The document is a final design report for an architectural design project. It includes sections on site investigation and analysis, project background and design strategies. The proposed project is an Artscape Healing Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia aimed at providing an "urban escape" through art spaces and nature to promote relaxation. The design incorporates healing gardens, art galleries, studios, and other spaces connected by ramps and courtyards taking advantage of views of the river and surrounding context. Sustainable design strategies and precedents focusing on biophilia and nature are discussed to support the goal of using art and nature to relieve urban stress.

1. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN PROJECT
[ARC60108]
PROJECT 1C: DETAILED DESIGN
FINAL DESIGN REPORT
24 JULY 2017
NAME: KIMBERLEY EE SZE ANN
STUDENT ID: 0315319
TUTOR: MR EDWARD CHEW

2. 2
CONTENTS
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT TITLE
1.2 ABSTRACT
1.3 INTRODUCTION
1.4 PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.1 SITE INTRODUCTION
2.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
2.3 SITE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
2.4 URBAN STUDIES
2.5 MACRO SITE ANALYSIS
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
3.1 MICRO SITE ANALYSIS
3.1.1 SWOT
3.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES
3.3 DESIGN INTENTION
3.4 PROGRAMME AND PROJECT BRIEF
3.5 SITE RESPONSE
3.6 SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
3.6.1 KEY FEATURES
3.6.2 ZONING AND CIRCULATION
3.6.3 SCHEDULE OF ACCOMMODATION
3.7 MORPHOLOGICAL/ FORM STUDIES
3.7.1 MASSING STRATEGY
3.7.2 DESIGN STRATEGY
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.1 ORIENTATION
4.1.2 SUN
4.1.3 WIND
4.1.4 RAINWATER HARVESTING
4.1.5 DESIGN INTEGRATION
5.0 REFERENCES

3. 3
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 PROJECT TITLE
The project is the Artscape Healing Center to be buit at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur. The aim
for the project is to build an “urban escape” that will promrote relaxation in the heart of Malaysia’s
largest most bustling city, Kuala Lumpur. The overeaching theme of the design is to incorporate art
spaces complimented by nature to create a balance between work and leisure in the lifestyle of urban
dwellers. Research shows that one of three people living within cities suffer from urban stress and
thus by proposing an “urban escape“ in the form of an Artscape Healing Center, urban users will be
given a moment of respite from the stressful urban realm.
1.3 INTRODUCTION
This module is a thematic studio based on the theme of “sustaining humanities’’ architecture for
people, place and time. Designing for sustainability has been a fundamental issue for architects in
our time within global and regional contexts. In line with the current discourse on sustainability, it
upholds the belief that architecture can create better places, that architecture can affect society and
humanity, and that it can have a role in making a place civilized by making a community more livable.
1.4 PROJECT AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
AIM
To provide spaces that invite interaction with the surrounding contextual conditions. In addition to
the theme of sustaining humanities, the module focuses on the development of students’ ability to
integrate considerations of technology, environmental sustainability and the broader cultural context
into architectural design. This studio also offers a platform for students to develop their own position in
developingtheirindividualproject.Inadditiontostudents’abilitytodeveloptheirownpositionwithinthe
theme of ‘sustaining humanities’—architecture for people, place and time, one key aspect of the design
project is to develop holistic and integrated aspects of technology, environment and cultural context in
architectural design.
OBJECTIVE
To consolidate an understanding of the holistic nature of the architectural design process, to a given
degree of detail, with emphasis on design as an integrative process, drawing as appropriate on previous
subjects of the program.
1.2 ABSTRACT
This project is based on the theme of architecture with a social impact and the resolution and
integration of technology, environment and cultural context in architectural design. Progressing
from the urban issues of urban street environment , the design studio extends students development
of architectural position and design brief in proposing strategy to resolving social issues pertinent
within the conditions of the urban landscape.

4. 4
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.1 SITE INTRODUCTION
The site is located within Kuala Lumpur which is the national capital of Malaysia as well as its largest
city. Kuala Lumpur is the cultural, financial and economic centre of Malaysia, home to the Parliament
of Malaysia, and the official residence of the Sultan, the Istana Negara. The site lies within the heart
of Kuala Lumpur and is surrounded by local landmarks such as Masjid Jamek, Dataran Merdeka, KL
Tower and KLCC.
The proposed site is located at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur.It is currently functioning as a parking
lot and is located between the TNB Substation and DBKL. The site also faces the Gombak River
and will be involved in The River of Life Project which is a development program by the Malaysian
Government which aims to improve the water quality of the river and transform its surrounding areas
into a vibrant and livable water front with high economic value.
Figure 2.1 Site location
Figure 2.4 View into site
Figure 2.5 View from site overlooking the river
Figure 2.3 Proposed site plan
Figure 2.2 Aerial view of proposed site

