Clara Lee Pei Lin Selected Works 2016-2019
“I never think of myself as an architect, I always think of myself as a resident and what I need.” Aldo Rossi’s statement in “The Architecture in the City”, “ No city ever lacked a sense of its own individuality…”. The quality of the light upon that particular area of earth is always unique and determines the path the architecture will take. Each space has values and characteristics that is peculiar to itself, just as sounds and scents have their own colors and feelings their weight”, the same goes to architecture. Many buildings today focuses on the sense of scale and facades as they look impressive at first sight, on renders and on marketing materials. However as one would say, beauty is only skin deep and the buildings built today are of magminuos scale, intimidating and alien to the people who reside, work and play within. What matters is the human scale, the anthropometrics and the comfort of the inhabitants. The use of vernacular elements should be encouraged as buildings represent the identity of the people at first sight. Architecture can be independent from art, but must always rely on the community and the context. I believe as architects and designers, one must place themselves into the shoes of the residents, to have a deep interest and gather knowledge in crafts, climate and local culture of the projects’ context. “In architecture, if emphasis is placed on the form rather than content, meaning dilutes.”- At the heart of architecture, people define the space and the user experience is the key aspect of what makes a building great and livable. Firmly anchored to their place, the building will speak volumes, to evoke spirituality and memory of places and be a statement of what the residents stand for. Whenever I go on site, I endeavor to design buildings that belong, make the site look better and, hopefully, be meaningful. In the end, architecture is not about the assembly of mass-produced, highly machined products shipped in from all corners of the planet: why not examine what we have here and create something sublime from the opportunities we find? This portfolio is an archive of my efforts of experimentation and conceptual metaphors with the ultimate goal to design an opportunity which inspires people and transforms communites.
contents
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S.Kuda / street furniture installation
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Peepstop / retreat house
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Step Up / learning center for all
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Let’s See Silat / cultural innovation center
S.Kuda Street Furniture Competition N30N Student Architectural Workshop 2017 awards: first prize
S.Kuda
Sungai Segget, Johor Bahru
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Vehicular Pedestrian
S.Kuda
top right
perspendicular view to our site-the bridge
bottom right
bridge is only accessible by pedestrians
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S.Kuda
Inspiration
Main cultural inspiration of Johor - Kuda Kepang
Morphology of Sungai Segget
1940’s Boats as a mode of transportation 6
2005 Covered walkway due to polluted river
2017 Revitalisation of river
S.Kuda
Design Intention
1. Materiality
2. Dynamic Parallelogram
Johor is the epicenter of Malaysia’s current rapid transition to a new era. Sungai Segget’s metamorphosis from a humble fishing village to a bustling metropolis is a prove of this manifestation. (1) Steel & wood create structures that embody Johor’s progress into rapid urbanism. (2) The dynamic parallelogram is a representation of the state’s intangible spirit in clinging to its regional identity despite being engulfed within a sea of modern buildings alien to its initial landscape.
3. Swinging Pendulum
4. Cultural Identity
itself is a pendulum, signifying time’s progress with Johor Bahru developing at its backdrop as a poetic. Without community & people, development will be stagnant. (4) As a dynamic urban area that is volatile and ever changing, it is essential for its citizens to keep track of the past for a sense of direction. Hints of cultural values can be traced by observant eyes.
(3) The movement of the swing resembles a pendulum, rhythmic as the smooth flow of Sungai Segget’s tranquil water. However, a swing doesn’t work on its own, human kinetic energy is required. Collective community effort is needed to push society forward. The swing
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S.Kuda
Ideation and Brainstorming 8
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S.Kuda
Progress Models 13
S.Kuda
Drawings
Plan View
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Side Elevation
Front Elevation
Function
A swing with its design inspired from the Kuda Kepang unique to Johor oscillates unconventionally in the heart of the installation, a distinctive way of experiencing Sungai Segget’s waterfront.
