Muar Site Analysis by yungkeat74

MUAR, JOHOR

Site 1 The site is located at Jalan Maharani, a major road in Bandar Maharani, a royal town in Muar, Johor. Seated at the fork of the junction, along with rows of traditional shophouses, opposite to Bentayan Bus Terminal with a pedestrian bridge linked to the site.

Presented by Crystal Chia Fye Jzng Kalvin Bong Jia Ying Kennett Lim Roong Xiang Khoo Yung Keat Rudy Irawan Tang Ying Jien Wong Cho Mun Wong Lieng Kam Yee Mae Yuen

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0323964 0327822 0325031 0324688 0328658 0322357 0322723 0323566 0328561

Site Analysis (PLACEMAKING)

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Chinese GENERATING A COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

1850s The Sultan and Temenggong introduced Kangchu system and actively encouraged the Chinese leaders to set up new gambier and pepper plantations along Muar river. Large sum of Chinese immigrants was brought into these plantations to work as agricultural settlers and labourers. As a result, spice trade grows in popularity and attracts traders from India.

Legend Settlement

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+ Indian

Chinese GENERATING A COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

1880s Influx of Chinese settlers results in the demand of basic amenities which eventually forms the development of Bandar Maharani as administrative and trading hub to serve the growing population. The establishment of ferry services across the river and the railway links the suburbs to town brings in the Malay â&#x20AC;&#x201C; majority community in search of better opportunities.

Legend Establishment Ferry Services

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+ Indian

+ Malay

Chinese GENERATING A COLLECTIVE IDENTITY

1967 Sultan Ismail Bridge was built to allow access from the North, bringing people across the river to town which eventually formulates a balanced ratio of Malay and Chinese populations, with a small percentage of Indian population. Despite their differences, they are proud to be collectively identified as Muarians.

+ Indian

+ Malay

= Muarian Legend Sultan Ismail Bridge

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SHIFT IN LIFESTYLE

Past Formerly, Muariansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lifestyle depicts each street with a distinctive character annotating the first and second street, Jalan Maharani and Jalan Abdullah as a commercial district, due to its strategic location facing the waterfront and near to the bridge directing the traffic into these two streets. The third and fourth street, Jalan Meriam and Jalan Ali, are more towards the leisure setting whereby mostly cinemas and food make up the street. The last couple streets, Jalan Daud and Jalan Arab was a residential district.

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SHIFT IN LIFESTYLE

Present Following the economic trend and rise in machinery production, Muariansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; life has turned into a reformed commercial business district. A large portion of traditional business and leisure business has adapted with the people needs in services and products. This as a result formulates the unified commercial district. With this in mind, locations of businesses are mixed, with certain traditional businesses thriving in a scattered manner throughout the town of Muar.

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DECLINE IN TRADITIONAL TRADES & CULTURES

Traditional Trades (22.8%) Despite the shift in lifestyle, there are prevailing inherited businesses which thrive within todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s modern commercial market, such as dried seafood produce, old optical store, traditional Chinese medicine, clothing store, gold pawn, etc. However, several of these traditional trades are placed out of business due to technological advancement, such as the traditional mee suah business along Jalan Abdullah.

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DECLINE IN TRADITIONAL TRADES & CULTURES

Commercial Trades (59.5%) The shift in economy during 21st century has pushed many family businesses to an end, thus making their lots open for lease. Modern offices and commercial businesses, such as telecommunication services, cafĂŠs, hardware suppliers, convenience stores, etc, have made their way into Muar to gradually replace the traditional trades.

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DECLINE IN TRADITIONAL TRADES & CULTURES

Vacant (17.7%) It was observed that some of the traditional trades could not cope with the impending economy trend which results into them either being abandoned or open for lease. M A C R O

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DECLINE IN TRADITIONAL TRADES & CULTURES

Decline in Traditional Trades & Cultures Traditional businesses are not flourishing as it used to be. Its identity (inheritance in traditions) is fading away, which induces a loss in each districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character.

