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DESIGN STATEMENT

Physical Resilience - Activeness in Distancing Environment

Covid-19 Pandemic has led to drastic physical distancing norm to avoid the transmission of the diseases that majorly resulted in physical inactivity and sedentary lifestyle. Data shown by Malaysian health survey, 58% of respondent preferred to do most of the workouts at home. While in-house exercise surely benefits, prolong isolation are anticipated to further affects psychosocial risk factors, including stress, social isolation, and negative emotions. The site proposed is located in Taman Tasik Barat of Shah Alam Lake Garden with close proximity to business, leisure, residential and educational districts in Shah Alam. While the site has long been the favourite spot for recreation and exercising in Shah Alam, the recent movement control order due to the pandemic has resulted in declining usage of the public space through personal observation. This scheme suggests the redefinition of urban recreational space that could promote physical activeness while taking heed of social distancing factors of post-pandemic.

The Design solution emphasises on programmatic approach to promotes activeness in distancing norm. The architectural typology of staircase is regarded as an opportunity for exercising through movement experience along the staircase. The Big Stairs and 3 Level of Staircase Towers are introduced as the main exercising mechanism. The Big Stairs consist of a long continuous undulating staircase system that runs linearly to the lake. Three different levels of staircase tower with each respective detail is introduced for different users who seek different level of exercise intensity. Micro details of the staircase (riser, thread and height) are manipulated to provide different experience of movement for the public. The intersecting spaces in between each ascension of staircase are turned into functional rooftop for additional recreation with great vista overlooking the lake garden.

Vertical circulation is further addressed to enhance visual surveillance and crowd control. Open structural frame and staircase would provide transparency to allow direct ventilation and provide more visual surveillance and view to the park. Visual demarcation of space through geometrical shape, marking size and bright colours are used to differentiate spatial usage and 1-meter social distancing for users.

While the design focuses on promoting physical activeness, secondary programme of socializing and economic empowerment is also introduced to encourages humanistic and social growth in the urban environment. Event space, children play zone and detachable vendor stall are inserted to enhance the vibrancy of the waterfront area. The existing artificial natural environment in the heart of Selangor’s capital shall be utilised to attract more users. Site Planning of the scheme are designed in sequential motion according to the social distancing procedure. Access to bicycle lane and jogging track succeeded the existing car park to promote more sustainable access and thus contributes to the goal of Low Carbon City Action Plan that aims to cut 45% carbon emission in Shah Alam by the year 2030.

In conclusion, the scheme hypothesised the redefined programmatic typologies as an intervention mechanism to promotes physical activeness in distancing environment of recreational urban space.