We propose for KL ...
THE Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) research studio programme, Kuala Lumpur: Designing the Public Realm, focused on an area comprising the city centre’s business district, part of the Klang River, and Kampung Baru.
Within the 1.5km diameter site, 12 students chose their own microsites to work on, guided by three GSD instructors, Rok Oman, David Rubin, and Spela Videcnik; they also worked with teaching assistant Mikhail Grinwald.
The students’ proposals were discussed at the programme’s forum held at the Malaysian Institute of Architects’ office in KL recently. Videcnik explained how the project sites were chosen at a media briefing.
“When we first came, we were all very impressed with the greenery in the city, which, we heard, is fast disappearing. We also saw that there was a highway that disconnects the city, and that the public transportation system is relatively good but still not efficient.
“Therefore, we chose Kampung Baru, the river, and KLCC and its surrounds, and how to make connections between KLCC and Kampung Baru.”
The following are the proposals put forward by the students.
Micro Infrastructure As Community Preservation: Kampung Baru:
In Kampung Baru, which is currently valued at an estimated US$1.4bil (RM5.93bil), the focus is on how its vernacular architecture can be revitalised.
The building designs presented by the students range from three to seven floors in height, and are set in grids of 5m x 5m x 3m for modular flexibility.
Their typology maintains the vernacular roof structures found in Kampung Baru and elevates them, creating new spaces for commercial or residential units.
The second typology references the roof’s form and orients the roof according to different zones. Public spaces and new uses such as outdoor theatres, art galleries, botanical gardens, and market spaces are also proposed.
Kelangopy: This is an elevated 1.6km walkway that aims to bridge the divide between KLCC and Kampung Baru, and also between the Jalan Ampang Muslim Cemetery and Kampung Baru; it also provides shade below it that can be utilised by street vendors.
The pedestrian-only walkway features outdoor seating to encourage visitors to have leisurely strolls or even picnics. Part of the walkway will pass over the Klang River, while another goes over the night market in Kampung Baru. One end of the walkway descends into a garden-like setting in the cemetery.
Rojak Loop: The Rojak Loop aims to “preserve and enhance the identity and character of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown while providing a new public space that unifies a diverse population”.
What is proposed is a cultural heritage trail through the neighbourhood that highlights the character of the markets, alleys, temples, and shop houses unique to KL’s Chinatown. New public spaces to the north at Medan Pasar and to the south at a new gateway created by bridging the highway are also proposed.
The plan also uses food as a common tool to cut across social, cultural, and political boundaries.
Other proposals include Reclaiming The Klang, which is about giving the river a positive presence and rediscovering the potential of river systems to offer open public spaces and other benefits. This proposal also includes housing and public space designed seamlessly over the river and within the current urban landscape.
Common Ground: This idea proposes a new way of looking at the role of the urban park in today’s large cities. It is about having multilayered open public spaces combined with mixed-use developments, where the park will be seen as a shared green space and cultural hub.
Excavating Barriers: Creating A Porous Wall In Kampung Baru:
This proposes to connect the people, river, and city centre. The proposal is to excavate and reinforce the 1.6km barrier wall in the area with a series of new archways to create shops, offices, and restaurants along the river.
The Monorail As Collective, Cultural Public Space:
This proposal is about using bamboo to create quadrants at stations that form spaces for food, exploration, and an education hub about KL’s history and culture.
Multi-Dimensional Modular Prototype For An Elevated Mobility System:
This is a modular monorail prototype that introduces a grid system, derived from traditional Malaysian patterns and Islamic architecture units, for the monorail stations. The modular stations give a unique look to each station as well as offer public gathering and commercial spaces.