This document is a project submission for a course on culture and civilization. The project involved researching and photographing places in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia related to the theme of "Spaces and People". The student chose this theme to capture how people interact with and use spaces in the urban context of Kuala Lumpur. Photos were taken of areas like parks, public transportation, and streets. The student designed a series of postcards and packaging to share the photos and what was learned about the relationship between architecture, history, and lifestyle in Kuala Lumpur. Feedback was provided by the lecturer to improve the photos, concept, and design. The final submission includes the researched photos, postcard designs,

2. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING & DESIGN
Research Unit for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia
Foundation of Natural and Built Environments
CULTURE & CIVILIZATION (FDES 0815)
Lecturer : Normah Sulaiman . Delliya Mohd.Zain
__________________________________________________________________________________
Project 3: Art + Architecture + Culture
Name Joshua Lee Yee Kai
Student Id 0315820
Course Culture & Civilisation
(FDES 0815)
Programme FNBE
Lecturers Normah Sulaiman,
Delliya Mohd.Zain

3. Table Content
Introduction
Brief History Of Site
Site Covered
Researched Pictures
Concept
Theme
Draft Photos
Draft Layout Plan
Final Photos
Final Postcard Design
Final Packaging
Tutorial Sheet
Summary
References

4. Introduction
I want to thank my family especially my mother, my cousin Joseph, my good
friends Brian, Ken, Kelvin, Ikmal and lecturer Miss Delliya for guiding and giving me
advice throughout this entire project. I want to take this opportunity to Thank God as
well for granting me the wisdom and strength to complete all the challenges.
In project 3, it is divided into 2 main task, first of all for part 1, we are required to
do a literature research on places of our interest of any site visits. Then from the
literature review, we are to study the theme given and its connection between the
historical, architectural and social aspects of the place. There are 2 main themes given
to us, the first theme is food culture. Within the food culture theme context, we get to
choose Kopitiam theme, Street Food theme and Coffee Culture theme. On the other
hand, the second theme is Architecture. Architecture theme covers Malaysian
Architecture themes, Religious places theme and lastly Spaces and People theme. I
chose the architecture theme and covered the topic on Spaces and People. I find it
interesting to relate on how people uses space and how space can influence the lives of
people. Based from the theme, I chose Kuala Lumpur as my place of research. As
Kuala Lumpur is a big city, it has many beautiful wide spaces to be explored. The
history of Kuala Lumpur will be explored more later on.
On the other hand, for part 2, we are required to design a graphical expression of
our findings in a postcard series with a proper packaging that complement the final
postcard design. The final postcard designs, research, concept and how it relates to the
theme will be explored further with more details later on.

5. Brief History of Site
In 1857, a group of 87 Chinese miners in search of Tin gathered at the Gombak and
Klang river and named that spot Kuala Lumpur which means “muddy confluence”
(Lonely Planet, 2014).
Over time, violence and secret societies began to form among the Chinese miners. This
is when the local sultan appointed Yap Ah Loy as the Kapitan China or leader of the
Chinese community to rule the unruly. He built prisons with the support of the local
sultan and then slowly the violence and revolts are being controlled (Geographia, 2006).
Yap Ah Loy was then regarded as the founder of Kuala Lumpur as he helped to civilized
the people of Kuala Lumpur. Yap Ah Loy had only just established control when local
sultans went to war over the throne of Perak and its tin mines, marking the start of the
Malay Civil War (Lonelyplanet, 2014). KL was swept up in the conflict and burnt to the
ground in 1881(Lonelyplanet, 2014).
Due to the Malay Civil War, British Government took the opportunity the reign over
Kuala Lumpur. Frank Swettenham was chosen as the representative and he
established Kuala Lumpur as the central government from Klang. After that, during
WW2, the British surrendered and left during the occupation of the Japanese. The
Japanese inflicted harm and destroyed many people’s lives. Many people died and
were tortured, raped and lost their loved ones. After that in 1957, Malaysia declared
independence in 1957 at the independence square or better known as the Merdeka
Square. The city officially became the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur when it was
ceded by the sultan of Selangor in 1974 (Lonelyplanet, 2014).

6. Site Covered
The places covered in Kuala Lumpur in this project and these postcards are as follows:
Petaling Street, Pasar Seni, Jalan Tun H.S Lee, KLCC and Bukit Bintang.

