Timber Passage

Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman

Project idea

A Return to Kampung Life: the idea of utilising Kg Bharu as a microcosm to offer an alternative from the rapid and oftentimes vapid city to the relaxed and humble kampung. The centre shall act as an experience hub, shedding light onto a neglected way of life whilst forging a passageway into Kg Bharu. The kampung lifestyle is one experienced by some and desired by many. It is the archetype of modest, communal living that is hard to come by in a metropolitan area.
The defining traits of a kampung boil down to 4 factors: the community, the cultures, the greenery, and the built environment. A harmony of vernacularism and modernity creates a much more sustainable environment that retains its identity without compromising on the convenience of modern amenities.

Project description

Timber Passage is a kampung-based civic centre located on the eastern end of the Kg Bharu enclave situated in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The project is a response to the deterioration of Kg Bharu’s identity and the city’s overwhelming industrialization by drawing upon the properties that define the essence of a kampung. The many positive traits of a kampung lifestyle are to be emboldened, fostering appreciation for the village whilst acting as an antithesis to the rat race that is city life.

Technical information

The structure employed is primarily composed of timber in a post-and-beam construction to drive home the idea of the construction typically used in kampung houses. Areas exposed to the elements such as the roof are protected via overhangs whereas open spaces employ concrete instead.