Culture and history PJCC group

Petaling Jaya Civic Centre Malaysia

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CONTENT

1.0 INTRODUCTION

03-04

2.0 ARCHITECTURAL STYLE ANALYSIS (ZZJ)

05-10

3.0 CONSTRUCTION METHOD AND MATERIAL ANALYSIS (ES)

11-17

3.1 COMPARISON OF CONSTRUCTION METHOD AND MATERIALS (CCCY) 18-22 4.0 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS ANALYSIS 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8

door (js) windows (js) lightning (js) flooring (js) stairs tower (jgjj)

exterior wall (jgjj) interior wall (jgjj) roof (jgjj)

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CONCLUSION

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REFERENCES

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN Centre for Modern Architecture studies in Southeast Asia Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Architecture) ARCHITECTURE CULTURE & HISTORY 2 [ ARC 60203] Prerequisite: Architecture Culture & History 1

Project 2: Web book

@JUNE 2014

Carmen Chee Cha Yi (CCCY) 0313893 Evelyn Sinugroho (ES) 0318217 Jillian Goh Joon Jin (JGJJ) 0901G69895 Julia Shenjaya (JS) 0317774 Zhuang Zhi Jie (ZZJ) 0314224

Special Thanks to PETALING JAYA CIVIC CENTRE MADAM ITA JOHAR

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

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Introduction of PJCC Built in year 1973 and ended by year 1978, Petaling Jaya Civic Centre is situated at Jalan Yong Shook Lin, 46675 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Commonly known as Dewan Sivik or PJCC in short, the building aims to portray society’s civic values and it is also famous for its unique architectural aesthetics. The RM4 million multi-purpose hall serves as a place for all kinds of functions, ranging from performances, exhibitions, celebratory events to offering the locals a common platform for meet-ups and opportunities to engage in recreational activities.

Just like any civic centre in the world, the PJCC represents the rights of civilians and the power of social participation. In addition, the PJCC comprises facilities such as an auditorium, 6 badminton courts, theater, conference room and other recreational facilities.

Back in year 2001, the Civic Centre was renovated and the notable changes were the 6 badminton courts being converted into a banquet hall and the main lobby being redesigned with a pointed-star plan layout. The current carrying capacity of the auditorium and the banquet hall each carries 1000 people and the conference room remains at 100 people.

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2.0 Architectural Style Analysis By : Zhuang Zhi Jie 0314224

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Architecture Style Analysis

Figure 2.1 The main entrance of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre

BRUTALISM Brutalist architecture is main architecture style that Petaling Jaya Civic Centre adapted.

After gaining independence on 31st August 1957 and forming Malaysia on the 16th september 1963, Malaysian that went overseas moved back to homeland to help building the new nation.

The ‘Brutalist’ movement was lead largely by few profilic British architects. receiving many commisions from local councils, these architects were soon to make their mark on ‘progressive’ post-war housing and public buildings. The local architects made reference likewise due to study of architecture at England.

Figure 2.2 The best known early Brutalist architecture was Unité d’Habitation by Le Corbusier Source:www.brutalism.com

7 The movement placed great emphasis on functionality and form. Most of these buildings are often monolithic erections of great mass. Unlike other International style architecture, Brutalist architecture was about stretching the limits of how concrete could be shaped. This also includes the use of prefabricated building techniques.

Relatively easy to construct and easy to maintain, these new buildings lacked the ‘skeletal’ appearance of early International style buildings. Being forged largely out of raw concrete they were often seen as a quick and easy way to construct ‘lasting’ buildings in the 60s.

Figure 2.3 Perspective view of Petaling jaya Civic Centre

Comparing the Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports and Petaling jaya Civic Centre : the fortress-like, with a predominance of exposed concrete construction, the “brick brutalists” ruggedly detailed brickwork and an emphasis on graphically expressing in the external elevations and in the whole-site plan the main functions and people-flows of the buildings are what makes the Petaling Jaya Civic Center a Brutalist Architecture.

Figure 2.4 Vilnius Palace of Concerts and Sports Source: MIMOA

8 Figure 2.5 Two early attempts to bring Brutalist utilitarianism to the forefront of public service was the construction of both University Hospital in Petaling Jaya and Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.

