REPRESENTING PLACECONSTRUCTED LANDSCAPE

Gehab BabukairIqbal ZakriLau Hau JyeLim Cheng HongMohsen AlthawyWong Wei Hun

1.0 Introduction

The considerations regarding urban regeneration are aconstant topic within the architectural industry. Eachcity is unique to its culture and urban developmentstrategies. The design of cultural centers that range inprogram, function and attraction have been a keystone inredeveloping the cultural impact of cities. The “BilbaoEffect” is still cited as proof that architecture has thecapacity to revitalize cities centers and elevate theirstatus in global design with these architecturaltrophies. The “Bilbao Effect” refers to the trend ofcities and developers employing landmark architecture tohelp attract tourism and the economic development thatcomes with it.

Since then, this phenomena has been followed byarchitects, designers, and cultural critics noting howarchitecture and the thoughtful design of culturalcenters can contribute to the revitalization of in anatmosphere where cities have lost much of the industrythat once made them prosporous. That being said, being adesign city takes more than just a trophy building ortwo. Careful considerations have to be made to preventourselves from making grand projects which might becomewhite elephants as fashion changes.

In that sense, culture is highly a reflection of itssurrounding community where at times the Bilbao effectdoes not work. Therefore it is important to understandand incorporate the activities and interest of its peopleas part of the culture its trying to represent. Theissue, which is occuring within Kuala Lumpur, is the lackof public spaces which can help revitalize the city wherepeople of all income groups, social classes and ages canlive safely, happily and in economic security.

Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center (KLPAC) has beenoperating since 2004 and has become one of the mostestablished centres for performing arts in Malaysia. Trueas it may be, the appreciation for cultural andperforming arts among Malaysian has not been on par to

what KLPAC has to offer. There is a vast unused land andsponsors are slowly pulling out their funding for theprogram.

1.1Objectives

For any culture to perservere, it requiresinput from the community. This research is aimed atunderstanding the importance of public space andimplementing them within the urban fabric context.

What defines a character of the city is itspublic spaces, not its private spaces. It isthrough these public spaces that culture can takeplace and develop into an asset or identity for acity, as well as for any community to functionproperly, these public spaces are essential incultivating interaction and a sense of ownershipwithin a city.

Urbanization is the definitive reality of the21st century and it is occurring most rapidly inplaces with the greatest lack of urban planning. Itis through functional public spaces will we be ableto develop the culture of the city.

1.2Hypothesis

The idea is to incorporate a public spacewithin KLPAC to create awareness and exposure ofcontemporary arts within the community.Subsequently, this intends to bridge the gapbetween all income groups, social class and age,as performing arts are usually deemed ratherexclusive for the upper class citizens.

Due to its position next to a railway station,the public space intends to act as a circulation

path penetrating through KLPAC, connecting thecommerce as well as residential district withinthe vicinity, allowing more oppurtunities forinteraction within the space.

A marketplace is added as a secondary programto complement KLPAC as a cultural district,allowing interaction between the local communityand visitors. A collaboration with local artistsintend to create artworks to be installed alongthe public space, functioning as street furnituresto promote recreational activities, encouragingpeople to experience artistic and cultural valueswithin everyday life.

1.3Methodology

Site analysis is done to investigate thecirculation and feasibility of the project withinthe site in order for the space to function asproposed. Commerce as well as recreationalactivities within the community is researched toensure the new public space compliments theexisting activities surrounding it whiledetermining the oppurtunities as well as weaknesswithin the site and its surroundings.

Case studies are done to understand thesuccesfulness of public spaces as a cultural hubwithin a city as well as methods and ideas on howactivities and interaction can be cultivated withinan urban context.

A research is done to understand more thecultural and heritage of Kuala Lumpur to beincorporated into the design while maintaining itsidentity, blurring the line between contemporaryand tradition. The research will be conductedthrough questionaires, surveys as well asinformation gathered from the Internet.

1.4Data Collection and Analysis

The data collection was done with severalinterview sessions with the local communitycurrounding KLPAC. The questions were aimed tounderstand the issues the community face within thearea as well as their involvement and exposuretowards the activities within KLPAC.

