THEORIZING ARCHITECTURECASE STUDY @ UEP SUBANG JAYA, MALAYSIAby Kian Soon Jean [0314978]REFERENCES:1. Google.com,. (2015). Google Maps.2. Trancik, R. (1986). Finding lost space: Theories of urban design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.3. 5. USJ Homes,. (2015). Homepage. Retrieved 20 April 2015, from http://usjhomes.com/

PATH FIGURE GROUND

USJ 1 INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT RETAIL DISTRICT, USJ 10

RETAIL DISTRICT, USJ 1

USJ 14

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, USJ 14

RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT, USJ 8

Characteristics of site:- Largely low rise (2-storey) building-scape, save for apartments and newly developed retail buildings- Generally at terrain across site- Good vehicular accessibility but poor pedestrian accessibility across districts

Better known as USJ, UEP (United Estate Projects) Subang Jaya, is an afuent residential township be-sides being one of the most prestigious addresses within the Klang Valley. USJ is under the jurisdiction of Subang Jaya Municipality Council (MPSJ) since 1997 and is strategically located within the sub-district of Damansara - situated within the district of Petaling and the state of Selangor. As of 2010, USJ has a population of over 1,200,000 as its location is in close proximity of booming townships such as Bandar Sunway and Subang Jaya.

N

Retail District

Industrial District

Residential District

Formal District

USJ 2

USJ 14

USJ 5

USJ 11

USJ 9

SUBANGBUSINESS CENTRE

USJ 6

USJ 10TAIPAN BUSINESS CENTRE

USJ 7

USJ 8

USJ 1

SUBANG LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK

ULTRAMARINE INDUSTRIAL PARK

THEORIZING ARCHITECTUREPLACE THEORY @ UEP SUBANG JAYA, MALAYSIAby Kian Soon Jean [0314978]

REFERENCES:1. Trancik, R. (1986). Finding lost space: Theories of urban design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.2. Google.com,. (2015). Google Maps.3. Samsudin, N. (2013). Inuence of Traditional Malay Settlements Physical Design Attribute On Social Character-istic: Johor, Malaysia (1st ed.). Taipei. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/5418878/Inuence_of_Tradition-al_Malay_Settlements_Physical_Design_Attribute_On_Social_Characteristic_Johor_Malaysia4. Seo, R., & Omar, S. (2011). HOUSING TYPOLOGY OF MODERN MALAYSIA (1st ed.). Seoul. Retrieved from http://repository.um.edu.my/18753/1/SEAFORUM_modern_malaysia_ju-1.pdf5. USJ Homes,. (2015). Homepage. Retrieved 20 April 2015, from http://usjhomes.com/

Key points to place theory:- Space become place when contextualised by incorporation of cultural associations with the past, thus embodying character with values and meanings.- A place has character that consists of a tangible substance, shape, texture and colour besides containing a thin layer of intangible cultural associations as a result of human use over time.- A place is created through synthesis of the total environment, including the social, wherein physical context, cultural context and the needs and aspirations of the User are considered.- Places should allow loose ends for transformation - for needs that change with time, thereby allowing User manipulation.- Places have the ablility to unify diversed elements of architecture through strong geometry as the ordering device.

Reasons to proposal of place theory and case study: - The site was chosen as it is the hometown of the Author which would then ease the process of understanding site.- Place theory reveals cultural and human characteristics of physical space which is vital in understanding the urban spatial design in Subang Jaya.- Place theory reveals the character and essence of spaces.

The Summit as landmark to site, USJ 1 The Summits core MPSJ Stadium as courtyard and a flexible place, USJ 5

MPSJ Stadium, USJ 5 USJ 2 Park

Taipan Triangle with carpark as core, USJ 10

Al-falah Mosque as cultural symbol , USJ 9

High-rise Wisma UEP reinforces Triangle Relatively high mass building reinforces Triangle

Relatively tall buildings reinforces Triangle

Chee Wen School, USJ 1 USJ 8 School Seafield 3 School, USJ 8

Sri Bayu Condo, USJ 11 USJ 6 QuartersResidential building design in USJ 14 amongst many other styles in different housing areas

BALI DESIGNDUKE DESIGN BABA & NYONYA DESIGN

USJ 14

USJ 5

USJ 11USJ 9

SUBANGBUSINESS CENTRE

USJ 2

USJ 6

USJ 10TAIPAN BUSINESS CENTRE

USJ 7

USJ 8

USJ 1

SUBANG LIGHT INDUSTRIAL PARK

ULTRAMARINE INDUSTRIAL PARK

Klang RiverMain road connecting highwaysPublic schoolParkRetailMosque N F1

F2

F3

F5 F6

F4

F8

F7

F10F9

F12 F13

F11

Wisma UEP

Bank Islam

True Fitness

OCBC Bank

Citibank

Carpark

THEORIZING ARCHITECTUREPLACE THEORY @ UEP SUBANG JAYA, MALAYSIAby Kian Soon Jean [0314978]