Source: http://cardcow.com

The Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (right) is reminiscent of Le Corbusier’s High Court building and the Secretariat offices in Chandigarh, India (above) Figure 2.6 General Hospital Source: http://wikimapia.org Figure 2.7 High Court Building Source: theguardian Figure 2.8 The many buildings of this hospital are protected by a series of square concrete louvers allowing good ventilation, yet keeping the sun and rain out. Almost like a scarsophagus that consumes the building itself, the louvers succeed at bringing a greater degree of aesthetics.

Source: gopixpic

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The visual strength that Brutalist style conveys also comes though in structural strength.

The use of high grade reinforced concrete for the superstructure also means these buildings are also structurally very hard. Other styling elements including buttresses and supporting columns, enhance their durability even further.

Figure 2.9 The facade of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre

Figure 2.10, 2.11, 2.12 The thick and heavy concrete columns of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre

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Floor plan of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre Source: www.mbpj.gov.my

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3.0 Construction Method and Material Analysis By : Evelyn Sinugroho 0318217

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Introduction Petaling Jaya Civic Centre (PJCC) was built with the strong influence of Brutalism Architecture and Modernism Movement. It was inspired by Le Cobursier’s brutalism Architecture where a lot of Le Cobusier’s architectural elements can be seen here. The form of the building is organic, it was constructed using off-form concrete/poured concrete construction method.

Figure 3.0: The construction of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre which shown the skeleton reinforced steel bar during process.

Source: Petaling Jaya Museum (http://mbpjmuzium.mbpj.gov.my)

Brutalism Architecture Construction Brutalism Architecture shows it’s simplicity due to it’s bare construction. They use Beton Brut as a main component for the construction. Beton Brut is a French term for Raw Concrete material. It enhance the architectural style by exposing rough concrete through it’s textures of wooden forms in which it has been poured and large blockish design. Off form Concrete construction method that uses raw concrete is an advantage for constructing since it can be moulded into any shape. “Poured concrete freed architecture from posts and beams and it’s the best method to express Brutalist Architecture.” (Trivialist,2009) Figure 3.1: The Exterior of the entance of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre

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Structural System PJCC like any other brutalist Buildings uses reinforced steel and concrete as it’s superstructure. The wall of PJCC was constructed as a load bearing structure with combination or fusion of construction that are intended to support loads from slab to roof.

Figure 3.2: The Load bearing wall of PJCC

Foundation PJCC uses Deep foundation-precast concrete piling as it’s foundation.

Precast concrete pile are commonly to be constructed in a casting yard and transported to the job site. They are to be drien using either hydraulic hammer or pile hammer into the soil until the shoe rock located at the very end of the pile reaches a certain depth or until it reaches the bed rock. In malaysia, it is common to use a deep foundation due to the state of the soil.

Figure 3.4: Diagram drawings of Precast Concrete Piling.

Figure 3.3: The main support system of PJCC

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Flooring System The floor system support both the live loads and the dead loads, it takes the weight and pressure then transfer it to the walls and columns.

A composite flooring system for PJCC is designed to act (in essence) as one super-large beam. The idea is to connect the steel joists supporting the concrete slab, to the slab, by the use of shear studs (also called shear connectors). The shear studs are usually some 3/4 inch wide and a few inches high.

They are welded to the top flange of the joists and become an integral part of the slab once the concrete is poured. The combined steel joist-concrete slab, has sufficient strength to transfer the lateral loading to the core and the other walls.

The composite flooring system is formed by pouring (light-weight) concrete on light-gauge steel decking that has been laid across the steel joists. Shear studs are welded to the top flange of the steel joists (but can also be bolted on, in this case, the bolt itself being the shear stud) through holes in the steel decking. Reinforcing steel is laid over the decking and the concrete slab is poured in situ. The large number of shear studs protruding into the concrete slab cause the underlying steel joists and the concrete slab to act as one unit.

Ceramics , carpets , marrbles and tiles are placed inside of the building to enhance the aesthetic of the interior.

Figure 3.5: Interior floor

Figure 3.6: Auditorium floor covered with carpet

Figure 3.7: Composite Floor system

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Wall System The wall systems in PJCC are load bearing walls, since the design mainly emphasis on functionality rather than appearance. The thick walls mainly take parts to support vertical loads, withstand horizontal wind loading and serve as shear walls and transfer lateral wind and seismic forces to the ground foundation.

