Another quick photoshop elevation of the 'art contribution from the community' idea. The building will only extend to a certain distance, leaving the open space more opportunity. Apart from the obvious ideas of having stalls and performances, there would be panels of blank walls, which are placed randonly on site, where a drawing/painting competition will be held, and the participation will use the blank wall as their canvas and judge there and then. None winning drawing will not be taken down. This is a way of allowing the society to contribute towards the city whilst having a good time. It provides that uniqueness where no other places have. In the Art Gallery, I thought of having weekly art classes to the community, and whatever sculpture is being made can be put outside for everyone to look at and admire.The pond does not have to be developed to the extend of having boats. It should just be kept as clean as possible, as it acts as a natural cooler to the environment. But it has a huge opportunity to have a huge sculpture or monument being build in the middle of the pond. It could be an abstract art that reflects the city's personality, which can be another focal point of the site.
Here are my 30 minutes sketchup model of the Art gallery i had in mind. Obviously it needs alot of design development as this is an impulse idea. Initially the roof was flat but i added skylights as I was modelling the building, I personally would take it off or developed it through.
The first site that I would like to venture is the main road opposite the Api Api Centre. My bold decision and judgement has led me to think that the road should be put underground. Impressive or shocking? This proposal in a way is to promote the unused pond and try to create an open green space which can link between the pond, the shopping area and the hotel. Shifting the road downwards would not create any routing problem, and with the extra land space, it could be KK's first open urban space. This open urban space, in my mind, is to create a space that is created by the communites around, ie giving people the power to provide art designs for the space. This way, in many places around the world, actually has a positive effect, and vandalism is less likely to happen as the sculpture or art has a connection with the society. This also creates a unique personality, a genius loci of the city. With the open space being set up, it creates a new linkage towards the garden within Api Api centre, which then connects itself towards the sea front. This indirectly creates an even bigger space for commuters, and in way linking sea and pond. I was thinking of having an Art Gallery on this open space surrounded by the society's art work. The art gallery would house local artist's drawing and some student competition drawings. I figured that the art gallery would increase the city's knowledge and exposure towards art. An architectural merit building would hopefully be a new focal point for tourist to visit.
A very quick underground section sketch.
This my quick 2 minutes sketch on an impulse idea I had on how the Art Gallery would look like. Its a combination of concrete and glass facades. It has a simple approach in creating a huge hall inside to house the drawings and sculptures.