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RE-ESTABLISHING NODE

Cultural Fragments As a result of the change in land-use and district, the cultural activities are scattered within the confines of Muar. Despite the decline of cultures and traditions, the government persists into establishing these separated nodes due to its cultural significance as an effort to revitalize the town: -

Muar Yi Culture & Travel Info Centre Muar Cultural Walk (Street Art Murals) Food Street at Jalan Haji Abu Uptown Maharani CafĂŠ 434 World Champion Lion Dance Landmark Bentayan Food Court Muarar 99 Hotel Rabbit Home Restaurant

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RE-ESTABLISHING NODE

Sustenance Through A Common Node Before each of these cultures cease to exist, reestablishing a new node / hub (cultural and innovation centre) with complementing programmes could be a better solution to sustain the cultures of Muar as an entity, meanwhile serving other purposes benefiting the town, eg: platform for cultural exchange, a place for the Muarians and tourists to meet and linger around, etc.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

By PHL Architects Previously an old cinema with little to no business, PHL Architects took up the challenge to refurbish through adaptive reuse and reprogram it into the cultural centre today which serves as a platform to officially showcase the diversified cultures of Singkawang.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

Diversified Cultural Background The diverse populations of Singkawang are formed by mostly Tionghoa, Dayak and Melayu that live together for many generations which results in diversified cultures. The site is surrounded by a series of scattering cultural nodes which are still thrive individually and frequented by locals and tourists: - Pasar Hong Kong - Golden Dragon Monument - Vihara Tri Dharma Bumi Raya (Chap Goh Mei Festival) - Bangunan Cagar Budaya Marga Tjhia

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

Issue: Decline in Cultures & Traditions As more and more younger generation leave the town for better opportunities and lifestyle, the future of these inherited cultures and traditions is uncertain.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

Response: Imposing A Common Node The cultural centre aims to act as a common node to pull the younger generation together while serving as a hangout hotspot. The cultural programme also aims to instill awareness towards the diminishing cultures of Singkawang.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

PHL Architects find that the surrounding cultural nodes could be manipulated into opportunities for social magnet in the building by:

Complementing Cultural Nodes Chap Goh Mei is an annual festival that attracts tourists. The cultural centre is one of the stopping points in the parade which provides exposure of the festival to the tourists visiting the cultural centre.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

The traditional food market complements the food vendor along the street by providing them a sheltered space to carry on their business as Pasar Hong Kong and many other eatery nodes are mostly makeshift stalls.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

Strengthening Singkawang Cultural Programming

Through

The temporary exhibition area serves as a buffer space showing history and culture of Singkawang through displays and galleries for the locals and tourists.

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WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIA BY PHL ARCHITECTS

The pottery gallery and workshop serves to instill the traditional ways of pottery making - one of Singkawangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride.

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What is Muarianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ? What is the

of Muar?

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Eastern cultures are thought of as in that their way of life emphasizes and .â&#x20AC;?

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Mr. Yau, 48 FRAMEMAKER

SHARED IDENTITY AS CULTURE

- Mr. Yau, 48, Framemaker “I think what’s special about Muar is the people because we do not have any communication barrier, unlike people from KL.”

Mr. Jimmy Azmi, 43 CIVIL

– Mr. Jimmy Azmi, 43, Civil Engineer “Muarians of different races can work together, for example, in a Hainan kopitiam where the Chinese serve drinks while the Malay vendors sell Halal food such as satay.”

– Ms. Chen Ting, 23, Young Entrepreneur “During Malay weddings, you will be surprised that the Chinese are helping out to prepare food.”

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Chen Ting, 23 YOUNG

ENTREPRENEUR

ENGINEER

SHARED IDENTITY AS CULTURE

Cultural Celebrations Through the interviews, the sharing culture is deeply rooted into the hearts of Muarians. For instance, during cultural parade such as Nine Emperor Gods Festival, the Malays are seen performing their kompang while the Indians perform beats with their urumi melam.

