MEDAN PASAR

1. Option A1

This one of the projects that I had on during my stay in MOCA and Quill back in 2004. I was assisting one of the Directors to design a new facade for an existing building. It would be transformed and given a fresh contemporary facade appearance. The interior of the building would also be re-designed to meet new needs.

2. Existing Site Photo

The original intention is to apply similar architecture profile that we had used in other completed building and re-applied it again in different composition. Perhaps, it would create a new look and at the same time, keeping it as an "economical" architecture. Because by using the same profile you could re-produce some unique design shapes without creating a new mould or set of production line to make it.

Personally, I didn't have the opportunity to meet with the client. I simply designed the facade under the directors' supervisions. While assuming that the contemporary style is the theme for the client, I was carrying out several options within design approach.

3. Early design
4. Rendering study

By then, I was assuming that the design I made was the right approach for the client as in the next stage I was instructed to refine the initial design and superimpose the visuals into its existing urban environment photo. This project had pushed my skill up a notch towards advance level in using 3D Vectorworks. Thus, with a little fine-tuning on the design and refining the quality of visuals I believed it would be the ultimate solution for the client.

5. Option B1

6. Option C1

7. Option D1

I was wrong! I didn't know what exactly happened but the next thing I know a totally different approach was introduced. A more traditional approach of post-modernism. This a massive re-design exercise as it didn't adapt any of the previous contemporary design. A clear signal that the client had never intended to change the typical taste for building design but just to refine that typical look.

8. New design option

So, what went wrong here? If we had listened to the client's needs in the first place, the next design development should had only been refining the design not to re-design. Or did the client just change their mind? If the client doesn't really know what they want (usually they do) it is obvious that the project would be a chaotic one when only one design approach (contemporary) is presented for them to choose. These are the crucial questions that we need to ask and seek answers for to indicate whether we are able to lead our client for better or worst.

Perhaps we need to listen to the the story of Piano's unique interview: LINK

I might not had been given the privilege to deal with client during those early years (maybe because of inexperience), but I still had the opportunity to learn something out of it. The most important thing is to be initiative by constantly learning from any resources within our reach even when we could only participate in the project from behind the scenes.

SEGAMBUT SEMI-D Phase 1

April 2004

While going through our mundane daily routine, many of us seem to have forgotten the time that has passed by. Not until we pause the running time for a little while just to ponder back at all the hard work done in the previous years. We then realise that the years had flown by very fast. If you have the opportunity to sit and analyse the work of your life, I’m sure that you could still remember the lessons you’d learnt while undertaking the job

That was what happened to me when I discovered old CD containing files of my previous. I’d just bought a new 500GB External hard disk. I am planning to create an archive and rescue all my works from as early as varsity years in architecture school up till the present work. One of the files that I found today was done while I was working for a firm known as MOCA (Michael Ong Chartered Architect). It is an exclusive Semi-D development near Segambut. As per date stated in the files, the first initial schematic drawing was done in April 2004. I can’t believe it’s been 4 years since I worked on the design together with MOCA’s Design Director, Zafar. I could vividly recall the time we spent as the only designer in MOCA.

Brochure Design for potential buyers

Site Location

This plot is located in the Malay Reserve area near Hartamas and Kiara. Originally it was just a small Malay Village, but now several developments have been built around the area thus transforming it into a very elite residential area.

First Draft Design

Looking back at the first schematic design until its final draft for planning, this 18 unit semi-D had gone through a lot of processes. The careful intention to its design process was due to the fact that our own director is also the actual client.

These images were the first draft of the semi-D design layout. It was brilliantly designed to improvise the changes in site contour hence reduce the cutting and filling of land. Site strategies wee also developed to minimise the problem from floodplain. A lot of contour study was done to acquire the best solution for its cut and fill design. Based on the site cutting and fill calculation, it was finally decided that the best solution was to introduce only 2 types of semi-D.
First Draft-Type A PlanFirst Draft-Type B Plan

When I analysed the development of internal layout for the semi-d, it seemed that in the end it have become a very practical layout. Too practical thus along the way it has lost the initial sense of space excitement. To be honest it doesn’t make any different with any typical semi-D layout.

The design was perfected with several more facade studies. Again, most of the design is based only on one direction; contemporary tropical design. I realised there should have been more studies made to create different design direction or style. Apparently, a fine and unique design could have been produced if the more studies were carried out on the design style.

Facade Study

Final Scheme - Masterplan

Final Scheme - Type A

Final Scheme - Type B

During this project I experienced the work from schematic design up to making my own planning submission with various authorities. This was one of the excellent lessons I learnt under the supervision of the design director, Zafar. Even though it was a just a small residential development, the exclusiveness had provided me a great training to develop a good residential skills.

JALAN BEKA BUNGALOW

started on 8 July 2004 - last finished with approved submission 18 January 2006

1. The house on its original site (final version)2. perspectives study model



3. Ground floor plan
4. First floor plan
5. Elevations


I've just realised how long this house had been designed from its original sketch (23 recorded revision). Maybe because this was not so urgent job and a favour to a client. I tried to document the housing works that I've done before which I believe is the first step in understanding architecture and design. This was my first job that I was mentored by my 'sifu'-Zafar until it get a building approval. It was also a good opportunity to get in touch with a client-personally.