MATERIALS
wood
steel
The river-facing side is a seat.
S.kuda’s square plan is subtracted on both sides, dividing the space into three major functions.
The road-facing side provides bicycle stands.
S.Kuda
C2
D1 C1
D2 washer
A1
B2 B1
A2 The labels are marked on the place of connection on the base, columns and roof. For the column, the labels are inside on the ends where it meets the base.
Facing river
Instruction Manual 16
S.Kuda
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From seat, 60 cm to ground.
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TYING HORSE TO ROOF
ICY
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S.Kuda
Construction Process 18
S.Kuda
S.Kuda was first exhibtited at UTM JB.
S.Kuda at Sungai Segget, JB City Center. 19
Peepstop Retreat House Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands Tutor: Mr Nazmi
Peepstop
Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands 22
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Start- main road
Site- retreat house
End goal
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Peepstop
site
In today’s world, people are so tired, worn out and exhausted from the hectic busy life of the working world. They are so constantly called for attention of everything around them and just want a break from it all. Placed halfway down the slopes of Cameron Highlands, the weekend lodging symbolizes that is a stop, a resting place where people can catch their breathe and rejuvenate themselves before continuing their journey. Peepstop, inspired by the light bouncing off the ridges and bumps of hills of Cameron, one can experience the play of lighting entering the space via the different size and frequency of openings, providing visiting families with relaxing space for a weekend getaway.
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Peepstop
natural lighting
Natural Lighting Artificial Lighting
artificial lighting
constant light, ignorant of time passing, will continue on project everchanging, a temporal pleasure to look at, inform time to take a break.
Peepstop
“Architects in planning rooms today have forgotten their faith in natural lighting. On the touch of a finger to a switch, they are satisfied with static light and forget the endlessly changing qualities of natural light, in which a room is different every second of the day.� -Louis Kahn-
site section 29
Peepstop
Direct and Exagerated Through Roof
Direct and Dramatic Through Walls
Partially Direct Through Roof and Walls
High Contrast and Variability
Case Studies
Shadows Created
Light Study Matrix
SANAA Zolverein School, Germany
Study Models
OMA Seattle Public Library
Depending on the orientation and size of openings, different shadows and light intensities are created. 30
Glenn Murcutt Magney House, Australia
Peepstop
Direct Through Walls
Selectively Direct Through Roof and Walls
Indirect and Diffused Through Roof and Walls
Low Contrast and Variability
Mies Van de Rohe Farnsworth House
Tadao Ando Church of Light
Shigeru Ban Naked House, Japan
Thus, providing different experiences through different mood created, spatial boundaries and emphasis on space. 31
Intensity of light and shadows to indicate spatial boundary within an open space
Spatial arrangement through enclosures and different levels within the building
Implementation of facade with openings to express the exterior look of the building
Peepstop top left bottom left bottom right
final model progress models form developement
Natural lighting incorporated through openings of varying distances.
Spaces follow the contour. Elevated living room to emphasis it.
Cantilevered spaces allow continuity of circulation across the retreat house.
Separation of public and private spaces breaks building linearity.
Finishing touches. Addition of viewing deck below the retreat house.
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Peepstop
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5 1
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Ground Floor Plan
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First Floor Plan 34
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Peepstop
Spaces 1. Entrance 2. Storage Room 3. Sitting Area 4. Bathroom 5. Bedroom 6. Secondary Balcony 7. Kitchen 8. Living Room, Dining Room 9. Primary Balcony
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Axonometric 35
Peepstop
B
C
Longitudinal Section A
Transverse Section 36
D
E
F
Peepstop
G User Experience The visitor will experience different moods and feelings as they walk through the spaces. Section B (Entrance) Light comes through a spotlight focusing on the
skylight down user who is
in a starting
straight line, like a his/her resting journey
Section C (Storage) Users enter the house into a dark room. This symbolises the state of confusion he/she is in. A light path comes throught the roof to guide the path. Section D (Sitting Area) This area is brightly lit, providing temporal relief to the user. The patterned roof provides a patterned shadow which moves with the sun. Section E (Bedroom, Bathroom, Corridor) Translucent glass is used in the bedroom for ambient comfortable lighting while it is dark in bathroom and corridor, forcing them to use the artificial light. Section F (Kitchen) The area is partly lit up with only the countertop area being brightened up. Section G (Living Room, Dining Room) Brighltly lit with full length windows on all four sides.