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SHARED IDENTITY AS CULTURE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tumpangâ&#x20AC;? Lifestyle True to its word, Muarians practice a tumpang lifestyle in both personal and economic aspect. They can be seen tumpang-ing half empty table in a restaurant without the need of asking. Similarly, Chinese vendors will share a part of their store for Malay vendors.

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SHARED IDENTITY AS CULTURE

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SHARED IDENTITY AS CULTURE

Design Consideration The collaborative culture between Muarians should be celebrated and maintained in the cultural and innovation center through proposed programme.

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SHARED TRADITION AS CULTURE

Food Besides its historical value, Muar is also known for its delicious local food. Tourists travelling from Johor Bahru up to North will usually stop by at Muar to enjoy coffee and satay as breakfast before continuing their journey. To name a few, otak-otak, oyster omelette and mi bandung are Muarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous local delights which can be enjoyed by all.

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SHARED TRADITION AS CULTURE

Food Besides its historical value, Muar is also known for its delicious local food. Tourists travelling from Johor Bahru up North will usually stop by at Muar to enjoy coffee and satay as breakfast before continuing their journey. To name a few, otak-otak, oyster omelette and mi bandung are Muar’s most famous local delights which can be enjoyed by all.

Culture Muar’s internationally known lion dance troupe KSK is Muarians’ pride due to their impressive records. In performing arts, Chinese opera still thrives within the Chinese clans during festivals. Ghazal and Zapin Dance are traditional artistic heritage of the Malays and are mostly performed in competitions or ceremonies in town.

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SHARED TRADITION AS CULTURE

Design Consideration Through multiple interviews, it can be seen that the performing arts scene in Muar is losing its essence among Muarians. Therefore, the cultural and innovation center could provide a platform to further raise awareness among the young generation. M A C R O

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SHARED HERITAGE AS CULTURE

Building Facade More than a century old shophouses reflect the Muarians and their way of life, forming a collective image of the city over time. Despite the variation of architectural styles depicted on the heritage buildings, it produces a harmonic and unified rhythm. Continuity of faรงade can be taken into consideration for the design of cultural and innovation center, or vice versa.

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SHARED HERITAGE AS CULTURE

Texture & Materiality The variety of texture and materiality contributes to the visual clutter and building language of the town along the years, which creates a distinctive character for the town as a whole. Its unique character on the urban fabric should be taken into account in the design of cultural and innovation center later.

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What is Muarianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s What is the

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? of Muar?

What is Muarian’s

What is the

M A C R O

of Muar?

Shared

(MUARIAN’S IDENTITY)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(OLD HERITAGE SHOPHOUSE)

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( P L A C E M A K I N G )

What is Muarian’s

What is the

of Muar?

Shared

(MUARIAN’S IDENTITY)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(OLD HERITAGE SHOPHOUSE)

is Muar

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TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

The cultures of Muar are similarly experienced between different social groups through inheritance and exposition. Based on the footprints of the public, we have identified their common routine and deduced their different level of engagement with the site.

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Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage Services

Aged Local > 60 y/o

Retail

The aged locals make up the majority of regular customers visiting the traditional businesses due to the sentimental value they have to the site.

Religious

Education Residential

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Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage Services

Locals (Student, Young & Working Adults) < 60 y/o The younger generation are constantly fixated on their final destination with no interest in the context along the journey. This reduces the opportunity of young generation to inherit the traditional businesses due to the lack of interest.

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Retail Religious

Education Residential

Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage Services

Tourist Tourists are in favour of mostly significant cultural nodes which are tourist-targeted and not frequented by locals. Consequently, there will be little to no interaction between tourists and locals.

Retail Religious

Education Residential

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Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage Services

Artisans Most of the artisans are old, but they are still continuing their traditional family inherited business. The lack of interest among younger generation sparks an uncertainty for the future of these businesses.

