Site Anlysis - Kampung Pulai

KAMPUNG PULAI S I T E I N V E N TO RY A N D A N A LY S I S

YEW JEY YEE RAEMI SAFRI

0327708 0328385

NICHOLAS WONG YEW KHUNG 0328559 CHONG XIAN JUN 0332605

ONG HUEY CHYI NG JING YUAN

0326649 0331472

“What better way to read the landscape than by walking through it?”

- L i n d a La p p i n

2 INTRODUCTION

6 CONTENTS

MACRO SITE

16 MICRO SITE

28 SWOT ANALYSIS

1

KAMPUNG PULAI A quiet village nested within Gua Musang, largely unaffected by the outside world

2

LO C AT I O N

N

KEY PLAN

N

LOCATION PLAN SATELLITE VIEW

3

H I S TO RY O F S I T E 600 years ago, the Chinese fleeing from the political turmoil in China flocked to Pulai to mine gold.

In 20th century, the villagers pivoted from gold dredging activities to rice cultivation for livelihood due to the diminishing return.

The deities that they brought from China were gathered and enshrined in Shui Yue temple.

The censer brought by the Chinese 600 years ago.

4

The deity enshrined in the temple.

The people working in paddy field.

The imposition of martial law in 1948 forces the villagers to move out from Kampung Pulai, who later moved back in 1960.

The volunteers rebuilt their temple after return.

In the 60-70s, the villagers of Pulai live in a very self-sufficient way by planting crops and breeding livestock. Nonetheless, they are still reliant on the external sources for salt.

The conversion from rice cultivation to rubber tapping followed as a consequence.

In the 80s, the government acquired the land in the village forcefully for gold mining. The environment was devastated.

The views in Pulai in 1978.

The lake left by gold mining activities.

SITE ANALYSIS AND VIC DESIGN PROJECT

The paddy fields are replaced with rubber plantations.

5

M AC R O S I T E

6

SITE PLAN

N

7

WNW

ENE

500

S U N O R I E N TAT I O N & C L I M AT E 0

W

E

- September to December is when Kampung Pulai has the most rainfall. Kampung Pulai has experienced flooding multiple times due to heavy rain, that is around that time of the year.

WSW

ESE

- VIC should be able to handle heavy rain as well as possible flood from the river and lake.

SW

SSW

SSE S

0

SUN PATH of KAMPUNG PULAI

>1

>5

SE - The majority of the wind comes from the North-East and the South. The Zi Xia cave located on the North-West blocks the wind from that area into the site.

- The majority of the year, Kampung Pulai experiences very hot days, therefore the VIC should utilise the wind to achieve thermal comfort for the user.

>12km/h

35 °C

200 mm

32.5 °C

31 °C 30 °C

30 °C

30 °C 30 °C

30 °C

30 °C

30 °C

150 mm 29 °C

29 °C

28 °C

28 °C 28 °C

27.5 °C 25 °C 25 °C 25 °C

24 °C

100 mm

25 °C 24 °C

24 °C

24 °C

24 °C

23 °C 22.5 °C

22 °C

23 °C

22 °C 50 mm

20 °C

17.5 °C

0 mm Jan

Feb

Precipitation Cold nights

8

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Mean daily maximum Wind speed

Jul

Aug

Sep

Hot days

Oct

Nov

Dec

Mean daily minimum

Flooding in December 2014, a factor to consider when designing the VIC

C O N TO U R The settlement snuggles in the valley among the limestone mountains as these are gold-bearing areas. The geographical factors have resulted in the isolated nature of the village.

1 1

2 2

N

CONTOUR SECTION

9

V E G E TAT I O N 1 1

RUBBER PLANTATION After the discontinuation of gold mining, the locals starts turning to rubber tree plantations as a major means of survival.

2

1

SUGAR CANE PLANTATION Besides rubber plantation, other commercial plantations are seen in the village to subsist their living. For instance, the field behind the houses is used to plant sugar cane.

