Re-cluse to the Back

“Reviving Social Cohesion for the Rag-and-Bone”

“Recluse”, associated with being shunned and left out, formulates the design concept. Within the urban and cultural landscape of Little India, social inequality prevalent with the rag-and-bone on the streets. A quiet place in the back alley thus forms a place for this group of people to freely roam around and seek refuge. Alluding to the back alley, the design will serve as a platform to facilitate encounters between the rag-and-bone and regular street-goers, allowing the former to be no longer isolated. With the potential for adaptability, the design serves to host unplanned activities besides a cafe and residence, presenting an opportunity for the rag-andbone to be part of the community.

As a secluded area, the alley became a place for the rag-and-bone to gather and seek refuge, allowing for various unplanned activities to take place. The alley also became a place for discarded objects to accummulate over time.

CREATING SOCIAL INCLUSION

PROGRAMMED SPACES

A community market at the back alley for the rag-andbone to sell second hand products, similar to the Sungei Community Thieves Market.

UNPROGRAMMED SPACES

Sheltered spots for the rag-andbone to seek respite.

Safe spaces for the rag-and-bone and streetgoers to freely roam around and be themselves.

ASSEMBLAGE: FORMATION OF A NEW WHOLE

Inspired by the perceived casual arrangement of discarded objects in the back alley, the rationale behind this assembly establishes the design principles. By reconstructing and uniting fragmented components, this reflects the act of bringing the rag-and-bone to form a new community with the others.