Last step for assessment

This is the last step for assessment whereby I'm in charge to print out the report and A2 presentation board. However there's a problem happened which is when i brought my report to Xorex printing shop, they said the machine is broken. Then i went to other shops they said they can't / don't  do ring binding. I have no choice at that moment. So i back to Xorex and asked them help me binding with normal plastic binding. However,evening when i saw Guan Zhui just finished binding, he got ring binding. I asked him where he bind the report. He said Xorex. I speechless.

Anyway, I reprint the entire report and make a new binding again. Now i have two reports.To follow the requirements, it worth.

Proofread the report

In my group, most of the time i play the script role who takes notes during the class and double check the report.

Development of Final idea

We have decided our final idea which we are going to build a community cafe. This would be another type of community centre. Community cafe is designed to make convenient for resident whereby it would have toilet, book rack, cafe, study corner, lounge and printing machine.

We used auto cad to present our idea but yet i feel that we would have to visualise our idea. Therefore i do some sketches based on our auto cad.

Fig 1 doing sketches based on my research

Fig 2 Sketches in progress

Fig3 Sketches of bookrack (incompleted)

Fig4 Sketches of Study corner(incompleted)

Fig 5 Sketches of column in the community cafe.(incomplete)

Site visit

        I have been two sites for site investigation which is HDB block of Bukit panjang and Tiong bahru estate.

        HDB block 501(fig1) is a 10 years and above building,however it is considered as a new HDB style for past fews years.Void deck of block is a open space that only have some bench(Fig2) and vending machine.Some part of void deck has no shelter covered but it is a designed feature.They also have a small green garden(Fig 3) under well maintenance,it is for decoration purpose.

Fig1 block 501,bukit panjang

Fig2 bench of void deck

Fig3 small green garden and void deck

Another site is Tiong bahru estate. Tiong Bahru  as one of the oldest housing estates of Singapore,it has a unique architecture style. The building's don't have void deck and not more than 5 storeys(Fig4).They have a small area between every block for gardening and laundry purpose(Fig5).I can also find that their windows are in old style which still able to see curtain.

Fig4 tiong bahru estate.

Fig5 Laundry purpose and garden.

Fig6 Ground floor of buildings.

[Research] Common problem (share)

Sundry kiosks are also slowly vanishing from the void decks. They face increasing competition from modern convenience stores and supermarkets that are able to offer discount deals and a wider range of goods including perishables.

The big question is, will neighbourliness vanish as void decks are reduced in size?
This  question should be under consideration while we redesign the void deck's function. The void deck should be "void" enough how ever if void deck has been designed as no more"void", do we still need a void deck?

A resident walking his dog at this void deck, where lift-upgrading works are being carried out.

［Research］More than a Void

         I did some research about more current usage of void deck at Singapore.Singaporean is familiar with void deck as void deck is a part of their living space.Everyday when they go out or back home,they will pass by void deck.
        Void deck has different usage for every range of ages. Such as seniors can play chest and chit chat, kindergarden is convenient for mothers, can walking dog, teenager can play roller skating,play basket ball,football, practise dancing and even do their homework.
         There are plenty of blogs talk about void deck with nice photograph. From online bloggers I can see that they really like this Singapore housing feature.

 The PCF Cheng San-Seletar kindergarten occupies most of the void deck of this block at Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5.

Such senior citizens’ corners are often equipped with facilities such as a pantry, sitting area, and a television set for the elderly residents.

Residents resting at the concrete seats.

Source: http://www.ghettosingapore.com/void-decks-in-singapore/

Same research topic is found

In fact, when i was doing research for our report. I found that another project has done a "HDB Flats Analysis." It is just a analysis of HDB Flats instead of void deck but it still helps us a lot for the report.It has told us the history and development of HDB flats at Singapore. 

In respect to the report, they have mention about the function of the HDB. One of the functions is  HDB provides a catalytic support to community development by organising community activities, promotion materials, and other means that will enable grassroot organisations to communicate with its residents. 

For further readings, click here.

Interview with taxi driver

Last time while i just received the report, i don't really even know what is "void deck". After one week while i was taking taxi, then i talked to taxi driver. i asked why Singapore's apartment flats have void deck, then we started our conversation. Therefore i have a interview with taxi driver before research methodology part to help me have a better understanding about my report's topic.

Van Gogh Street Gallery

This is an interesting research found. There was a Van Gogh Street Gallery at Block 56 on Pipit road. This is another creative way to use Void deck. 

In 2011, Social creatives launched an initiative that transform the first floor and common space of a residential area into an art gallery which are inspired by the art works of Vincent Van Gogh. This signature initiative of Social Creatives has appeared on local TV shows and even on CNN.

For further pictures, click here.

The skate holder of a housewife

       A void deck is an essential part of each an every HDB heart lander. For Singapore residents,living in this "pigeon-hole" configuration apartment blocks,void deck provided one more space to make a good use and benefit for residents greatly.
       As a housewife, i have to bring my children go to school everyday.Every time while I walk through void deck, I can't help myself to think about how to make this huge empty space becomes more functional instead of just setting up some tables and chairs then can be considered as a community mingling and functions are often attended by neighbours across the ethnic spectrum already.
        

         In my opinion, every void deck should have certain amount of small grocers such as medical and dental clinics, bakeries , food court. That would be promote our convenience.For my case,I will suggest to have a nursery at void deck. Besides, i hope void deck there have more big size table for children to do some hand craft thing. 

        Make a empty space into a multipurpose space will increase extra fees for sure. How the adminstrator control this space efficiency is a big problem.I believe that even we have a very nice place where meet residents convenience,but there will always have some people don't know how to cherish it.

         This is a video of the aftermath of a chinese funeral at void deck.

Void deck

As a Malaysian, i had never lived in a HDB,therefore, the actual usage of void deck catch my attention. The void deck of my apartment is as a mini car park. However, the car park is never fulfilled with car and yet sometimes when i back home at night, lots of cockroach appeared and i nearly step on them.

Void deck is typically found under apartment blocks in Singapore. The void deck occupied the ground floor, while apartments are on the second floor onward.After I do some research,I found that actually void deck stood as one of the primary requirements and characteristics of HDB in Singapore and apart of the pillars of community bonding.

However, in place of the large expanse of space in the common void deck with no facilities are left empty most of the day. Hence, this became the topic of our group discussion.

Void deck

My group members and I have listed out several usages for empty void decks and some challenges of outcome on a mind mapping. Here is some notes.

Usage:
1. Shop rental
2.Sheltered carpark
3. Wedding
4. Community Garden
5. Funeral wakes
6. Bicycle Bay
7. Fitness corner
8. Senior Citizens corner

Final Outcome= Multi-purpose Hall.
-mainly promote cohesion
-versatile /flexibility in maintaining the place.
-multi-functional
-possibly cost saving
-ability to change the area in a whim

Challenges of the outcome.
-maintenance
-may need redesigning of void decks
-first time implementation might cost a lot.

Negative aspect of the outcome can be remedied through planning and changing physical design.