EXPERIENCING CULTURE : IPOH HERITAGE CITY

Hello there!Here am going to share the experience I had during my trip to Ipoh. As usual, experiencing culture class would bring me somewhere to experience and to learn. This time luckily, our lecturer decided went to Ipoh. Why it is lucky? First, I had been spent a lot to Europe for last Experiencing Culture trip and second because I really want to know Ipoh well cause I know there is something in Ipoh not everyone have found out like what people had found out in Penang. At first, when my lecturer said we are going to a place with full of heritage, everyone guessing that we are going to Penang. Yes! I love Penang to and I always went to Penang with my family. So I do not feel like going to Penang for our Experiencing Culture Trip. Then, once our lecturer announced that we were going to Ipoh, there is some excitement poking out of me. So this trip was started with full of excitement and hopes! Lets see if my hopes and excitement achieve the goal or not! Jom!

7th February 2015

The day of our trip begun! Everyone have to woke up so early on that Saturday because the scheduled bus was on 8 am. But 8am was never 8 am, cause somebody will always late. Time management is always hard things to do. Even we were waiting for bus that morning, because lot of friends already there we still had fun and used the time well with each other. Around 10 am we departed from UCSI by bus. A journey was about 2 and a half hour to Ipoh.

As always, whenever have a chance to selfie we sure to have one! Everyone already there but bus was not there yet.

Had a great companion around me on the bus for the whole journey. 

The whole journey from Kuala Lumpur to our first destination in Gopeng, Perak was totally fun and happening because those two people infront of my seat keep asked to play a game with them. But because of them my journey was not that boring as usual cause before whenever I travel somewhere I never able to sleep during the journey and just wasted my time daydreaming. But since I have them, they always keep me laugh and spend my time well. They all totally insane people I ever met but I'm so grateful to have them. After spend 2 hours plus with crazy people, finally we arrived at Gopeng Heritage House located in Gopeng town.

Artwork of Gopeng Heritage House Facade displayed in the house.

The moment I step inside the Heritage, I can recapture the simple yet dazzling lives of the people of Gopeng back then about 125 years ago through the numerous antiquities, antique, old furniture and calligraphy paintings on display. By visiting this museum it gave me a sentimental feeling that reminds me about my grandmother story during her young era around 1930-1950. Another factor that caught my attention was the space planning or the arrangement of the spaces in this building. By having courtyard and attics the building humidity always comfortable for the user and act as ventilation system to made the space colder even in the hot sunny day.

Antique item displayed.

Antique equipment from previous era.

Front Facade of Gopeng Heritage House

Everyone started to get hungry after Gopeng Heritage House visit so we dropped by around Tanjung Tualang. It is my first time went to Tanjung Tualang, once I step out from bus I caught by the view of the place. It was so peaceful and calm even I stand in front of their main road.

Peaceful view of Tanjung Tualang.

Street stall snack for lunch.

Most of my Chinese friend had their lunch but I chose not to have my lunch because still full from breakfast in RnR Rawang on our way to Ipoh.

 After the short lunch stop in Tanjung Tualang, we went to Kg Batu Gajah, 30 minutes away from Tanjung Tualang. We scheduled to visit Koperasi Industri Kampung, Pulau Tiga and had been given a chance to try the process of making clay pot, known as Labu Pulau Tiga. Another first time to tried and received the knowledge of Labu Pulau Tiga. After get to know about Labu Pulau Tiga, I was realized that Labu Sayong is not the name of the container but actually the container was only named with Labu but the back name of Sayong, Pulau Tiga actually the name of the places where they made the container. Labu was named from the history of the container. In previous era, before they found the technologies of clay pot maker, rural people used to have pumpkin which Malay called as Labu as  a water container. Therefore after found the technology they made the clay container with pumpkin.

Our memories at Koperasi Industri kampung Pulau Tiga

We spend for about 3 hours in Koperasi Pulau Tiga before we proceed to our next destination. At first our program scheduled we should be going to The Last Dredger before we go for hotel check in, but because of the time constrain and it was quite late, we straight away went to Ipoh town for hotel checked in. We arrived in hotel around 7 pm and everyone was so tired from the journey. But for me, I was totally excited and hungry once reached in hotel. Excited because our hotel was located in the middle of the city and hungry because still have not taken my lunch. So I asked my friend Nano to go and stroll around the nearby places to find a food. Luckily we found out that there is nearby Medan Selera and Ipoh downtown in walking distance.

Simple but yet cozy and calm twin room.

