also proved that the IKEA layout planning strategy is inevitably a good approach to induce physical activity among consumers.
Respondent 1
Respondent 2
Table 11. The table shows the accumulated number of steps and calorie output from Case Study 2; extracted from both respondents’ fitness monitoring device. Table by Author, December 2018.
Analysing based on the observation, the physical activity generated is mostly considered as a hybrid physical activity, the occupants voluntarily walk through the product display area, although the floor plans are somewhat constricted, and visitors are obliged to use a certain path due to the IKEA’s marketing strategy and goal. Even so, the visitors still hold the freedom of choosing their own trip and able to walk around and experience the showroom and products.
CHAPTER FIVE CONCLUSION
5.1 Conclusion
The results from the different case studies have shown that all the selected buildings have either directlyor indirectly adapted the active design strategies onto the respective building’s architecture. It appears that the strategies were mostly implemented onto the architectural design elements, site context, layout planning and also through supported programs and additional activities.
Regarding the Malaysian educational institutions, it gives the impression that the active design strategies were mostly applied to assist the students and staffs’ needs and convenience rather than solely focusing onto inducing the physical activities on its occupants. Concluding from the case study, the strategy is somehow unintentional, and an individual’s physical activeness were resulted on how theyperceive the environment itself However,it is proven thatthe selected case studywas ableto induce anindividual physical’s activeness and overall health. The chosen respondents were able to achieve an average of 100kcal calorie burn per day and could graduallymanage to increase their general health if the activity continue to ensue. Although the average steps taken daily were both under the minimum dailystep counts, however, there is still room to improve and the test has not yet included the number of steps spent during class and extracurricular hours.
The physical activity category achieved in Malaysian institutional architecture were gradually leaning towards the instrumental physical activity. Institutional buildings or schools inevitably the most suitable setting onto assisting students and staff to reach their daily minimum level of required physical activeness. They unknowingly engaged in a physical activity due to their own routine and tasks. However, due to certain variables, like sudden weather fluctuations, different intentions and individual’s habits, or additional curricular activities, institutional buildings could able to achieve a hybrid physical activity. Someinstitutionalbuilding,thathas alargeenough acreageto provide additional recreation amenities like a jogging path as presented in case study 1, could achieve the recreational physical activity category, nevertheless, it is not applicable to all Malaysian institutional building due to programs and site area differences
Resulting from the observations and reviews on the commercial building case study, it could be concluded that most commercial buildings in Malaysia has a common goal, programs and type of physical activity the retailers are trying to achieve from their consumers. However, the marketing strategy approach taken by retailers into achieving a high rate of foot traffic and retail area coverage in commercial spaces could differ. Referring to case study 2, the consumers physical activities were motivated by the existing architectural elements and displays provided by the retailers and the interior layout of the commercial space floor plan. Consumers’ physical activities were derived by the carefully planned layout and architectural aids imposed on them therefore
lengthens an individual’s journey throughout their shopping experience.
As it has been analysed from these chosen case studies, current Malaysia’s institutional and commercial architecture applies the active design strategies only to achieve a certain target or program that inequitably benefits the building proprietors, and in some cases, the active design elements were only later added in order to resolve any arising issues. Presently, the strategies were either lacking or somehow unintentionally designed due to the required programs or organization policies and provisions. And if the design strategy were intentional, the applied elements were mostly leaning towards aiding convenience or comfort to the buildings occupants rather than adding the considerations for the environmental reasons or aimingto inducetheoccupants’ general health.
However, the current Malaysian institutional and commercial architecture is not far off from other international countries regarding the implementation of active design strategies. Through strategic planning and considerations, both building typology could become an instrument into helping Malaysian to be more physically active by 2020 and consequently supporting Malaysian architecture into achieving a better built environment that could not only increase the population’s general health through encouraging indoor physical activities, but also spatial planning quality that could lead to efficiency that benefitted both the environment and its occupants.
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