Part 01 . Site Analysis
On the 3rd week of September, we had visited the project site, Pulau Ketam in Klang which about 1 and half an hour by taking public transport from Subang SS15. Pulau Ketam itself is low-lying, muddy and fringed with mangroves forest which is an ideal habitat for the crabs and other marine crustaceans which inhabit these waters.
By visiting the island, we have to analysis the site surrounding and environments of our intitial impresssions and something of the essence. Once stepping into the island, the first thing that you notice will be the peaceful and quiet atmosphere surround you, away from the crownded city. There is no cars in this island, bikes and electric bikes is the mainly transportation allowed in Pulau Ketam.
The island was first settled by a group of fisherman from Hainan in southern China in the 1870s and today it is home to a community of about 8000, majority Chinese. Peoples here mostly friendly and welcoming tourists from local and overseas. Throught a conversation with an owner of the convenient stall, Pulau Ketam mostly crowded in weekends and Malaysia public holiday. Parents bringing theirs kids have 2 days 1 night in Pulau Ketam. Besides, she was mentioned residents of Pulau Ketam doesn't have much of entertaiment or activities, usually all the shops closed from 9:00pm to 9:30pm, and the only entertaiment after work is karaoke.
By observing the their daily activities, childrens have not much of activities after their school time. Usually they just gather at the snacks stall and cycling around. Most of the adults will be out of the island and work in the city. Business mostly operating by senior citizen and parts of adult in the island.
Meantimes, mostly all wooden homes in this island on stilts over the soft tidal mudfalts. The stilt houses in the island are connected by concrete dykes and bridges. There is hotels, homestays, hostel, hospital, school and etc. All the houses was support by pile foundation construction methods and can retain for long terms. Perhaps the fishermen eventually get bored of the grey and brown colours of the mud and that can be explains why they painted many of the wooden houses in beautiful colours. Which also make as an iconic of the Pulau Ketam.
From the site analysis of Pulau Ketam, we have been selected a protential site nearby the center of Pulau Ketam. Surrounds with shops, temple, also fews hostel and homestays. The site currently is a storage belongs to the temple. There's a spot that tourist where always pass by and aware by others.
The building is build with wood panel, wood structure and tile roof. There's a high raise up at the entrance and slope to the back of the lot. Side of the building have painted in sky blue with hanging light in seafoods shapes. Besides that, there another 2 storey house connected to the lot, where bottom area is storage area and above is residential.
Behind the lot is the river connected to the sea all the way from jetty. Abouding in breezes while standing beside the river, it will be better having a cup of coffee by relaxing there.
sketches of the site.
Part 02 . Final Project
Responding to site and context, there's no fast food and halal food available on the island. Variety visitor do not have much choices of food beside seafoods restaurant which running by chinese community. By bringing the first fast-food restaurant to crab island as to attract more tourist to stay longer on the island, also added food option for community on the island.
Concept for the project is reflection which people in Pulau Ketam mainly staying in the house above the water, that inspired me with the concept of reflection of water. Which also reflection their daily life, activities and communication in the space. Example main counter was inspired by classic boat ticket counter and terrace seating inspired by traditional boat in Pulau Ketam.