Singular Space Dimension

Wan Hamat, Wan Mazlan and Lau, Lau Jeh Farn (2009) Singular Space Dimension. Sustainable Tropical Environmental Design Exhibition (STEDex’09), 1. pp. 30-31. ISSN 2180-0685

Abstract

The brief requires students to design a 100m2 display space for a retail outlet showcasing a Langkawi-based company’s proud history and achievement in producing gamat-based health products. It has a street frontage and needs to catch the eyes of passers-by. The objective of this exercise is to understand the relevancy of scale, balance, proportion and anthropometrics in design and to create awareness of space through the understanding and interplay of those elements. These three schemes display playfulness with their installations stimulating communication and promoting competitiveness in a retail environment. The central space is separated from the peripheral supporting spaces by sculpted screen walls. From the outside, they give an interesting silhouette effect. The bold tree-like formation greets patrons while contrasting with the rest of the rectilinear elements in the backdrop. Groups of vertical and horizontal linear elements in varying inclines imply planes that are radially organized. They dominate the scheme. The vertical elements make the space seems much taller and create a sense of dynamism. Pleasantly, the set-up captures the mangrove forest’s eco-system present along some parts of Langkawi’s coastline. Designated as the first Malaysian Geopark, Langkawi is famous for its geological formations. This scheme capitalises on the unique honeycomb-like formation called tafoni. These formations have a strong relief character and are translated as display panels and partitions defining the space. The irregular lines of the tafoni provide contrast to the almost symmetrical hexagonal layout.

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