Construere Learning Hub is a medium-scale PAM Learning Hub (an annex building associated to the PAM Centre), which is situated in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur. The PAM Learning Hub is to expand the programme of the PAM HQ to embrace more facilities and outreach programmes relevant to the built environment profession, and to sensitively respond to the complex mix of urban communities of the area.
Design Involvement - Individual Design Project
Location - Lots 294, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Building typology - Institution | Community Centre
Construere is a Latin word, which itself has roots in com-, meaning "together," and struere meaning "to build". Construere Learning Hub is an interdisciplinary learning platform to promote the appreciation of architecture for the students as well as the public who are non-architectural background. The building itself conceived as a teaching material for the future architects to learn more about building design and building technology, particularly the concept of sustainable architecture.
Construere
LEARNING HUB
Open Bridge
The circular bridges are designed to be gradually bigger from lower floor to upper floors. The void of the circular bridges create an atrium which allows stack effect to occur in this building. The warmer air rise and escape from the top of the atrium.
Skylight
The skylight introduce natural sunlight into the triple volume of collaborative staircase on the ground floor so that the space is naturally lit up, creating a comfortable reading environment.
Gallery
There is a compartment in the gallery which is surrounded by a series of vertical timber blinds, provided for the students to have an impromptu presentation to the visitors about their architectural designs.
Gallery
There is a compartment in the gallery which is surrounded by a series of vertical timber blinds, provided for the students to have an impromptu presentation to the visitors about their architectural designs.
Atrium
The circular bridge that connecting the two building blocks is also serve as a viewing deck to give a 360-degree-views to the surrounding. It allows cross ventilation throughout the building interior without the obstruction of walls and make the ambient temperature cooler.
Location
Located in the suburb of Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Lot 294 is a plot of land situated in Bangsar that were currently occupied by APW Bangsar, a creative space for the community. The plot of land were having a total area of 6033.375 sqm while after setback, the proposed land were having a 4748.985 sqm buildable area. According to the local authority-DBKL, the proposed site were given a plot ratio of 1:4 which approximately 18995.925 sqm were able to be built on this lot.
Lot 294 were located right beside of Balai Berita, NSTP, and Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM) Centre, while there is a TNB substation that located next to the proposed site. Across the proposed site, there were an on-going construction site opposite of Jalan Tandok. Plenty of green patches were found surrounding the proposed site, while lots of greeneries were available around the proposed site as well.
Design Development
1/ The development of the massing is adapted to its functional requirement.
2/ The portion of the rectangular volume is subtracted from the massing for the integration with nature element / landscape.
3/ The block is then separated into two diagonally which follows the angle of the site profile. It create a passageway that connects the PAM Centre with the building itself with shorter distance.
4/ The orientation of the blocks maximize the visual connections to the surrounding. The diagonal passageway responds to the wind movement of the proposed site, maximize the natural ventilation throughout the building.
5/ Circular bridge is integrated into the plan in each floor to connect the two separated blocks.
6/ The circular bridge has a void to create an atrium in the middle of the building. It allows natural ventilation to flow through the open bridge and hot air escape from the atrium.
7/ The bridge functions as a central point that links all the important programmes and spaces with a clear configuration of path.
Site Circulation
Design Intention
Problem Statement
01/ There are limited platfrom for the students who study in building-related disciplines to communicate and interact with each other.
02/ PAM Centre is not welcoming the public who are non-architectural background to access to the building.
Interdisciplinary and Experiential
To propose an interdisciplinary learning hub to promote appreciation of architecture for the students who study it and all those who pass by. The building itself conceived as a teaching tool for future architects and to learn about design and building technology, particularly concepts of sustainability.
The learning hub unites the building-related students to create a flexible learning environment that fosters collaboration and shared value through the design of open, interconnected spaces. The building program includes collaborative studios for building-related students, facility and administrative offices, a library, computer labs, classrooms, and a model making workshop, as well as kids play station to cultivate their interest in architecture and train them as the future architects.
Programme & Target users
01/ Collaborative space for students who study in building-related disciplines to communicate and exchange knowledge. These students study in different disciplines include architecture, m&e, c&s, interior design, art, etc.
02/ Public participation in the architectural events to enlarge and enhance the public interest. The building itself serves as a ‘precedent study’ to promote the sustainable approach in building design, for example the kinetic facade, green roof, etc.
03/ Conduct educational activities and provide play space for children to captivate their interest in architecture. This learning hub can serve as a preparation platform for these children to become the future architect.
Gallery © yuetsi
Outdoor reading area © yuetsi
Collaborative staircase © yuetsi
Circulation Diagram © yuetsi
Typical section & blow-up detail © yuetsi
Kinetic facade: The library is featured with kinetic facade which will automatically enhance and prohibit the flow of natural light at appropriate situations. © yuetsi
Kinetic facade: The facade allows for piercing shards of light that give a dynamism to the interior space by filtering different amounts of light inside at different times. © yuetsi
Detail of kinetic facade panel © yuetsi
Each aluminium panel is stacked on top of each other to form a spiral column on centre that can install on any vertical or horizontal surfaces. It is a dynamic sculpture even when it is static. The degree of rotation between the aluminium panels controls the pre-defined dynamic patterns. With proper control of transparency, each pattern can be a wonderful light diffuser and sculpture.
The angle between each aluminium panel defines an rhythm pattern. This pattern creates a visual interest. They functional patterns for light diffusing purpose and also help to create arhcitectural identify for interior or exterior.
Sustainable Features © yuetsi
Overall Presentation Board
