Yap Shu Won
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE (CSI)
The community-based services in CSI module for SABD are to expose students to the real community living in the real life situation. The students 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. The series of community services are offered under four (4) categories/themes and as student empowerment projects they are given the freedom to choose and to execute the project In the best possible manner (term and condition applied and must within the constraint of the project requirements). My group has chosen PPR Seri Berembang, which we are required to design a learning space for the family.
JOURNAL AND REFLECTION
Week 1 - 4
29th of August
Briefing on the assignment is given by the tutors and the sponsors of the assignment. We were splitted into groups of 10 and started to prepare for the visit to the given site.
5th of September
We had our first site visit to the flat at Taman Seri Berembang. The family consists of 5 people, which are Ms Puspa and Mr Prisamy, and their 3 children, Priya, Valen and Guru, with Priya being the only daughter of the family. The condition of the house was not really good and the room to be modify into a learning space is used as a storage room and occupied with cabinets and beds. The kids do not have a proper study area.
We interviewed Mrs.Puspa and taken the dimension of the room in order to start design the learning space. We communicated with the family using Malay as the family did not know how to speak English. After we took all the measurement, we identified the problem to solve in the house.
Non-conducive learning space and lacking basic facilities for the children to study as the space is used as a storage space for their clothes. Not only that, the room has low ventilation and poor lighting to be a study room. Therefore, the living room floor is utilised as a workspace by the children. As Mrs.Puspa told us, she and her family will carry out the mattresses to sleep in the living room as living room is cooler compare to the other rooms. The space will turn into a partial bedroom for the daughter as she will need her own room when she is older. Besides, wires and cables are kept in messy condition, hanging from the ceiling and walls. This is the family’s main concern is the wires which are exposed which could cause harm and danger if not kept with care. Most of the house is dimly lit with minimal lighting especially in the kitchen and in the toilet. This limits cooking and usage of the kitchen to around 5pm due to the poor lighting in the room.
12th - 19th of September
We started to research and brain-storm on the solutions for the study space as well as the other problems we had identified in the unit. Using the budget we had, we had to figure out what was the best way to create a study space without over-budget. So, we thought of using recycle materials for the study area.
So, we came out with some solution for the problem we faced. With the measurements of the room taken, we built a 3D model in Revit to visualise the space and the possibilities of changes in the room. We began to design the space including study area and storage area for the clothes.
26th of September
We had a proposal presentation. We had great comments from the lectures and we are allow to proceed with our design.
The design had considered the needs of the family, including the study area, storage room and all the lighting and ventilation aspects.
Proposed solution :
1. Repainting the whole room
2. New study tables and chairs
3. Reusing shelf door as storage area and galvanised pipes as closet
4. Reusing shelf door as book rack
5. Medal Rack
6. Mirror and stand fan
Week 7 - 9
Excecution
We started to build up the study space. Starting on the 10th of October, my team and I started the execution of construction and work in the unit. We had visit IKEA and hardware shop in Klang to hunt for our materials such as tables, chairs, galvanized pipes and so on. For the storage area and closet, we came up with the idea of using galvanized pipes as the framing while the old cabinet doors as the platform for the closet. All the galvanized pipes are measured and cut precisely in the hardware shop. All of the materials are spray paint to create a more aesthetic look. The flip-up tables are customized and attached to the wall after the painting. The height of the table is taken into consideration with the height of the children. Then, we attached the mirror and the medal hanger. As the process is hectic, we decided to have lunch with the family and we bought KFC for them. I was quite surprised because this is the first time the family had KFC.
After the execution, we carried out final touch up for the study space. All the installation are done and we just have to respray some of the pipes. We installed the white curtain for the closet. Besides, the wires are cased and the lightings are changed by the professional.
Final Outcome
The family love the final outcome and the feedbacks are positive. The children have their own study space which allow them to have more concentration. Each of the children has their own study area and book rack to place their books. The lighting and ventilation are also fixed to create a suitable study space.
Week 7 - 9
Week 10
We were invited back to the unit by Ms Puspa and the family for Priya's birthday on the 31st of October and for Deepavali which was on the 7th of November. We had our final farewell and we treated the family some ice cream.
Community Service Initiative in Taman Seri Berembang
REFLECTION
This project is truly a very meaning experience for me. From the proposal to the final product, me and my team worked together to understand the needs of the family and customised a suitable learning space for the family. The family loves the end product and I'm glad as I can contribute to the community. Teamwork is one of the key element to make this project a successful one. Without a proper-communicated teamwork, I don't think that I am able to produce such work and contribute back to the community and society at the same time.
