Asian Architecture Case Study

Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY
Effectiveness of Spatial Layout acts as a Sustainable
Strategy to Accommodate Different Users’ Function
Name: Nadia Othman
Student ID: 0303423
Lecturer: Pn. Norhayati Ramli
Submission Date: 12 June 2014

Effectiveness of Spatial Layout acts as a Sustainable Strategy to Accommodate
Different Users’ Function
ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 2

Effectiveness of Spatial Layout acts as a Sustainable
Strategy to Accommodate Different Users’ Function
Table of Contents Page
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………...3
Acknowledgement…………………………………………………………………….3
1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………...4
2.0 Users in Belum Rainforest Resort…………………………………………….5
3.0 Types of Spatial Layout to Accommodate Different Users…………………7
4.0 Effective Spatial Layout and Sustainability…………………………………..11
5.0 Factors Affecting Spatial Layout………………………………………………13
6.0 Types of Effective Spatial Layout……………………………………………..14
7.0 Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….17
8.0 References……………………………………………………………………….18


Abstract
This paper is to research on the spatial layout designed in Belum Rainforest
Resort for its effectiveness of spatial layout, which acts as a sustainable strategy to
accommodate different users’ functions. Site experienced and literature review was
conducted to go in depth about spatial planning. The scope is limited to the Phase 2
of Belum Rainforest Resort. Spatial arrangement of the Phase 2 was analysed to
value how sustainable works in a closed community. From the topic chosen, the
spatial organization of different users; service workers, tourists and guests has
different circulation. While one space uses ramps, which are used for servicing
works, the space for the tourists are the ramps and the stairs (which connects to
more different space). The circulation for the hotel guests also differs, as they are
able to enter the private area of their rooms. The circulation differs in terms of the
views and the flexibility of the space, which leads to a potential sustainable design of
a space. By observing Belum Rainforest Resort, the designs of the buildings are
mostly clustered where the spaces are grouped together and share a common
relationship, relating the community with the surrounding.
Acknowledgement
This research paper requires encouragement and inspiration to make me move
on and continue researching on the title. I am thankful to my lecturer Puan Norhayati
Ramli for always showing me the right path and giving me ideas for this paper. Thank
you for giving feedback in the process of writing this paper.
Writing this research paper has taught me a lot about the importance of spatial
planning. It was such a great experience to be able to do a case study on Belum
Rainforest Resort. Thank you to those who had helped indirectly or directly. Hope
this case study would give people an understanding on the importance of spatial
planning and sustainable environment.


1.0 Introduction
Belum Rainforest Resort is situated in Pulau Banding, Perak. It is one of
Malaysia’s first class ecotourism holiday destinations. It is complete with relaxing
view of Tasik Temenggor and an adventure for those who love to explore the nature.
The Resort has a total of four phases in proposal. Phase 2 was completed
recently on 2013. Phase 2 consists of the Deluxe Suites and the Traditional
Kampung Suites. It is designed in clustered, which may contribute to sustainability as
spaces are grouped together and share a common relationship. The organization of
a clustered structure somehow relates to a concept of community. This concept
works closely with sustainability as it has a great potential to join social and the
environment, indirectly contributes to the richness of the ecology surrounding the
space (Figure 1.1).
Figure 1.1 The different phases in Belum Rainforest Resort
(Source: Belum Rainforest Resort, 2014)
Spatial arrangement in architecture is important as it provides the aims of the
designer to show the core qualities of the site chosen. Space is a language voiced
out from an architect to the users. Hence, it is the only way to express the thoughts
and to make the society feel the same. From the topic chosen, the spatial


organization of different users; service workers, tourists and guests has different
circulation.
This paper will show the liability of the spatial layouts for different users that could
contribute to the sustainability of Belum Rainforest Resort specifically on the Phase 2
of the resort. The issue will be strengthen by responding to the following questions:
1. Who are the different users in Belum Rainforest Resort Phase 2?
2. What are the types of spatial layout that can accommodate the different
users?
3. How effective is the spatial layout in accommodating the function of different
users?
4. What are the factors affecting the spatial layout?
5. What are the other types of effective spatial layout that leads to
sustainability?
2.0 Users in Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort
Belum Rainforest Resort is an attraction mainly for tourists that come from
various part of the world and would like to explore the nature. There are also those
who would go for a getaway and spend days at the resort. These are the hotel users.
The one that actively move around the area are the services people. All of these
users should have a unique space to roam around and indirectly get their own public
and private space.
The hotel guests, the one who is a recipient of hospitality at the home or of
another, spends days at the resort (The Free Dictionary, 2009). They usually come
for a getaway and to have a relaxing time with family. In order to have a non-stressful
environment, they have a private space (the hotel rooms) to themselves. The public
people are refrained from entering the rooms unless they have the authority to do so.
In order to make this successful, the publics are more concentrated on observing the
picturesque view of the Tasik Temenggor and the lush greenery at the open spaces
designed for the public use (Figure 2.1).
Tourist is a person who is travelling or visiting a place for pleasure (The Free
Dictionary, 2003). They usually come by for a day trip where they walk around the


resort after a day of nature trekking at the forest. These tourists mostly enjoy the
views of the Tasik Temenggor from the open roof space (Figure 2.2) at the Phase 2
of Belum Rainforest Resort.
Figure 2.1 The division of public and private space. Users are contraints on the
public view deck only.
Figure 2.2 The open space for a great view of the Tasik Temenggor.
(Source: Nadia, 2014)