During revision 8 - a tropical Asian house approach
I really tried my best to make a great house for them. I treated it like my first baby. But, when I recall back that moment, I wonder myself what is home? We have been well trained on the technical part of housing or building house but we were not provided with the exact meaning of home which I find amusing when Francis D.K. Ching in his book "a visual dictionary of architecture" just define house( cannot find home) as"a building in which people live"-simply because it derived from the dictionary.1 a building for human habitation.

But in WIKIPEDIA someone had been define the home http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home

"the concept of "home" is broader than a physical dwelling. Home is often a place of refuge and safety, where worldly cares fade and the things and people that one loves becomes the focus"

It also quotes from one of my favourite movie Patch Adams 1998 "Hunter Patch Adams: All of life is a coming home. Salesmen, secretaries, coal miners, beekeepers, sword swallower's, all of us. All the restless hearts of the world, all trying to find a way home. It's hard to describe what I felt like then. Picture yourself walking for days in the driving snow; you don't even know you're walking in circles. The heaviness of your legs in the drifts, your shouts disappearing into the wind. How small you can feel, and how far away home can be.

Home. The dictionary defines it as both a place of origin and a goal or destination. And the storm? The storm was all in my mind. Or as the poet Dante put it: In the middle of the journey of my life, I found myself in a dark wood, for I had lost the right path. Eventually I would find the right path, but in the most unlikely place."

During revision 15I guess I had make a very good architectural house design during that time but not yet a home. Even though, I'm now more into commercial and mix development but the continuous discoveries of home will guide me to find my own peaceful sanctuary.

Nota: Rumahku syurgaku

Hadith :
Dari Jabir r.a katanya, Rasulullah SAW bersabda:”Apabila kamu telah menunaikan solat (wajib) di masjid, maka kerjakanlah pula solat (sunat) di rumah kerana dengan itu Allah akan menjadikan rumah itu bahagia.”(al-Bukhari)

Huraian

1. Rumahku syurgaku adalah rumahtangga yang mempunyai ciri-ciri keislaman yang sebenar boleh menyediakan persekitaran yang harmoni dan melahirkan kasih sayang, hormat menghormati serta pelaksanaan ibadah yang membawa kepada ketenangan dan ketenteraman.

2. Ada beberapa tempat, yang jika dilakukan ibadah di dalamnya, akan mendapat pahala dan keutamaan yang lebih besar berbanding dilakukan di tempat lain seperti solat di Masjidil Haram, setara dengan seratus ribu solat di tempat lain. Solat di Masjid Nabawi, setara dengan seribu solat di tempat lain dan solat di Masjid al-Aqsa, setara dengan lima ratus kali solat di tempat lain. Solat yang paling utama dilakukan di masjid itu adalah solat wajib. Sementara untuk solat sunat yang paling utama adalah jika dilakukan di rumah.

3. Waktu di rumah seharusnya diisi dengan perkara yang bermanfaat dan mendatangkan pahala kerana perhatian terhadap pembangunan rumah dan isi rumah merupakan perkara yang paling penting untuk membangun masyarakat muslim. Hal ini kerana sebuah masyarakat akan terbina daripada gabunagn isi rumah. Jika unsur dasarnya baik, maka akan kuatlah sesebuah masyarakat itu.

Sumber : Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia http://www.islam.gov.my/portal/e-hadith.php

MOCA Architect

Michael Ong Chartered Architect, Damansara, from 04/2004 – 07/07/2006
Job Tittle: Assistant Architect

RESIDENTIAL PROJECT Dato’ Low Moi Ing (quill director) Mansion, Bangsar
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

Kung’s House, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Preparation of planning application (Authorities Submissions)
- Working drawing
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad

Kung’s Bungalow, Jalan Beka , Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Preparation of planning application (Authorities Submissions)
- Working drawing
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad


Rizatuddin’s bungalow, Cyberjaya
- Schematic design
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

Segambut Semi-D Phase1
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Preparation of planning application (Authorities Submissions)
- Working drawing
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad

Segambut Link Bungalows Phase 2
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Preparation of planning application (Authorities Submissions)
- Working drawing
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad

INDUSTRIAL PROJECT

DHL warehouses, Glenmarie, Shah Alam, and Penang, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11

Zuellig Pharma warehouse, Shah Alam, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11

COMMERCIAL PROJECT

Tower D, KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11

HSBC Tower, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11

BMW showroom and service centre at Jalan Semangat, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Design development
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11

HSBC 2, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
-Design development
-Used Adobe Photoshop, AutoCad

Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS), Bukit Tunku, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

UOB Medan Pasar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

Bukit Kayu Hitam Duty-free complex, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

PT 12099 Office Building, Cyberjaya, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Façade Study and detail treatment
- 3D illustration
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop

MASTERPLAN
Mixed development for OSK Property Holdings Berhad in Sg Buloh, Malaysia
- Schematic design
- Presentation Board
- Used Vectorworks 11, Adobe Photoshop