Well, it is 5am now. I just came back from voon siew's lovely wedding. I wish my big day will come within 10 years. After graduate from UTM, my life is getting more and more challenging. For me, this is best achievement throughout the year. I never expect there are so many surprise in 2011. After the Haiti competition, i went through a dramatic transition in my life. Not only in term of life but also the way how I appreciate everything. Some people said the most you obtain, the more you affraid to lose. In my opinion, the more I have, the more things you need to explore, appreciate and enjoy.
Rather than that, I also won the besOt design award for UAC competition. Well, i am really excited about it. Finally, i did it. However, they are some lecturer from another uni critic on my drawing. I will take it as a very sincere comment and I will keep it up.
Rather than that, the most exicting part is I went to Europe. It is my dream! It is real!! I have to say thank you to the boss. He is so great. More photo will be upload soon. I used to write a journal after I came back from a trip. But the europe trip is too special, I might need some time to write the journal.
Finally, this is my first time finished a post while travelling. Really feel great about it. I have to always work hard and keep it up. By the way, i have to say thank you for all my friends. Hopefully US still not far away from me.
Regarding to the Haiti housing competition, everything is on the move right now. The most excited moment is Manfred and his firm is preparing all the construction drawings right now. The second fundraising event will be held on 22nd September which is so near to my convocation..I can’t wait to earn money and fly to USA.
This is the email that I would like to share if anyone loves to donate for this event.
“• At the January 12 event we were able to raise about $21,000; the next fundraiser is scheduled for September 22, 2001. In addition, we have commitments from the International University Center Haiti to build one of each of our four designs, the first already funded as a Community Center for orphaned and abandoned children for Orphans International Worldwide (OIWW) Haiti. • We are searching for additional sites in the town of Petite Goâve and are in communication with C2C (Community to Community) a 501(c)3 organization towards that end.
• We have translated the descriptions of each board into French. Two weeks ago, one of our board members went to Haiti and presented them in Petite Goâve for feedback from the community. "
HAITI HABITAT-The 5mx6m design proposal demonstrates a flexible unit design and the combination of six units to form a small community. Cooking, washing cloths and sanitary activities are located at the common area where the residents could share the same function. It is significant to encourage the existing sharing culture and social activities within the Haitian.
Each house is designed with a courtyard- a principle which is then extended to the site planning as well. The units are grouped around a hierarchy of open space and private area. (Living room and bedroom-Private; Internal courtyard- semi private; common area- open).The basic unit consists of living room and one bedroom. It can be easily expand to fulfill the different size of family in the future.
Recycled materials are used such as recycled plywood, plastic bottles and corggurated plastic roof. The half brick walls not only reduce the construction time but also avoid the deterioration of plywood. Plastic bottles are used to increase the ventilation of the house.
Water and Waste water Management:
The roof structure performs as a funnel to collect the rainwater into water tank located at the courtyard in each unit. After filtration, the water can be used for drinking, cooking and bathing. All waste water turn into grey water and it will be stored in the grey water tank. Grey water can be used for irrigation and flushing toilet. Finally, human excrement and crop’s waste will be collected to produce methane for spark-ignition engine. Spark-ignition could generate electricity that overcome the power supply issue.
Aesthetic:
Haitian art will be the source of inspiration for the wall design. The usage of recycled plastic bottles can be arranged according to their creativity to form a unique art work on the wall. At the same time, the plastic bottles act as a ventilation element as well.
Any comment are welcome..It may help me to improve the presentation...Just SHOOT!!
This is my first individual challenge that won the competition. After 1 week of preparation and submission, I received an email last Friday. My entry has been selected into top twelve where they give me a chance to present my work in New York City.
The most interesting part of this competition is no monetary awards. Haiti-Habitat will seek out the best cross-sections to yield a maximum benefit to Haiti. This is exactly what I want to do in the future. I wish this is my best Christmas gift to all the Haitian.
I went to lots of places with my new babe (D3000) throughout this year. It is kind of fantastic that I can capture every single moment in my lifetime. At the same time, I am growing up. From internship (torture by the Japanese guy), trips and final year studio, I start to look at the truth from my inner heart.
Recently, I read a diary from Frank Anne. I never realize that a diary could be so powerful and impressive. Just like Benjamin Button’s diary…record every single moment in their life. Fortunately, I have a camera to capture everything from my perspective. My writing skill is sucks..haha..
Thesis year is a peaceful year where there are only five world wars in a semester. Thanks to Sammy and Ming as well. Without your inspiration, my thesis would go smooth and steady. Talking about my friends, some of them are getting stubborn. Don’t you understand? Anyway, best friends are still around.
