LENGGONG VALLEY VISITOR CENTRE Flexibility and Adaptation : Infrastructural Architecture
Design Strategy
“Uncommitted or free space must be seen not merely as the canvas for a new piece of architecture but as a continuing resource able to be fertilised by the introduction of built structuring which does not in itself and through its very form imply a particular use from the start.” (Cedric Price, 1984) Design Hypothesis
Spatial Arrangement By adopting a grid-based spatial division the structural columns are dispersed in a grid of 8x8m. The spaces are arranged in the way that these spaces will be directly connected to the centralised circulatory system. This means the spaces would appear to be ‘stretching’ away from the centre. A space only takes up as much ‘grid’ as it presently needs.
This scheme indulges strong insistence on the idea of flexibility and adaptability linking it to the notion of “calculated uncertainty.” This term is defined by Cedric Price as “the creation of temporary, adaptable structures that can be altered, transformed or demolished, serving the need of the moment.” (Price,1984)
Lightweight Construction In order to create a ‘light’ structure that perceptibly separated from the ground, the building ‘stretches’ vertically by means of tall and thin steel columns where the intersecting spaces intentionally do not touch the ground.
The new Lenggong Valley Visitor Centre presents itself under an elegant structure of a massive canopy that seemingly floating gracefully on the sloping site held up by thin steel pillars. The canopy is established as a platform where the space underneath would be manipulated and transformed accordingly to fulfill the present need of the building which at the moment as a visitor centre. This platform consists of intersecting spaces arranged contrasting the verticality of the main structure which will be either suspended between columns or hung from the canopy. The language of lightly touching the ground was an effort to preserve the site’s potential as an important archaeological site.
(Re)landscaping The site condition which is densely surrounded by palm oil trees is not reflective of the current site’s status as an important archaeological site. Relandscaping means retrieving back the original condition of the site which would involves replacing existing palm oil trees with indigenous tropical trees.
SITE PLAN
NOT TO SCALE
8 X 8 GRID DIVISION
WALL & CANOPY
SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT
POSSIBILITIES OF SPATIAL EXPANSION
A perspective view from the bottom of the slop looking up to the tower
9
3
CIRCULATION
11
8
12 10
14
15
13
6
16
5
7 LEGEND
2 4 1
LEVEL
00
SCALE 1:750
LEVEL
-01
SCALE 1:750
LEVEL
-02
SCALE 1:750
1 LOBBY 2 KIOSK / SOURVENIR SHOP 3 CAFE 4 OFFICE / ADMIN 5 MALE MUSOLLA 6 FEMALE MUSOLLA 7 GALLERY 1 8 GALLERY 1 EXTENSION 9 RESOURCE CENTER 10 GALLERY 2 11 GALLERY 2 EXTENSION 12 STAGE 13 RETRACTABLE AMPHITHEATER 14 GALLERY 3 (PERAK MAN) 15 STORAGE 16 OPEN GALLERY
LEVEL
-03
SCALE 1:750
“A specific indeterminate space is a space that is waiting for something to happen, a space where one can be alone or in a crowd. It is a space that atracts temporary proximity of different uses, densification of use and change of use” (Beigel, F. and Christou, P. 1996)
SCALE 1:250
Retractable amphitheatre Flexibility and Expansion The idea of its flexibility as an infrastructural architecture can be seen in the play of its open and closed spatial criteria as well as its ability to be able to be dismantled, expanded and relocated to a new place for future use. Modular construction is adopted to allow this to happen. Motorised facade and amphitheatre allows the space to be transformed into public spaces where all kind of activities could take place. The ‘skins’ that enclosed the spaces could be thoroughly permeable, semi or non permeable depending on its spatial requirement which suggest a space could easily be a ‘stage’ to other activities that requires different spatial condition. This also apply to the canopy which is made of ‘patches’ of materials that respond to varied spatial requirements. The main staircase is hung from the canopy by means of tension cables/rods. The columns are dispersed to form a grid division of 8 x 8 where slabs are laid accordingly to create flexible spaces. This could expand or contract with time with the grid system as a division guide.
The main circulatory staircase where a view of the tower can be seen
Accessibility and Connectivity From the main road building users/visitors would be driven towards the top of the slope where the main entrance is. Parking is located on a level slightly lower than the main entrance. Upon entering the building, users will be greeted by the main staircase attached to a feature wall suspended in between columns. The wall act as a physical barrier from public to private spaces vice versa. The directional orientation of the building’s main circulatory staircase is deliberately pointing towards the tower to subtly imply their relation as a connected entity.
SCALE 1:250
.......”the creation of temporary, adaptable structures that can be altered, transformed or demolished, serving the need of the moment.” (Price,1984)