Semester 2.5
Methods of Documentation & Measured Drawing
The subject aims to develop an understanding of the principles of building preservation/conservation and the methods of recording it in three documentation methods; measured drawings, written documentation and photographic documentation. The ideas of application and management of architectural historic documentation will be presented as part of the overall knowledge of building preservation/conservation. For measured drawings, we are to document historically and architecturally significant buildings in the form of as-built drawings. The task requires us to be assigned in a group that involved fieldworks consisting of measuring techniques such as photographing, sketching, using of theodolite and measuring tapes. The outcomes of the subject are collection of plans, sections, elevations, details and axonometric views / models; complemented with a report that explains about the background, history, concept, style construction technics and ornamentation of the building.
Field work in Malacca
A 5 days 4 night field trip visit to Malacca was organized for our group of 18 person by our tutor, Mr. Azim. For a whole week, our group was led by both leader and assistant leader, Men Horng and Sarah Esa. Sufficient tasks were distributed to 18 of us to be executed, such as measuring and identifying the structure, architectural elements and construction of the building. Observing and learning about the historical and cultural context of the site is part of a crucial information for the documentation and acknowledgement for the building. Practical work like measuring the building was done by day, compiling information, double-checking the accuracy and precision of the dimensions were done by night, to make sure that all the findings have zero errors made. I was thankful that our group has done a great job and shown great teamwork in producing quality findings in time. This was definitely a good experience and time spent throughout this trip.
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Sketchbook
Harbour Kuli Culture Gallery
Like any other temples and places of worship in Malacca, Harbour Kuli Culture Gallery was and is a significant piece of building in Malacca. Located along Jalan Kampung Kuli, Coolie Street, its bright red facade making it prominent amongst other shophouses that are mostly in white or grey. Originated to become an Opium Den, the building was built to accommodate the coolies that flee from China. Consisting of mostly youngsters, they escaped China due to war and to find a job in order to survive in that era. The coolies needed a place to stay resulting in a concentrated number of coolies along the street seeking for work, thus named “Coolie Street”, Jalan Kampung Kuli.
The Opium Den acts as a roof and a space to gather coolies to protect their status as they were not much respected and accepted by the society. The owners of the building were passed down by generations of coolies. A lot of generations have passed and the names were not recorded down for history purposes. The current owner would be Mr Chan which was passed down to him by his father.
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This building is structurally unique compared to other shophouses in Malacca, it was built as a symbol of significance in Coolie Street. The structure of the building was designed to imitate the harbour ship which is valuable because no other building for coolies had such detailed architecture to represent themselves. It was the parti of the house as it was the primary concept of imitating the appearance, shape and spaces of a harbour ship. The interior spaces was also planned and designed similar to a harbour ship’s interior spatial usages. The shophouse was metaphorically expressed as their home, which they practically lived inside a ship due to long working hours during the day.
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Work in Progress
Learning Outcomes
From this project, I have learnt that teamwork and strong determination is needed to execute this project. All individuals who participate in this project gave their 100% effort to accomplish their assigned tasks on time. Each of us is willing to help each other at all times without hesitations. In the end, the job was done with satisfactory, doesn't matter what the results are. Of course, I have also acknowledged the technique to identify and classify architectural historic structure; recognize and recall architectural historic structure documentation method; recalled the techniques of measured drawings and documentation; explain the as-built building constructions, architectural details and elements; execute fieldwork and hands-on measurements and translate measured data into scaled drawings.
Final Outcome
