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THE BOX
in the woods Dec 2019 – Jan 2020
Ar.Kamarul Bahrin Amin
PROJECT AWARDS
1997 Agha Award- Invited/nominated FIABCI 1996 Winner of the Resort Development & Green Award(Malaysian Chapter) Marang Resort & Safaris Terengganu FIABCI 1997 Winner of the Prix Excellent Award & Leisure Property Marang Resort & Safaris Terengganu 1999 National Habitat Award ( Excellent in Innovation Towards Optimal Human Habitation) Marang Resort & Safaris Terengganu 2004 PAM Award –Public &Civic Building Category Upgrading of PLUS Bhd Highway Laybys at Senawang,Pedas Linggi and Tangkak 2006 Winner of Best Toilet Facilities-Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan 2008 Gold Award-Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan Upgrading of Tapah SB Rest & Service Area for PLUS Bhd. 2008 Silver Award-Winner of Best Toilet Facilities-Kementerian Perumahan & Kerajaan Tempatan Dengkil SB Rest & Service Area along Elite Highway for PLUS Bhd. 2010 PAM Award –Public &Civic Building Category Satelite Clubhouse & Sale Gallery, Puteri Harbour for UEM Land Sdn Bhd.
2012 PAM Award –Public &Civic Building Category Private Retreat House in Janda Baik.Pahang. 2013 TOP 10 Design Firm by TOP 10 Magazine Malaysia.
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1997 PAM Award Marang Resort & Safaris Terengganu
PREFACE After spending decades in the capital city, it was my intention to reside and settle down in a peaceful countryside away from the crowded and chaotic city. My wish came true when I came across a wonderful small plot of land located next to small river with crystal clear flowing water and with a few matured durian trees. A small hidden forest gem and a perfect get-away spot from the city, about 300km (2hr45min) from the City Center (KL) to a cool and non polluted village air surrounded by mountains, rivers, waterfalls, lakes and trees. Taking into consideration and looking in details on the aspect of time, cost and construction methods, I decided to use modular design construction for my retreat home. Modular homes is far cheaper, easier to construct and can be completed quicker compared to the conventional method of design & construction. Having the modular home prefabricated off site, minimize constructions defects to almost zero. A concept of minimalism and simplicity in the design for this tropical living space is established. A Detachable type of modular unit of 3.0mx6.0m arranging in 3 modular composition .
CONCEPTS
The BOX – a pure and simple minimalist design for a retreat living space set in a tropical woods. The white box creates a sense of unbalance between the green woodland environment but evokes an element of surprises, yet somehow well adapted and fit in to its natural surroundings.
The BOX – being a manufactured design product will be perceived as an experimental design type for a retreat. The usage of modular prefabricated components as an abode is an innovative way forward.
The living space has been designed to relate visually and relate to the outdoor spaces. The bedroom has been designed to have floor to ceiling window creating connection to outdoor woodland surroundings. The ability to see the foliage of tall durian trees whilst laying in bed. Much of the site was left as it were with the intention of preserving the natural environments and the retreat homes was positioned carefully facing the tall matured durian trees. The natural road approach is line up with existing coffee plants. The large toilet window facing east receiving the morning sun and view the approaching gravel road. The kitchen window facing west overlooks the river. The simple living space faces north ,the deck space have a framed views of the surrounding. A large elevated deck area was intended to be used as a semi-private transition space will be use for activities. The modular units is erected on a 1.5m on pillars for safety reasons from ground below and overflow water from the river.
+ The Box is set in its natural setting without any additional hardscape or decorative planting
LIVE-IN Two month after completion, on 18th Mac.2020 Covid 19 Lockdown period was announced, we decided to take refuge from the city to our retreat (the Box). We , a family of 5 with 2 cats had stayed there comfortably until lockdown was lifted in 15th.May 2020.
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And again, second Covid 19 lockdown in Mid Oct 2020 till Mid December 2020 we had spent our time enjoying the fresh rural air and living comfortably and secured in our retreat abode.
Steel stairs to the deck
+ The matured durian trees almost 40 years old is few feet away from the deck
+ Bedroom Window
Main Steel Stairs
The modular house is raised on 1.5m columns
Interior Living & Dining A small functionable spaces for living and dining.
Interior Living & Dining A small kitchenette area at far end of the room
Framed view from the living area to covered outdoor deck area
Interior Bedroom
INTERIOR LIVING DINING Bedroom Interior
A 3.0m width and 6.0m length double bedroom is spacious enough with a large window creates a sense of indoor & outdoor relationship.
Kitchen Window
Bedroom window overlooks the tall durian trees
Large window creates a sense of closeness to the external environment.
Bathroom Interior Large window creates better relationship between indoor space outdoor area.