1.4.1 Questionaire

1. What are the issues the community isfacing?

2. Opinions regarding KLPAC.

3. Suggestions on how the area can beimproved.

4. Have you been to KLPAC to attend anyperforming arts?

5. How much exposure does the community haveregarding performing arts?

2.0 Literature Review2.1 Current Senarios

Many arts organizations are discovering that wherepeople choose to attend arts and cultural events canbe crucial to developing effective strategies forreaching broader and more diverse audiences. Aresearch done by the Wallace Reader’s Digest Funds’Community Partnerships for Cultural Participation(CPCP) initiative finds that more people attend artsand cultural events in community venues such as openair spaces, schools, and places of worship than inconventional arts venues, such as concert halls,theaters, museums, and art galleries. Althoughaudiences for events held in both types of venuesoverlap, about one-fourth of the people whoparticipate in arts and culture do so only incommunity venues.

Looking from this research, KLPAC has a hugepotential in spreading awareness regarding the artsand performing arts scene to a wider audience byallowing KLPAC into a more public accessed building,which acts as a community venue. This is alsoessential for its surrounding community, asuncontrolled development has caused the community tofind it hard to gather at places for communalpurposes.

One of the prevailing topics within thearchitecture community is the identity of Kuala Lumpuritself. By merging and bridging the gap betweencommunity and cultural arts, the locals caneffectively be encouraged to get involved in thecultural aspects of reinterpreting a certain city.

2.2 Art and Cultural Influence in Malaysia

According to Malaysia Arts and CultureDepartment, Malaysia is formed by multi-ethnic andmulticultural make up in which people with differentcountries of origin, religions and race live in oneharmonious and peaceful society. Without any doubt,

this unique kind of form has greatly influenced thecontemporary arts and culture in Malaysia. In fact,music, art, crafts and dance in Malaysia has driven bythe eclectic culture of this country.

2.2.1 Music and Dance

Malaysian music is undoubtly influenced byChinese and Islamic forms. Based largely on theendang, a drum, it also includes percussioninstruments made of shells such as flutes, trumpetsand gongs. A touch of neighboring Indonesian andThai forms , as well as Portuguese and Filipinostyles can also be detected. A strong tradition ofdance and dance dramas of Thai, Indian andPortuguese origins can also be witnessed. The zapinmusic and dance derived from Arabia is quitepopular in Malaysia, accompanied by gambus anddrums.

2.2.2 Festivals

Figure 2.2.1.0.2 Chinese Drum

Figure 1.0.1 Batik Figure 1.0.2 Lion Dance

Figure 1.0.3 Traditional Indian Dance

Figure 2.2.1.0.3 Gambus

Figure 2.2.1.0.1 Zapin

Malaysia vibrating with life and energycelebrates its incredible diversity in a world offestivals and feasts. Some of the famous festivalsof the Malaysian people are:

Thaipusam: is celebrated by the Hindus and some Chinese to mark the victory of Lord Murugan over the demons symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Moon Cake Festival: which falls on the 15 th day ofthe 8 th moon of the Chinese lunar calendar markingthe overthrow of the rule of the Mongol in China.

Hungry Ghosts: is celebrated during the 7th month of the Chinese lunar calendar is a famous month long carnival where the Chinese believe that the souls of the dead are released to roam around.

2.2.3 Contemporary Art in Malaysia

Although Western influence has brought a bigimpact in contemporary design field, but thetraditional art and culture in Malaysia had alsoput a greatly influence on the contemporary art inMalaysia. All these factors have punched andcreated a strong foundation for young localcontemporary artists to explore the possibilitiesin designing. All these influence can be seen inthe current fashion design, architecture, productdesign, art and crafts, music and dance.

Fashion Design

Figure 2.2.2.0.2 Hungry Ghost FestivalFigure 2.2.2.0.1

ThaipusamFigure 2.2.2.0.3 MoonCake Festival

Batik inspired designs.