Figure 3.8: The exterior wall of PJCC

Construction for In situ Concrete wall The construction process is to prepare timber formwork around the reinforce steel bar and form steel, then pour the concrete into the formwork. Remove the formwork after the concrete is formed and dried.

Some of the interior and exterior are plastered to give more smooth finish tothe walls.

Process: 1)Substrate surface preparation shall provide a clean and sound surface with a finish profile of a CSP-1 to 4 as per ICRI Technical Guidlines.

2)Pre-soak to provide saturated surface dry (SSD) substrate condition before apply coating material.

3)Apply 2 coats of SikaTop Seal 107 with a stiff bristled brush, broom, notched trowel, or hopper type spray equipment.

Figure 3.9: Interior wall

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Roof System The roof has the most significant appeal towards the PJCC building. It was inspired by Le Cobusier’s Ronchamp floating roof. The formworks were formed to specifically form a curve shape of the roof, which can be produced using off form concrete construction method. This roof, both insulating and water-tight, rests on top of short struts which form part of a vertical surface of concrete covered with “gunnite”

The Construction of roof Figure 3.10: The exterior of the roof

The construction begins with installing the roof trusses and join them to the existing steel frame structure of the building. The the shape of the roof was formed by moulding concrete slab into the designed roof. Concrete slab took part in the control of interior temperature, since Malaysia is a tropical country, the roof help to cool down the building.

Figure 3.11: The interior of the roof Gable Roof Straight slope falling from ridge to eave, creating a peak or triangle on the side or front facade. The inclination can’t exceeding 30 degrees.

Shed Roof A gabled roof with a single roof falling down from the main building same as mono-pitched roof. The inclination can’t exceeding 10 Figure 3.12: Gable Roof degrees.

Figure 3.13: Shed Roof

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Construction and Material analysis of the Interior The interior of Petaling Jaya Civic Centre was designed and cladded with granite, marble and timber which provide a constrasting feeling with the cold, raw concrete of the exterior.

The auditorium hall (figure 3.14) was designed with laminated timber cladded wall to enhance the aesthetic and acoustic effect inside.

Figure 3.14: auditorium hall

Figure 3.15: Entrance to banquet hall

For the Banquet hall (figure 3.17), the chosen color and material such as marble and timber cladded structure wall were placed to blend in with the lightning design of the plastered ceiling. The sun-like lightning dispersed through out the room and it gives a heart warming welcome for the invited guests.

Figure 3.16: Marble cladded lobby

Figure 3.17: Interior of Banquet hall

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3.1 Comparison of Construction Method and Materials By : Carmen Chee Cha Yi 0313893

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Chosen Comparison Building 1: Dewan Tunku Canselor, University Malaya Dewan Tunku Canselor, University Malaya was the first local Brutalist building designed by Dato Kington Loo. The main feature of this building is the ‘egg crack window opening and there is no ornamentation and decorative elements in overall.

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Chosen Comparison Building 2: Notre Dame Du Haut (Ronchamp) Notre Dame Du Haut is a religious space designed by architect Le Corbusier. This style of architecture is known as the International Style, Brutalism, as well as Expressionist Modern. The materials of the building are left in the raw and allowed to age naturally and it has a lack of ornate detail.

Figure 3.1.5: Notre Dame Du Haut’s South Elevation Source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e_vSrda-YB4/TTdkTlh_3qI/ AAAAAAAABpo/UfBnX5feyes/s1600/Ronchamp+1.jpg

Figure 3.1.6: Notre Dame Du Haut’s East Elevation Source: http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/1288287362-ronchamp5-.jpg

Figure 3.1.7: Comparison between ronchamp and PJCC

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Similarities of PJCC and Modern Brutalist Buildings of the west.

PJCC and other western modern brutalit buidings are constructed based on principle of form follows function. Concrete is used for its raw and unpretentious honesty, contrasting dramatically with the highly refined and ornamented buildings constructed in the elite Beaux-Arts style. Surfaces of cast concrete are made to reveal the basic nature of its construction, the texture of the wooden formwork were revealed.

As for PJCC, it has smooth polished concrete finishing. This is due to the lack of ‘skeletal’ appearance of early international style buildings. They are being constructed largely out of raw concrete, so they are often seen as a fast and easy way to construct ‘lasting’ buildings in the 1960s.