Good morning sunlight penetration and ventilation.
Deck Activity
A large deck space as socializing area Space Usage
DESIGN OF MODULAR RETREAT Jan 2019 Advantages of Modular Usage
CONSTRUCTIONEFFICIENCY 1.Building fabricated off site while site is being prepared 2.Fast Erection on site with less workers usage 3.Lightweight building with less structural base
MODULARFLEXIBILITY 1.Design to fit in client requirements and Architecture
EXCLUSIVEARCHITECTURE 1.Relocatable, reusable and expandable 2. Fully IBS and Green System
COSTEFEFCTIVE 1.Reduces construction cost and period 2.Reduces project management cost 3.Less supervision cost and time
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THE DESIGN The Site
3D Visualisation
Deck Bedroom Living Dining
Modular Units of 3 (3Wmx6Lmx 2.79Hm) 60sqm
Visualization of deck view
SITE PREPARATION DEC 2019
Site Clearance Aug 01 2019
Completion of plastered brick stump 600mmx600mm at 1.5m Height on Nov 3rd. 2019
Setting Out/Position of Stump
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ASSEMBLY OF MODULAR RETREAT Dec 2019 – Jan 2020
The following pages illustrate the sequences of erecting the detachable modular unit. None of the architectural staff had any experience of modular construction. The 2 local construction workers is also unfamiliar with this system. How ever it was proved to be very simple and easy to assemble. This modular unit comes in detachable components which is the most suitable type as it can be carried to a difficult site using small vehicle. The unit is provided with tools and manual for easy installation. The toilet space is provided complete with fitting and sewerage reticulation. Electrical fittings and wiring reticulation are also provided .Assembly of the unit is made simple and easy via step by step instructions of the detachable design components. The lightweight sandwich wall panel 75mm thick galvanized metal with polystyrene insulation in the center which reduces heat transmission to the internal area of the house.
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Arrival of container 4th Dec 2019
Unloading manually onto smaller lorry
ZERO DAY
Inspecting/unloading the content 5th Dec2019
Components brought to site
Sorting Part Components
Sorting Part Components
Assembly of main frame (floor beam)
Installation of secondary floor beam
02 DAY
Installation of roof beam
Installing downpipe
Installing columns
02 DAY
Assembly of main floor beam and main frame
Installation of roof panels
Installation of rubber gasket on roof
06 DAY
Installation of roof completed
Installation of vinyl floor
Installation of vinyl floor completed
laying of vinyl floor
07 DAY
Installation of wall panels
Installation of wall panels
08 DAY
Installation of wall panels
Installation of wall panels for toilet
08 DAY
Installation of wall panels for toilet
Installation of toilet window
Installation of main sliding door
Installation of bedroom window
Installation of kitchen window
09 DAY
Relaxing to almost complete installation
10 DAY
THE TEAM
1. Ar.Kamarul Bahrin 2. Ryina
5th Dec.2019
3. Syed Rizvi
(Project Architect)
4. En.Aqif
(Junior Architect)
5. En.Haziq
(Junior Architect)
6. En.Atan
(local contractor)
7. EnPanjang
(local worker)
Special thanks to : My wife (Ryina) and kids (Rania,Adam & Izzaty) being supporting to it and also Wak Emi, Pak Uda and Mak Uda
FEB 2020
The Box in a natural setting
A simple slope roof is being installed to avoid the bamboo leaves blocking the rain- water downpipe.
….a year later JAN 2021
Build form, the Box in a natural setting
….a year later APRIL 2021
Build form, the Box in a natural setting
….a year later APRIL 2021
Self made outdoor Shower next to the river
Outdoor shower built in DEC 2020
Gravel road access to house
….a year later Jan 2021
P R E V I O U S
B U I L T
P R O J E C T S .
Supermarket 4000sqft.
Component delivery Component arrival
Rapid Penggerang Exe. Chalet
ImCoop Shop
Component factory inspection
V A R I O U S
A combination of modular units and traditional construction
D E S I G N
P R O J E C T S .
A Retreat Modular Chalet with Bamboo Roof
Cafe A private residence with internal courtyard
P R E V I O U S
D E S I G N
Highway Layby Proposal
Modular Unit for Food Centre
P R O J E C T S .
Modular Unit for Public Facilities
Modular Unit for Food Centre
D E S I G N
A modular private residence
P R O J E C T S .
Chalet Design Variations
D E S I G N
P R O J E C T S .
New Housing Development for Military
1 5 7 , J A L A N A M P A N G 6 8 0 0 0 A M P A N G S E L A N G O R M A L A Y S I A T E L ; F A X :
0 3 4 2 5 2 0 7 0 4 0 3 4 2 5 1 0 7 6 1
D . E .