5. 5
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.2 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
1820s
-before the first railway lines were laid in British Malaya, rivers were the sole mode of transport,
connecting one end of the Peninsular to the other.
-early settlers along the Klang River from Sumatra, and later, Chinese labourers brought in by Raja
Abdullah, became the backbone of a booming tin mining industry.
-The muddy confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers (KL City’s birthplace) was the furthest any
large boat could traverse, making it the point where boats would offload their cargo.
-Said to have been described by Frank Swettenham in 1874 as“the best tin mining village”he’d ever
seen, Kuala Lumpur soon replaced Klang as Selangor’s capital.
1980s
-As the decades passed, Kuala Lumpur grew as a city, but the river that conceived it started to fade
into the background of glitzy skyscrapers.
-The river turned a murky shade of brown, earning the local nickname“Sungai Milo”, where industrial
waste, piles of plastic, and human waste flowed through the city.
Current
-In 2016, Pemandu ran an online survey of what KL residents thought of the Klang River in preparation for
the completion of the first stage of the ROL.
-“A significant percentage thought the Klang River running through the city was a drain or storm drain,”
-The Klang River, especially in urban areas, is filled with trash
-The Klang River now resembles a humongous concrete drain with murky waters classified as“not suitable
for body contact”.
-The river’s fame lies in its filth, regularly used as an open sewer and rubbish dump.
Future
-Overseen by the Government’s reform agency Pemandu, the River of Life project began in 2012 as one of
the high-impact initiatives to bring Malaysia to developed country status by 2020.
-goal: to clean, develop and beautify the river that gave birth to the capital city, Kuala Lumpur.
-estimated total cost of the project: 4.4 billion
-The River of Life plan calls for the cleaning of the entire river, while beautification and development
works will be carried out along a 10.7km stretch in downtown KL.
Figure 2.6 Figure ground diagram showing development of the site through time
Figure 2.7 River of life 3 stage plan
Source: (River of Life)
Figure 2.8: Photograph of current condition
of the Klang River, before implementation of
The River Of Life Project
Figure 2.9: Artist Impression of the Klang
River, after implementation of The River Of
Life Project

6. 6
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.4 URBAN STUDIES
2.3 SITE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES
Kuala Lumpur is the national capital of Malaysia as well as its largest city. Kuala Lumpur is the cultural,
financial and economic centre of Malaysia, home to the Parliament of Malaysia, and the official
residence of the Sultan, the Istana Negara. A weakness of Kuala Lumpur is the imbalance of work and
leisure due to the overwhelming number of administrative buildings with minimal public spaces in
which people have the freedom to destress.
Kuala Lumpur and its surrounding urban areas form the most industrialised and economically fastest
growing region in Malaysia. The city is the economic and business center of the country and is also
the center for finance, insurance, real estate, media and the arts. Furthermore, Kuala Lumpur has
an estimated population of 7.2 million in the year 2017 and this number is estimated to reach 9.4
million by the year 2030. A rapidly increasing percentage of Malaysia’s population is moving to the
city and this migration is bringing with it a negative side effect as city life has been found to have a
damaging effect on the stress levels of urban dwellers and the population is suffering increasingly
from negative impacts on their mental health and well-being.
Therefore, creating an“urban escape”in the form of an art and healing centre can help enhance the
lifestyle of the locals and improve the mental state of the community. It will create opportunities for
the art community as well as facilitate diversity for creative entrepreneurs in generating income for
the locals.
Kuala Lumpur Population Data
Figure 2.10: Kuala Lumpur population data graph
Adapted from: (Kuala Lumpur Population, 2016)
Figure 2.11: Population density within Kuala Lumpur

