Architectural Conservation | this-is-how-i-design

Architectural Conservation - ARC60703

Project 1: Preliminary Investigation of a Historical Building

The first project for this module provided insight into the initial stage of the framework of building conservation which involves research and documentation of a specified historical building. We worked together as a class of 28 members to produce a detailed report comprising of historical information of the chosen building along with its significant architectural features. The report was to be accompanied by a set of measured drawings which included location/site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections and selected detailed drawings. We decided upon the Gedung Raja Abdullah, a building that served as both a warehouse as well as dwelling quarters for Klang’s administrator Raja Abdullah during the mid-1800’s.

Project 2: In-class Seminar

The second project saw us work together as a class once again to organize and conduct an in-class seminar and discussion session based on the issues and challenges of architectural conservation in Malaysia. This was done in order for us to gain a better understanding of the various methods of conservation and the impact in can make in preserving the history and culture of a given place. We focused on Georgetown in Penang as our case study for the seminar.

Project 3: Proposal for Adaptive Reuse

Now having good awareness of the importance of architectural conservation from our previous projects, we moved onto Project 3 which called for a proposal for the potential new usage of an existing historical building for the purpose of building conservation.

In groups of 5, we were to choose a building processing historical elements which was to be used in the proposal for the approach of adaptive reuse. Amir, Nabeel, Azam, Farah and I grouped together and chose Bandar Warisan at No.2, Jalan Stonor, KL; now a Heritage Centre that serves as an exhibition venue for fine art practitioners, showcasing a variety of traditional arts and crafts. Our proposal for adaptive reuse consisted of a café that kept to the same purpose of the exhibition space which is to preserve local, traditional art and craft. Similarly, the café too would serve authentic local cuisine that could potentially aid in preserving the culture and heritage of the building and site.

Reflecting back…

This module provided valuable insight into the importance of architectural conservation as a means of preserving the history and culture of a place. I was also able to gain a lot of knowledge from the two seminars organized by our lecturer; one of which was conducted by a local architect and conservationist Ar. Zulkhairi Md. Zain. He spoke to us of his projects in architectural conservation and provided us with detailed information on the subject matter.

The whole class working together as one team for the first half of the semester was a good experience too as I not only worked alongside my batchmates from sem 5 but also with others from sem 4.