Retail Religious

Education Residential

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Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage Services

Street Vendors The food stalls dominating the food street have existed and built an essence on the place over time. However, they face the risk of being repositioned and driven out due to its temporal condition, which may result in the loss of food culture.

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Retail Religious

Education Residential

Legend TOWARDS EROSION OF THE OLD

Food & Beverage

Muar, A Pensionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Town These people make up Muar today. With mass majority of the aging population, it creates an image of a pensionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s town which does not suit the energetic lifestyle of the young generation. The slow-paced and laid-back ambience also attracts tourists to make Muar as a pit stop.

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Services

Retail Religious

Education Residential

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Site Analysis

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DEFINING BOUNDARIES

Circulation The edges are determined by two main circulation routes directing into town, with both in one-way direction: From other cities through Sultan Ismail Bridge;

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DEFINING BOUNDARIES

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DEFINING BOUNDARIES

Circulation The edges are determined by two main circulation routes directing into town, with both in one-way direction: From other cities through Sultan Ismail Bridge; From residential district through roundabout; All roads intersect and converge into Jalan Maharani. This results in two loops which circulates the site and defines the area of study.

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DEFINING BOUNDARIES

Permanent Barrier The retaining wall along Muar River directly stops people from accessing it, emphasizing the disconnection between land and river.

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DEFINING BOUNDARIES

Permanent Barrier The retaining wall along Muar River directly stops people from accessing it, emphasizing the disconnection between land and river.

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FROM BARRIER TO PERMEABLE BOUNDARY

Aside from the edges we define as the area of study, the site also sits within the common area whereby the two districts, residential and commercial meet.

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FROM BARRIER TO PERMEABLE BOUNDARY

Aside from the edges we define as the area of study, the site also sits within the common area whereby the two districts, residential and commercial meet.

Issue: Lack of Interconnectedness Despite the intersection, the social groups from these two districts â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the residents / locals and artisans, have seemingly isolated from each other. Thus, diminishing the social connection among themselves.

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FROM BARRIER TO PERMEABLE BOUNDARY

Aside from the edges we define as the area of study, the site also sits within the common area whereby the two districts, residential and commercial meet.

A Common Ground We see this as an opportunity for the cultural and innovation centre to bridge connection among both districts by formulating a meeting and sharing point which is derived from the common characteristics between these two social groups.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Ballet Memphis Cultural Dance Centre Ballet Memphis had outgrown its current space and wished to move to a thriving performance arts district in the heart of the city with a unique facility. The building opens up to the programme for Ballet Memphisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; professional company and classrooms for youth and community dance instruction. Ballet Memphis Cultural Dance Centre intention was to engage the public with its appealing programme: dance.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Background The site occupies a previous iteration of a runneddown hotel. This encourages negative influence of activities to take place in the hotel which threatens the public quality of the public realm; interaction among the immediate vicinity sees a little to none. Although, Memphis as a whole was sees culture in art, and music.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

The new site design inverts the original scheme. The building is designed to engage the public in movement, culture, and connection to the community. It houses rehearsal space for the professional company, a dance school for over 200 children, and community dance and pilates classes, also the largest rehearsal studio also doubles as a performance venue.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

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Design Consideration: A Cultural Centre For Public Rejuvenation It is studied whereby the notion was to adhere a captivating node which integrates cultures activity complementing with one another and thus creating a new trend of positive culture to interrelate with the growing commercial and the neighbourhood district.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Layering Opportunities Music plays an integral part as their cultural and history. through the ages, many known music stars originated here. The music culture reaches all the way to Tennessee as people continue this culture in music. The site was chosen to resonate that culture by innovating a new node which complements the prominent historical background of music in Memphis by injecting dancing as a programme. This proposed programme revitalize the site through its interdependence of music and dance. This in turn, acts as an opportunity for positive outdoor experience to enliven the district.

