nasi lemak

We learn something about the nasi lemak. Seem it show the easier in many parts, from the first preparation to the final presentation. We decide to read it and treat it as something that can be use for an architectural approach.

Simplicity is the best word for the whole method from the original condition to the serving time. This can be seeing when it has been prepared from the first stage to the final output. The whole nasi lemak component was an adaptation from nature around us. It shows how that Malay man uses their imagination of the existing material for a really economic and good dish. This simple way not only shows that you just take it easy, but manage it as mean freedom from hardship, effort or confusion. It may also refer to a simple living lifestyle.

Simplicity also means perfection. Perfection doesn’t mean that it must be too expensive in life. However, it can be reach in all levels of our life community. The perfect also means something equal in most part, but it doesn’t mean must have a same amount of numbers, but good in terms of quantity balance.

By other means, in an architectural way, the perfect solid cube was good for the reflection of the nasi lemak. The cube is equal in all surfaces, the edges also the same as other edges. There is nothing to argue for the cube as a perfect kind of structure and space. The space was well defined in the simple cube rather than others.

Minimalist aspect can be seen in many ways, the way that banana leaf wrapping. It’s show us how it can be easily handled by a man hand and bring it for working. Good for a simple dish in breakfast for a life starter with a good nutritious. This phrase also defines to show how the simple dish in the early morning, can be something that was good in term of nutritious balance before we start working out. Furthermore, can be said, the Malay culture doesn’t eat much at the morning, just to make a meal to break the fast due to a long time when sleeping.

Minimalist can be seen in for the whole presentation, means that how it serves, to be minimal in terms of a condition, but have a big impact for every single component that cooperates with each other. In other words, that, we feel something that not complete in the nasi lemak if one of the ingredients does not appear in presentation just before we eat it.

As we think about that, we feel that the combination of some numbers of cubes will produce the bigger cube. And we felt that, the quantity balance must have to be accurate so that the bigger cube produce at the final stage will make a very define of a solid cube with a bigger scale. When we see it in for the whole, it will give a feel that the number of the small cube must be even and accurate so that the bigger cube will define as a really solid cube.

To make it more define, the colour combination must be better. So, the white will define all colour in the world. The smaller cube in white colour will define the final product in very precise of the bigger cube with no bounder ever. Something minimal but gives a big impact at all. Rather than just choosing a lot of colour but it just nothing at the end of the work.

Minimalist in another aspect also shows how we are ready to eat it. Eating too much will cause a negative effect for our healthy. Eating much more means, give a bad impact in terms of our stomach and our heart. Not to say about nasi lemak, but all other food. Eating too much in the early morning for some people will make a sense of uncomfortable about the whole day. Back to the topic, nasi lemak is just serving in a minimal quantity. For example, if it were wrapping in a banana leaves, the minimal quantity content is good for our starting day.

pixelation kindergarten

Design idea: Diversity + Modularity

Location: University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.

Client: N.A.

Material and Construction: Concrete

Category: Institution – Education

Site context: Big flat area, close access to the main gate of University of Malaya

Area: 1500 sqm @ 16140 sq ft

A brief
Kindergarten is a form of education for young children who serves as a transition from home to the commencement of more formal schooling. Another definition, which overlaps with early childhood education and preschool, is education for pre- and emergent-literate children before the age of 6 or 7. Children are taught to develop basic skills and knowledge through creative play and social interaction, as well as sometimes formal lessons. Most countries; kindergarten is part of the preschool system of early childhood education. Children usually attend kindergarten any time between the ages of two and seven years, depending on the local custom.

The solution

The task reminds me during my early childhood, how we love to play, nothing to think about this world, meet new friends who very harmony, no jealousy, nothing to worry about. Just play without any boundary, no limitation of our imagination. Sometimes we think this world in a funny way.
 

The architecture

Ideas come from a basic word itself – Kindergarten. It’s literally meant; children’s garden. It’s an imagination place for children can play safely, harmonies, good security, educative approach, freedom environment, experiment observation, self-driven learning, development level of physical activity, absorbing academic concepts, practical skills and early best experience. Basically, it will support their imagination in their natural way of being. It’s a theory of child development before they go to preschool.   