7. 7
2.0 SITE INVESTIGATION AND CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.5 MACRO SITE ANALYSIS

8. 8
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
3.1 MICRO SITE ANALYSIS
3.1.1 SWOT
STRENGTH
-Strategicurbannodelayout.Asthesiteislocatedstrategicallybetween
urban nodes such as the LRT station, DBKL and SOGO Mall, it is highly
acessible for people.
-Visual connection between urban magnets. By proposing a maximum
3 storey height building, the visual connection between the LRT station
and the DBKL building can be maintained.
WEAKNESS
- Minimal vegetation. The existing vegetation on site is not sufficient to
block the strong Western sunlight.
- Site orientation.The North South orientation of the site will cause the
proposed building to be exposed to heat gain from the East and West.
- Lack of diversity. Activities are restricted as the site is surrounded by
administration buildings. Citizens in the area prefer to stay indoors
rather than occupying the outdoor area. Hence, there is no interaction
between different user groups.
- Noise. Noises that affect the site are mainly causes by transportation.
The LRT produces Intermittent noise every 3 to 4 minutes whereas
vehicles produce continuous noise especially during peak hours.
OPPORTUNITY
- Visual cues. By responding to the visual cues on site, the design will
be able to add qualities to the locality and protect the site features by
responding to the history of the city and the river of life project.
THREATS
- Adverse night activities. The site becomes dormant at night allowing
for negative activities such as the loitering of mat rempit and homeless
peope as well littering.
Figure 2.4 Urban nodes layout Figure 2.5 Visual connection between urban magnets
Figure 2.6 Lack of diversity
Figure 2.8 Visual cues Figure 2.9 Adverse night activities
Figure 2.7 Noise

9. 9
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM,
FRANK LOYD WRIGHT
Controlled movement of spiraling
ramp in the main atrium creates
a museum environment that
appreaciates art . Light source from
the center of the atrium cast light
downwards and highlights the
circulation space.
PARC DE LA VILETTE, BERNARD TSCHUMI
Envisioned as a place of culture where natural and artificial are
forced together into a state of constant reconfiguration and
discovery. The park is an open expanse meant to be explored
and discovered by those that visit the site. 10 themed gardens
are scattered throughout the large site such that people stumble
upon them and are given a chance to relax, meditate, and even
play.
TERRA COTTA STUDIO, TROPICAL
SPACE
Designed as the working space of the
eminent artist Le Duc Ha. The project is
a cubed-shape building with a bamboo
frame scaffold surrounding used for
drying terra cotta products. It’s also
designed with benches for resting,
relaxing and having tea. The scaffold also
functions as a fence to separate the studio
from the entire space.
REHABILITATION CENTRE GROOT
KLIMMENDAAL, KOEN VAN VELSEN
The theory of biophilia suggests that humans
have an innate preference to connect with the
natural world. There are several ways in which
nature can contribute to health and well-
being.
Nature’s inherent beauty has the ability to
promote stress relief, improve moods
and even induce mental restoration.
3.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES
3.3 DESIGN INTENTION
The Artscape Healing Center to be buit at Jalan Raja Laut, Kuala Lumpur, is an“urban escape”that will promote relaxation in the heart of Malaysia’s largest most bustling city, Kuala Lumpur. The overeaching theme
of the design is to incorporate art spaces complimented by nature to create a balance between work and leisure in the lifestyle of urban dwellers. People living within cities are constantly under the pressure of urban
stress and thus by proposing an“urban escape“ in the form of an Artscape Healing Center, urban users will be given a moment of respite from the stressful urban realm.
Figure 3.1: Ground floor plan
Figure 3.2: First floor plan
Figure 3.3: Second floor plan

10. 10
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
3.4 PROGRAMME AND PROJECT BRIEF
The proposed programmes of the Arscape Healing Center incorporate activitivities that aim to heal urban stress through nature, arts and culture. Thus, the design incorporates healing gardens, art spaces, a reading
spaces as well as dance/yoga studio and utilises ramps to create a linear motion appreaciating the view of the river and urban fabric. The design aims to create public spaces where users can separate themselves
from the stressful reality and enjoy the peace of the relaxing‘artscape’environment. Furthermore, users can also engage in the stress relieving programmatic activities provided in the design.
3.5 SITE RESPONSE
BUILDING HEIGHTS
The varrying roof heights create a
visual rythm that respond to the
surrounding site context.
ACCESSIBLE GROUND FLOOR
The double volume open ground
floor space invites people into the
building and takes advantage of the
urban nodes layout.
CENTRAL COURTYARD
The building is arranged around a
central courtyard that allows people
from the LRT to view into the open
space.
VISUAL CONNECTION
The building heights are also
manipulated such that there is a
visual connection from the LRT and
to the river.
LOUVERS AND CLADDING
The timber louver and cladding
facade gives the building a warm
feel as well as provides sun shading
without compromising the views to
the river.
Figure 3.4: East elevation
Figure 3.5: West elevation
Figure 3.6: North elevation
Figure 3.7: South elevation

