The Fortress

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

Project idea

The Fortress- A fortified building or strategic position.

The FORT that protect our Malaysian Art & Culture and maintaining it, while open a big gate to the outside world, welcoming people all around the world to join and celebrate in it.

The Wall itself is the Building!

Elements:
-Wall
A defensive wall is a fortification usually used to protect a city, town or other settlement from potential aggressors. In ancient to modern times, they were used to enclose settlements. Generally, these are referred to as city walls or town walls.

-Bastion
A bastion or bulwark is a structure projecting outward from the curtain wall of a fortification, most commonly angular in shape and positioned at the corners. The fully developed bastion consists of two faces and two flanks with fire from the flanks being able to protect the curtain wall and also the adjacent bastions.

-Gate
A gate or gateway is a point of entry to a space which is enclosed by walls. Gates may prevent or control the entry or exit of individuals, or they may be merely decorative.

Project description

Malacca is one of the states in Malaysia that is rich with history and culture. As part of the government effort in promoting tourism in Malaysia, Malacca has been put into their attention as one of the possible top tourist destination in Malaysia alongside Sabah, Sarawak, and Penang. By 2016, more than 12 million tourist came to Malacca with 8.4 million come from domestic tourist while the rest is from foreign country. As the number of tourist increase year by year, the state requires a fresh approach in creating an interesting attraction. Malacca Art and Culture hub is proposed as building that provide space for cultivating art and culture awareness among the locals and tourist while at the same time provide the necessary facility to continue and practice our local heritage for the next generation. The building will take advantage of the surrounding context where it is close to the Malacca River and the tall landmark across the street, Menara Taming Sari. This will provide a fresh new set of activity in a form of entertainment and art exhibition around Bandar Hilir.

This Malacca Art and Culture Hub is designed in a way that reflect the value of Malacca rich history while at the same time become a symbol of the country as a great example of an Art and Culture centre in South East Asia. The also address the unique relationship between the artist community and incoming visitors. The client of the project is Melaka State Development Corporation (MSDC).

Technical information

The site is located at Bandar Hilir, Malacca, one of the heritage buffer zone. The challenge is to design the building based on the local context next to Malacca River, which still maintain its function and practicality. For Malacca Art & Culture Hub, it was categorized as an educational building, the challenge is to design it as the way it can attract not only tourists but also the locals. Disable people, children and elderly are concerned, the site planning and building itself must be universal, easy to access and safe to use.