REFERENCES:1. Trancik, R. (1986). Finding lost space: Theories of urban design. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.2. Google.com,. (2015). Google Maps.3. Samsudin, N. (2013). Influence of Traditional Malay Settlements Physical Design Attribute On Social Characteristic: Johor, Malaysia (1st ed.). Taipei. Retrieved from http://ww-w.academia.edu/5418878/Influence_of_Traditional_Malay_Settlements_Physical_Design_Attribute_On_Social_Characteristic_Johor_Malaysia4. Seo, R., & Omar, S. (2011). HOUSING TYPOLOGY OF MODERN MALAYSIA (1st ed.). Seoul. Retrieved from http://repository.um.edu.my/18753/1/SEAFORUM_modern_malay-sia_ju-1.pdf5. USJ Homes,. (2015). Homepage. Retrieved 20 April 2015, from http://usjhomes.com/5. USJ Homes,. (2015). Homepage. Retrieved 20 April 2015, from http://usjhomes.com/

Terraced residential buildings on site have adopted various indigenous and international architectural styles. A myriad of arbitrary facades is only reective of the open-minded but de-contextualised approach to urban spatial design by the sole proprieter of UEP Subang Jaya. Apart from its possible inspiration from local traditional shophouses spotting decorated facades (Omar 2011), the approach remains questionable as design that is not physically context-responsive would unlikely be sustainable. Evidence of vernacular spatial design can be seen in the adoption of courtyards in varying degrees of enclosure and scale on site. At the largest scale studied, the Taipan and Subang Business Centres form the core of the site (F1), both being important nodes to the township. The Taipan Triangle (F5) by itself also features a core that is a large complex for carpark. The carpark version of the courtyard alludes to a space where people gather to disperse within the Triangle.

The traditional courtyard typology is indicative of a shared open space that encourages social interaction and communal living. The traditional intent was to indirectly enhance public surveillance and promote a sense of belonging among small cluster of indigenous Malay houses (Samsudin 2013). These courtyards can be found across most, if not all residential areas on site as exemplied in F13. Other places on site include the MPSJ Stadium (F13), the Sri Bayu Condo, the Quarters at USJ 6 (F12) and several public schools (F9; F10). F10 shows that the older public school design (Seaeld 3) adopted a rather complex version of the courtyard typology. It was perhaps changed due to better organizational systems allowed in the simple square in square form. As in F1, numerous open green parks across site points to a healthy and active local lifestyle. It is also indicative of a relatively clean environment in terms of air quality. These are important needs to the User being met by the existing urban planning. As of today, the town of UEP Subang Jaya still gives an impression of a quaint and quiet town due to its largely un-developed lands of greenery. Tall and large buildings easily become landmarks even without unique forms. In the Eastern region of site, new developments do not seem to incorporate the green pockets of parks. This may be the result of the developers priorities being driven by real-estate economics and technological experiments.

Where places should allow loose ends for transformation, the Summit shopping mall and the MPSJ Stadium are good examples of spaces that are exible enough to accommodate various community events on site. Users can manipulate spaces according to their needs in the basic courtyard spaces by raising temporary structures. The element of Classical formalism may be found in the geometry implied in the Taipan Triangle area. At its three vertices stand high-rise buildings that may be seen as free-standing columns as a statement that unies the diversed decorated facades of buildings within and around the triangle. The strong geometry gives order and reinforces the business centre as core of the site. The mosques on site indicated in F1 stand as obvious cultural symbols with their trademark domes and spires on site. They serve as effective landmark for navigation around site. The mosques are naturally effective at being place-makers as their form is unique and draws cultural associations from the past.

However, the site lacks a consistent, visible and dominant public architectural language apart from the indigenous ve-foot-way in retail blocks and the usually inadequate building roof overhangs. Perhaps the myriad of building styles are charming and unique to site. What is more importantly lacking is the opportunity for people to experience the town for what it can offer because pedestrian accessibility is low with inadequate continuity of pedestrian paths. Further limitations to the effectiveness of designing urban place on site may be due to the lack of competition experienced by the sole developer, a lack of local interest and pride in establishing a local identity, their lack of exposure to great public spaces and human complacency.

To conclude, the analysis of site through place theory may not be adequate without considerations of Tranciks two other theories, namely the gure-ground and linkage theory in order to fully understand the site. Moreover, a site with a richer history may allow for a more interesting analysis such as cities in the capital of Kuala Lumpur.

Key points to place theory:- Space become place when contextualised by incorporation of cultural associations with the past, thus embodying character with values and meanings.- A place has character that consists of a tangible substance, shape, texture and colour besides containing a thin layer of intangible cultural associations as a result of human use over time.- A place is created through synthesis of the total environment, including the social, wherein physical context, cultural context and the needs and aspirations of the User are considered.- Places should allow loose ends for transformation - for needs that change with time, thereby allowing User manipulation.- Places have the ablility to unify diversed elements of architecture through strong geometry as the ordering device.

Reasons to proposal of place theory and case study: - The site was chosen as it is the hometown of the Author which would then ease the process of understanding site.- Place theory reveals cultural and human characteristics of physical space which is vital in understanding the urban spatial design in Subang Jaya.- Place theory reveals the character and essence of spaces.