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Music

+ Art

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Music

+ Art

= Opportunity

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Attraction As Sustenance The influx of people to the cultural centre as a public space within the commercial district sees growth throughout the years, as several cafe, eatery, leisure programme are developed along the street. Thus, making the area of Ballet Memphis a developing cultural art district with the locals gather and meeting.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Architect Design Approach (plans)

Issue: Dilapidation as deterring scheme The siteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous scheme was a decaying hotel which inhibits the quality of the public realm along the junction and street of Madison Av. and N.Cooper Street. The scheme retains its spaces with solid walls with a poor function and facility. Thus, this results into creating a public realm that was neglected urban area.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Solution: The plan depicts the linear layout of civic-oriented programme which engages people from the street potentially converging paths to share a common public experience. Dance and architecture share a focus on movement, space and time. The motivation for the scheme to allow visual relation in and through the building as a form of dialogue among people. Celebrating these scheme, through this civic project, it enhances its growing district and the adjacent residential neighborhoods. â&#x20AC;&#x153;a wonderful, contemporary interpretation of the role art can play in our communityâ&#x20AC;?

Explanation: 1.The courtyard spaces offer seating opportunities for the community to engage with the school. M I C R O

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Explanation: 2. Linear spatial layout which complements the central programme of Dancing. M I C R O

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

3. Street level engagements which captures attention of passer-by with the glazing and perforated copper screen M I C R O

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Activating The Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge

Issue: A Neglected Junction The prevailing issue of a dilapidated hotel which interferes with the positive urban atmosphere where the hotel occasionally inhabits negative influences around the vicinity. Thus, this formulates restrictions of a safe realm for urban happenings, walking along the junction of the street.

Harmonizing Art Cultures: Music And Dance Forming a meaningful cultural node which compliments the relationship of the commercial and residential district by forming an inclusive space for civic-oriented facility in which engages the public and encourages them to gather, meet, and dance along the junction of the street of Madison Av. and N.Cooper Street.

How Does It Relates To Muar? This precedents depicts how an opportunity for a common ground could encourage the interrelation between people of Muar.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Activating The Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge

How Does It Relates To Muar? This precedents depicts how an opportunity for a common ground could encourage the interrelation between people of Muar.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, USA BY ARCHIMANIA

Activating The Districtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Edge

How Does It Relates To Muar? This precedents depicts how an opportunity for a common ground could encourage the interrelation between people of Muar.

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MEMORY OF SPACE

Aside from landmarks being served as a form of wayfinding, it is experienced through serial vision that these points also serve as memory of a place as the constant and distinctive visual relation among people and built form concords. The landmarks are identified according to the following factors:

Historical Significance Entering the town through Sultan Ismail bridge, one will be first welcomed by the Bandar Maharani archway which emphasizes the image of a royal town as a first impression. While exiting town, one will notice the Muar clock tower at the traffic junction before leaving through the Bandar Maharani archway. The strong start and end of visual experience leaves a strong perception of the site.

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MEMORY OF SPACE

Spontaneity The continuous visual experience along Jalan Maharani is suddenly interrupted by the overhead bridge, shifting the visual focus right onto the site.

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MEMORY OF SPACE

Design Consideration The cultural and innovative centre could be turned into a meaningful landmark in terms of usage, instead of just a structure for wayfinding.

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TRACES OF THE OLD

1511 The site used to be part of the last fort, Kubu Bentayan before it was destroyed during the fall of Malaccan Sultanate.

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TRACES OF THE OLD

1900s The Bentayan River next to the site was canalized to Muar River. Different typologies of shophouses were built on site which consists of mostly food, services and trading businesses.

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TRACES OF THE OLD

2015 The shophouses were demolished and the site was developed by MARA Agency into a food bazaar.

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TRACES OF THE OLD

Future ?