2 3

3 WILD GROWTH

N

Rubber Plantation Sugar Cane

10

Mixture of rubber plantations and forest around the Zi Xia Cave. A smaller minepit lake nestles in the wooded land.

NEIGHBOURING CONTEXT

Shui Yue Temple - Religious

Bar - Recreational

Gazebo - Public facilities

Community Hall - Public facility

Retail Shop - Commercial

Residential House

The public buildings and possible gathering place are clustered at the same point with the religious building, Shui Yue Temple, that gravitates the activities around it, making it a node.

N

Residential

Religious

Commercial - Industrial

Public buildings/facilities

Commercial - Recreational

Agricultural

While the public square is located at the corner of the site, compared to the residential area that’s easily accessed by the main road, the local communities would still gather here, making it a common space for the villagers.

Commercial - Retail/Restaurant

11

C I R C U L AT I O N KAMPUNG PULAI CIRCULATION

V E H I C U L A R C I R C U L AT I O N

Vehicular Circulation ACCESSIBILITY

Pedestrian Circulation

- The space in front of the temple is where most people park their cars and gather. It acts as the main node of the village due to its proximity to the temple, community hall, bar, and gazebos.

USAGE OF ROADS

3

1

- The main road is used to get around Gua Musang.

- The secondary road is the way to enter the plaza of Kampung Pulai. However, due to the size of the roads, the vehicular traffic into the plaza is restricted.

2 2

Primary circulation, just a Secondary circulation, 1 single lane road way road

2

- The tertiary road, used by rubber farmers to get to rubber plantations and villagers to Zi Xia cave, is connected via two bridges at different ends allowing only motorcycles to cross.

1

3

N

Secondary circulation, public square

12

Tertiary circulation, the rocky narrow roads renders it unsuitable for vehicles

Primary Circulation Secondary Circulation Tertiary Circulation

P E D E S T R I A N C I R C U L AT I O N 1

2

2

Bridge connecting primary and Path of secondary secondary circulation leading to Zi Xia cave

4

3

3

circulation Path along rubber plantation

5

5

1

5 4

Bridge providing connection to the main road - tertiary circulation

5

- Main road has very little pedestrian circulation, only used to get around bridge, shops and Kampung Pulai. Lack of shaded walkways prevent major usage of main road sidewalk.

N

Primary Circulation Secondary Circulation Tertiary Circulation

Road leading to the public square

- Most common pedestrian path is around Kampung Pulai centre, getting around the shops and the temple.

- The moderately used pedestrian path is used by tourists to get to Zi Xia cave and the farmers to the rubber plantation.

- The usage of pedestrian circulation reflects the density of human activity. As the human activity increases, the rate of use of pedestrian circulation increases.

13

N O I S E & AC T I V I T I E S H U M A N AC T I V I T Y Z O N E S

1

MAIN NODE With the main public spaces, and possible gathering spots with public infrastructures clustered at a same place, it becomes a main node that the residents around the area gathers at.

3

2 2 HISTORICAL SITE With one historical site (Shui Yue Temple) being clustered together with the other public building giving easier access to local residents, and one being isolated (Zi Xia Cave) with a 10 minute walk from the main node that attracts the tourists more than the locals.

1

3

N

Level of Activity High

14

Low

RUBBER PLANTATION The rubber plantation is the main source of income to the villagers of Kampung Pulai. It creates an active zone where the local rubber farmers are gravitated to.

However, it’s active only in the early morning when the workers come to rubber tapping, thus having a relatively low level of activity.

N O I S E H OT S P OT S

ACTIVITY NODES

3

2

1

1

N

2

N 3

The places of religious significance and main public spaces act as the main nodes for activities, mostly functioning as tourist attractions.

High Noise Level Noise is generated from the temple during festivals such as the birth of Guan Yin and a lower level from the bar and karaoke at night.

