Community Service Initiative (C.S.I)
In School of Architecture, Building and Design, CSI will continue the traditional teaching and learning method in Architectures, that is learning by integrating theories with design practice. We are required to incorporate the theory they have learned at school into real life environment and problems. The community-based services in CSI module for SABD are to expose students to the real community living in the real life situation. We are to work together as a team for architectural, culture and environmental enhancing activities in the communities of different socio-economic status and social groups.
Our group has chosen Pangsapuri Seri Berembang Flat to design a learning space for the children living there. We are required to collaborate with SoED students, and together we will assist the residents in creating a study or learning space.
Project 1: E-Journal
Stage One: Site Visit to PPR Seri Berembang in Port Klang
On week one, three of our group members went for a site visit to Pangsapuri Seri Berembang flat in Port Klang, alongside with our tutor, Ms. Ann and the other 3 groups who are participating in this community service project. Each groups was given a building unit in the flat, each units contained a single family currently living there. Therefore, this first visit was intended to familiarize with the context of the flat, and also to study the spaces in the building unit. The unit that we were assigned to, lived a family of six members.We had the opportunity to talk to the owner and based on her requests, we had chosen a bedroom to be designed into a learning space for four of her children.
Stage Two: Drafting Layout of the Study Space
On week two, all of us went to the unit for a second site visit. This visit was intended to measure and document the spaces needed to apply studying furniture for the children. We have conducted an interview with the owner to acquire some information about their existing living condition and how we can assist them in providing the learning space. The area of the room provided is 9.24 m², which is quite compact and small for four children to study. thus some of the existing furniture have to re-position or move to another spot, such as the shoe rack, cupboards, etc. This is to provide a balance of solid and void spaces in the room as it is just a small space given to design a learning space. The site visit took us around one and a half hour to record the dimensions of the room and the existing furniture. After the visit, our group went to IKEA mall to search for suitable studying furniture to be placed inside the room.
Proposed Learning Space Layout:
Stage Three: Learning Space Proposal
On week three and four, our group has been gathering data and information which we have obtain during the site visits and came out with a proposal for the learning space. What we have concluded about the provided study space is that the space is in need for improvements and modifications to create a study environment and ambience for the children. The learning Therefore what we have proposed is that:
1. Due to the lack of openings in the room, we are proposing to repaint the whole room, from the existing dark pink colour to white, to brighten up the room as there is only one fluorescent light available in the space.
2. We are providing a few necessary studying furniture, such as tables, chairs, educational items and also portable light fixtures for the children.
3. We are personally constructing a single foldable table with timber and chipboard for them as one of the study furniture. We are also providing them a manual guideline on how we construct the furniture, to educate them about the process of hands-on working and solving issues of the furniture.
4. We are also constructing a modular timber book shelves situated above one of the study tables.
Learning Space Proposal:
Stage Four: Execution
On week five, according to our planned schedule, four of us from our group will begin our work by repainting the room, and the remaining members will be looking for timber supply for the foldable table construction. At the same time, we have also created the manual guideline for foldable table construction. The timber modular book shelves were cut and assembled in a factory located at Puchong.
While on week six and seven, we have gathered all the materials to build the foldable table, therefore we began assembling the required components to form the table. The physical works are handled by the manpower in the group, while two of our groupmates, Lindsay and Carmen will be joining the SoED students, Poh Yee and Umairah for a shop visit to Mydin Mall, to obtain the educational items for the children, such as calendar, geographical map, exercise books, etc.
Foldable Table Manual Guidelines:
Stage Five: Furniture Installation
On week eight, all the furniture were transported to Pangsapuri flat for installation. A few installations were done on that day, this includes:
1. Rearrange the room and place the long table (2200MM x 500MM) on the side
2. Attaching the modular book shelves to the wall above the table
3. Installing the portable light fixtures under the modular shelves
4. Installing the foldable table (1200MM x 500MM) on the wall, it can also act as a headboard for the mattress
Reflection
In my opinion, I think this is a fun and meaningful project, where it had given us the opportunity to serve and assist the community. In this case, to aid the family's economical issues by redesigning the study space for the children. It's definitely an interesting experience to work with my team, and by doing a small part, it helped us to develop and grow as a community. To sum up, this project has taught me that if I can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one. As a student, I'm grateful that we were able to solve their issues with our architectural knowledge and helped design a quality life for their children.