The services people or the workers are the one who manages the resort and
maintains the facilities for the users (The Free Dictionary, 2009). Examples of the
workers in Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort are the housekeeper and the room-
servicing people. The housekeeper are the one who do the domestic works; make
the bed, change the linens and ready to serve the hotel guests as required. Room
servicing people, the one who provides meals, drinks to the hotel guests. From the
type of work they do everyday, they need a specific circulation to allow easy
movement and will not interfere with the tourists and hotel guests.
Some places, due to space constraints, may lead to the users sharing the same
space while circulating the resort. Although they have to share the same space, it
works as a friendly gesture towards different users. The next topic will go in depth of
the types of spatial layout for the different users.
3.0 Types of Spatial Layout to Accommodate Different Users
The basic principles of spatial layout are having specific functions, flexible and
can be manipulated, unique in their function, require exterior exposure for light,
ventilation and views and most importantly, must be easily accessible. As concluded
from Topic 2, different users have different path to bring them to their desired place
but some space might ‘collide’ with each other.
For the hotel guests, the types of accessible designed are the stairs and ramps.
There are different circulations for the hotel guests to choose. From the lobby, the
user can access via the roadway that will lead straight to the pool of the Phase 2
(Figure 3.1). From there, the one that stays on the ground floor of the Deluxe Suites
will get to approach their rooms straight away (Figure 3.2). Hence, for the ones with
rooms at the upper level, they will continue their journey to the ramps and stairs to
get to the next level. The good part about being on the upper level; they will get their
own balcony to view the scenic Tasik Temenggor and part of the Traditional Chalets
(Figure 3.3).


Figure 3.1 The roadway from the lobby leading to the Phase 2.
Figure 3.2 Ground floor rooms can access to their rooms via the open space.


Figure 3.3 Private balconies for hotel users
The tourists have the accessibility to go about everywhere using the walkway
and the stairs. The walkway is attached from the Phase 1 of Belum Rainforest
Resort, which invites more tourists to have a look of the Phase 2 development
(Figure 3.4). From that walkway, they will end up on the rooftop of the Deluxe Suites.
In the Deluxe Suites development, there is one block specifically designed for the
public (Figure 3.5). Thus, this will minimize the amount of tourists roaming around the
hotel rooms, which merely have nothing to see except when you enter the rooms.
The rooms are designed with the usage of concrete, which acts as a ‘barrier’ from
other users to enter the place. The tourists will automatically move towards an open
space that has more ventilation and views compared to the outer look of the basic
boxed up hotel room.


Figure 3.4 Walkway connecting to Phase 1.
Figure 3.5 A unique public block for the public users.
The workers require a minimal view, as they will be busy going to and forth for
working purposes. The servicing people might also need a pathway that is easy for
them to access their trolleys and other equipment. Therefore, ramp is the only type of
accessibility that they can relay on. As the Phase 2 Belum Rainforest Resort does
not use any mechanical transportation such as lift, it is best to use a continuation
pathway. From observation, the service area starts from the Phase 1 and the
workers sort of have their own “private circulation” which is mostly at the passageway
of a non-active circulation (Figure 3.6).


Figure 3.6 Pathway for the services workers.
This type of spatial layout may have a common thread. They are all connected
but felt only when experiencing it our own self. From our normal view, it may be
complicated but it is actually connecting people to different spaces. Each direction
has something to look forward to for the users. Connecting people to a good view
(the rooftop) is a good thing to start with; it promotes the place to the users and enjoy
the nature in depth by evoking the senses of the users and indirectly make them
aware of the surrounding
4.0 Effective Spatial Layouts and Sustainability
Sustainability main idea is to give a minimum impact of negativity on a building.
It is also to make a biological system to remain close to each other. Being
sustainable, there are three points that make up a sustainable design (Figure 4.1).
The social sector means to give the community a participation in the design, such as
an educational message to the people. The economic contributes on the cost of the
building. It is best for the cost to be at the lowest as possible. The natural resource,
relating with the economic is the one that would contribute to the environmental
sector.


In the Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort, the social sector goes back to the
community activity. The spaces that are relatable for the community are the library
and the jetty, which attracts the user of the space (Figure 4.2). The jetty has activity
of kayaking and boat riding along the Tasik Temenggor. These activities promote an
active and healthy community at Belum Rainforest Resort.
Figure 4.1 Factors that affects sustainability.
Figure 4.2 The reading area for the public to gather.