Design Consideration The design of the cultural and innovation centre could complement the site being historically valued, by composing its traces in the past through its form and function. The river has the potential to be beautified with proposed programme placed alongside the river.

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DESIGN PARAMETERS

Site Area 2365 sqm

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DESIGN PARAMETERS

Site Area 2365 sqm

Building Setback Front: 8.096 m (26.561’) Side: 6.096 m (20’)

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DESIGN PARAMETERS

Site Area 2365 sqm

Building Setback Front: 8.096 m (26.561’) Side: 6.096 m (20’)

Built-Up Area 60% or less of site area (free standing building)

M I C R O

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DESIGN PARAMETERS

Site Area 2365 sqm

Building Setback Front: 8.096 m (26.561’) Side: 6.096 m (20’)

Built-Up Area 60% or less of site area (free standing building)

Plot Ratio Maximum 5 floors

M I C R O

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DESIGN PARAMETERS

Site Area 2365 sqm

Building Setback Front: 8.096 m (26.561’) Side: 6.096 m (20’)

Built-Up Area 60% or less of site area (free standing building)

Plot Ratio Maximum 5 floors

Parking Requirement (In Accordance To Brief) 20 car parking lots 2 handicap car parking lots 2 service parking lots

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

To present a clearer perspective and essence of the site, we capture the following views:

To The Site The site is fronted by messy and untidy network cable which results in an eyesore towards the site.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

To present a clearer perspective and essence of the site, we capture the following views:

To The Site The site is fronted by messy and untidy network cable which results in an eyesore towards the site. The overhead bridge at Jalan Maharani causes distorted visual continuity of the building facade.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

To present a clearer perspective and essence of the site, we capture the following views:

Strategy: Visual Diversion The cultural and innovation centre should respond to these obstructed elements because a building facade view can be an advantage to attract people into the building through visual perception. For instance, positive outdoor space can be the formation of the view which diverts from the obstructed elements.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

From The Site The site opens its view towards the urban mess traffic congestion along both Jalan Maharani and Jalan Abdullah.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

From The Site The site opens its view towards the urban mess traffic congestion along both Jalan Maharani and Jalan Abdullah. The corner side of the site faces an unpleasant negative urban wall which comprises of rear facade of a shophouse row filled with services equipment units.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

Strategy: Visual Pleasure We see the adjacent negative urban wall as an opportunity to enhance visual pleasure from the building by beautifying the wall through murals.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

Through The Site Small potted Bougainvillea plants are placed at the edge of the site along Bentayan River which slightly contributes to a quality of space. However, there is still lack of greeneries overall on site.

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DIRECTING VISUAL OPPORTUNITY

Strategy: Integrating Sustainability More evergreen plants can be planted to not only improve the quality of space, but also act as an urban carpet to reduce heat built-up through providing shading.

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

Pedestrians can access the site through two main existing paths:

Five-Foot Walkway / Pedestrian Pavement (From Shophouses) The level of walkability of both the five-foot walkway and pedestrian pavement differs although they are next to each other. In the five-foot walkway, the extended function from the shophouses and different levels cause disruption to the public circulatory route, thus breaking the linear walking experience. Meanwhile the pedestrian pavement offers a continuous unshaded route.

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

Pedestrians can access the site through two main existing paths:

Pedestrian Bridge (From Bentayan Bus Terminal) The pedestrian bridge establishes a complete comfortable walking experience by bringing the exteriority of the street back to interior. However, it can be seen that people do not fully utilize the bridge because they prefer to travel shorter distance which is directly crossing the road.

