My First Site Measurement @ Jao Tim

Interior Architecture Design 3

PROJECT 01: 'Re-kindle | DIVULGE | re-Live'

[Project 1A] Site Investigation + Inventory | Measurement + Drawings + Model

Here is the Project 1A Brief

In a group of 7, we went to Jao Tim, a cafe located at 61, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, a place bursting with urban life.

Armed with a laser rangefinder and a measuring tape, we mapped the whole place out. (I silently wish someone would just come out with a marketable 3D mapping drone, but then, we will be missing out on the feels and observations)

Thanks Miss Norji for helping us to secure this gem!

So much curiosity in this moment!

Passing the narrow, gloomy stairs and up, I have to tilt my head and squint at the majestic blinding light above. With my heart longing to quickly reach the first floor to see clearly, I wonder how will it be.

*heavy breathing*

Little did I know I'll be greeted with a jaw dropping enormous space and unique roof truss (both for its awesomeness and the anxiety of thinking how to measure, draw and make all that stuff later @.@)

Oh, hi!

From the left: Naya, Clara, Cindy, Aishah, Catherine, Me, Faris

DRAWINGS

Feast your eyes on the complexity of this building.

FRONT ELEVATION | SCALE 1:75

FLOOR LAYOUT PLANS | SCALE 1:100

LOCATION PLAN | SCALE 1:200

SECTION A-A | SCALE 1: 75

SECTION B-B | SCALE 1:75

SITE CONTEXT

MODEL

SITE MODEL | SCALE 1: 270

SPACE MODEL | SCALE 1:100

SPACE MODEL | SCALE 1:100

POP UP MODEL

PRESENTATION

REFLECTION

To be honest, most in my class dislike this topic as it sounds mundane, boring, tough and heavier work. It is about practicality and back to basics. We have a rough time to accept this topic and even Mr. Imran agrees that our work is 20-30% more than the other groups (surprisingly, measurement and drawings takes time). We felt that it is not fair, we felt that we are going to be the last to complete. After being encouraged by Wenyi, I asked myself, "Why not?" Why shouldn't I learn site measurements and drawings? This question whisked me back in time where I exposed myself to the working world and yes, site measurement is the basics to start an interior design project. It is real important as it helps one to understand how a building works to the bone and marrow! I'm glad that we did sort it out in one day and are able to have fun together!

I'm glad that I get to do what I thought I can't do.

And I fell in love with the laser rangefinder, hehe.

In this project, I learn and am learning three things: technicality, managing people and managing myself.

1. Technicality

I learn how to measure a space given that are more complex though smaller than my seniors'. I have to keep figuring how the roof starts, slopes and ends. With the limited range of view as some parts of the new roof are obstructed by the old roof trusses and the HVAC system, drawing out a section can be a challenge. Figuring out how the back of Jao Tim can be daring too as the lights near the toilets are blinding and I can't barely see the top as it is too dark. I am glad that I figured out a way to take pictures from the Mezzanine roof truss, that's where I got my hair stuck with nice old Jao Tim dust! It is definitely a fun process which gets me on four to experience the place, including sitting in the middle of the common area and staring up the roof like a maniac while the customers around looked on. I guess I can close my eyes and see every single part of Jao Tim now.

I also learned during the presentation how important it is to know more about the human capacity (and don't forget to put in sq ft in the drawings), that is x persons for 2017.7 sq ft of first floor and x persons for 763 sq ft of mezzanine floor.

I still have a hard time memorizing the basic dimensions of the spaces. Guess summarizing it here in ft. is more easy, no wonder carpenters and construction workers prefer ft. as standard unit of measurement.

Length of Jao Tim = 32375mm = 106' 2.606"

Width of Jao Tim = 5790mm = 18' 11 61/64"

Height of Jao Tim (First Floor to Roof Top)= 10168mm = 33' 4 5/16"

Height of Jao Tim (First Floor to Tallest Obstruction)= 8600mm = 28' 2 37/64"

Height of Jao Tim (First Floor to Original Roof Side Extruded Ornamentation)= 9357mm = 30' 8 25/64" (Owner's recommendation is 30 ft)

2. Managing People

It is a struggle when you are the same as your peers but are expected to know everything. As a group leader, the guns always pointed back to me. I have to make the final decision fast, I have to think fast, I have to just throw out something that might not work out and get the blame later.

This project is a challenge, a challenge for me to forgive, to take the blame, to submit, to acknowledge. To be honest, I learn much about leadership in this project, I learn that I have to sacrifice my part so that I'm available to oversee other's parts for the better of the team. I have been focusing my parts to the point of zoning out from rest. I hope that change will be at its timing and take its full course one step at a time~ ;D

There's one thing I would like to thank God for, that there's an opportunity of growing deeper. I am very happy to see that each of us grow maturely together and contribute in our relationships. It is always my dream to have a heart to heart talk with my teammates, and I can't do that previously since I work with boys a lot. But thanks to my teammates who brought that up boldly, I'm glad that a safe space is cultivated for honest talks and feelings to be released nice and steady. Because of that, we ended peacefully and ended all dramas once and for all. Glad that we acknowledge our wrongs and look forward to the future together. We are just humans, aren't we?

3. Managing Myself

This project has become a place where I see my weakness take on full form and affect those around me. I see how my "do my best attitude" caused me to overlook the most important which in turn caused lack of time to compose the presentation board. I did things on my own and didn't seek help. I do struggled, much. But then, I am glad that I learned the hard way, that my teammates are forgiving and wounds are mended. I know I can't manage myself, my time and my life fully, but I know the One who is always in control. He always makes all things beautiful in His time. And I'm proud to be the witness to that.

So I did not regret at all.

After this project, I feel like I can measure any building now except Zaha Hadid's inspired curvilinear...