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Peepstop left right
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exterior view of retreat house living room, to allow for relaxation and meditation
Peepstop
A relaxing retreat Cantilevered high above the highland slopes, with frequent openings of varying sizes to capture beautiful views of ridges and bumps of the hills of Cameron. The timber finish creates a feeling of warmth, comfort and lightness to help visitors rejuvenate themselves before continuing on their journey.
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Step.Up A Learning Center for All Jalan Besar, Klang Tutor: Mr. Kenny
Step-Up
Jalan Besar, Klang 42
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KTM Klang
Banana Leaf Rice Site Seraph Awaken Chong Kok Kopitiam
Wah Sang Brothers
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Step-Up
The learning center aims to be a social learning hub of lifelong education for all by creating a better environment for social interaction and stimulation of interest in other fields of knowledge for the betterment and activation of public urban spaces in Klang as well as the instillation of a sense of collaboration and belonging for the Klang community.
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left view of learning center from the ktm station bottom right programmes
Public Seating Space
Library with Reading Corner
Auditorium/Theater
Breakout Garden Spaces
Flexible Event Spaces
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Step-Up
5 Gradual Steps
6 Gallery
Steps, platforms and greeneries that invite people to come and sit.
Exhibition spaces that allow the community to see the works done by students from the learning center.
2 Wood Workshop Sounds from the workshop are used as a catalyst to attract people into the ground floor.
Ground Floor: Public Realm A semi open walkway with ample seating area dedicated for the community of Klang to stop by and linger. The large entrance at front and back of building invites people into the learning center. 48
Step-Up
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Ground Floor Plan 1. Outdoor seating area 2. Wood workshop 3. Office 4. Lift 5. Gradual Steps 6. Gallery 7. Storage 8. W/C 9. Refuse chamber
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Step-Up
4 Auditorium/Theater 3 Food Kiosk Used as a means for people to communicate and collaborate by bringing people together.
1 Library A room dedicated for the keeping of topics that is offered in the learning center.
First Floor: Active Informal Space The first floor is well connected to the ground floor via visual cue or the noisy atmosphere that is happening below. Beanbags and sofas are provided for informal discussion.
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Acts as alternative seatin area through the day. However, doubles as lecture spaces for class or event space.
6 IT Room A computer room for the students of the learning center due to the inconvenience of bringing a laptop from school. Offers a printing service and an IT desk.
Step-Up
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First Floor Plan 1. Library 2. Reading Corner 3. Food Kiosk 4. Auditorium/Theater 5. Individual Seating Spaces 6. IT Room 7. Garden Breakout Space 8. Lift
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Step-Up
4 Recessed Open Space 2 Open Discussion Spaces Allow people to see how the space is used and learn accordingly from each other.
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Used as a private reading corner and/or discussion areas by the tutors and students.
Private spaces for discussion, sealing the noise within the room.
Textile Workshops An enclosed workspace provided with whiteboards, different seating arrangement and equipment to aid in textile related skills.
Second Floor: Creative Space Students will let go off their books and learn life skills via other means, specialized workshops with different spatial arrangement for discussions and exploratory sessions.
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8 Enclosed Discussion Pods
6 Garden Breakout Space A space to relax and chill if one has worked too hard.
Step-Up
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Second Floor Plan 7
1. Textile Workshop 2. Open Discussion/Collaboration Areas 3. Research Corners 4. W/C 5. Lift 6. Garden Breakout Space 7. Open Balcony (for drying textiles) 8. Closed Discussion rooms 9. M&E Room
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Step-Up
6 Flexible Event Space
1 Prototyping Workshop Workshop fitted with laser cut machines, 3D printers and computers to allow explanation and experimentation.