Ipoh downtown Jalan Dato Tahwil Azhar

I love everything I tried in Ipoh because the prize are so reasonable. Tired of expensiveness in KL. LOL :)

the whole first day spent well and we headed to hotel room for rest~

8th February

We assigned to do a foot trail around Ipoh Old Town and been divided into four group. I and my other group member were assigned to do a Historical Foot Trail. So on the day we were kind of excited and looking forward on what Ipoh Old Town has. We woke up early and had some breakfast near Jalan Horley. Since it was Sunday, we were lucky to experienced Ipoh flea market located on Jalan Horley. After breakfast we strolled around and interviewed few seller about the history of the flea market. But that morning the most thing that shocked us is, Ipoh people did enjoy satay as their breakfast meal and so that is why we too had some satay again that morning. What a great experienced we had that day just a great start for the day. After our small experienced around Jalan Horley, around 10.30 am we were take off and went to Old Town. We thought we gonna stay a little longer on bus so we can rest for a while with our full stomach.

But later five minutes after take off we already in Ipoh Old Town. So we begin our foot trail just before the Tourism Centre. Unfortunately, the center was closed for renovation. So we decide to download Ipoh Foot trail map from google and chose few building that we wanted to highlight. Then there we goes started with St Micheal Institute. Our excitement seemly more and more faded under the hot sun and the difficulties we been through. First, the Tourist Center was closed, then we went to St Micheal also closed and we continue to Royal Ipoh Club also closed. Then we decided to just asking people around but most of them kind of new generation there so they dont know much about the old town history. On the edge of loses hope suddenly one of us noticed JWW Birch Memorial Clock Tower and was pointed on it. So we just headed to the clock tower and start our task of making video. We shoot under the hot sunny day but still we had fun and still laughed a lot while shooting. Who knows, after our short visit to JWW Borch Clock Tower we slowly get lucky, On the way to our next building after clock tower which is Ipoh Railway Station we had bound on two nice and dedicated policemen and allowed us to interview them briefly about Ipoh. Moreover, they were willingly shared about most of the thing they knew. 

Can you see in every picture above how hot is the weather? But even it was hot but I really feels great by looking at the sky. See, it was so beautiful and blue without haze and cloudiness. This place have not been polluted. So I hope I would not be polluted forever. Please Ipoh people, please take care of your state. Hopefully after 5 to 10 years later if I come back to Ipoh again the weather will still be the same or lot more beautiful. After few hours and it was time for lunch and every stomach already grumbled so after satisfied with the information me succeed to collect, we headed to Sekeping Kong Heng, the revival building that owned by a young successor.

On that night everyone should be going to Kinta River but since I have my brother stay in Ipoh so I decide not to join them to Kinta River and borrowed my brother's car. So I took 4 of my classmates to visit M Boutique Hotel, which is one of our case study.

Then we tried to experience the food and services provided at the Grand Oldtown White Coffee that owned by the hotel. It was so great that we thought the price gonna be a bit expensive compared to normal Oldtown White Coffee but luckily it was the same price with great service.

9th February

On our third day, after last two days tired with all visit we went to had fun in Lost World of Tambun.
It is a theme park! and it is not my cup of tea. Haha :) But I did had fun because all of my friend were excited. So I decide to just had fun and follow whatever they tried except a few ride that I dont think I will regret if I not join them. We have less photos in the theme park since we keep all of our belonging inside rental locker.

The only picture I have before entered the theme park :)

After the whole day spent in Lost World be headed back to hotel for rest, and planned to go find food around 8 pm. So that night we went out and there is another thing we experienced which is ABC(Air Batu Campur) Foot Trail nearby our Hotel area. So we had been to three different places and tried their ABC.

That was how we spent our last night in Ipoh. Really great and fun night we spent. Even everyone was so tired from the activities we had in Lost World, still we eager to walk around just to had different and cheaper ABC.


10th February

The last day and we were going back to Kuala Lumpur. But before went back we had stop at Kuala Kangsar to visit Kellie's Castle. The mysterious and historical building that was abandoned since long time ago. It was quite scary for me to walk around this building. But still I eager to know and was left alone at the ground floor while I busy my self read the information about this house. After finish read all I found am the only one that still at the same area so I decided to just continue walk around alone after I met my friends on the rooftop. But since it was my first time there I tried to collect all the information that they provided around this building. The funny part is I do not collect the information about the architecture of this building but I eager to find about how the building become so mysterious and abandoned. After satisfied with the story about the building I spent all the remaining time taking photos with my friends.

