COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE PPR SERI BEREMBANG, KLANG “IN SEARCH OF LEARNING SPACE”
Introduction The community-based services in CSI module are to expose students to the real community living in the real life situation. The students are to work together as a team for architectural, cultural and environmental enhancing activities in the communities of different socio-economic status and social groups. By involving architectural knowledge and theories, we are required to study community needs and solve social problems by creating spaces to accommodate the poverty. The site assigned to us is PPR Seri Berembang where we, as a group of 10 were given opportunity to assist a residential family to conceive or improve a learning space for their children. In a given limited space, it is crucial for us to propose a solution on how to fully utilize the space in order to provide them a comfort studying area. Through this assignment we hope to conclude that creation of space impacts the life of a lower-class family, soundlessly embolden their children’s spirit to study for a better future.
The Family Located at Unit B103, the house owner, a couple with 3 children, Mrs. Gowri and her husband lives humbly in Taman Seri Berembang apartment. Mrs. Gowri and her husband had spent 20 years living in the apartment ever since they were married. Since then, this small apartment is occupied by 5 family members. However, the interior spaces are not being used to its full potential causing them to experience limited spaces within the small apartment, creating many problems to Mrs. Gowri and her family. Their children, Yugansaravanaa, Shasvindran and Poormilasree are currently studying at their own respective schools. As a result, they need sufficient space for revision and comfortable environment to indulge themselves into a sea of books. Yet, this limited amount of space has made this requirement hard to be fulfilled, instead, they are forced to study at their dining table, which is an unfavourable condition. This has led to a concern in which they are struggling to have a proper study area that may affect their studies.
The Family
Elanchelian (Father)
Gowri (Mother)
Yugansaravanaa (Elder son)
Shasvindran (Second son)
Poormilasree (Youngest daughter)
(45 years old)
(40 years old)
(13 years old)
(9 years old)
(5 years old)
Operator
Housewife
High school student
Elementary school student
Kindergarten student
The Flat Unit - B103
Entrance
Dining Space
Living Room
Small entrance just beside a corridor.
Dining space also used as study area.
Rather large space compared to the others, did not maximize its spatial usage.
The Flat Unit - B103
Bedroom
Kitchen
Sacred Area
Bedroom used by the three children.
Kitchen located at the end with toilets and clothes washing area at the sides.
A room specially occupied by their religious statue and other religious matter.
Study Timetable of the Children -
At morning, the children spent most of the time during their school hours to study at school They have their own nap time after their school After their nap time they would go outside to play with their neighbours At night time, the children will have their revision time from 7-10pm after their dinner
The Objectives -
To create a space for learning in a way more conducive, convenient and productive.
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To be able to cater the needs of 3 growing children within a small given space.
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To be able to maximise the function of limited space.
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To create a care-free and friendly study environment.
Original Room Plan
The Problems Learning Space 1 (Bedroom) - Noisy environment - Dark atmosphere (Lack of lighting) - Absence of study-mood environment (Dark painted walls) - Poor ventilation - Lack of furnitures for study purpose - Poor usage of shelves (Too much clutters) - Used as a bedroom as well - Lack of space to cater for 3 growing children’s needs - Lack of plug points (Limited electrical wiring system)
Bedroom A dull environment with only a room area of (3.5 x 2.1m)
Medals hanged on wall in a non- organized way, disrupting vision of a clean wall. Antique closet left by ancestors cannot be disposed. Largely occupies the space inside the room
Dense of glass cluteries stored inside making it difficult to reallocate it to different location.
Insufficient storage area to accommodate homework of 3 kids, exposed items causing messy visual impact
Fairly dark painted walls with insufficient lighting system creates moody ambience which is not suitable to study
The Problems Learning Space 2 (Living Room) - Noisy environment due to exposure to the outer corridor, too opened - Limited study area around the dining table, lack of opportunity to study comfortably - Broken furniture (Dining table), may create threat to the kids, unsafe study area
Entrance to Living Room
Corridors tend to be noisy and distracting, disrupting the concentration of the children during their study time.
Insufficient natural light for studying due to light being filtered by corridor space.
Position of dining table disrupts the circulation of the home due to insufficient space.
The children are currently using the dining table to study. The dining table is already in a bad condition and is on the verge of breaking.
Dining Table Currently used as a study area and dining area
Design Considerations Learning Space 1 (Bedroom) - At least 3 children need to have spaces to sleep within the (3.5 x 2.7m) room - Safe environment for the children in the midst of learning and sleeping - A space for children to doodle or sketch freely without damaging wall surface - The cutleries and cupboards cannot be disposed - Storage items occupied half of the total floor area - Create a suitable atmosphere that eases focus during studies - Create double volume spaces in a relatively small space - Increase the room’s volume to a larger scale visually - Integration of multi-functional settings to save space within the room
The Solutions Learning Space 1 (Bedroom) Legend
- Provide desk lamps - Provide light-colour schemed painted walls - Provide bookshelves - Provide foldable table - Provide foldable chairs - Provide whiteboard
1. Table 2. Chair 3. Table Lamp 4. Movable Mini Shelves 5. Multipurpose Wall (Perforated Wood Planks + Whiteboard) 6. Hanging Bookshelf 7. Existing Shelves 8. Sleeping Space (If study space is not in used)
Colour-themed Study Atmosphere Navajo White
- Elevates the mood to study - Increases concentration to the children - Mainly types of white colour will be chosen as it gives out a sense of calmness yet higher tendency to focus on study - Increases the sense of space volume visually
Ivory White
Foldable Chair - Saves space - Can be easily input back to its position after used (Hung on wall)
Foldable Table - Saves plenty amount of space - High flexibility - Safe to use
Perforated Wood Planks - Saves flooring space - Availability to store certain small stuffs (stationaries/ sticky tape/ whiteboard/ books/ keys) - More organised - Economical and sustainable - Triggers creativity of children in making their own tools to be used - Flexibility in use
Hanging Bookshelf - Placed on the wall to maximize usage of upper wall - Organised arrangement of books - Observable and ease to look for desired books - Conceiving good study ambience for the kids - Availability to hang certain small objects
Desk Lamp - To provide supportive light to study - Can be used while other siblings are sleeping, provides minimal distraction to others - Enhances study ambience within the room - Easy to make, environmental friendly and sustainable
Proposed Spatial Organisation
Legend 1. Wide Table 2. Chair 3. Table Lamp 4. Movable Mini Shelves 5. Multipurpose Wall (Perforated Wood Planks) 6. Multipurpose Wall (Whiteboard) 7. Hanging Bookshelf 8. Light Colour Painted Walls 9. Sleeping Space (If study space is not in used)
Gantt Chart of Expected Schedule
Expected Budget Material
Price
Amount
Remarks
Total
Wood - Timber (1220mm x 2438mm)
Rm 100 /pc
3
For the construction of tables, chairs, bookshelves and bed frame.
RM 300
Paint (5L)
RM 40 /can
2
For the repainting of the room to improve the overall learning atmosphere.
RM 80
Screws, Nuts and bolts
RM 20 /box
1
For construction joints.
RM 20
Fluorescent table lamp
RM 40 /pc
2
To provide a brighter learning environment.
RM 80
Plastic Bottles
RM 0
As many as possible
Recycling of used plastic bottles to reduce cost. To create storage for pens and tools.
RM 0
White board (300mm x 500mm)
RM 30 /pc
1
To allow kids to scribble and doodle on it instead on the walls.
RM 30
TOTAL
RM 510
Thank You