15

MICRO SITE

16

SITE PLAN

A

B’

A’

B

C

VIC LOCATION

N

N

17

SITE SECTION

18

SECTION A - A’

View from river

SECTION B - B’

Cutting through community hall and gazebo

SECTION C -C’

Longitudinal section cut of entire site

M I C R O C L I M AT E SUN AND WIND

S H A D O W S T U DY SUMMER SOLSTICE - JUNE 21

EQUINOX - SEPTEMBER 21

WINTER SOLSTICE - DECEMBER 21

MORNING - 9AM

NOON - 12PM

EVENING - 6PM

WIND ANALYSIS - Majority of wind comes from North-east and South-west - Ventilation across the micro site is very open through public areas.

- Openly public buildings such as the community hall, gazebos and parts of the bar allow for a continuous flow of wind in and out of the micro site.

- Potential VIC site should allow wind flow from both directions. The river site has no large solid obstacles that block the wind from the VIC.

SUN ANALYSIS - Very sunny, no large structures to block the sun.

- Shading is done via vegetation and the buildings

19

NEIGHBOURING CONTEXT 1

4

3 2

2

The main gathering spots in the micro site is the bar and the Ji Fu Tang Community Hall. They have a very rustic, village like look to it that resembles the homes of the Pulai people.

3 1

The gazebos are relatively new and are heavily Chinese-influenced, highlighting the identity of the Pulai People as well as resembling the temple.

VIC Site Gazebo Gathering spots All the structures around the site are clustered around the public square, encouraging interaction with each other, promoting a sense of community.

The VIC could potentially serve as another gathering spot, allowing villagers and visitors to interact with each other, while also providing a place to rest.

20

4 The bridge has a rustic and old look to it similar to the houses, which can create an interesting spatial experience leading to the VIC

V E G E TAT I O N 1

2

3

1 7 Bamboo plantations provide shade and cools down the area, while also acting as an aesthetic decoration to the site

8

5

6

3

4

5

Shade provided by aged tree

6

2

4 Flowering shrubs added as a decoration Untamed growth to the site along the river

7

Agave plant, serving as a decoration

8

- The site is filled with vegetation, wild flora spreads where there is less human activity, which is most likely due to lack of maintenance.

- Some potted plants are used to set up boundaries for buildings as well as provide some shade to the user.

- The VIC site is overcrowded with vegetation, with the vegetation even eating the pathway. VIC should avoid interaction between the user and the flora or allow for the flora to be easily maintained (gardener)

Weeds and tall grass left untamed along the river site, which can be an eyesore. The vegetation should be trimmed to cleared to make way for the VIC

21

C I R C U L AT I O N 1

1

2 3

Public square, teeming with gathering spots and breathtaking views, encouraging activities and circulation around the area

2

3

1

Bridge providing access to river site

Rocky path of river site, unsuitable for vehicular circulation

ACCESSIBILITY - For both vehicular and pedestrian circulation, they enter the micro site via the secondary roads that are connected to the main road.

- Only path to the rubber plantation, Zi Xia Cave and possible site for VIC is a small bridge that is strong enough to carry motorbike. (Tertiary circulation) - Visitors will access river site by walking across the bridge from plaza, arriving the site only after visiting Shui Yue Temple.

Public square, serving as the primary circulation area and gathering spot

22

- The bridge connecting the village and river site is unstable and seemingly dangerous. Although walking across it provides a unique spatial experience, it may be a turn-off for the visitors.

AC T I V I T I E S JI FU TANG Community Hall - Located at the public square, the easy accessibility and utility spaces in the hall encourages the users to use the space during events, especially during The Birth of Guan Yin festival.

BAR (drinking culture) - In contrast to the public gazebos on the side, the bar in between indicates a more private usage intended for meetings and a more private gatherings on site.

- Acts as a recreational space where the villagers gather and drink, suggesting a drinking culture among the villagers which is not uncommon within Chinese communities in Malaysia GAZEBOS (Chinese chess) - During festivals and on normal days too, people gather at this place as a shared space between the communities.

- One of the gazebos has a built in Chinese chess board that encourages chess playing, simulating the interactions between people.