Third Floor: Flexible Space An open plan arrangement with furniture hanging off the wall to allow for different types of activity to take place.
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As an open space, fitted with a pegboard, hung with furniture, which can be taken down and used during events. A cupboard with board games is provided for leisure activities.
Step-Up
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Third Floor Plan 1. Prototyping Workshop 2. Open Discussion Spaces 3. W/C 4. Recessed Seating Space 5. Leisure/Flexible Event Space 6. M&E Room 7. Lift
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Step-Up
Sectional Perspective 1. Outdoor Seating Area Sectional Perspective 2. Wood Workshop 1. seating area 3. Outdoor Public Seating Space 2. Gallery Wood workshop 4. 3. Library Public seating space 5. 4. Reading Gallery Corner 6. 5. Auditorium/Theater Library 7. 6. Garden Reading Breakout corner Space 8. 7. Garden Auditorium/Theater 9. Breakout Space 8. Garden breakout space 10. Study Pods 9. Garden breakout 11. Research Cornerspace 10. 12. Study Textile pods Workshop 11. corner 13. Research Prototyping Workshop 12. Open Textile Studying WorkshopSpaces 14. 13. Flexible Prototyping workshop 15. Event Spaces 14. Open studying spaces 15. Flexible Event Space
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Step-Up
Roof Sawtooth roof with open web steel joist and corrugated metal roof sheet.
Structure Steel structural framing.
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Let’s See Silat Cultural and Innovation Center Jalan Maharani, Muar, Johor Tutor: Ar. Emmanuel Canlas
Let’s See Silat
Jalan Maharani, Muar, Johor 60
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Vehicular Pedestrian
Viewing Deck
Muo Hotel
Site
Alleys
Let’s See Silat top bottom
site interpretation site views
Sunset view
Jalan Maharani aerial view
Clean and beautiful back alleys 63
Let’s See Silat
Silat lintau was originally from Sumatra and was first brought to Malaysia in Muar in 1700’s. Since then, Silat has been embraced in other states of Malaysia as a form of cultural performance and indigenous martial art. Perhaps, its time for the importance and knowledge of silat culture to be celebrated, acknowledged and made a pride of the Muarians.
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Let’s See Silat
Massing Design Process
Axis - Street to river
Public and private
Expansion of jetty to river
Incorporate water in facade
Design Intention
Public realm space for gathering
Contemporary vernacular roof
Cascades to relate to river 67
Let’s See Silat
By relooking into the typology, elements and characteristics are adopted, reinterpreted and combined in order to reflect Malaysian culture through its contemporary tropical architecture.
Physical Enclosed Walls Offers protection to internal parties from external factors
Floor Height Difference An intangible separation of spaces
Open Plan Absence of portions or solid ceiling-height walls. Indicates the intimate relationship among the occupants
Different Entrance 2 entrances, one for visitors and males, another for females and children. Fenestrations Offers privacy to occupants as limits view of outsiders into internal space
Elevated on Stilts Provides a shaded yet open space for gathering Affirms the continuity of public space
Traditional Vernacular Typology | Malay 68
Let’s See Silat left right
typology studies facade exploration
Physical Barrier Walls: Selective Visual Permeability
Double Facade: Railing with Louvers
Open Spaces: Un-inhibitive
Physical Barrier Walls: Full Visual Permeability
Double Facade: Glass with Louvers
Open Spaces: Inhibitve Elements 69
Let’s See Silat
left right
Pitched roof massing
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Bridge link public and private
Exploration of circulatory pattern
Cascades with water feature
Central space for gathering
progress models final model
Let’s See Silat
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Let’s See Silat
Enclosed Timber Facade Viewing Through Fenestrations
Timber Louver Walls Enable Visual Permeability
Riverfront Elevation
Let’s See Silat
Warmth of Timber in Library
Celebration of Verncular Malay Typology
Let’s See Silat
4 Cafe
Opens from noon until late night to cater to the opening hours of the cultural center. Spill out spaces similar to 5 foot walkway is adopted.