OLD vs NEW

In building construction, old and new is a common issue that their believer used to argue. Old building believer prefer to preserve the old building where they think the history and the value of the old building is important. Whereas, new building believer trust that new building can promote and impress new generation towards modernism. Moreover, new building believer think that new building with the modern technology can bring their lifestyle to the upper level. As a design student, I have my own perception when discussed about old and new. For me old should be remain not just to preserve the history and the value but few others issue that makes me prefer to remain the old building. However, it does not mean that I oppose the idea of a new building. I chose to bring both old and new as a one.

        As the article says, “Why build a new when we can renovate them”. I totally agree with that. We should renovate it instead of demolish the old building or build a new. It is not because of the history or the value, but there are few things that we can avoid by not demolish the old building. The reason I chose to bring both old and new because of the earth phenomenon that we as a human been through. As we know, the issues of the global warming, air pollution etc are mostly cause by the construction industry. Whenever a new construction happen, there must have an issue of deforestation and the entire tree been cut down. Do we realize the action we did give a bad impact to us. As a human, we live with the oxygen produce by trees. Imagine if all trees on earth gone, how we can gain the oxygen. Some people might say they will plant back the trees around their new building. Nevertheless, are they will successfully plant all hundred percent of the plant they cut down.  

         By renovate the old building with the new design and technology, we can save the environment and avoid from inviting a natural disaster. To remain an old building can avoid it from be demolished.  In my point of view, to reuse the old building is a great idea from the matter of costing, workload and environment. Somehow, we can get the both benefit from old and new. As the old building believer wants to preserve the history and the new building believer like to explore a new technology. As an example, most probably new building believer prefers to have and to explore new technology just to upgrade a new lifestyle. They try to make life easier. The technology is about a function for users. Therefore, by doing a renovation new generation still can understand the history and the value of an old building at the same time can make their life easier.

        As a conclusion, bring together old and new can give more value towards the building. The sustainability of the old building can be retreat by having a new technology. Moreover, preservation and the functional of the building can give a better experience for the user. Therefore, it will give more value for the building. 

IMITATION GAME

Imitation Game is a selected movie that we assigned to watch during Interior Architecture Theories outing class. When a first time heard about this film, I had no idea of what is this film all about, nor the genre. Since this film had been chose as a movie we need to experience, I expect this movie to be an educational type of movie. However, during watching the film I found out the genre of the film is Historical Thriller movie. It based from the true story of main character real life, Alan Turing been casted by Benedict Cumberbatch. I amused and shocked with the first dialogue which is “are you paying attention?” and it gave the feeling that the character was talking to us since we should pay full attention because it is part of our assignment. The film was revealing the top secret of Britain government during the World War II by hired the secret agent to break the communication system of their counter force.

The main character of this film, Alan Turing was the genius, smart, intelligent and brilliant mathematician during that century and a very naïve person. Throughout the introduction of Alan Turing, it really shows how naïve he is that always became a bully victim and always been ostracized by other. He had no friend before he met someone who safe him and changed his life. During his education period he always bullied by his schoolmate until one day someone named Christopher safe him. Since that, he became close and secretly had a crush on Christopher. Therefore, he decided to reveal and admit his true feeling to Christopher. Unfortunately, instead of successfully reveal his feeling, he received the news that Christopher died during the holiday. Even though the death news gave the big impact to him, he never stops having the same feeling towards Christopher. Its shows when he named the code breaker machine with late Christopher.

Throughout this movie, I really respect how he determines to focus and to achieve his goal once he set his mind on something. He was very confident in what his doing even he never knows the challenges that he might encounter.  I amuse with the way he successfully completed the code breaker machine. Although he successfully achieves his goal, he had been charge as a homosexual person, where in Britain it is an illegal issue. In my opinion, Alan Turing was a homosexual affected by the factors that he went though. He just put all his trust to Christopher and totally relied on him. That is why he fallen for him. He just need somebody to turn to after he been ostracized and been bullied. When the ending of the movie said that he committed suicide, I feel we as a new generation really lost something precious. Maybe if he still alive in this century, we will have a much more sophisticated computer system. I really feel thankful to my lecturer for chose this movie to experience. If not part of our assignment, I will never know about this movie. 

IPOH TRAVELOGUE: DAY 1

Greetings!