7. Researched Pictures
A man sitting with his Dog in peace
A women likely a tourist waiting for the train
Photos from Flickr and Google

8. A couple taking a stroll in the park
at night
A toddler wandering alone in a tunnel

9. Young People and lifestyle
The busy and packed train

10. Concept
After researching, I have decided to choose the concept of Monochrome. A
monochrome is defined as a photograph or picture developed or executed in black and
white or in varying tones of only one colour (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). I like the idea of
minimal colour as it allows the viewers to focus on the story of the pictures. Besides
that, I also notice that sometimes colours can be a distraction in Photography, this is
because our main focus are stolen away by the colours that are surrounding the
pictures. As a result, we become lesser aware of the story of the picture. Of course,
colours can also be used to our advantage, but the idea of minimalist was my main goal
in this project. Therefore, the very reason of going with a Monochrome concept is to
enhance the story behind the pictures.
The pictures that I have researched on are mostly based from the urban context.
For example, parks, public transportation, tunnels and so on. Based from these
pictures, I was truly inspired to explore more on the urban lifestyle which also involves
the relation between spaces and people.
At the same time, based from the researched pictures, we can see how people
interact with the spaces around them in the urban context. For example, a man was
shown sitting peacefully alone with his dog in a public seat. In contrast, we can also see
the packed and busy lifestyle of the people in the train. The inspiration to take the
lifestyle and natural working days of the people in Kuala Lumpur came to my mind.
From the peaceful lifestyle to the busy lifestyle of the working people in Kuala Lumpur.

11. Theme
The theme chosen is Spaces and People. As I was looking through the project
brief, the term Spaces and People sparked my interest. Taking street photography in
Kuala Lumpur has always been my dream. It is because of this very reason that I chose
Spaces and People as I get to photograph the relation of spaces between people and
their lifestyle all in all. Truly, this topic is remarkably my favourite among the others.
First of all, it is challenging as it was classified under the “Architecture theme”.
Because of this, I included buildings in every shot that I took to show the architectural
background of the particular picture in relation with the spaces, people and the lifestyle
of the people.
On the other hand, the theme Spaces and People puts me in the situation
whereby I can capture the moments that people might not be aware of due to the busy
lifestyle they lived. Basically, it allowed me to appreciate the life that I had and to see life
in a broader spectrum.
Besides that, the theme Spaces and People also gave me the choice and
freedom to capture different places all around that could tell an interesting story. For
example, If I were to choose the food culture theme, my pictures would solely be
pictures of food and within the food context to the restaurant and etc. However, by
choosing Spaces and People, I got a huge and available choice of photographing
shopping complexes, hotels, restaurants, parks and so many more things.
All in all, it was due to my adventurous nature of exploration that I chose the
theme Spaces and People.

12. Draft Photos
Beggars On The Bridge
This photo was initially presented to Miss Delliya for checking but she disliked it. She
also mentioned about the strong orange colour dustbin that took away the focus of our
attention to the story of the picture. Even after converting to black and white
monochrome, she dislikes it. Therefore, it wasn’t chosen to be included in my postcards.
At the end, I also thought to myself that this picture didn’t fit quite well with my intentions
of bringing the joyful feeling to the viewers.

13. Working On The Bridge
This photo shows the construction builders working on a bridge. Miss Delliya also
rejected this photo due to the fact that it didn’t highlight any significant meaning. For
example, this photo could have been better if the workers were shown to be working
really hard and struggling every day for a meal. However, this photo lack the “wow”
factor and could have been found anywhere else other than Kuala Lumpur, therefore it
is not a good choice to include this in the postcard.

14. Ladies On Break
This photograph was presented to Miss Delliya explaining how the women were
hanging out waiting for the bus. It was during a Wesak Day when this photo was taken,
therefore it could indicate that the women are having a break from work as it was a
public holiday. However, Miss Delliya didn’t want me to include a photograph featuring
the ladies. Another factor Miss Delliya pointed out was that the postcard needed
pictures that are able to sell well. Basically, I agreed on what Miss Delliya has to say
and I agreed that though this picture is well composed and nice but it is somewhat not
so applicable to the theme of Spaces and People.

15. Chinese Buddhist Temple
This Chinese temple is gave me some sort of creepy and eerie feeling that I disliked. I
disliked this photograph as it was not well composed and the angle is slightly tilted to
the right. Therefore I would call this a failed photograph to match the standards of a
postcard. However, Miss Delliya favors this photograph as it highlights the richness in
culture of the place. At the same time, Miss Delliya also agreed that it didn’t match my
theme as most of my photograph consist the element of people. This photograph
depicted no people at all in the frame. On the other hand, the photograph is more
suitable for the sub theme of religious places in my opinion.