 Architectural approach will be in two separated long rectangular form. It’s very narrow plan to cater for an idea of passive sustainable ideas. Front block will be almost perpendicular to the road in front, while rear block will be following parallel angle of this site. The meeting point or the turning point will be a special space for this scheme. It does will be double volume to create a dynamic respond towards the occupant inside.

Clear separation is defined between children zones, parent waiting zones, and vehicular zones. The access for parent car is placed next to the main road, and this idea creates an internal access road. No requirement for a number of parking, and numbers provided inside is nine (9). All parents will be waiting at the entrance lounge, which they will frame views toward an internal garden inside. After that zones, all areas will be our small guest – children.
 

The goal would be to create an architecture contains diversity and modularity; an architecture which when lived-in, as the capability of generating the curiosity that leads to the discovery of a series of intimate and unexpected places. It’s a place that combines the brightness of the blue sky as well as the silent intimacy of the private space.

This kindergarten is defined by six patios that relate to the different functions of a kindergarten institution: administration, active area, outdoor classes, quiet zones, formal classes and living-room, and dining area. These six patios communicate through a means of visual.
 

The space creation and carving of this planning must emphasise the connection and relation between interior and exterior. There is no conventional idea of enclosed space for her, but its extended space which I’m using a green perimeter fencing as space defines subject. To make much more interesting planning, the shear wall is used inside not only as a means of structural support. It will create an architectural wall inside while extended space will be defined by another independent wall further out.

 

The wall as a planar element inside is my important architecture languages for this complex. It’s really placed in modularity order while it’s also reflecting an idea of diversity. Every placement will lock each other, and every wall is communicated to create a space. No literal enclosure which will bring an element of tension for children.
 

Since my block is two rectangular forms, which not parallel between each other, it creates two special spaces. One is a turning point between those two, and open spaces left between that two blocks. The turning point is a rectangular box which encloses double volume spaces inside. It’s wrapped up the blocks which lock the position of each other. Front block is a single story while rear block is two levels. This configuration is important later, since it will create an idea of sound barrier from vehicular noise from the main road. The form is married and creating a happy family of forms. 
 

Administration is next to entrance lounge, to create a communication between those parents and teachers. Front block will be a place for our children will be play- active area. Close to it is that double volume space of communal area or living room for children to interact, which next to their dining area. This strip of linear spaces is an area required for front block.

Open space created is a special internal garden for the children to play. Since my building is placed in Malaysia, I need to provide an outdoor shaded multifunction area, in a weather case; heavy tropical rain or direct sunlight in the afternoon. This area is just next to my internal garden. This space is sitting at the ground level of rear block, which a set of toilet and staircase will separate it between a children library for quiet zones. Next to it is her outdoor classes with a very high roof and quite long cantilever form.

 

My programme inside is the base on a child from as early as three (3) years to six (6) years old. Which I must create three different classrooms to cater for every stage of children needs. This is a formal class which framed multidirectional green views from every direction. It’s placed at the first floor to give a sense of educational environment, which is also a perfect separation between playing and learning. This class’s level is linked to the roof garden on top of front block, and it’s overlooking of living space below to give a visual linkage for them.  The overall composition is a perfect combination of a volume, inside out which the children will learn how to react with different size of spaces, with a lot of their friends in here. The building got zones of passive and active, quiet and noise, which will react to the function of individual space according to time of the days. The multiple activities make each zone can work out independently, and can be suited to different ages of children. Such a dynamic programme that will make every single child will learn a lot from her architecture.  

Main facade study is at the heart of this building – the double volume of the living area. It’s consisted of combination movable modular panel and solid wall. Both of it are ‘breathing facade’, which is good transversal natural ventilation with a solar filtration. Its further emphasise the main function of the space. That wrapped block facade is isolation cubes, which come with colourful dot of the box.

As the planning of this building is almost aligning with the sun path – all those appropriate glass openings are located facing east-west direction will have quite big sun shading for protection. To give a good expression of nature in planning, two tangible nature element of nature has been associated with overall permanent structure – green vegetation and water element. Both will create a different intimation for nature element.

All planning and composition of ideas lead to the 5 of human sense – Sight, Hearing, Taste, Smell, and Touch. Which all this element is very important to create a human being, it’s shown how she is created to ‘teach’ all young guests to feel her spirit of lovely early education.