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

Side & Back Alley (From Guan Yin Hall Temple) It is observed that the alleyways are less frequent in movement as proper connecting path is already established along the perimeter of the shophouses. Usually workers or shop owners will use it as it provides faster route with adequate shaded experience during the day. 0900am

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

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INTERGRATING WALKABILITY & CONNECTIVITY

Design Consideration We see the site as an opportunity into connectivity whereby the continuity of walking experience such as the shaded pathway or linking the bus terminal to the site, can be considered into the design later.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

8 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12 pm - The two eateries along the site, Cafe 434 and Chai Kee Kopitiam are observed to have increased intensity of people dining in these renowned places for breakfast. - Vehicles queue by the side of the Jalan Abdullah outside Chung Hwa Primary School during weekdays to drop-off their children. - The Chinese temples, Nan Hai Fei Lai and Guan Yin Hall, are observed to have high intensity of prayer activities among the locals. - Intensity increases along time as people head towards Bentayan Bus Terminal to depart away from Muar to other cities.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

12 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 pm - Bentayan Bus Terminal intervals in time.

remains

busy

- A temporal spontaneous node is created along Jalan Maharani in front of the Bentayan Bus Terminal as passengers are occasionally dropped off and picked up.

- Jalan Abdullah becomes active as students of Chung Hwa Primary School are picked up along this street. - Restoran Renneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Satay is a well-known eatery among the locals for its satay and Mi Bandung during meal time.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

Transient Nodes These major nodes are short term and fast paced, therefore reducing the chance of visitors to linger around the place.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

Transient Nodes These major nodes are short term and fast paced, therefore reducing the chance of visitors to linger around the place.

Issue: Lack of Pulling Effect The site is treated as an activity desired district, with little to no social interaction among people. Thus it results in the lack of public space as a common node to bridge the connection between different nodes.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

Transient Nodes These major nodes are short term and fast paced, therefore reducing the chance of visitors to linger around the place.

Opportunity: A Captivating Node We see this as an opportunity by injecting a common node that could introduce a sense of belonging among the people - a way to pull Muarians together. For example, the site could be a temporal catchment area for pick up and drop off of the opposite bus terminal users.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

5 pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 10 pm Intensity gradually decreases for Bentayan bus terminal as the bus schedule is less frequented towards the night. High Intensity of contact point at the hall of Chung Hwa Primary School during weekends where meditation is practiced among the aged locals.

Car park space turns into Pasar Medan Selera food bazaar as a night hotspot for eatery.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

5 pm – 10 pm Intensity gradually decreases for Bentayan bus terminal as the bus schedule is less frequented towards the night. High Intensity of contact point at the hall of Chung Hwa Primary School during weekends where meditation is practiced among the aged locals.

Car park space turns into Pasar Medan Selera food bazaar as a night hotspot for eatery.

“Tumpang” Nodes Muar’s “tumpang” culture is also reflected in the flexibility of its spatial usage. As it progresses throughout the day, the functional spaces transition into a positive outdoor space as well as a social interaction point at night.

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FORMULATING SOCIAL MAGNET

Car park space turns into Pasar Medan Selera food bazaar as a night hotspot for eatery.

Design Consideration The spaces designed within the cultural and innovation centre may cater for mixed use to reflect the “tumpeng” culture on site.

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FORMING VISUAL ENGAGEMENT

Traffic Intensity The main street of Jalan Maharani becomes congested most of the time as it is the only road converging traffic from all streets into the town, restricting vehicular circulation. Occasionally, the congestion becomes more intensified when pick up and drop off from the bus terminal are frequented.

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FORMING VISUAL ENGAGEMENT

Issue: Double Parking Although ample open car park spaces are provided along Jalan Maharani, the behaviour of people for convenience (shortcut) eventually contributes to double parking issues. This results into a minor blockage by the street which interrupt the traffic circulation.

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FORMING VISUAL ENGAGEMENT

Opportunity: Visual Engagement The traffic situation right in front of the site creates a forced deceleration point along the stretch of road. We see this as an opportunity to allow a sense of visual engagement with the drivers as an effort to draw attention to the cultural centre.

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FORMING VISUAL ENGAGEMENT

Strategy: Dissipating Traffic Concentration In order to dissipate the concentration of traffic along Jalan Maharani, it is suggested that the entry point into basement car park of the cultural center should be orientated towards the main road. However, the exit point is facing Jalan Abdullah to ease the one-way exit pattern of the site.

