Article stories - Architecture Portfolio sample: BSc. Arch Works by Michelle Lum

from Architecture Portfolio: Selected Works of 2013-2019

Article stories - Architecture Portfolio sample: MArch Thesis Works by Michelle Lum

SILARA KANGSAR BOUTIQUE HOTEL

In the quiet town of Kuala Kangsar, its glory past slowly diminished after the opening of the North-South Expressway, where travellers do not stopover this town as frequently as before. Holding the position as the royal town of Perak, the tourism of Kuala Kangsar features colonial buildings with influences of the Perak Sultanate. However it is overshadowed by its larger neighbouring town, Ipoh, a former tin-mining town in Malaysia whose tourism featuring colonial buildings are more prominent than those in Kuala Kangsar.

The resolution in boosting Kuala Kangsar tourism is to shift its focus to nature tourism, with its advantage of having greater lands of forest that serve as its economical source as well. A site is chosen between the town centre and the Royal section of Kuala Kangsar near the banks of Kangsar River ( a prominent river in Kuala Kangsar) for its strategic location to its tourist spots. The proposed boutique hotel aims to reintroduce the “forest” within itself, offering tourists themselves to escape from the urban environment of nearby cities and the hustle-bustle of travelling on the Expressway, to chill and unwind in this picturesque little town.

The name of the hotel Silara Kangsar emerged from the idea and background of Kuala Kangsar royalty, where “Silara” carries the meaning of crown in the old Malay language whilst “Kangsar“ aids in recognizing the identity of Kuala Kangsar. Thus allowing the identity of Kuala Kangsar being revealed and understood by tourists and locals alike.

Site Analysis

**Relationship of nodes and site - strategic location allowed the movement between nodes**

**Permeability to site - Accessible from the town via various modes of transportation**

**Figure ground study - Relationship between built and unbuilt areas of Kuala Kangsar**

DESIGN INTENTIONS

Nature Revival

Silara Kangsar serves as a symbol of reviving the nature in Kuala Kangsar, not only for the bare site where the building will be built but also for the town of Kuala Kangsar. The rainforest idea of the hotel triggers engagement of guests with nature. Hence besides enhancing the environment, guests will also feel relaxed in the hotel.

Community Revival

Silara Kangsar also pays attention to the surrounding community living besides only their guests. Community involvement could be seen in the hotel where job opportunities were provided for the surrounding residents.

Identity Revival

Silara Kangsar incorporates local architecture style into the building design, allowing the hotel to become an identity of Kuala Kangsar.

Design Development

**( from left ) : Hotel as a Unit ; Subtraction of Space ; Further Subtraction ; Breaking of Blocks ; Linking of Block Units**

DESIGN STRATEGIES

( from left ) : Sun Path ; Sun Views ; Pockets of Green Spaces ; Hierachy - Deluxe Rooms (Purple), Standard Rooms (Blue); Public Areas (Ground Floor) ; Public -Private Division - Public Interaction Area (Seminar area, Lobby, Restaurant), Back of House Area (Loading Bay, Storage, Staff Restrooms, Kitchen)

Site Plan

Sectional Perspective

Left : Stack Ventilation - Hot air rises and cool air flows down to replace the risen hot air, promotes natural ventilation and provide thermal comfort

Right : Rainwater Harvesting - Rainwater collected is stored at basement and is used for toilet flushing, air-conditioning cooling and irrigation of plants.

Left : Large Overhangs - Act as sun shading device, allows indirect daylighting and reduces glare in the building

Right : Skylight and Air well - Maximise internal daylighting, reduces usage of artificial lighting and promotes the growth of indoor plants

Layout Plans

Elevations

Perspectives

**View of Hotel Lobby to Central Courtyard**

**View of skygarden for outdoor activities**

Blow up Section and details

Room Layout and Design

The spatial division of the dry and wet areas in the guest rooms are clearly defined. The bedrooms and bathrooms are divided where the spaces get to have openings facing the exterior. The division shows clarity and provides maximum view towards the river, allowing also maximum daylighting and ventilation into the rooms. planter boxes are placed on the balconies to have the feeling of being closer to the greenery. Deluxe rooms have different bathroom layout and bathtub to enjoy the exterior landscape scenery.

Choices of Plants

Plants were planted around the hotel for landscaping are local herbs that would be used in culinary dishes for the restaurant, allowing a self-sufficient cycle. Some plants like Limau Purut and Serai also helped to prevent insects such as mosquitoes.

PETALING JAYA COMMUNITY LIBRARY

PJ community library is located in downtown Petaling Jaya surrounded by urban contextual challenges such as existing LRT station and line, shopping mall, actively used green fields and clubs. The planning of the library grows from the dynamic flow of the public and the usual function of a library. The spaces are then divided according to the functions of the library into two distinctive areas, which are the active public spaces and the calm studying area. The active, zero threshold public spaces will be visible from the streets, understandable and welcoming while the traditional, serene library atmosphere can be found nearer to the field, screening the calm and contemplation area from the busy traffic. The interplay between the exteriors and interiors allows these contrasts to complement each other, creating constant interaction between spaces physically and visually, for example, the use of glass wall in between the contrasts. The point of complexity exists when these extremes exist in combination and contribute to the rediscovery of spaces between boundaries, hybrid spaces, relationship and tensions.