In the economical sector, the cost of the building is lessening by not using
mechanical transportation such as the lifts and the escalators. Instead, the Phase 2
uses ramps and stairs to commute people from one place to another.
The environmental sector relates with the materials used that are basically all
from the nature resources in Malaysia.
All in all, the Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort has an effective spatial layout
that could contribute to the sustainability of the environment. Community plays an
important role in order to maintain the development if a place.
5.0 Factors Affecting Spatial Layout
The architect designed the circulation of a specific place for a reason. In Belum
Rainforest Resort, the arrangement of the hotel modular for the Phase 2 is designed
to follow the terrain of the vegetation there. This is to minimize the amount of trees
that has to be cut down during construction.
When the architect designed the Phase 2 in such way, the orientations of the
hotel rooms are overviewing the Tasik Temenggor. It gives a very good view for all
the hotel users and those who would come to visit the place. From the Phase 1,
there was not much of a view for the users (Figure 5.1) as it is arranged in a linear
form, providing some guests a good view and a not preferred view. By comparing the
way different architect designed the first and second phases, it is best to say that the
clustered design works best to capture the great view and give the privilege to
everyone in the hotel (Figure 5.2).


Figure 5.1 Figure 5.2
View from the Phase 1 hotel rooms View from the Phase 2 balcony
(Source: Belum Rainforest Resort, 2014)
The pathway was designed in a way to move people thoroughly every space that
needs to be discover by all users. The hotel guests, the tourists, and the workers
have their own unique pathway to explore the Belum Rainforest Resort. By
experiencing the spatial layout of the Phase 1 and Phase 2, the main concentration
that user will have while on site, would be the way they move around the Phase 2
blocks.
6.0 Type of Effective Spatial Layout in Sustainability
With the birth of advanced technology, more architects are looking forward
towards a sustainable design in their work. Many projects that are completed with an
excellent spatial planning that contribute to the sustainability of the town.
Hammarby Sjostad, a district located in the south of City of Stockholm, Sweden,
is well known for the sustainability measures which have been taken during its
consntruction, and is worldwide recognized as an outsatanding example of urban
sustainable development (Hammarby Sjostad, 2011) (Figure 6.1).


Figure 6.1 The masterplan of the Hammarby Sjostad.
(Source: Solaripedia, 2010)
The role of spatial planning becomes important as it evolves around individual,
which will influence their daily behavior. Spatial planning could motivate people to go
in depth about sustainability in their daily life. It involves various activities; from
transportation to garbage disposable to leisure activities.
Open spaces in Hammarby Sjostad are the major issue in an urbanized city.
With the increasing population, the authorities should provide healthy lifestyle for the
people (Goel, S. 2013). To overcome the issue, the open spaces are provided with
recreational areas for the residents, which indirectly promotes a healthy lifestyle.
Thus, resulting in the creation of vast green spaces, large parks, green walkways,
library and a theatre centre. This will offer various activities to the residents (Figures
6.2).
To achieve sustainable, it is not all about the materials of the building or the
green roof. Sustainable through the community plays a role too. When the
community has a healthy lifestyle; recreation place, communicating with each other,
the city could achieve its sustainability. Other than that, transportation, renewable
energy also plays an important role to achieve sustainability.


Figures 6.2 Public open spaces for the community.
(Source: Solaripedia, 2010)


7.0 Conclusion
As an overall conclusion, the sustainable of a certain place depends on its
spatial planning. In Belum Rainforest Resort, the design directs people to a common
place and able to communicate. Although some spaces are allocated for certain
users, there are also spaces that meet up to share the same space. As new people
interact, that is when the community stays together. The common place that most
users meet each other are at the roof space of the Deluxe Suites, overviewing the
view of the Tasik Temenggor. Just like how sustainability works, it works best when
users socially connecting to the community, building being balance in economy and
user relating them to the environment, through views and greenery.


8.0 References
1. Goel, S. (2013). Spatial Planning for sustainable behavior: the case of
Hammarby Sjostad. KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Retrieved from
http://kth.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:624284/FULLTEXT01.pdf
This article explains on studying issues concerning human behavior and
sustainable development.
2. Ireland, T. (n.d). The problem of spatial arrangement & the automatic generation
of architectural plans. London: Bartlett School. Retrieved from
http://www.thearchitectureofspace.co.uk/papers/ecaade08.pdf
This article shows how people look at space and how to generate space.
3. Jian,W.L. (2012, February 3). Belum Rainforest Resort’s 2nd
Phase to be ready in
2013. The Edge Malaysia. Retrieved from
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/property/200389-belum-rainforest-resorts-
2nd-phase-to-be-ready-in-2013.html
4. Lawson, B. (2001). The Language of Space. Jordan Hill: Architectural Press.
This book shows how a people view space and their reaction towards certain
space.
5. Parr, A., Zaretsky, M. (2011). New Directions in Sustainable Design. New York:
Routledge.
The book shows how space can support a sustainable space.
6. Schaik, L.V. (2008). Spatial Intelligence. West Sussex: John Wiley & Sons ltd.
Shows how space is important in an architectural design.
7. Solaripedia. (2010). Hammarby Sjostad. Retrieved June 10, 2014 from
http://www.solaripedia.com/13/300/3371/hammarby_sjöstad_master_plan.html
8. Stonor, T. (2010). Urban sustainability - the social, economic & environmental
influence of spatial layout. Cambridge, UK. Retrieved from
http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/215648/Urban-sustainability---the-
social,-economic-%26-environmental-influence-of-spatial-layout

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