Figure 3.1.8: Brighton Centre. A conference Centre located in Brighton, England. Largest Brutalist Exhibition Centre in Southern England.

22 Petaling Jaya Civic Centre (PJCC) is built using deep foundation method due to it is a multi-storey building that requires high load bearing foundation to support it. Precase concrete pules are generally driven into the ground-in-situ. It has the same reinforcement as modern Brutalist buildings in the west, it uses reinforced concrete and mild steel bar. After the reinforcement, timber formworks were erected to the required dimensions of the reinforced concrete wall for particular shape. Concrete is then poured into the formwork and left for curing process.

Formwork is removed after the process.

Figure 3.1.9: In situ Concrete of PJCC

The Civic Centre has load-bearing walls in both internal and external. These walls bear some of the weight of the building and majority of its own weight. For the interior walls, PJCC is more or less using the same type of interior walls as some of the modern buildings in Europe and Local. It has masonry wall constructed using cement block or bricks with walls plaster and skim coat.

PJCC has the same type of concrete roof as other Brutalist buildings before renovation. However, a metal roof is added after renovation. Different materials are used to compliment the climate and the function of the spaces in it.

Figure 3.1.10: High ceiling of PJCC interior

Seeing as PJCC is situated in a tropical climate, thermal insulation for cold weather arent included when it is constructed.

Buildings in countries with tropical climate were designed to have high ceiling for ventilation and minimum openings so that it would not receive too much sunlight.

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4.0 Architectural Elements Analysis By : Julia Shenjaya 0317774 Jillian Goh Joon Jin 0901G69895

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4.1 DOOR A door is an opening which provides an accessible route from the exterior to the interior space. Different types of doors and materials are used in this centre to classify different function of the space or room. The type of door that is used at the main entrance is a sliding door with reflective glass material. Reflective glass provides a sense of security. Glass material is one of the features of Brutalism architecture.

In the banquet hall, glass is used for the door as well.

However, for the auditorium’s door, wood is used as the material with minimal decoration, which is much more simpler as compared to the ornamentation used in the past.

Figure 4.1.1.Main Entrance

Figure 4.1.2 Door of Auditorium Figure 4.1.3 Door of Banquet hall

Figure 4.1.4 Emergency Door

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4.2 WINDOW Window is the other opening besides the door. A fixed window cannot be adjusted or opened. This building has a lack of windows. This also represents the element of Brutalism architecture which is the minimal usage of windows. The material used is clear glass. It is attached to the wall. As a modernism building, clear glass is used so the natural light can enter the building. This results the interior to be lightened up without having a reliance on artificial lighting during the day.

Figure 4.2.1 Window

Figure 4.2.2 Window

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4.3 LIGHTING Lighting plays an important role in the Dewan Sivik to lighten the atmosphere of this solid, concrete building. Most of the lights in this building are provided by artificial lights. There is a lack of natural lighting in the interior spaces.

Various types of light from different angles can result in the different experiences inside the building. In the banquet hall, a majestic chandelier is used to emphasize on the lighting of the hall. It extrudes a glorious experience as people enter. It suits the purpose of the hall.

To be exact, there are four chandeliers that provide a bright light that is sufficient for whole hall. The lighting was placed on the ceiling as one row and below it will be absence of tables and chairs. This emphasizes on the guest’s pathway.

In the auditorium, the light is not as bright as the interior of the banquet hall. The surrounding lights guide the visitors to their seats; however the main focus remains at the stage which lights shine the brightest upon it.

Figure 4.3.1 Lighting in Auditorium

Figure 4.3.2 Lighting in Banquet Hall Figure 4.3.3 Lightning in Auditorium

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4.4 FLOORING All the floors in Petaling Jaya Civic Center use marble. They utilize the patterns of the material for aesthetic purposes since marble requires minimum to no amount of extra decoration In the auditorium, the floor is carpetted with royal red for elegance. Carpet’s material is known for noise absorbance; this reduces the noise leakage out of the hall. Its function complements the on-going performances of the space.

The banquet hall used two types of material, such as the carpet and marble. The color of the carpet in the hall shows a glow of sunshine and a warming effect that is suitable for the celebratory events held in the hall.

