Project 1 : Defining and Documenting a Project
Project 3: Weekend Lodging at Kek Lok Tong, Ipoh
A rock window locates at the high above northern entrance of Kek Lok Tong
Memories Temple Lodge
We are given the Zen Garden at Kek Lok Tong as a potential site for designing a weekend lodging. The existing Chinese-themed garden boost a visual feast of cultivated flowers and plants between the sandwiching lands of two steep vegetated cliff walls. Under this pretty dress, lies the history of mining past, Mining activities of rich iron-bearing alluvium and mining in limestone which are slowing fading away from the knowledge of the new generation of Ipohian. I decided to design a weeked lodge that informs its visitors the distinctive karst landscape and the resulting mining activities that had pioneered the development of the Kinta . my lodge give particular need of the introverts who most
often recharge by withdrawing from social occasions and staying only to the trusted. With in I decide to place my lodge on a ledge 16 meters away from the ground. Interested in the speleothem formation, my lodge has the shapes of volumes dropping from layered floors , like those of stalactites hanging from cave ceilings. To access , visitors have to ascend series of staircase this accentuate the ritual of arrival. This is to remind the daring deeds of the non-alluvium ore fossickers who scaled the cliffs by mere basic climbing aid of ladders. Between the wallless borders formed by exposed vertical and horizontal studs, the different tones of the limestone, nature’s sounds of insects and birding chirping , and scents of the nature becomes part of the staying experience There is a strong
interaction with natural environment. Domain behind those studs, formed a display room of shadows cast by the pattern of studs, remind of the changing of time throughout the day. The upper floors with which living area dining and kitchen,are places for families to gather and bond. In the lower floors two private quarters of bedrooms with its own washrooms can be found. There is a yoga space to carry out ritual soul searching. Staircase surrounding the front of the lodge , guarding the lodge. Backing against the cliff wall, and facing towards and downwards the wang is of good Feng Shui as it is favorable for a lodge which is backed by a hill or higher land and faces water or a lower terrain. A quiet temple for contemplation, meditation, appreciating the past and the present.
