ESTABLISHMENT OF TAMU WELCOMING HUB: A LOOK-OUT PLATFORM, ENTRANCE ARCHWAY AND BRIDGE RAILINGS AT THE KAED MALAY HERITAGE LIVING LAB

Abstract

This research aims to identify the ideal potential of design for the KAED Malay Heritage Living Lab of International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) as part of the university's project to celebrate the public space in the university. It means to promote community bonding and celebrate knowledge as aspired by the IIUM's motto, "The Garden of Knowledge and Virtue”. The design proposal of the additional structures aims to celebrate the Malay traditional heritage setting together with its current attraction, the 'Rumah Perak', known as Rumah Kutai Beranjung. It was originally built in the 1910s in Perak. It was disassembled, restored, and relocated to the KAED Heritage Living Lab in 2018. Under this initiative, a multidisciplinary KAED student group comprising Architecture and Quantity Surveying students collaborated to design the additional structures including the look-out platform, archway, and bridge railing at the site. KAED Heritage Living Lab serves as a pedagogical space for IIUM Community. Site analysis and case study have been conducted during the study to recognise the elements of Malay traditional architecture and construction, to celebrate the spirit of the place, in line with IIUM’s mission and vision. The Tamu concept has been applied to bring back the sense of welcoming to the public community around the space to benefit from the site setting, including IIUM students and education society. The design creates interactive areas where students and the public can engage with knowledge in various forms, support outdoor learning and community engagement in a natural setting, and create public spaces that celebrate the diverse cultural community of the university.