11. 11
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
3.6 SPATIAL PROGRAMMING
3.6.1 KEY FEATURES
LAYOUT
The building layout is designed in relation to the site context with public spaces placed on the open
ground floor to create an accesible ground for users while semi public and public spaces occupy
the upper floors. The public spaces on the ground floor are in the form of healing gardens and art
exhibition spaces while the upper floors hold more formal spaces such as art galleries, art rooms,
studios and reading spaces. The spaces are connected by open corridors which incorporate natural
lighting and ventilation and overlook the central courtyard space allowing users to feel closer to
nature.
COURTYARD
The building has an open central courtyard space which connects all spaces on the ground floor.
Furthermore, all spaces on the upper floor are designed in such a way that they overlook the central
courtyard space. The courtyard seves as a healing garden which allows for users to relax in in a natural
greenspace.Furthermore,activitiesinthecentralcourtyardcanbeviewedfromtheLRTandwillencourage
users into the building.
CIRCULATION
The main circulation for the building is two ramps placed at opposite ends of the building. These ramps
allow acessibility for all users and promote a linear movement appreaciating the view of the river and the
urban fabric. Furthermore, 3 fire staicases are placed within the building as per the UBBL requirements.
Also, both a service lift and a passenger lift are provided.
3.6.2 ZONING AND CIRCULATION 3.6.3 SCHEDULE OF ACCOMMODATION

12. 12
3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND AND DESIGN INTENTIONS STRATEGIES
3.7 MORPHOLOGICAL/FORM STUDIES
3.7.1 MASSING STRATEGY
3.7.2 DESIGN STRATEGY
SITE
The site is surrounded by urban nodes
and transsportation lingkages creating
opportunities for the design.
HORIZONTAL PLANES
Create a framing effect
that emphasizes the visual
connection between the
river and urban fabric.
VERTICAL PLANES
Encourages linear movement
which takes advantage of the
river views.
DECORATIVE COLUMNS
Function as seating and to
display art in response to their
location as well as create privacy
for certain spaces.
RAMPS
Continues to encourage
linear movement that
appreaciates views and the
artscape environment.
BUILDING
The buiding will overlook the river and the urban
fabric and by proposing a 3 storey height building the
visual connectivity between urban magnets will be
maintained on the site.
FORM
In response to the site context, the building
is broken down into forms that surround a
central courtyard allowing views from the
LRT into the central space.

13. 13
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.1 ORIENTATION

14. 14
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.2 SUN

15. 15
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.3 WIND

16. 16
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.4 RAINWATER HARVESTING
Rainwater harvesting system is one of the sustainable features that is being widely used in Malaysia due to high levels of rainfall throughout the year. Rainwater is collected and reused for irrigation and other
purposes. In the Artscape Healing Center, this system is proposed to reduce water consumption in the building. The application of rainwater harvesting in urban water system provides a substantial benefit for both
water supply and wastewater subsystems by reducing the need for clean water in the water distribution system, less generated stormwater in the sewer system, as well as a reduction in stormwater runoff polluting
freshwater bodies.
Figure 4.1: Building section showing implementation of rainwater harvesting in the building

17. 17
4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL STRATEGIES
4.1 SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES
4.1.5 DESIGN INTEGRATION

18. 18
1. AD Classics: Parc de la Villette / Bernard Tschumi Architects. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2017, from archdaily.com: http://www.archdaily.com/92321/ad-classics-parc-de-la-villette-bernard-tschumi
2. AD Classics: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum / Frank Lloyd Wright. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2017, from archdaily.com: http://www.archdaily.com/60392/ad-classics-solomon-r-guggenheim-museum-frank-
lloyd-wright
3. Augustin, K.-A. (2017, February 26). Let the river run clean. Retrieved July 24, 2017, from http://riverranger.my: http://riverranger.my/newsmaster.cfm?&menuid=3&action=view&retrieveid=38
4. Kuala Lumpur Population. (2016, October 26). Kuala Lumpur Population 2017. Retrieved June 6, 2017, from http://worldpopulationreview.com: http://worldpopulationreview.com/world-cities/kuala-lumpur-
population/
5. Rehabilitation Centre Groot Klimmendaal / Koen van Velsen. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2017, from archdaily.com: http://www.archdaily.com/126290/rehabilitation-centre-groot-klimmendaal-koen-van-velsen
6. River of Life. (n.d.). About the River of Life (ROL) project. Retrieved June 25, 2017, from http://www.myrol.m: http://www.myrol.my/index.cfm?&menuid=21
7. Terra Cotta Studio / Tropical Space. (n.d.). Retrieved July 24, 2017, from archdaily.com: http://www.archdaily.com/791430/terra-cotta-studio-tropical-space
5.0 REFERENCES