Main lobby floor was redesign with the Islamic Pointed Star plan layout which acts as significance Symbol of Islam.

Figure 4.4.2 Floor at Banquet Hall Entance

Figure 4.4.1 Floor at Auditorium

Figure 4.4.3 Floor at Lobby

Figure 4.4.4 Floor at Banquet Hall

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4.5 STAIRS TOWER An iconic part of the civic centre is the stair tower. The stair tower is built based on the concept of form follows function. This principle is associated with modernist architecture and industrial design in the 20th century where the shape of the building or object is primarily based upon its intended purpose.

There are a total of three stair towers built and attached to the building, with two located at the front and one at the back of the building. The symmetrical positioning of the two stair towers in front extrudes a sense of balance for the main entrance of the building.

There is a shutter column with open louvers on the exterior of each stair tower. This results the stair towers to work effectively as a ventilator by allowing light and air into the interior spaces. With this function, the atmosphere inside would not feel dense.

Figure 4.5.1: Shutter column at stair tower

Figure 4.5.2: Stair tower near entrance

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4.6 EXTERIOR WALL The exterior wall serves as the façade of the civic centre.

One prominent design of the exterior wall is the “wedge” where a wall plane projects outwards on a sloped angle.

The massive size, strong and monolith appearance is composed by dominant bold shapes and large areas of blank walls to create a fortress-like building.

As the term “brutalism” is derived from the French “betón brut,” which means “raw concrete”, the exterior treatment of the building is predominant of exposed concrete construction. This dynamic building’s architectural image is the characteristic of the Brutalist style, which communicates strength, functionality and expression of materiality.

Figure 4.6.1: Exterior wall near the entrance

Figure 4.6.2: Elevation view of the building

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4.7. INTERIOR WALL The materials for the wall of the auditorium is very important as it requires to have sound being trapped within the space and prevents the noise to leak out of the area.

Therefore, in the auditorium, the walls were designed in a curvy form which contributes to breaking up standing sound waves. The walls comprise of a non-parallel surface.

The wall is built with sound absorption materials to absorb the background noise in this space. Wood is also used to reduce reverberation within the room.

Meanwhile at the banquet hall, wall decorations were more refined because it is a place where important events and ceremonies are carried out. It is built with wood wall panel while certain areas were installed with cushions to utilize its noise cancelling function. Embellishments were crafted directly on the cushion to elaborate the decor style of the hall.

Figure 4.7.1: Wall of Auditorium

Figure 4.7.2: Wall of Banquet Hall

Figure 4.7.3: Wall of Auditorium

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4.8 ROOF Although the civic centre’s roof is out of sight from the elevation view, the usage of concrete beam and column for aesthetic value and to support the adjacent structure can be observed in the roofing system based on the image from Google Earth. Concrete slab remains as the main roof framework to form a watertight structure. The sloped roof is an element found in the brutalism architecture.

There was no sight of natural light penetration from the roof or ceiling, other than installed artificial lighting. Even if there is, the sparse natural lighting has been overcast by the artificial lighting.

A 12-pointed stars motif is added at the top of the main entrance, which acts as a significance of Islam Architecture

Figure 4.8.1: Site Plan of Dewan Sivik using Google earth

Figure 4.8.2: Diagram showing a portion of roof system Figure 4.8.3: Ceiling at the Lobby

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CONCLUSION Overall, Petaling Jaya Civic Centre is a magnificent building that is constructed to be a focal point within the local community. The PJCC is able to accomplish an architectural image that communicates its components, fortitude, and an expression of downright honesty regarding the raw concrete materials. The building also manages to incorporate local architecture with Brutalism representations and being individualistic from the Western Brutalist buildings. PJCC’s significance coincides with our nation’s progress into the future, especially Petaling Jaya where it is built as an important landmark. Lastly, the PJCC should be well-maintained and have its architectural history preserved to ensure the future generation to have the opportunity to visit such historical building.

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Nielson, K.J., (2007). Interior Textiles: Fabrics, Application, and Historic Style. 1st ed. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.

Sennott , R.S., (2004). Encyclopedia of 20th-Century Architecture. 1st ed. New York: Taylor & Francis Group.

TAY,T. Y. (2008). CIVIC CENTRE. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.malaysia-today.net/civic-centre/. [Last Accessed 11 November 2014].

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ATTACHMENT