Again, I have lots of dreams that haven’t come true yet. I wish I can be selfish guy that can ignore all the responsibility and commitment. Feel sorry to my parents. I am not an ordinary guy that only thinking of money, big house and wife.
Before this, I took part in the Antarctica Research Center Design with Chiou Yann. Since we got the jury commendation, hence we are asking for a certificate from IIT Roorkee. Yippi, finally I got the certificate from India. It took 1 month for the delivery from Institute of technology Roorkee to Malaysia. Anyway, it is worth that I took part the competition with Chiou Yann.
Few weeks ago, I received another e-mail from IIT( Institute Tecnology of Rookees). I, with my group member, Ang Chiou Yann, had been short-listed in research station design challenge. This is another achievement besides Holcim Award. Sometimes, I just too ambitious without bother others feeling. I hope it doesn’t hurt anyone because I am still who am I.
There are two stages from this competition. We had been short-listed for the first stage. We are supposed to present our works in India this Friday. But due to the costly flight ticket, we decided to send the artwork to IIT. Still waiting for result……..
Stage 1
I have to reserve the copyright
Stage 2
- Where we suppose to go to IIT this friday. Anyway, I still satisfied with this group work with Chiou Yann. ( Nothing.....just co-operative...tat's all)
Someone will ask me..Why India again? I just don’t know…haha
Someone asked me....Where is your studio work? I just haven't start...
Give me energy...
Holcim, one of the biggest cement companies in the world. The Holcim Awards is an international competition that recognizes innovative projects and future-oriented concepts. It is designed to encourage architects, planner, engineers and project owners to go beyond conventional notions of sustainable construction in their work and to harmonize ecological, social and economic concerns. Projects and concepts in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, civil engineering and relate fields are eligible for entry in the competition.
Due to our winning project-tree protection facility for green urban transformation, we have the opportunities to go to India for award ceremony and traveling. Anyway, India is one of the planet’s multidimensional countries, presenting a wildly diverse spectrum of travel encounters. Some of these can be challenging, particularly for the first time visitor: the poverty is confronting, Indian bureaucracy can be exasperating and the crush of humanity sometimes turns the simple task into an energy-zapping battle.
Within the one week trip, we travelled around the India where we started from New Delhi (Delhi), Agra (Uttar Pradesh) and lastly Jaipur (Rajasthan). This classic circuit is a well-known golden triangle. The weather in India during the winter season in November is hazily and dusty. Surprisingly, this is the most comfortable period to visit India.Even through one week is a tight schedule of this vast and vibrant country, but this is my tremendous and memorable tour.Excited, frustrating, anxious, frightening and different kind of feeling will be imprinted in my mind. I will never forget about the graceful of Taj Mahal, the attractive Hawa Mahal (Wind palace) and the majestic of the Amber fort.
Day 1 (26th November 2008)
After two months preparation, finally we came to the KLIA and ready to start the journey. We spent around two hours in the airport and then get into the plane around 8.05am. Inside the plane, I started to imagine the Taj Mahal, can’t wait for the ceremony and felt worried about the itinerary. Five hours of suffering in the plane, we reached in the Indira Ghandi International airport at 11.45am (2.15pm in Malaysia).
Seriously, the first step just came out from the airport, everyone can feel the unpleasant smell in the air immediately, horrible surroundings and the most annoying is the noise from the traffic. This is INDIA! I was looking at my friends eyes and it seems like agree what I was thinking now. I told myself, I have to be strong and optimistic.
Some of the representatives from the Holcim are waiting for us, and they are ready to send us to the Taj palace hotel for registration. One the way to the Taj palace, I was totally blank about what is going on about this city. I can’t believe there was group of peoples sleeping at the roadside, cycling in the polluted air, begging from the tourists and some unbelievable scenes.
In the Taj palace hotel, it just likes a different world with a luxury interior and large swimming pool. After registration, we still not allow to stay in the hotel because Holcim only sponsor the accommodation during the ceremony. Hence, the staff from the Holcim sent us to the Raunak Inc. for our very first night.
Agra- a smelly and romantic city. Agra is romantic because of the unique Taj Mahal. Anyway, smelly due to the bad sewerage system.
We took train and depart from New Delhi to Agra. It took us four hours and this is the time where we experience the most famous train system in the world. I just wonder why this biggest railway station in India is so smelly. The human waste is dispose on the railway and the flies is searching for their lunch and dinner. Disgusting.
Second class sleeping seat is just another bad ventilation cubicle. Most of the facilities in India are not suitable for women due to the hygiene issue. Anyway, I can say this is the most memorable experience on public transport. Haha
Nothing much about today, just having dinner on the rooftop of the Hotel and looking at the Taj Mahal until late of night. Tomorrow will be the climate of the trip...which is Taj Mahal.