8 Central Atrium
A central gathering space allowing for visitors to sit, relax and enjoy the relaxing ambience created.
9 Amphitheater
Double as a public realm space and performance area for Silat warriors and performers.
Ground Floor | Showcase A public realm space for all visitors with ample seating area dedicated for the community of Muar to stop by and linger. Showcasing the skills learned in Silat.
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3 Gallery
An information trove of the history, display of sculptures to show off different movement in Silat.
Let’s See Silat
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Ground Floor Plan 1. Drop Off 2. Office 3. Gallery 4. Cafe 5. W/C 6. Loading Bay 7. Refuse Chamber 8. Central Atrium 9. Amphitheater 10. Performance Deck/Viewing Deck 11. Waterfront 12. Jetty
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Let’s See Silat
5 Motion Capture
As students reaches the final belt in Silat, he is eligible to teach. One of the methods is by recording own style to allow others to see and learn from.
10 Lounge
Little open breakout spaces allowing for the users to relax, immerse and look at the view to river.
8 Meditation Space
A corner hidden away for quiet time to think and consider about the day. May function as a discussion area if needed.
2 Virtual Reality Experience
Visitors and students alike are able to experience/practice against real lift Silat Masters. Could be interactive as two players can play at the same time.
1 Experiential Training
With the use of timber louvers acting as the screen, allowing people outside the room to view at the practices going on.
3 Weapons Combat
First Floor | Advanced Skills Honing and specialization of skills and styles, teaching and digital documenting of Silat movement.
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Let’s See Silat
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First Floor Plan 1. Experiential Training 2. Virtual Reality Experience 3. Weapons Combat 4. Costume Waredrobe 5. Motion Capture Studio 6. Post Production 7. Balcony 8. Meditation Space 9. W/C 10. Lounge
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Let’s See Silat
4 Water Resistance Training
An innovative teaching method that effectively helps the students to become stronger and train better.
5 Gym
For students to have strength training and become stronger physically.
2 Open Beginner’s Corner
As when Silat students first start training, they must develop a bond with one another, thus training together in a big group. With the lack of physical walls. Visitors are welcome to join in.
1 Library
An archive of silat teachings published by famous Silat masters. For the students to develop a reading habit (mental growth).
Second Floor | Beginner, Intermediate Learning and grasping the basics of Silat culture, consisting of performance and music accompainment, achieving good physical and mental health and self development.
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Let’s See Silat
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Second Floor Plan 1. Library 2. Open Beginner’s Corner 3. Balcony 4. Water Resistance Training 5. Gym 6. Changing Room
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Let’s See Silat
1 Dormitories and En-suites
Living spaces complete with a surau, kitchen, living room and dining room as well a small garden for relaxation.
2 Water Roof
A glass roof with a pond of water. Helps to reflect heat and allow light to brighten the atrium below.
Third Floor | Residency Accommodation for the tutors/teachers, masters from other states and overseas to stay while teaching the students in the center.
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Let’s See Silat
3 2 1
Third Floor Plan 1. Dormitories and En-suites 2. Water Roof 3. Roof Garden
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Water Resistance Training
Open Beginner’s Corner
Section
left right
internal spaces towards the waterfront
Linking bridge - View towards a Stage
A Public Atrium
Waterfront - Engagement with the River 83
Let’s See Silat
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Let’s See Silat
Let’s See Silat! A center of stimulating interest and appreciation for Silat, a culture long existed, by injecting new persepctive, for its time for the importance and knowledge of silat culture to be celebrated, acknowledged and made a pride of the Muarians.
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by clara lee pei lin