Community Hall Gazebos

PUBLIC TOILET

Public Toilet

- With its location that does not interrupt the activity density, the placement of a public toilet is beneficial to the main gathering spot of the village

Bar

Preparations for celebrations at the community hall

Preparation of food and decoration at the public square

Gathering of villagers at the temple adjacent to the community hall

Celebrations at the public overlooking the Zhi Xia cave

square

23

VIEWS VIEWS FROM SITE

2 Negative view of untamed, overgrown vegetation and muddy river water.

1 5

2 3

4

While most of the view is obstructed by the tall grass, the views of the scenic mountains makes up for it.

3

4 A clear and wide view of the site, with an unobscured view of the path leading to the lake.

Positive Views Negative Views

1

5 Positive views of the lake and Zi Xia cave, with the views slightly obscured by the weeds and tall grass flanking the path.

Clear unobscured view with the potential to be a great view without weeds and tall grass.

24

V I E W S TO S I T E 4 Minimal visibility to the building site, obscured by the untamed, overgrown grass.

Could potentially be a good view due to the scenery

1 6 2 5

A clear and wide view of the site, with an unobscured view of the path leading to the building site

3 5

4 6 FROM ZI XIA CAVE A clear view of the building site, accompanied by a bird’s eye view of Kampung Pulai

Positive Views Negative Views

1

2

3

- A pattern can be observed from the diagrams above, with all the negative views coming from the village itself.

A clear and wide view of the site, people can see the path leading to the building site.

The weeds are overcrowded and covered up the pathway to the site

The untamed weeds obscure views to the pathway and the site, decreasing visibility to the river site.

- While flanked with a beautiful scenery, the untamed tall grass proves to be an eyesore and should be cleared to provide a net positive view from the village.

25

VIEWS VIEWS THROUGH SITE 1

1

- Unobstructed views from both sides, with a beautifully framed landscape of Zi Xia cave from the public square.

- From Zi Xia cave, a bird’s eye view of Kampung Pulai can be seen

2

- The untamed, overgrown vegetation is a cause for concern, and the view’s would be improved with the clearance of such vegetation

2 Clear, unobstructed views along the path, however there is no significant landmark or scenery in sight, diminishing the value of the view

26

S W OT A N A LY S I S

27

- Open area in front of the community hall allows for a very good view to the VIC. - Circulation is very open, easy access to everywhere.

- Entrance to the other side, via bridge or river creates unique spatial experience.

S T R E N GT H S

- Site is placed on an open space, allowing for construction without obliterating the current buildings, preserving historical buildings and culture of the place.

- The site lines up as an axis with the temple, river, lake and Zi Xia cave.

28

- Bridge might be unstable and make some tourists and visitors feel unsafe, should make another path or better bridge.

- The circulation is very open, and not direct, due to the main space in front of the community hall, this allows for ease of access to everywhere.

WEAKNESSES

- Too much vegetation that blocks possible views.

- Proximity to the river leads to potential deposits of rubbish into the VIC. - Isolation from the main land can lead to difficulties for maintenance.

29

- Different tides of the river can be implemented in the design concept.

- Position of the river could be used as an entry point to the VIC.

O P P O RT U N I T I E S

- The view through the VIC lines up with the temple, river, lake and the Zi Xia cave, all the historical / monumental places in the site.

- Revive the functionality of the water bodies, lake and river.

- The overcrowding vegetation can create a spatial experience that is reminisces the past of Kampung Pulai.

30

- Noise and air pollution from the Temple during festivals could negatively affect the VIC’s function.

- Pests in the tall grass could potentially spread infectious diseases.

- Possible flooding due to closeness to river and yearly heavy rain of Kampung Pulai.

T H R E AT S

- If not maintained properly, the wild vegetation could end up swallowing the VIC. - Lack of security for the VIC as it is separated from the Kampung Pulai square and is open to the forest.

- Difficulty in terms of delivering goods and supplies due to the only entry being the small bridge.

31

KAMPUNG PULAI G E N I U S LO C I

S P I R I T O F P L AC E

32

33

34

PULAI KELANTAN, MALAYSIA