Architecture

Modern design derived from Traditional Malay House

Product Design

Art and Crafts

Art and Crafts

Figure: 2.2.3.0.4 Traditional Malay House

Figure: 2.2.3.0.2 Batik Design Sketches

Figure: 2.2.3.0.4 Modern Design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.6 Modern Design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.3 Batik Design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.7 Modern furniture design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.5 Modern Design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.8 Modern design

Figure: 2.2.3.0.1 BatikDesign

Music and Dance

2.3 Precedent Studies

Precedent 1

Figure: 2.2.3.0.9 Art and crafts

Figure: 2.2.3.0.12 Dance

Figure: 2.2.3.0.13 Dance

Figure: 2.2.3.0.10 Batik Inspired Painting

Figure: 2.2.3.0.11 Batik Inspired Painting

Figure: 2.2.3.0.14 Traditional Music Instruments

Superkilen by (Topotek 1 + BIG + Superflex) in

Copenhagen, Denmark.Superkilen is a half a mile long urban space

wedging through one of the most ethnically diverse andsocially challenged neighborhoods in Denmark. It hasone overarching idea that it is conceived as a giantexhibition of urban best practice, a sort ofcollection of global found objects that come from 60different nationalities of the people inhabiting thearea surrounding it.

To create better and more transparentinfrastructure throughout the neighborhood, thecurrent bike paths will be reorganized, new

connections linking to the surrounding neighborhoodsare created.

The activities of the Green Park with its softhills and surfaces appeals to children, young peopleand families. A green landscape and a playground wherefamilies with children can meet for picnics,sunbathing and breaks in the grass, but also hockeytournaments, badminton games and workout between thehills.

Precedent 2Tian Zi Fang in Shanghai, China

Tian Zi Fang is a slump community in Shanghai. Itwas only after an artist idea to exhibit his work in

one of the abandoned factory that somewhat started torevitalize the area into a tourist attraction.

Initially, the Chinese government wanted todemolish the area to be made into a more developedcommunity. However, the community started to getinvolved in the maintenance of the area itself byproviding essential infrastructure as well asnecessity for the community as well as tourist, whichevantually made the Chinese government not demolish itin the end.

This precedent study shows the importance ofcommunity in the development of a city as well as itscultural impact on a certain place. Only then can thecommunity live as well as work within the area.

3.0 Research Findings

3.1 Questionaires and Interviews

Through interviews and questionaires we managedto acquire several issues regarding KLPAC as wellas its surrounding community. Traffic congestion isone of the main issues. Access towards KLPAC is notwelcoming enough. There are many uncontrolleddevelopment surrounding KLPAC causing ineffectiveinfrastructure as well as traffic circulation.

Most of the surrounding community felt like theplace is underused. In fact, most of them have notbeen into KLPAC before suggesting that KLPAC give avery exclusive impression.

Through interviews, the surrounding communitieswould prefer if the place were more open to public.A majority of them would prefer if the park couldbe used for recreational activities while otherswould prefer communal activities such asmarketplace, foodstalls as well as a communityhall.

3.2 Conclusion

KLPAC has a high potential to be used more efficiently as a public space for the benefit of its surrounding community. Situated in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the area can serve as a cultural hub within the city.

The lack of exposure within the community regarding KLPAC’s activities is an issue that has to be addressed. Without the community, the program will not flourish and therefore slowly dimish in terms of its function.

With an open public space, community can gatherwithin the space and interact among each other of different user groups, increasing the activities

within the area for a wider exposure towards the performing arts.

4.0 Site Analysis

CommercialEducational andReligiousInstitution

Traffic

Residential

HSite Plan

Location : Jalan Strachan Sentul, 51100 Kuala Lumpur,Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur

KLPAC is mostly surrounded by residential as well ascommercial development. Development is quite dense aroundthe area and it is not well organised. Traffic congestionis quite a concern within the area.

KLPAC has much strength as well, especially itsheritage building which is very strong culturally. It issurrounded by lots of vegetation, which Kuala Lumpurlacks. The location of KLPAC at the heart of Kuala Lumpurprovides plenty of opportunity for a successful program.

5.0 Design Scheme

6.0 Bilblography

-, -. (-, - -). Music and dance. Retrieved from http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/musicdance.html

-, -. (2013, MARCH 19). Arts and culture. Retrieved from http://www.timeoutkl.com/101-things-to-do-in-kl/articles/arts-and-culture

Gardner,P, Teaching and Learning in Multicultural Classroom,David Fulton Publisher,2001, introduction page.

Clarke, R. The Meaning of Artistic Tradition In A Multicultural Society, Journal of Art and Design Education, Vol 8/ no 3, 1996 p. 171