16. Boys With Their Father
In this photograph, it depicts the cheeky boy wearing sunglasses holding hands with his
father. On the other hand, another boy was being pushed in a stroller by his father. I
personally like this photograph, however one man’s meat is another man’s poison. Miss
Delliya did not approve of this picture, she said that I cannot sell small boy’s picture.
Though technically we are not selling, I have to disagree with Miss Delliya. Still at the
end, I decided not to include this picture as I am afraid it will affect my overall grades for
this project.

17. Draft Layout Plan (Packaging)
Packaging Outside Page
Packaging Inside Page
These are the initial first stage of the postcard packaging design. However my design was forced
to be changed as the printing shop does not have the suitable paper with the size I designed as a
packaging. Still, all things had worked out for good as I was forced to use Adobe Illustrator to
draw out the packaging boxes and measure accurately before printing on an A3 on the later part.

18. Draft Layout Plan (Postcard)
Postcard Design 1
Postcard Design 2

19. Postcard Back Design

20. Final Photos Chosen
This photo shows the top view from Pavilion Kuala Lumpur. Based from this photograph
we can see many people doing various different activities within the shopping complex.
This photograph shows the active lifestyle that people does like shopping, eating,
chilling and so on.

21. This photograph shows the low angle view of the outside area of pavilion. It has a wide
space for people to walk freely. The reflected surface of the glass is astonishing and a
mesmerizing view.

22. The temple of Sri Maha Mariamman located near Petaling Street is a famous tourist
landmark. Many tourists can be seen visiting the temple throughout the day. This
photograph was taken in the opposite of the building between 2 cars that was side
parked by the road.

23. This photograph shows a man walking after a heavy downpour in Bukit Bintang area in
Kuala Lumpur. I personally like this photograph as I feel it gives the feeling of a hectic
lifestyle of a working man after work rushing back to his home. The reflection shows an
upside down building which shows the busy, corporate working environment.

24. This photograph was taken at KLCC area. The escalator will lead to the bridge which
adjoins KLCC to Pavilion Kuala Lumpur.

25. Petaling Street is known for their gaily decorated streets. This photograph shows the
cheerfulness and crowded street of Chinatown.

26. We can hardly see a sight like this anymore in developed place. This photograph was
taken a few steps before the Petaling Street. This elderly man is shown pushing his
tricycle and carrying out his daily task in the midst of the old town.

27. This shot was taken inside of Pavilion beside a mirror. The reflected surface gave this
picture the illusion that it’s a wide shot and gave the picture more depth.
Just a few steps away right after catching the LRT, this bus stand can be found located
at Pasar Seni. Many people at the bus stand are seen having a light meal or snack,
some people were seen smoking their cigarettes while waiting for the bus.

28. The bridge shown here adjoins from the LRT station to the KTM station. Many people
passed by this bridge got to enjoy the creatively drawn graffiti by the stretch of walls
besides this bridge. At the same time, this bridge is also brightly lighted up by natural
lightings from the top during the day.

29. Final Postcard Design
Front
Back
Material: A4 Net Skin White paper

30. Final Packaging
Adobe Photoshop was used to arrange the photograph whereas Adobe Illustrator was
used to draw the packaging template.
Material: A3 Craft Paper

34. Summary
All in all the photographs in these postcards has its own stories and speaks for itself.
The relationship between spaces and people can be seen in various photographs in the
postcards. Besides that, Kuala Lumpur had so much to offer that I was even having a
hard time picking down my favorite 10 to be placed as postcards in this project. I was
intrigued and fascinated by the wonders of Kuala Lumpur. Exploring Kuala Lumpur was
the greatest joy that I can never forget.
Through this project, I have learned to use softwares that I never expected to touch in
my life. Softwares like Adobe Illustrator were the very last thing in my mind to even be
touched. At the same time, I improved greatly in my photography skills. Composing a
shot may be the very basic thing in photography, but I have greatly improved my
composition skills through this project. With the skills that I have gained and learned
from these experiences, I believe I can soar higher and move far greater in the coming
future.

35. References
Browne, M. [Mike Browne]. (2012, October 11). Street Photography Part 1a [video file].
Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sADQW-NlttE
Browne, M. [Mike Browne]. (2012, October 12). Street Photography Part 2 - people
photography [video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJ-
9V6M0M8U
Browne, M. [Mike Browne]. (2012, October 13). Street Photography Part 3 - candid
[video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7PhSEjZsQ4
From Tin Town To Tower City. (2006). Retrieved June 12, 2014, from
http://www.geographia.com/malaysia/klhistory.html
History Of Kuala Lumpur. (2014). Retrieved June 12, 2014, from
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/malaysia/kuala-lumpur/history
Oxford Dictionaries. (2014). Retrieved June 12, 2014, from
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/monochrome?q=monochrome