Nurul Nabilah Izzati (1002873)
‘Invisible Dialogues’ Studio
Currently, our studio format is split into 2. The first consult of the week will be centered about the individual interventions whereas the second consult of the week will center around group discussions, working on the melting pots (connections to the overall studio masterplan).
Following from the study on park typology from the previous week, I decided on using the existing topography and trees as the determining factor for the building massing and programs allocation. Here is a short explanation for each of the program spaces.
1. Physical+Cognitive Exercise Area: Following the interview insight from O’JOY, there was a need to allocate a program space for health oriented aging. Hence, I will look at catering an exercise area that helps to maintain physical bodily functions through muscle engagement exercises. This exercise area may cater to the following: tai ji, singing, aerobics, dancing. This program space will be allocated to the area with sparse trees, and closest to the waterfront zone for activation of the boardwalk and as a casual invite to other users along the boardwalk, to join in on the exercise programs.
2. Play Area: One element that is lacking amongst elderly with dysthymia is the more lighthearted role of play, of hosting their own community and identity. Hence, play area can be allocated for elderly interests such as mahjong, chinese chess and other board games. Drawing from the existing topography, this program space will be allocated to the patch of trees with great shading capabilities. Hence, this will be good to create the inclusion as well as privacy that people with dysthymia require – their own patch of private within the public realm.
3. Community Garden: An insight from interview with persons with dysthymia was that more often than not, they need to participate in an empowering activity that helps to build their self confidence and self worth. Hence, horticulture is the best way to facilitate this character building process as they get to feel empowered from nurturing a plant from seed to sow. In terms of the topography, this program will be allocated to an elevated space, as a form of parasitic architecture branching out from the back of the power station, which is adjacent to the site.
This is the progress thus far on my individual end, and below are the sketches that was discussed for the group consult. We were in the midst of ideating a central focus of the elderly-centric waterfront zone. Now, it is confirmed that our zone will focus on new forms of urban furniture that facilitate community building activities.
