URBAN FARMING HUB

University of Science, Malaysia (USM), School Of Housing, Building And Planning (HBP), Architecture Department. Minden, Penang

Project idea

The design concept for this building was inspired by ''pillar'', which reflected a mountain pillar that supported the sky. It's influenced by Bukit Mertajam. Because it looks like the bridge between the sky and the ground. The vertical axis both unites and divides these two realms. It’s the interpretation of the intersecting element and the interconnected space of the building. The design of the building will be more focused on the sense of floating and connection toward the sky. 3 bridges are proposed to act as the metaphor to connect two separate building which serves different function which is a farming area and market hub. The design also focuses on bringing a green element to the outdoor area, landscaping, to create more opportunities for future development.

Project description

The locals know Bukit Mertajam, located in Penang, as Tua Sua Kha in Hokkien, which means “the foot of a big hill’’. That precisely describes the geographical location of the town, “If one were to view it from Penang Hill’’, one will not miss the pointy Bukit Mertajam across the sea. The word ‘“Mertajam’’ also refers to a type of tree found in abundance at the hill in the olden days. An itinerary written in 1861 referred to the mountain as Bukit Mertajam while the settlement was named as Mertajam villages, implying the modest origins of the town. Bukit Mertajam is the administrative centre of the city of Seberang Perai in Penang and it also serves as the seat of the Central Seberang Perai District.
According to reports, Malaysia imports most of its food from countries such as China, India, Thailand, Indonesia and New Zealand, and only has about eight per cent of agricultural land for agro-food production. Vertical farming is a method of growing or cultivating where crops are stacked vertically on top of one another. Urban farming can help local communities in both an economic way and a social way. They allow for people to have a more immediate connection to their food, as well as help, stimulate the local economy. Factors such as urbanisation, urban poverty and limited agricultural land have become pushed factors for urban farming. Around 76% of the Malaysian population are estimated to live in urban areas. Besides that, CNA news stated that hundreds of homeless living in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur have received a helping hand. As part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19, the authorities have introduced programmes to keep them off the streets and be financially independent. Urban farming is seen as an ideal approach to overcome this scenario. With the Covid-19 pandemic highlighting the importance of food self-sufficiency, it is probably time for Malaysians to turn empty urban spaces into farms.

Technical information

Perforated facades not only let light into a building, but they can also project light outwards from a building. Installing lighting between the building and the façade allows for another form of simply drawing the eyes of those passing by. The building is designed to shield against the hot & glaring tropical sun while allowing diffused natural daylight to filter into the building.