A Gift of Hope — Tadika Pawah

OutreachMalaysiaSarawak
Written By Borneo Architecture Journal

Tadika Pawah is a kindergarten expansion project for the children of the Penan community in and around Long Lamam

‘A Gift of Hope’ is a kindergarten expansion project for the children of the Penan community in and around Long Lamam. Tadika Pawah is the name of the kindergarten; 'Pawah' means peace in Penan. The kindergarten was established with the goal of providing education to children in isolated Penan villages in the Baram region of Sarawak. It is an initiative by Mdm. Lim Siok Hong, a local Christian missionary and a teacher who is also a member of Persatuan Perkembangan Pendidikan Orang Pribumi.

The kindergarten was established with the goal of providing education to children in isolated Penan villages in the Baram region by Mdm. Lim Siok Hong

Before this, the children had to brush their teeth by the drain

Following the development, Tadika Pawah now has sinks, making it easier for students to access water for cleaning

Other than addressing the physical requirements of a kindergarten, we wanted it to be visually appealing and spatially stimulating to encourage pupils to enrol, many of whom are new to a formal educational system. The brief also required us to provide boarding facilities for pupils whose parents are away at work. This also serves to train and prepare the pupils when they attend primary boarding school away from the village.

The project was challenging due to the language barrier hindering communication of our design ideas

Due to the community's literacy level, we built a mock-up model to communicate our design intentions

This project's implementation process was challenging on several fronts; the language barrier made it hard for us to communicate our design ideas, our drawings and 3D models proved beyond the literacy level of the community. As a result, we built a mock-up model to communicate our design intentions.

The mock-up model was a very helpful tool in assisting the villagers to visualise the new building

Sketches showing our design intentions for the new extension

Given its remote location, most of the construction materials were sourced from the area by the villagers, accessible via local rapids. We involved the villagers in the building process under our supervision, thereby equipping the community with valuable construction skills.

Due to its remoteness, villagers sourced most materials locally, via rapids

One of the villagers learnt to mix cement under supervision

The new Tadika Pawah is built with the help and even some creativity of the community

The local Penan builders practically built the entire kindergarten. With the help and even some creativity of the community, the project was completed successfully: giving local children access to educational opportunities and bringing a gift of hope for the future of the Penans.

 

PROJECT GALLERY

 

  • Architect : Design Network Architects
    Client : Barefoot Mercy
    Area : 4,000 m²
    Project Location : Long Lamam | Ulu Baram | Sarawak
    Year : 2020

  • Contractor : Local Penan community
    Photographer : Francis Poh

  • Floor | Floor Finishes
    • Timber : Belian
    Wall | Wall Finishes
    • Wall Covering : Timber plank
    Roofing System : Metal roofing
    Paint : Jotun Gardex

 
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Francis Poh
LAM | APAM
Master of Architecture | University of Malaya

Design Network Architects

Francis began his architecture journey with Design Network Architects (DNA) as an architectural intern from 2013 to 2017. While completing his Part I B.Sc. Arch at UCSI, he took the initiative to work as a trainee at DNA during semester breaks, eventually transitioning to the role of Assistant Architect after graduating. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he continued his studies with a Part II M.Arch at UM under the guidance of Kevin Mark Low and Dr. Naziaty. He is now officially a Junior Associate with the firm.

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