ADP Final

[Root²@Penang]

Following the Project 1b Schematic Design phase, we are tasked with fully developing and finalizing the scheme for the Urban Room project. This stage requires a resolved design that integrates environmental and technological strategies alongside technical detailing. As final-year students, the work must demonstrate critical thinking, structural awareness, sensitivity to environmental issues, adherence to relevant laws and regulations, and a balance of exploration with practical feasibility. The outcome should be a comprehensive, well-structured final design presentation and report that aligns with the project’s objectives and requirements.

Introduction

Root²@Penang is a third place and cultural hub in George Town, created in collaboration with the Penang Apprenticeship Programme for Artisans (PAPA). The facility serves as a living platform for passing down traditions deeply rooted in Penang’s Hokkien heritage — from rattan weaving and Chinese opera to tea, dance, and culinary arts. More than a venue, it acts as connective “roots” between generations, where elders share knowledge and skills with the public. By weaving culture into daily life, Root²@Penang strengthens community bonds, nurtures identity, and ensures these traditions remain alive in the hearts of Penang’s people.

Final Outcomes

Reflection

When this project started, I was honestly stuck. The pre-design phase felt like being lost in a maze — I bounced between ideas for a daycare, a museum, even a few other scattered concepts, but nothing felt right. I kept circling back to the brief and realised I was avoiding what it was really asking for: a third place. Something in-between home and work, where people could meet, linger, and share a part of their lives. Once I accepted that, the pieces started to fall into place.

Even then, progress wasn’t smooth. I had to dig deeper into George Town’s context, not just looking at buildings and streets, but trying to understand the layers of culture, habits, and memory that make the place tick. I spent time thinking about how Hokkien heritage survives here — often tucked away in quiet workshops or practised behind closed doors — and how architecture could give it a more open, living presence. That’s how the lattice structure came about, inspired by rattan weaving, both as a cultural link and a functional environmental strategy.

Still, there were plenty of weeks where I felt like I was dragging myself forward. The uncertainty at the start made me slow to commit, and later that meant less time for refining details. Some nights stretched into the early morning, and I worked through long, frustrating revisions. But my friends, family, and tutor kept me steady, giving me the encouragement I needed to push through.

By the final presentation, I knew I had put everything I could into Root²@Penang. It became more than just a design exercise — it was a lesson in patience, resilience, and learning to trust the process. In the end, the project feels like an honest response to the site: a place for gathering, making, and passing on culture, built from both research and a lot of stubborn determination.

Taylor's Graduate Capabilities