Hi readers! Now I am in my semester 4 and it is already February 2015. So this semester, I am taking Minor Experiencing Culture 2 with Ms Baizura. So as we can see at the top of this article, the title clearly show that I going to write about my experience in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. Let me start with the details of the trip. It was planned for 4 days 3 nights trip to Ipoh, and about 40 students together with 4 lecturers were participated. Briefly, is not only Ipoh Trip but I can say it was Center-point of Perak Trip since we start the trip by visited Gopeng Heritage House once we were in Perak. I will explain  and share my experience in detail together with the pictures later. What I want to highlight now is the places we visited on our first day. So after Gopeng Heritage House, we headed to Ipoh and stop by at Tanjung Tualang for lunch. According to the itinerary, on our first day we supposed to go to Gopeng Heritage House, Kellie's Castle, Tg. Tualang Tin Dredge and Koperasi Industri Kampung. But because a time constrain we had to postpone the visit to Kellie's Castle and Tin Dredger. Then after lunch we headed to our next destination which is Koperasi Industri Kampung at Kampung Gajah, about 30 minutes away from Tg Tualang.

Gopeng Heritage House

Environment of Tg. Tualang, it gives me a different feeling when I looked into this photo
since I used to KL environment

at Koperasi Industri Kampung, Kg  Gajah
We get a chance to learn the making process of Clay Labu

All the hard work learn to design the carving


After visited Koperasi Industri Kampung, lecturers decide to headed to Ipoh town for Hotel checked in. So from Kg. Gajah we straight away headed to Ipoh town. Around 6.30 pm we arrived at Ipoh Boutique Hotel.

Info-Graphic Board Design 4

This is Info-graphic board for the local identity I chose.

BEAUTY vs. USABILITY

BEAUTY vs. USABILITY is a common topic for creative people such as artists and designers to be discussed. Some artists said they are a designer while some designers called themselves as an artist. Why would they think so? Maybe the designers successfully design an art piece and maybe the artist did create functionable product. This topic is a very subjective topic to discuss. In this article, I would like to share my thought about the difference and the connection between Beauty and Usability.

BEAUTY is a word people usually use to complementing the ART while USABILITY is something that shows how successful a product of the DESIGN. In my opinion Art is a subjective matter. It can be differently interpreted for every single audience. Different people may have their own perspective towards whatever they see. So from their point of view, they might get inspired by the artwork. But for Design, it is like a two-way interaction, in other words it does involve the users. When it comes to design, it require a processes from inspiration, idea, function, development and few more things to achieve the goal of creating the product. Designer needs a well plan to make the design successful so it can motivate users. When the user motivated by the product they will automatically understand the function or the purpose of the product. Meanwhile, Artist usually starts with a clean surface and just freely expressed their emotion, opinion or issues that can be categorize as personal feeling to produce an art piece. Therefore, art is a subjective caused its deliver the different message and can be interpreted differently to the audience. Some people might or did say art require talent while design require skill, for me everyone can be and an artist but to be a good artist they need to sharpen their talent. Although famous artist who was born with talent, they still produce a painting to be better. The point is, to be somebody, everyone should learn and practice until achieve what they want same as a designer. They learn and trained how to be a designer, but not everyone can easily success as a designer. Everyone can design, but can all designer without the skill success in whatever they do. Design without the knowledge of design will end up produce unfriendly product to the user. Users might understand the function but maybe it can last longer or it might not convenient at all. However, it depends to the user to consider the product of design is a good design or a bad design. It is based on what people think. Certain people will appreciate it depends on their lifestyle, and certain maybe not. Whereas art would show about taste, like what I have wrote before art can be differently interpreted. So it would depend on people taste. Now we can see the differences between beauty and usability, so I believe Art and Design should be worked together as how design can be inspired by an art and how design can make the art become something functionable. – nfab

Paris-London Travel Diary_Part 2

So generally this entry will tell people the experience I had on Paris. After the first night we spent just rest in the hotel room, the next morning we start to explore more on Paris lifestyle, culture and environment.
Early in the morning, after everyone get ready and had our breakfast we were heading to Notre Dame Cathedral. The very interesting part is we were using the metro train that was just under the Hotel we stay. So the transportation is not a problem for us as a tourist. Its was so convenient and just few steps from hotel entrance.

The place we were heading to~

Along the way to Notre Dame, we stopped at Pont Marie station and took a morning walk to Notre Dame.

As we walked, lot of new things we get to know such as Parisian morning routine, the pedestrian walkway law, the breakfast cafe and many others thing.

Paris morning environment

When we was infront of the cathedral, we learnt few things of Architecture element of that building, especially the famous element such flying buttresses, gargoyle and sharp arches. Those element are representing the architecture style also can show from which era. For example, Notre Dame architecture style is represent the French Gothic Architecture.  

