Beacon of Life
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Kelvin Lee Kian Shie
Master of Architecture | 2024
Tutor
Dr. Sharifah Salwa Bt Syed Mazdhar
Beacon of Life Volunteer Park: Disaster Risk Management Awareness, Training, Research & Development Centre, located along Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra in Kuala Lumpur, tackles the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and the rise of gated communities. These developments have transformed the area into a 'non-place,' characterised by a lack of social cohesion and communal spaces.
The design of Beacon of Life aims to restore a sense of place by employing Ray Oldenburg’s Third Place theory, which advocates for spaces outside of home and work where people can gather, connect, and build community. In this context, the project places volunteerism at its core, positioning it as a unifying force for the community. The centre also offers emergency training and research development in preventing and mitigating natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and more.
In times of disaster, the building's modular design enables it to quickly transform into a relief centre, offering both shelter and essential services to the community. Thanks to its flexibility in container form, the modules can easily accommodate the delivery of emergency supplies by land or air. Moreover, these modules can be swiftly assembled into self-sustaining relief centres, which are equipped with solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems, ensuring that the community's needs are met even in challenging conditions. Post-disaster, the modules are then reintegrated into community rebuilding efforts, embodying resilience and fostering recovery.
By honouring the Spirit of the Frontliner, the project aims to foster an altruistic society focused on disaster preparedness and community resilience.
In conclusion, Beacon of Life is more than merely architecture — it is a beacon of hope, resilience, and humanity. By embracing volunteerism as a Third Place, we not only address the challenges of Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra but also create an enduring emblem of humanity’s collective strength that helps in mitigating and responding to global crises while fostering resilience.
This is not just architecture: it is a movement - a commitment to build space where people can thrive, connect, and rise together.
Organised by PAMSC as part of the key events for PDF2024, the UNIVERSITY BEST PROJECT COMPETITION serves as an invaluable platform for architectural students to showcase their best university projects and talents. It offers a unique opportunity for students to interact with experienced professionals, enhancing their visibility and creating potential career opportunities, such as internships, mentorships, or job offers, by impressing a panel of esteemed architects.
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Kelvin Lee Kian Shie is a Master of Architecture student at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Architecture from Universiti Sarawak Malaysia (UNIMAS). He gained two years of experience at Design Network Architect (DNA) in Kuching, focusing on design development in tropical architecture. Kelvin actively participates in architecture competitions to broaden his perspectives and connect with others, using each experience to inspire and shape his architectural journey.