Work on the Earth, Rest When Below, Live when Above - TERENGGANU

 

Life After Death

There is always more to what meets the eye. With the discovery of how timber can be life giving in so many ways, even after it has lost its roots. In Terengganu, timber comes in forms of homes, mosques, furniture, decorative elements, sculptural displays and even boats. It is interesting to see how a tree that gives life when living continues to give even after it is harvested. Serving as a source of livelihood as much as an identity to those who have chosen it. 

Perseverance of Passion

We've met plenty of advocates of timbre along our journey in Terengganu. From many conservationist to businessmen, most notably is of Mr Alex Lee, the founder of Terrapuri Heritage Village. He started with how his background, growing up, actually shaped his perception of business first and then proceeds to ignite his passion for the preservation of the Rumah Melayu that is what Terrapuri Heritage Village is today. 

 Patience in Pursuit 

Langar Rindu Mosque is as poetic as its builder, Pak Su. In his devotion to God and in waiting of the time he can be reunited with his beloved wife, Pak Su is putting his all into serving the community, the cause and, very importantly, God. He has opened up during our visit as to why he is passionate and relentless in his pursuit of his projects for the community. He sang songs and poems form his soul, touching our hearts in the short moment that we were there. From his purpose to his sorrows and joy, Pak Su has lived very richly and is not afraid to show it. His bravery through his vulnerability is thoroughly admirable.

Death After Life

The philosophers Soren Kierkegaard and Martin Heidegger each discuss death, in their own ways, as a horizon that implicitly shapes our consciousness. It’s what gives future times the pressure they exert on us. 

Eventually, there is rest for the resources we exhaust as the sawdust shown above. But at what cost? Life is fleeting just as it is for the decisions we make and the things we do. The beauty in ephemerality proves to serve a greater purpose than we think. It pushes us to think and aspire for greater things that has brought humanity further than even the greatest predictions previously imagined. Hence, I am grateful for the death and the rest that serves so much as a time keeper, advancing our growth and development in, hopefully, the best possible way. 

On this trip, I understood most importantly, the art of sharing ones beliefs and ideas as humanity continues. In which the passion and perseverance in the act of sharing is relentless and, most importantly, an act of kindness. To pour out ones devotion over and over again, is very much vulnerable and selfless serving the greater good. In remembering, even subconsciously, that we are not alone; not when we're living, not even after we leave. Our expressions and beliefs that keeps us going, so generously taught from those before us, we should receive in humility and also pass on with an even greater generosity. 

Week 8 - Finalizing

 Introducing Astaka, Discover one pavilion at a time. In celebration there is discovery and through discovery there is knowledge. 

Astaka is a pavilion derived from a specific joinery of the traditional Malay House, Rumah Melayu. Tanggam, which is a jointing system that provides sustainability, durability and dynamic stability. This type of joinery, Tanggam, is less complicated and more durable.

The pavilion is modelled in a modular repetitive form which is made of simple mortise and tenon joint connecting two pieces of wood. Rotating the joint along different axis allows each joint to connect with each other in a unique way which creates the structure of the pavilion. 

This approach overcomes the use of steel in timbre joints which does not sit happily over time, rusting & capturing moisture.

This form, being made modular, allows it to be interactive, and easily available for any individual, to own, to experiment and to discover. One pavilion at a time.

https://groupsem222.wixsite.com/timberastakapavil 

Week 7 - Prototyping

Here's where the fun comes in Prototyping is always interesting. Physically testing out these Tanggam joinery. admittedly, it is a sad replica but for the feel and assembly I think I help the mind to brainstorm.

With the form, wall can be developed and a curve roof across the top is to be tested. 

The current joinery being tested is the Tanggam Tebuk, with opportunity we will be pressing the further uses of other types of Tanggam and fastening methods such as the Baji & Tetupai. So that the modular pavilion can have more variety and versatility in functions for the pavilion.

Will be interesting to translate these into the Astaka Pavilion. 

Week 6 - Inspiration

 

Inspiration is everywhere, but to form a movement, a wave, innovation- it takes creativity. 

The Tanggam used in Rumah Melayu is really limitless. Refering to the book by Dr. Zulkifli Bin, Pembinaan Bangunan Tradisional Melayu, highlights so many various types of Tanggam and how it applies in different places and uses.

My team and I will like to maybe replicate this intricate beauty and develop one where that art remain with the addition of deconstructing it for the laymen, as you and I am, to be interested, curious and attempt to duplicate themselves. Maybe nurturing and promoting the use of timbre and developing skills and the interest in the skills of carpentry amongst all.

Week 5: For Astaka Modular

With the tanggam tebuk as  base for the development of the pavilion, I believe it can be carried far, especially in strength. 

The idea of modular came back as an inspiration, from previous projects I've done with my colleagues in degree. 

Having a form that is simple yet allows complex uses really shows the creativity and ability of how wood can be utilized with the aid of human interference. 

With the previous experience I had with that I would like to take what I have learned and write any wrong from that project as well. Putting it to good use this time round.

Week 4: 2 minutes to sell an Idea

Video preparation

When preparing to present I realized there is so much to pack into a short 2 minutes. It's a practice I am to improve, hopefully will get better with time.

As a group we realized that there is a need for the advancement of timbre in construction, to celebrate its versatility, warmth and strength. In celebration there is discovery and through discovery there is knowledge. 

Hence, I would like to introduce you to Astaka, Discovery, one pavilion at a time.

Astaka is a pavilion derived from a specific joinery of the traditional Rumah Melayu, a staple of Malaysian architecture. 

This joinery is tanggam tebuk, which is commonly used to hold up the corners of the structure without the use of nails. Truly showing the strength & versatility of timber.

Astaka aims to be a pavilion that celebrates timber and its sustainability. At the same time being modular in expansion, flexible in its assembly and captivating in its nature. Reflecting the nature of the Rumah Melayu.

The benefits you ask? Well, there are many that have been mentioned but our main benefit of this pavilion is in how it presents the beauty of timber through exhibition as it embodies the strength of timber as a pavilion.

Astaka will be different. With its most based form, a derivative of the tanggam tebuk, used repetitively in the pavilion in many ways. 

This form, being made modular, allows it to be interactive, and easily available for any individual, to own, to experiment and to discover. One pavilion at a time.