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METHODS OF DOCUMENTATION AND MEASURED DRAWINGS

Project 1 Sketchbook and Journal 

Project 2 Measured Drawing

We were assigned to carry out our Measured Drawing module in a group of 39 students from August 2013 and March 2014 intake. Our case study building is Lian Huat Paper Company, located at Lot 140, Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, Penang. Lian Huat Company is a traditional Chinese Shophouse that runs a paper distribution business.

 

The layout of this traditional Chinese Shophouse consists of two floors, typical five-foot-way, halls on the ground floor and rooms on the upper floor. Perhaps the most notable features of this shophouse are the gable wall profile and the jack roof construction. It spans about 67 meters long with three covered up airwells within.

 

We travelled to Georgetown for 5 days to measure and film the building. There were originally two groups travelling to Penang to measure both of Lian Huat Company's Shophouses (Lot 138 & 140), each group measuring one of the shophouses. However, we discovered the site spanned much longer and wider than what we had imagined during the first day of site visit. After much deliberation between the two groups and tutors, we all agreed on merging groups. The two groups of 19 and 20 students eventually combined into one big group and chose to measure Lot 140 only. Lot 138 is the main reception and business area whereas Lot 140 is the storage and working space of Lian Huat Company.  

 

Ivanka and I, being the leaders of the group organised the members into smaller groups of 2 - 4 and each of us is allocated with a space within the building for on-site measuring. 

 

Furthermore, the report team had carried out interviews on Mr. Teoh, the current owner of the shophouse and Architect Tan of Alpha Utara Gallery. A complete set of measured drawings, report, sketches and video are then produced after the site visit. These tasks are to be completed within 5 weeks.  

 

Our case study building proves to be tricky as the walls and roofs are bent and crooked in odd angles. This will be elaborate on in the final learning outcomes. 

Our very first project is an on-site exercise where we have to sketch and document the physical and intangible qualities of the building as well as the immediate context of the site. It can be from an element as broad as the urban planning itself down to the smallest detail of the ornaments used in the building. 

 

The subject guidelines are:

  • The Genius Loci - Daily activities at the Campbell Street Market, Traditional Chinese Shophouses at Armenien Street.

  • Poetic Quality - Poetic Spaces within Lian Huat Company

  • Cultural Attributes - Street Vendors, Trishaw, Daily Activity in Lian Huat Company 

  • Technical/ Construction Details - Lattice Screen Detail, Arch Double-leaf Casement Window detail, Jack Roof Construction

  • Floor Plans, Sections and Elevations

 

 

 

Upon completion of project 1, I have gained an insight towards heritage town and able to capture the tangible and intangible essence that is contained within the architecture realm. I have also learned to appreciate the beauty and restoration efforts in maintaining Heritage Zone of Georgetown, Penang.

The second project aims to produce a set of measured drawings of Lian Huat Company Shophouse. It is an on-site exercise where we are required to execute fieldwork and hands-on measurement exercise. The full set of drawings are produced with computer-aided design softwares. Namely, Autodesk Autocad and Rhinoceros 3D. These drawings are then scaled to fit into 42 A1 sheets. The accuracy, precision, execution of lineweights and annotations are crucial in producing a set of good drawings. 

 

A physical model of 1:50 scale is then constructed using balsa wood to show the construction and structure of the building.

 

The list of drawings produced could be seen below. 

Upon completion of project 2, I have learned to produced quality drawings with clear execution of lineweights, annotations, highlighting its historical significance as well as other technical information of measured drawing and documentation. Meanwhile, I learned to explain as-built building constructions, architectural details and elements and able to show it clearly in annotated drawings. Moreover, I am able to experience on-site measuring activity and it definitely enriched my exposure and experience as an architecture student. 

Project 3 Report and Video on Measured Building

Porject 3 consist of a hard bound report that documents and elaborates the significance of Lian Huat Company from various aspects such as architectural, historical and cultural. In this report, we are required to relate the architecture of the building to its significance, highlighting how the two support the inhabitation of the building. The significant aspects of a traditional Chinese Shophouse, as well as the changes and restoration works done on the building throughout the years are all highlighted in the report. 

 

A video is then produced to showcase the spaces within the building. The video complements the report with a brief history of Lian Huat Company and  summarised content of the architectural elements highlighted in the report. It also depicts our 5 days journey and measuring process in Georgetown. 

Project 3 Report

Project 3 Video

Project 2 Drawings

Project 2 Model

Top: Lian Huat Company (Lot 140, Lot 138)   |  Bottom: Overall view of Lebuh Carnarvon

It is definitely a challenging task managing and working with such big group of people. I definitely learned alot throughout this short semester in terms of heritage building knowledge, promblem solving skills, crtical thinking skills, managing and dealing with people, leadership, task deligation and organisation and proper methods of documenting measured drawings. This semester proves to be one of a kind as we get to work with students from different batch and experienced this learning process in a whole new level with the suffocatingly close datelines given. Even though we do not have access to any of the Jack Roofs in Lian Huat Company, we were very pleased with the outcome of the roof structure drawings as we had put in loads of effort in searching for a logical solution to solve the mystery of the roof.  One thing we learned for sure is that, a simple building may not be what it seems. Especially heritage building as these buildings have undergone a series of changes and restoration throughout the years. The walls of these buildings may bend and become crooked after many years and building settlements make it all difficult and tricky to be measured. 

Group photo at the crossroads of Chulia Street. 

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