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The design that we proposed for Gahara Batik Millenia student design competition 2020 originate from Hijjas Kasturi’s building. Which is also one of Malaysia’s iconic building which is Menara Tabung Haji.

Tabung Haji is one of the master piece of Hijjas Kasturi. The design is a response to the elements that can be found in Menara Tabung Haji such as the form of the building which is in pentagon shape and consists of 5 main peripheral supporting columns that symbolized the five pillars of islam. The reason why we inspired by this building it is because this building had been completed since 1984 and yet it still looks stunning and exclusives even though it is an old building. This gave rise to the unique idea of applying the Menara Tabung Haji’s element into our batik design.

As per our batik design, the pentagon shape symbolizes the main form of the Menara Tabung Haji which act as our core shape of our batik. The sharp edges of the pentagon shape also bring out the modernism look in our batik design. Preservation of the pentagon shape is of utmost importance as it will be designed to be in repetitive style and connected with others pentagon. The pentagon shape is arranged in such so people will have a glimpse of the unique batik design with an architectural elements and styles, drawing their attention and curiosity to the design.

For the inner part of the pentagon, a thinner line is creatively arranged to indicate the façade of Menara Tabung Haji which also acts as our architectural element. Using of thinner lines ensure that the main shapes of the pentagon shape is not overpowered which could make it look unorganized. The usage of thinner lines inside of the pentagon also done as a element to ensure that each pentagon blend in with one another even after being assembled together to form a proper batik design. As for the smaller pentagon placed at the center of the design act as the core for the repetitive pentagon which all been attached to by a centralized organization as the dominant space. The challenges while working were resolved in a creative manner where circular curves are hardly to intercept with one another Attention was paid to details during the design process of the batik to ensure that all lines are connected with one another. This gives an impression of modernism in architectural view at first sight.

This project has been both challenging and exciting in that it allows for a creative design approach to the unique batik design to imply to the main theme which is GAHARA BATIK MILLENNIA. The outcome of this unique design approach has satisfied our vision of promoting local iconic building onto batik design while appealing to the sensual and aesthetic senses of the design.