2. CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 ABSTRACT
1.2 PROJECT INTRODUCTION
1.3 AIM & OBJECTIVE
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION & CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.1 SITE INTRODUCTION
2.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
2.3 SITE ISSUE
2.4 URBAN STUDIES
2.5 MACRO SITE ANALYSIS
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESIGN INTENTION STRATEGIES
3.1 MICRO SITE ANALYSIS
3.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES
3.3 DESIGN INTENTION, DESIGN DEVELOPMENT & MASSING STRATEGIES
3.4 SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES
4.2 SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPT (MATERIALS)
4.3 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
5.0 FINAL DESIGN
3. 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 ABSTRACT
Creating architecture with the intention to connect people and accentuate a sense of
community in my opinion has much more meaning rather than having a very good aesthetics
with no story behind it. The idea of bridging a particular design with the context becomes a
personal goal in order to reach the intention of connection.
With that being said, this particular studio focuses on the theme of sustaining humanities
through the existence of a collaborative workspace. The goal of sustaining humanities covers a
wide array of aspects such as the technological, environmental as well as the cultural context
all in one building which results in a social impact that benefits the community of that
particular place.
The design project also deals with existing urban issues as a form of site response which stems
from our site analysis, which becomes the first stepping stone for the workspace design.
Through proposals with multiple strategies, along with several reworks to the design it results
in a final outcome that responds to the issues as well as introducing several innovations that
carves the path to a better urban landscape.
1.2 PROJECT INTRODUCTION
This project intends to develop a creative collaborative workspace within the heart of Chow Kit
as part of the client’s aim to introduce a creative workforce within a hectic and typical city
worklife. As the buildings on site has a formal and intimidating typology, it lacks the sense of
community and leisure aspect. This collaborative workspace aims to create a balance work and
live component by introducing unconventional but functional spaces for users to work in.
To bring a sense of community and more leisure activities within the site, the programs and
function of the collaborative workspace would be more towards creating a community within
the building by having a mixture of users from entrepreneurs to designers. Fun and
multipurpose spaces will not only increase communication between users but also makes them
feel more welcomed. Spaces such as galleries are not usual in a typical collaborative space, but
this provides a space for users to display and share ideas among each other. Thus, increasing
the connectivity among themselves.
1.3 AIMS & OBJECTIVES
The aim of this project is to connect the gap between people of various skills and experiences
in the creative field and the community of Chow Kit. Its objective is to improve on the
engagement of the community within the site by having a public realm where the people can
use. It also is a hub where the creative workers can connect by having collaborations with one
another as well as the community. It nurtures the discipline of work in comfortable and livable
spaces. Therefore, it hopes to balance the “WORK+LIVE” component.
The building acts as a venue for fashion and design related exhibitions, activities and programs
as the main targeted users are from the creative field. Thus, the third component “CREATE” is
added. Green pockets are introduced in the building for a fresher working environment and as
the main green space in the site.
WORK
COWORK
LIVE
CREATE
4. 2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION & CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.1 SITE INTRODUCTION
The site is located in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur. It is currently a private owned land which
provides parking services to anyone. Surrounding the site are high rise office buildings, hotel,
busy city road intersection and a sky bridge.
SITE PHOTOS
HIGH RISE
HOTEL
SITE
PARKING
SKY BRIDGE
6. URBAN MORPHOLOGY 1980
1980s
Even during the 90s, Chow Kit has already
been known for being a dense city. A few
free-standing buildings have begun to
emerge to cater for the growing city.
2000s
Modern development rates have rapidly
increased as commercial becomes a focus
on site.
2018 (PRESENT)
The domination of new development and
modernisation leaning towards corporate
purposes, resulting in the lack of community
life.
TIMELINE
past to present of Chow Kit
PAST PRESENT
7. 2.3 SITE ISSUES
● Repetitive building type
● Scale & proportion of building is intimating, not accommodating
● Lack of greeneries around macro site
● Lack of leisure activity areas around site context
● Segregation of society on site; fast paced community & laid back living
2.4 URBAN STUDIES
PRECINCT
● 3 main precincts around the site which is the Chow Kit Precinct, Kampung Bharu
Precinct and River of Life Precinct.
SITE
8. 2.4 URBAN STUDIES
DISTRICT & BUILDING TYPE
● There are 3 districts surrounding the site which are the commercial, educational and corporate districts.
● As seen, the commercial districts are more on the east side of the site which comprises of traditional shophouse terraces. Most of free standing buildings surrounding the site are corporate
buildings and on the west side of the site is the educational district that consists of two schools.
9. 2.5 MACRO SITE ANALYSIS
USER GROUPS
On site, there are four main user groups that can be categorized where the main user group on
site are the white collars followed by blue collars, students and visitors. The white collars are
concentrated more on the corporate district where the blue collars are on the commercial
districts. Students and visitors both can be found in small clusters around site.
TIME ANALYSIS
In the morning, the density of people coming into the site is moderate as the white collars
come in for work in their respective offices and some of the stall owners also open their stalls.
Traffic congestion is quite high on the main junction due to cars passing by to reach respective
destinations and to parking lots.
