Community Service Initiative
E-Journal :
I Week 1: Topic Selection I
For the first week, we were briefed on the module's outline and also the project, in which it includes the project categories. We were grouped into a group of 8 and is required to choose one of the given categories to work on. After carrying out a short discussion, my group have came to a conclusion to the category, street community. At the same time, we also did some online research an brainstorm on a few idea of recyclable playground in which it can reactivate some dormant spaces of the school to bring back the sense of community.
I Week 2: Site Visit #1 I
A meeting is held to further discuss on the few potential sites to carry out our proposal, and finally we have decided on the location: SK SS19 as it is a run down primary school due to the deteriorating facilities. By carrying out our idea of recyclable playground, it may reactivate the spaces by bringing life back. But after the site visit, we found that the school does not have any good location to carry out our proposal as its in an extreme conditions where it is either heavily exposed to the scorching sun or it is located at the corner of the school where it is dangerous for the children to play at.
I Week 3: Refining Proposal I
During our community service initiative tutorial with our tutor Mr Adib, he suggested that we move on to look for other possible sites. Another meeting is carried out again to rethink of other possible schools for our proposal. One of our members then suggested on SK Bandar Sunway as it is nearer to our university and it would be easier for us to travel thru and fro from time to time. In addition, we have also omitted the idea of a recyclable playground as we find that most of the primary schools would have own one within the school compound.
I Weel 4: Site Visit #2 I
We visited the suggested primary school, Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Sunway, located at PJS 7, to finalize on the selection of site and also to identify the site issues. It was a fruitful site visit as we found that there were a few potential sites that are near to the common spaces like canteen, basket ball court, playground and etc. We have also spoken to the headmaster and the teachers to understand the issues based on their point of view and to talk about the few potential ideas that we could propose for the site. This allow us to further develop our idea to meet the needs of the school and also to ensure its effectiveness. The school's principal, Puan Ruslina Binti Mohd Yunus, also suggested that we could provide more plantation to the existing landscape nearby the entrance.
Site A : Proposed site by School's Principal
We also looked around the school for more strategic spots to execute our design. We then discovered some potential spot like the area beside the school's football field which is at the same time, located next to one of the school's playground, and also a dormant space located right next to the canteen.
Site B : Space beside the playground and football field
Site C : Space beside the canteen
I Week 5: Second Proposal I
We brainstormed and how we could turn the sites chosen into a communal space. In the end we came up with a few designs, such as for Site A, we have decided to create a grid plantation where the students can actually take part in by planting the simplest green, such as green bean, which they would carry out during science classes.
Proposed Design for Site A
As for site C, we have came up with two idea. The first one includes a furniture which could replace the existing table on the site which is slowly deteriorating in condition. At the same time, it also includes a grid plantation to be placed against the brick wall.
Proposed Design #1 for Site C
For the second idea, we plan to reactivate the space by creating a bottle plantation which at the same time could educate the younger generation on recycling.
Proposed Design #2 for Site C
I Week 6: Confirmation I
We have arranged a meeting with the principal to present our proposed design that we came up with last week. The principal was happy with both of the design but she felt that the bottle plantation that we proposed for site C would work best as it serves multiple purpose by promoting recycling and at the same time, reactivating the dormant space by suggesting interaction between one another. Not only that, the site is nearby the canteen and it would be easily accessible to the students during recess time where they could spend some time to tend to the garden.
I Week 7: E-poster I
For this week, we are required to submit an E-poster of our proposed design in the size of A0. We then divided our work evenly among ourselves in order to provide ample information for the poster. The information includes, site analysis, SWOT analysis, introduction to site, methodology, anthropometry, design response and etc. And I was in charge in compiling the information to be arranged to the A0 sized E-poster. Attached below is the E-poster:
I Week 8: Material Gathering I
A short meeting is carried out in order to discuss on the quantity of materials required for the construction of vertical garden. We have also dedicated the task to each of the members equally where James Tay and Janice Lee would be in charge of purchasing all the construction materials needed such as "L" brackets, nylon rope, bricks, PVC pipes and etc. Following, Yong Yu Joon would be in charge of designing the information board with our credentials to be hung right next to the vertical garden. Whereas the rest of the members would focus on gathering water bottles, soil, and also plants to be used for the vertical garden.
I Week 9: Construction I
After gathering all the materials needed, we proceed on constructing the vertical garden. Janice Lee, Yong Yu Joon and I were in charge of cutting the bottles into the required size; Lum Si Chu and Alan Koo are in charge of tying the nylon rope to the circumference of the water bottles; and Chong Yi Qi and James Tay are in charge of drilling the holes on the bottle cap. With great teamwork and task assignment, we were able to efficiently complete the vertical garden in a day.
I Week 10: Community Response I
The vertical garden is put onto test for practical usage, through observation, we found out that the vertical garden were able to arouse the curiosity of the students as they were seen to attempt on watering the plants. With the vertical garden, the dormant space is now slowly reactivating to become a social space where the students and teachers can actually interact with each other.
A short video is also produced which records the process and outcome of the vertical garden, from construction process to the engagement of students with the vertical garden. It is concluded that the proposal is a success as it was able to meet the main objective of the design idea,
