The elective module sets the intention to reveal the students to the real community and work together as a team for architectural, culture and environmental enhancing activities in the communities of different social economic status and social groups.
Individual E-Journal
Activities : - Introduction to module
- Formation of groups of 8-10
Similar to all post module briefings, there was a lot of confusion going around as to what we were going to do. However as semester 5 students, we eventually sat down as a team and started look up on communities in need as well as ideas that could be proposed to benefit the community.
Personally I wanted to create a sort of community green sitting, which is basically using recycled pallets and creating bench that is integrated with the concept of planter boxes so that the community may benefit from the additional greens-cape together with a place to commune.
COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE
[UCM60102]
//Week 1 - Briefing
//Week 2 - Client
Activities : - Reached out to Yayasan Sunbeams Home
- Arranged a meeting with the person in charge
After several considerations towards homeless shelters, animal shelters, schools and etc., we decided on assisting Yayasan Sunbeams Home who has offered for us to help them as they are currently going through a growth period of the home. It would be a great experience to help them out in their time of growth as this is the time where a lot of change happen and these change require much work and effort. Therefore our group felt that it would be a great opportunity to provide for those who have provided for others.
Activities : - Meeting up with person in charge
- Identify site issue
- Measured dimensions
We visited the YSH on week 3 to meet up with Mr Alvin and Mrs Yau, the people in charge of the home, to get to know a little more about the home and it's current issues. After having a good talk with Mr Alvin and Mrs Yau, it was suggested that they needed help to improving their key management system and designing a shelving for their kayaks.
Initially upon arrival, the building looked noticeably new and was quite big, not the mention that have another building currently being constructed opposite the home. So it was understandable when the issue of key management was pointed out as such a large building would required quite a number of keys for the large number of rooms allocated in it. And with so many members handling the keys, it would be quite difficult to know who currently has which key.
Moving on to their storage building that is located around 5 minutes drive from the YSH, we find that the kayak the Home owns were all kept in an outdoor storage space stacked onto each other. The Home has roughly 20-30 kayaks. These kayaks are the highlight of the Sunbeams Home as they have used them to participated in many kayak charity events. However, if the kayaks were to be kept in it's current state, we would think that the kayak would not last much longer than it could have.
//Week 3 - Meet Up
The new Yayasan Sunbeams Home (YSH) before completion. Currently this building has been completed and is in need of changes that will help the community grow further.
Disorganized key handling system
The new Yayasan Sunbeams Home (YSH) in one of their kayak charity events
Lack of proper storage
Activities : - Solutions: Keybox and kayak rack design
- Task distribution
The need was clear, the YSH needed a suitable rack that could house all their kayaks in an orderly manner within a limited space, and a for the matter with the keys, we decided to proposed a key box. The idea of the key box is to have a proper housing for the storage of the keys and also to include a log book system to help keep track on the ownership and usage of the keys. So the task were distributed among the members, to either create the design, purchasing materials, and creating the initial proposal for the following weeks submission.
//Week 4 - Brainstorm
Activities : - Submitting the initial design proposal to both tutor and YSH
Mr Alvin and Mrs Yau were delighted by the proposal and how it would greatly help improve things around the Sunbeams Home.
//Week 5 - Proposal
Activities : - Design discussion and developement
- Second discussion with person in charge of YSH to improve the design
Taking time and discussing on the project with our tutor, we proceed with getting a feedback from Mr Alvin and Mrs Yau. After more input given, our design was further modified to suit the need of YSH. Considerations on the cost and budget was also done so that there would be a balance for both the projects. The design was simplified further so that it would fit the existing spatial condition of the storage area and the key box area.
//Week 6 - Development
Activities : - Finalized design and material
- Material preparation
- Key box implementation
During this week, the design has been mostly finalize, measurements were set and prep work for was being prepared.
As it was a midterm break for us, We started implementing works for the key box since it can be done in the university. Christine and Alexandra was in-charged of preparing the materials. Wood was the main material chosen for the box as it provides a verm warm aesthetic and the handmade appearance really give a "homey" feel to the Sunbeam Home.
The hiccups of the keybox were probably the thickness considered for the main framing of the box whereby the board was a tad thin for screws to be installed where that are not noticeable. However rather than going through the hassle of repurchasing the wood, we manage to get through the hurdle with innovation! Within the week, the key box was ready to go.
//Week 7 - Finalize
Rather than a double sided rack, we created modular sets of rack pieces that can be assembled or disassembled
The key box was standardized so that it will have a similar appearance as well as a simplified mechanism to access it.
Activities : - Kayak rack implementation
- Compilation of work
For the kayak rack, we have set the production time to be within 2-3 days due to the consideration that the rack needed to be constructed on site and welding was required for the steel structure of the rack.
In week 8, we proceeded with the initial frame work of the rack structure, with constructing the main beam and post first then following with the support bars that holds the kayak. Mr Peter, the Sunbeam Home's personal handyman showed us the rope in the methods of welding. Learning from a experience welder made it easier to pick up the skill and we were able to get the first rack template done rather quickly.
In week 9, our second visit, we completed the second rack in a quick manner as well. In our final visit, we completed the bracer joints and gave the rack a refreshing paint job. The braces were even detachable so that it made it easy to adjust its reach or to transport in components. Results of the rack provided us with a sense of satisfaction as the kayaks lay perfectly within the slots therefore wasting minimal headroom.
//Week 8-9 - Execution
Activities : - Compilation of design drawings, pictures and videos
The pre-submission period, we focused on the compilation of our Sunbeam project to convert them into presentation mediums. I was task with the E-poster. With the Sunbeams Home logo, and the dual project that we did, I was able to create a base layout of the poster then developed it into a highlight of two of the project that were held in two different places with different needs however comes together for the benefit of one community with one goal.
//Week 10 - Compilation
//Week 11 - Submission
Activities : - Final submission of Video, E-poster and E-journal
All-in-all, it was indeed a great pleasure to be able to give back to the people that sacrifice their time and efforts towards improving humanity. Although the project does no directly have a impact on the kids and people of Yayasan Sunbeams Home, we believe that it will however impact them as they learn on the values of responsibility and diligence through proper management as well as proper maintenance and that these values will help them achieve towards higher lengths in growing the home.
//the end
Also with:
How Seng Guan (Jonathan)
Lee Wan Xuan
Ang Averllen
Tan Chin Yin (Christine)