10. 2.5 MACRO SITE ANALYSIS
TIME ANALYSIS
At this peak hour, there are more people on site as the working people as well as those around
the site walk around to find places for lunch. The vendors and food stalls are also packed due
to lunch hours. Traffic congestion is higher than in the morning as some people drive out for
lunch and some are parents picking up their kids from school.
TIME ANALYSIS
At night, the density of people around the site decreases as people retire back to their homes.
The ones that are left wondering around are the homeless around the sky bridge area. Traffic is
low at night as there are no activities. Shops also closes around this time.
11. 3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESIGN INTENTION STRATEGIES
3.1 MICRO SITE ANALYSIS
Strengths
● Easily accessed by both vehicles and pedestrians
● Close proximity to public transports
Weaknesses
● Blocked views from nearby buildings and pedestrian bridge
● Heavy vehicular traffic during peak hours
● Vacant buildings are present around site creates a hollow feel in site
Opportunities
● The pedestrian bridge at close proximity to the site allows those who use it to immediately see the
building
● Cultural activities arounds the site can be brought in to enhance the user experience on the ground
floor level
● Multiple entrances and exits in design is possible due to the way the site is currently utilised
Threats
● Scale of nearby building and pedestrian bridge causes visual obstruction
● Bad drainage at the back of the site may cause bad odor to enter building
12. 3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESIGN INTENTION STRATEGIES
3.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES
UNCOMMON, FULHAM
Location : 126 New King's Rd Fulham, London
The inspiration of the collaborative workspace is taken from Uncommon in the sense of space
planning, creative spaces and also implementation of green into the workspaces. Curtain walls
as exterior wall creates a sense of privacy to the workspaces but also allows views from either
side which is incorporated into the workspace also. Having huge openings also allows the
spaces to be combined into another use space. The interior look of the workspace is also
inspired from Uncommon by having greens not only on the outside but also inside. This creates
a different feeling while working. It gives some sort of freedom and freshness to the
environment.
FASHION FARM FOUNDATION
Location : Unit A, 9/F, D2 Place, 9 Cheung Yee Street, Lai Chi Kok, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
As for this precedent, mainly it is taken for its unique program that is more into the fashion
industry. Spaces such as retail and gallery are present in the coworking space as public spaces
which attracts people in. Workshops that are dedicated to the fashion designers are also taken
from precedent. This allows the users to comfortably utilise the space provided.
14. 3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESIGN INTENTION STRATEGIES
3.4 SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
LAYOUT
● The building is arranged in a clustered manner and placed on each floor depending on
the intended groups of users for each space
LANDSCAPE
● The project is designed with the landscape as well as integrating nature into the design
as part of the response of the site where the presence of vegetation is lacking in the face
of the concrete jungle that the site mostly is.
CIRCULATION
● The circulation of the collaborative workspace is fairly straightforward to ease
movement for both normal and handicapped users. The building itself will have
subtraction of spaces as the user goes up the building as a sign on increased privacy as
one ascends to accentuate the intention of a working space.
PUBLIC SPACES
● The main plaza, reception, lobby, gallery, food and beverages, and chilling spaces are
located at the ground floor.
● These public spaces are mostly located at the ground floor to create a space that is
accessible for all.
CREATIVE & MIXED USE SPACES
● Spaces such as mini library, cafes, shared workspaces, workshops, brainstorm room and
audiovisual room are located on the upper floors where the work component of the
collaborative workspace takes place.
● Some of the space provided when combined can be multi-use. (eg : workshop &
brainstorm room). Moveable furnitures are also incorporated in the shared workspaces
for a creative work station.
GREEN SPACES
● Pockets of green spaces are provided in the building to create a refreshing workspace
and also counter the lack of greeneries on site.
● On the ground floor, a main plaza and other green spaces are present. Spaces on the
upper levels in the building can also connect with the green element incorporated by
having views and green spaces in between.
15. 3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND & DESIGN INTENTION STRATEGIES
3.4 SPATIAL PROGRAMMING-LIST OF SPACE
16. COURTYARD & PLAZA
Provides spaces with cooling and fresh air.
Creates stack ventilation in courtyard and
featured staircase. Helps to cool spaces.
Stack Ventilation
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES
PARAMETER GREENERIES
Landscaping are added as a response to the
lack of greeneries around the site context.
This allows the building to tap into the natural
landscape that is lacking. Besides, this also
helps to cool down the building while giving
the surrounding buildings pleasant view.
GREEN ROOF
Green roof is incorporated into the building to
cool down further the temperature of the
interior spaces. Having a green roof also
allows users to relax and conduct social
activities on the rooftop.
17. GREEN ROOF
● Cools building
● Improve stormwater management by reducing runoff
● Reduce noise & air pollution
● Increase biodiversity
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.2 SUSTAINABILITY CONCEPT (MATERIALS)
CURTAIN WALL
● Allows natural light into building making spaces brighter and less depressing
● Creates a sense of privacy while also allowing views from both sides
LIGHT COLOURED CONCRETE WALL
● Reflects light and heat
● Cools building
18. 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.3 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
BASEMENT DETAIL STAIRCASE DETAIL