 

After Notre Dame visit we walked through along river side to Musee de Lourve. Most of the famous place are located nearby the river. Based from the historical source, back in previous century the river called Seine River was a main routes for trader. It was so nice to have a river scenery from every places and can be a clue for anyone who get lost. On our half way to the Lourve we found the Love Lock Bridge, where I witness the Parisian is one of the most romantic people are true.

In front of the Love Lock Bridge

Once reached the Lourve I getting so excited, because the building I learnt about before just from the books and internet now was infront of me. Even the I'm not a historical person who love museum, but the feeling to go and get to know what the Lourve have inside made my heart race. Long queue and crowded of people, still could not stop me from feel so excited.

A very nice sunny day at Musee de Lourve

Walkway inside of the museum

Sculpture Exhibition Hall

While other people exploring the arts exhibited in this museum, I was focusing more to the architecture element of the building. The interior arrangement of every hall,columns and ceiling structure was more attractive to me than the art sculpture. I was fascinated by the architecture element of this building.

Done with the Lourve, we heading to Centre Georges Pompidou the modern art museum. The building was design by two famous architect  Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. 

The Georges Pompidou,Paris

While heading to this place from Pont Neuf metro station I had experience the insecure feeling while passed by the crowded area near Chatelet station. It was because we kept remind our self to stay cautious of pickpocket and whenever get into the crowded places the feeling will automatically comes. But fortunately we safely reached the destination without having any difficulties. 

Once enter the Pompidou, I was fascinated by the design of the exposed ceiling that shows all the ducting and the M&E system of the building.

On the ground floor of the Center Pompidou Building. Where all the visitors facilities was located.

The art gallery

Even the artworks and all the sculptures was so amazing, I can't understand the art. But from those explanation of the artwork,one thing I have learnt is; art is subjective. Just throw out the emotion or the issue. Different people will have different perspective on whatever they see. That is what I understand about art.

The whole second day in Paris we spent for art museums. So the next day we went to Villa Savoye. It was away from Paris city and located at Poissy,about 45 minutes journey by train. 

Villa Savoye is the first modernism architecture residence build by Le Cobusier. It was Le Cobusier's family vacation house. The house was built with five architecture point that introduce the modernism style to the world. That consist of ;

Functional roof

 Supported by ground-level pilotis

 Free floor plan

Long vertical glass window

Freely designed facade

Villa Savoye

I was totally feel so happy for been there and witnessed the whole house and even get to feel the environment of the residence with my own self.

Entrance Way

Living Hall with long vertical window

We even get a chance to sat on the designed chair by Le Cobusier. So grateful! Even the chair was there in ages but still comfortable to sat on. 

Kitchen Area

Hallway and interior spaces

Finished our half day of the third day in Paris by visit Villa Savoye we continue another half day to enjoy the life in Paris City. From Poissy we took a train to Charles de Gualle Etoile. First thing we saw once get out from underground metro station is Arc de Triomphe. The most famous monument in Paris located on the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle.

Arc de Triomphe

From Etoile we just freely walk through the Avenue des Champ-Elysees for shopping. There got a lot of boutique and nice branded shop where people can get original stuff for fashion such as Louis Vuitton, H&M, GAP, Chanel, Guess and many more. We just too excited to see all those shops but got no chance to shopping because of the limited time that wasted on finding the toilet. About 1 km walked from Place Charles de Gualle we found the bus stop and took a ride to souvenir shop area near Lourve.

Our evening just finish like that, went here and there for shopping. 

Avenue des Champs Elysees

Scenery of Paris City

It was a happy tired day in Paris. We made a last visit to Eiffel Tower that night to watch light performance.

Its a colder night compare to last few days. Lots of people were also waiting for the show, not only groups of friends, but families, romantic couples and the salesman was there and made that place happening.

Eiffel Tower at night and the light show

That was the exploration of our third day in Paris. The next day we were spent the whole day in Paris Disneyland in Marne la Vallee at the east of Paris. I not that excited for Disneyland because I am not theme park person. But when we reached in Disneyland, slowly I get the excitement. Even I was not brave enough to ride all rides but at least I tried few rides and it was worth try. I really enjoy the scenery and all the design from the landscape till the detail of every structure and buildings that create with the themes from all the character in Disney animation. Those things lead me to imagine that theme park designer also is not bad. 

Disney Character

Disney Castle and Fantasy World

to be continue..