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Legend INTERDEPENDENCE BY PROGRAMME

The specific user groups which can potentially be directed into the cultural centre are identified from the neighbouring nodes through their activities:

Students Mostly primary school students nearby coming from tuition centre and Chung Hwa Primary School. Students are limited to cultural education in their classroom, but could be expanded by providing a platform for real life cultural experience.

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Education

Legend INTERDEPENDENCE BY PROGRAMME

Food & Beverage Services

Transit Passengers Retail People waiting for transit across the bus terminal could be targeted to spend their waiting time at the site with informal self-learning programme, eg: cultural gallery to raise cultural awareness among the public.

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Legend INTERDEPENDENCE BY PROGRAMME

Food & Beverage Services

Aged Artisans Retail The segregation of traditional trades around the site decreases the chances of people noticing their presence. The cultural centre could complement their businesses by raising their exposure through collaborative programme like the marketplace.

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Religious

Legend INTERDEPENDENCE BY PROGRAMME

Food & Beverage Services

Local Residents Retail Locals which compose the largest percentage of immediate consumers on site - they only run errands with little concern on its neighbouring context. The cultural centre can act as a buffer space that complements their routine, eg: a platform for cultural exchange that could potentially reach out the content of the site to the locals.

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Religious

Legend INTERDEPENDENCE BY PROGRAMME

Food & Beverage Services

Regeneration Through Innovation Retail The direction of the cultural and innovation centre should be a holistic sustainable approach of innovation - both programme and social, in harmony with the current cultural values on site.

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Religious Education

Will innovation ? Or ?

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A N A L Y S I S

( P L A C E M A K I N G )

MUAR ART GALLERY

Initiated by a local furniture company, the Art Space aims to instill art and culture into the hearts of Muarians through innovating interactive programme which is an extent from furniture making industry.

Muar: The Furniture Capital of Malaysia During 2018, Muar is officially listed as the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top furniture hub that accounts almost 50% of Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s furniture export. The government has taken initiatives to industrialized the sector into a Muar Furniture Park.

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MUAR ART GALLERY

Issue: Isolated From Muarians Despite its renowned name for a furniture hub, the Muarians feel distant from it as it is not being acknowledged among the people due to its main export to other cities but Muar.

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MUAR ART GALLERY

Response: Engaging Through Innovation The Art Space wishes to further extend the knowledge of timber furniture making from industrial purposes to a more appealing interactive way for the locals to engage with, which include wood workshop and boardgame. Through these programmes, the locals are able to innovate their own small stationery or products from the recycled rubber tree wood.

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MUAR ART GALLERY

Successful Outcome? Based on our observations on site, it is seen that people of different age groups from the surrounding residential district come together and involve themselves in both innovative programme which is complemented by a cafe as part of Muar Art Gallery.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;The best innovations are about not inventions.â&#x20AC;?

Conclusion

S I T E

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Sharing is Muar

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Memory of Space

Scale & Proportion

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Memory of Space

Scale & Proportion

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness “Tumpang” Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Memory of Space

Scale & Proportion

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Opportunity of Innovation (Relevance)

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tumpangâ&#x20AC;? Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Memory of Space

Scale & Proportion

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits Complementing Each Other

S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Opportunity of Innovation (Relevance)

Sharing is Muar

Collective & Interdependent Identity

Tradition

Heritage

(PEOPLE)

(TRADES, FOOD & CULTURE)

(BUILT FORM)

Interconnectedness â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tumpangâ&#x20AC;? Culture

Collaborative Culture (Programme)

Memory of Space

Scale & Proportion

Spatial Flexibility (Spatial)

Shared Benefits Complementing Each Other Cultural Innovation Centre S I T E

A N A L Y S I S

Opportunity of Innovation (Relevance)

Q & A Session

S I T E

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